Calling all human rights advocates, #RiseforHumanRights with U.S – ASEAN Women’s Leadership Academy for YSEALI !
Many Southeast Asian countries are beset with violent conflicts involving minorities. Religion, in particular, has become a key component in political repression.
Amidst these situations, women consistently serve as leaders on the front lines, rebuilding war-torn societies from the ground up. There are still great strides to be taken in advancing the quality of life of religious and ethnic minorities. Rise for religious and ethnic minorities by joining the 2022 U.S – ASEAN Women’s Leadership Academy for YSEALI !
RELEVANT SUSTAINABLE GOALS
AU.S – ASEAN WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
The eighth U.S.-ASEAN Women’s Leadership Academy (WLA) for YSEALI Regional Workshop is available to youth human right advocates from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam. This fully-funded workshop will bring together 44 young leaders who are between the ages of 20-35.
The Academy is an avenue for young women leaders to advance their leadership skills, understand the importance of human capital development and civic engagement to support their work on human rights issues. This program also cultivates a network of young Southeast Asian women leaders who work across national borders, drive collective action and nurture a strong ASEAN identity and community.
The Academy aims to:
- become an avenue for participants to advance their leadership skills
- increase the participants’ understanding of key gender differences and challenges in the human rights sector and the region
- expand their network of young Southeast Asian women leaders who work across national borders and drive collective action
- provide access to seed funding and mentorship
- nurture a strong ASEAN identity and community
The WLA consists of a series of leadership labs, panel discussions, break-out sessions, and mentoring and networking opportunities with leaders from the region and the United States.
PROGRAM DATES
If you’re interested in strengthening your leadership skills and advancing your human rights advocacy, and you meet the following eligibility criteria, please apply by submitting this form before December 18, 2021.
Please note that:
- All applications submitted after December 18, 2021, will not be accepted.
- Selected participants will be notified by the last week of January 2022.
This hybrid program will start with online activities and sessions from February-April 2022, tentatively followed by an in-person workshop scheduled for August 2022. The in-person workshop will depend on the pandemic situation at the time.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
- YSEALI Member (Not a member yet? Join here!)
- Age between 20 – 35 (at the time of application and workshop)
- Citizen of: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, or Vietnam
- If you are living outside of Southeast Asia you may apply for the workshop and join the virtual program. However, flights for the in-person workshop will only be covered for participants currently residing in Southeast Asia.
- Proficient in written and spoken English
- Working on the below human rights issues, including advocacy for minority groups, with a minimum 3 years of relevant experience
- Ethnic and religious minorities
- People with disabilities
- Indigenous communities
- LGBTQI+ communities
- Other professional or academic experiences that are involved in and not limited to, activities/work in gender equity, media and press freedom, peace and security, sustainable development and other fields relevant to advancing civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights
- Bonus points may be given for: Specific voluntary or professional experiences advocating for a human rights cause and/or people from a marginalized community (for example, fighting to increase the awareness of or expand the civil rights of people with intersex conditions, people with disabilities, people who identify as transgender, members of indigenous communities, or gays, lesbians, and bisexuals); Having a personal connection to a marginalized community
- Passionate about building communities and have a keen interest in building a network through collaboration and partnership with other Southeast Asian countries
- Will commit to a minimum of 36 hours of workshop sessions from the Academy’s agenda in August 2022
- Have a valid passport that expires after November 2022
ABOUT WEDU GLOBAL
Wedu’s mission is to unlock the leadership potential of women in Asia by providing high potential young women with access to lifelong mentorship and innovative financing options to complete higher education and become change-makers in their communities. Investing in Women’s Leadership, Sustainably Wedu works with local NGOs, educational institutions, and individuals based in communities across Asia who act as Talent Spotters, identifying young women who demonstrate strong leadership potential with a focus on women from underserved communities.
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The article was initially published on 26th November 2021.
