Call for Applications for Grants Applications Review Training and Volunteering

Deadline for Applications: January 20, 2013
Duration of Volunteer Assignment: 4 Days (January 28-31st 2013).
Target Number of Volunteers: Five (5)

Akiba Uhaki Foundation provides opportunities to young East Africans for on-job learning experience in a social justice grant-maker to develop and pursue a passion for promotion of human rights and social justice; to improve research as well as analytical skills and build knowledge in advocacy, proposal development, project management and grants administration.

In this regard, the Foundation is looking for in or out-of-university students for engagement in it’s grants applications review process. Successful applicants will be taken through a short training on grants proposals evaluation, grants budget review as well as M & E. At the end of the assignment, all the volunteers will be issued with a certificate. A small stipend will be provided for daily expenses. They will also be entered into Akiba Uhaki’s database for call-up for other future assignments that may arise.

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Profile: aNDe Kenya

When people hear the word ‘coaching’ they used to automatically relate it to sports. However in Kenya, life coaching is emerging as a significant industry, as more Kenyans realise the importance of personal development for success. In order to learn more about life coaching, we recently interviewed Bikundo Onyari, the CEO of aNDe Kenya.

Yipe: Tell us about the background of aNDe Kenya?

Bikundo: aNDe Kenya is a result of two life changing scenarios in my life. One was in college while studying Leadership Development and Social Entrepreneurship. I was required to come up with a thesis that would show how I will use my education to impact the world. The second scenario was my exposure to coaching and training with my mentor in the Netherlands. All this combined with my passion of serving and impacting young people and professionals enabled the genesis of aNDe.

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Africa Rural Connect Young Farmers Idea Contest

You can win seed funding up to $5,000 for your business plan that engages youth in sub-Saharan Africa under the age of 18 through an educational project, community-building initiative, social program, and more, all centered around agriculture and farming.

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Greece: The Golden Dawn has risen

Harsh austerity measures imposed in the past two years in Greece has placed severe strain on public spending and resulted in disaffection and rage among the population. In a country where 1 in 2 young people are unemployed, it is no surprise that the Hryssi Avgi (Golden Dawn) Party managed to claim 7% of seats in the just concluded parliamentary elections.

Registered as a political party in 1993, though the leadership claim that they are not neo-nazi; with a uniform of black shirts bearing an insignia similar to the Nazi emblem, Golden Dawn have been blamed for violent hate fueled attacks on immigrants, particularly in the low-end areas. They have also been active in appealing to youth support by distributing fliers in schools and organizing concerts.

Seemingly their hard hitting campaign tactics where immigrants were virulently described as “stench” did not encumber their popularity. Nor did their calls for debt write-off, trashing the multi-billion bailout from the so-called “global loan sharks” also fail to galvanize their support. 

Without significant interventions into youth unemployment, the right of far-right extremists will continue in Europe unabated.

 

France’s Election and the disaffected Youth Vote

All eyes are on the May 6th second round of votes in France between the top two contenders, incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy and Francois Hollande. Their previous neck to neck showing means that they are now at the mercy of supporters of Marine Le Pen’s Front Nationale party which garnered roughly 6.5 million votes in the first round, and took the lead amongst the 18 to 24 year olds votes.

One reason for Front Nationale’s popularity amongst the youth was its campaign stance as an “anti-elite” party. France’s escalating youth unemployment crisis (currently at 23%), particularly amongst poorer youth, has created a growing segment of disaffected youth who feel that jobs should first be made available to native French, instead of the rising number of immigrants. Others have felt neglected by the mainstream parties, feeling that their vote is useless.

The second round of campaigns has seen the contenders wooing young people. Nicolas Sarkozy has proposed the creation of a youth bank for young entrepreneurs whereas the challenger Francois Hollande has promised to create 60,000 new jobs.

But why are the youth (numbering roughly 6 million) so disillusioned that they can throw their weight behind extreme parties? Sadly as DJ Taylor comments in the Independent “scratch a neo-fascist and in nine cases out of 10 you find not a racist but someone whom the contemporary world has passed by”.

It’s now upto Hollande and Sarkozy to make these young voters feel included in society because as it stands as Le Pen says the choice remains akin to choosing between the plague and cholera! Today she announced that she will cast a blank ballot. It remains to see whom if any of the options France’s youth voters will choose.

2012 Goi Peace Foundation’s International Essay Contest for Young People

This annual essay contest is organized in an effort to harness the energy, imagination and initiative of the world’s youth in promoting a culture of peace and sustainable development. It also aims to inspire society to learn from the young minds and to think about how each of us can make a difference in the world.

THEME:

“Creating the Future We Want”

Future begins with the vision we hold now. What kind of future do you wish to create for yourself and the world? Please share your dream and ideas for making it a reality.

GUIDELINES:

1. Essays may be submitted by anyone up to 25 years old (as of June 30th 2012) in one of the following age categories:

a) Children (ages up to 14)

b) Youth (ages 15 – 25)

2. Essays must be 800 words or less in English, French, Spanish or German; or 1600 characters or less in Japanese, typed or printed.

3. Essays must have a cover page indicating

(1) Category (Children or Youth)

(2) Essay title

(3) Your name

(4) Address

(5) Phone number

(6) E-mail

(7) Nationality

(8) Age as of June 30th 2012

(9) gender

(10) School name (if applicable)

(11) Word count.

Teachers and youth directors may submit a collection of essays from their class or group. Please enclose a list of participants’ names and the name and contact information of the submitting teacher or director.

* Entries missing any of the above information will not be considered.

4. Entries may be submitted by postal mail or online.

* IMPORTANT: To send your essay online, you must go to the online registration page at http://www.goipeace.or.jp and follow the required steps.

5. Essays must be original and unpublished.

6. Essays must be written by one person. Co-authored essays are not accepted.

7. Copyright of the essays entered will be assigned to the organizers.

DEADLINE: Entries must be received by June 30th 2012.

AWARD:

The following awards will be given in the Children’s category and Youth category respectively:

1st Prize: Certificate and prize of 100,000 Yen (approx. US$1,300) – 1 entrant

2nd Prize: Certificate and prize of 50,000 Yen (approx. US$650) – 2 entrants

3rd Prize: Certificate and gift – 5 entrants

Honorable Mention: Certificate and gift – 25 entrants

* 1st prize winners will be invited to the award ceremony in Tokyo, Japan scheduled for November 2012. (Travel expenses will be covered by the organizers.)

** All prize winners will be announced in November 2012 on the Goi Peace Foundation web site (www.goipeace.or.jp ) and UNESCO web site (www.unesco.org/youth ). Certificates and gifts will be mailed to the winners in December.

PLEASE SEND YOUR ENTRIES TO:

International Essay Contest

c/o The Goi Peace Foundation

1-4-5 Hirakawacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0093 Japan

OR Send online at http://www.goipeace.or.jp

To learn more, please visit http://www.goipeace.or.jp/english/activities/programs/1201.html

Peace Revolution Fellowships

Peace Revolution is now accepting applications for June 2012 Fellowship in Thailand. The Fellowship is open to all young peace activists who believe that INNER PEACE + OUTER PEACE = SUSTAINABLE WORLD PEACE.

Eligibility

• Be 18-30 years old at the time of submitting the application;
• Have completed 42-day of the online self-development program;
• Have completed at least 1 (online) Special Ops;
• Have good proficiency in written and spoken English language;
• Be optimistic, open-minded, show leadership potential, and have a genuine interest in peace.

Application Process

”Global Peace on the Move 8” will be held from 18^th June – 1^st July 2012.

• Candidates should apply and begin the self-development program before March 31^st 2012 via http://www.peacerevolution.net/docs/en/peace-revolution-fellowship-for-youth
• Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria will be scheduled for a phone or Skype video interview after 30-day of self-development program has been completed.
• Candidates have to finish a 42-day of online self-development program with at least 1 (online) special ops to be fully eligible to receive the fellowship as agreed.

Fellowship Program

• 10-day of Inner Peace Retreat (focus on Meditation, Peace, and Buddhist Studies)
• 3-day of Workshop and Dialogue

2012 MILEAD Fellowship for young African women leaders – Call For Applications

Who is the most outstanding young African woman leader you know ?

Moremi Initiative for Women’s Leadership in Africa (Moremi Initiative) has announced its call for applications for the 2012 Moremi Leadership Empowerment and Development (MILEAD) Fellows Program.

The MILEAD Fellows Program is a one-year leadership development program designed to identify, develop and promote emerging young African Women leaders to attain and succeed in leadership in their community and Africa as a whole. The program targets dynamic young women interested in developing transformational leadership skills that help them tackle issues affecting women in their communities and society as a whole- by equipping them with the world class knowledge, skills, values and networks they need to succeed as 21st century women leaders. Applications are welcome from young African women living in Africa and the Diaspora.

The MILEAD Fellowship will be awarded to 25 outstanding young women with exceptional qualities who have exhibited leadership potential in their community, organization, and/or profession.

To be eligible for the one-year program, an applicant must be African, living on the continent or in the Diaspora; agree to participate in all required activities related to MILEA- including a three-week residential Summer Institute in Ghana; and commit to a community change project.

Applicants must be between 19 – 25 years of age. Specific requirements of the program and related dates are outlined in the application package. Please review program and application guidelines carefully, before completing your application.

Please note that this is not a full-time fellowship. Selected candidates may remain full time students or work full time for the program duration, except during the 3–week summer institute. The 3-week summer institute is an intensive and full-time residential program and all fellows will be required to attend. The rest of the program involves community-based, online and other distance activities.

How to Apply:

The application package and additional information is available online at www.moremiinitiative.org

Application forms must be downloaded and filled-out in word document format. Completed application form must be submitted with two letters of recommendation and CV. All applications and supporting documents must be submitted by email.

Deadline for applications. March 15^th 2012.

Find more fellowship opportunities

“1 of 7 Billion” Global Film Competition

“1 of 7 Billion” is a global short film competition, organized by the 7 Billion Actions initiative and the Foundation 10.12.48. It is designed to inspire people everywhere to use their talents to explore one of the seven key issues targeted by 7 Billion Actions:

• Poverty and breaking the circle of inequality
• Empowerment and progress of women and girls
• Young people
• Reproductive health and rights
• Healthy environmental and healthy people
• Aging
• Urbanization-planning for growth.

The deadline for submissions is 9pm GMT on February 15^th 2012. Winners will be announced on 8^th March, 2012, which is International Women’s Day.

 

Submission Requirements:

• Films must be in digital form.
• Films should be from 1 to 10 minutes in length, including credits.
• Entries must have English subtitles if presented in another language.
• The author of the piece will be responsible for the originality of the work.
• Each entry must focus on one or more of the 7 key issues of the 7 Billion Actions campaign.
• Each team or individual may submit up to two short films.
• Films must be accompanied by an online entry form.

For more information visit http://www.7billionactions.org/film

2012 Global Youth Video Competition on Education and Skills

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) works to promote policies that are expected to improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world. OECD is currently inviting video submissions for the 2012 Global Youth Video Competition. Participants are required to send a short video of not more than 3 minutes on the theme of the competition.

 

Competition Theme

Education and Skills – what are the big issues today:

• Learning the right skills to get a job?
• Bridging the ‘digital divide’?
• Tackling inequality in access to education and training?
• Inspiring creativity and innovation?

 

The Prize

The video author (or a nominated representative, if a team effort) of each winning video will be invited to Paris to attend the OECD Forum on 22^nd – 24^th May 2012. Travel costs to and from Paris, hotel accommodation and a living allowance will be provided for the duration of the Forum. The Prize will be awarded to three winning videos selected by Jury. If a winning video is a group effort, then a nominated representative will be invited to Paris.

 

About the Videos

• Your video must be no more than 3 minutes in length.
• Any spoken language used in your video that is not English or French must be accompanied by the relevant subtitles in English or French.
• Your video must not contain violence, profanity, sex or direct attacks on individuals or organizations. Any entries deemed offensive will be immediately disqualified.
• Your video must be your own original creation – no copyrighted music, video, or images may be used.
• Your video must not infringe on any third party rights.
• Your video must not have been produced for compensation or posted previously on any OECD Web page.

 

Eligibility Criteria

You must be aged between 18 and 25 years during the period of this competition (14 December 2011 to 31 March 2012). That means you must have been born on or between 15 December 1985 and 1 April 1994. Proof of identity will be required from all finalists.

If you are a member of OECD staff (either permanent or temporary, current or former), intern, contractor, sponsor, or an immediate family member of any of the foregoing, you may participate, but are not eligible to win.

Selection Criteria

Videos will be judged on adherence to the competition challenge through creativity, originality, message content and overall presentation (sound and picture quality).

The deadline for submitting the entries is March 31^st 2012

For more information, visit http://www.oecd.org/document/8/0,3746,en_21571361_49034050_49086984_1_1_1_1,00.html