Project Description
United 4 Change | Program for Young Political Activists 2020 is a 4-day course on public leadership held in a Webinar format (18-21 May 2020) – supplemented with a 3-day visit to the World Forum for Democracy in Strasbourg, France (16-18 November 2020) and addressed to young civic activists and community leaders interested in entering or growing their role in the public sector and politics.
The goal of the United 4 Change | Program for Young Political Activists 2020 is to equip 15 participants – civic activists from Europe and beyond (with some preference given to leaders from the Visegrad states) with a political toolkit – a set of fundamental skills required to successfully transition into the world of politics. Participants will take part in online expert lectures and work groups focusing on the common challenges facing democracies around the world. They will also attend the World Forum for Democracy in Strasbourg, France (November 2020) .
The program will utilize the hands-on methodology of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights that engages participants through a case study and hands-on method of instruction. This methodology encourages learning by doing and engaging other participants and lecturers in an open dialogue.
The program supports the Council of Europe and OSCEs mission of reinforcing democracy, human rights and rule of law on the European continent. It is organized in co-partnership with the European Academy of Diplomacy
The Program comprises of a 4-day Webinar course on public leadership (18-21 May 2020), supplemented with a 3-day visit to the World Forum for Democracy in Strasbourg, France (16 – 18 November 2020).
The program will be divided into three modules that will offer participants practical knowledge & insights, master level skills trainings and know-how sharing with experienced politicians, representatives from civic society and fellow participants:
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Thematic lectures
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Political Toolkit
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Participation in the World Forum for Democracy in Strasbourg
A. Thematic Lectures (Online Session, 18 – 21 May)
1. Identifying main challenges to the democratic processes in Europe and beyond
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Transparency, Corruption and Accountability
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The Importance of Rule of Law and Separation of Power
2. Strengthening the democratic processes in Europe
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Diversity and Inclusion in Societies
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Fostering Women’s Activism and Involvement
B. The Political Toolkit (Online Session, 18 – 21 May)
The thematic lectures and debates will be supplemented by the Political Toolkit module, which will help participants master skills that are necessary to make a transition from the world of civic activism into politics and public leadership:
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Ethical Leadership
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Policy Advising & Speech Writing
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Campaigning and Fundraising
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Devising Communication Strategies and Working with the Media
C. World Forum for Democracy (Strasbourg Session, 16 – 18 November)
The program participants will meet together for a second time in Strasbourg for the World Forum for Democracy – the biggest conference organized annually by the Council of Europe, gathering over 2000 politicians, diplomats, experts, journalists, civil society activists and others. The World Forum for Democracy is a platform for political decision-makers and activists to debate solutions to key challenges for democracies worldwide. By identifying and analyzing experimental initiatives and practices, the Forum highlights and encourages democracy innovations at the grassroots and their transfer on a systemic level in order to strengthen the foundations of democratic societies.
The project participants will have a chance to participate in a number of high-level sessions and discussions with peers coming from over 60 countries, and meet their peers from the other Schools for Political Studies in Europe and beyond.
The program will offer a selected group of 15 young political activists:
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Critical skills to take a leap into public leadership and politics.
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Knowledge to shape and strengthen the democratic processes and institutions in their respective countries.
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An opportunity to establish a regional network of democratically-minded leaders, ready to take on greater responsibility for a more mature political culture in their respective countries.
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Involvement into a discussion about the direction of political leadership in Europe.
The program is a full scholarship initiative, with all fees covered such as:
The Webinar session
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Tuition fee
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Workshop materials
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Webinar completion certificate issues by VSPS and ODHiR
The Strasbourg session
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Accommodation (3 days)
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Partial travel reimbursement
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Tuition fee
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Coffee breaks and lunches
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Official graduation diploma issued by VSPS and the Council of Europe presented upon graduation at the World Forum For Democracy in Strasbourg.
The application process is highly competitive and is addressed to applicants meeting the following requirements:
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Profile: civic activists or community leaders interested in entering or growing your role in the public sector and politics.
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Countries: leaders from Europe and beyond – some preference will be given to applicants from the Visegrad countries (Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia)
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Age: between 21-35 years old.
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Language: English proficiency, at least B2 level (certificate not required).
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Application Process: Fill in the application form with two attachments: a CV and an essay answering the question: Will a Pandemic like COVID-19 strengthen or weaken democracy in the world? (500-1000 words)
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Be fully committed to participating in all four days of the webinar (18-21 May 2020) and be able to attend the World Forum for Democracy (15-17 November 2020).
The program is a full scholarship initiative, with all fees covered such as:
The Webinar session
– Tuition fee
– Workshop materials
– Prestigious Certificate
The Strasbourg session
– Accommodation
– Travel costs to Strasbourg and back
– Tuition fee
– Coffee breaks and Lunches
– Prestigious Certificate
The Webinar session
– Tuition fee
– Workshop materials
– Prestigious Certificate
The Strasbourg session
– Accommodation
– Travel costs to Strasbourg and back
– Tuition fee
– Coffee breaks and Lunches
– Prestigious Certificate
Who can apply for this program ?admin2021-04-06T08:34:40+01:00
This program is addressed to young civic activists and community leaders (age 18-35) from Europe and beyond, interested in entering or growing their role in the public sector and politics.
How much does the program cost ?admin2021-04-06T08:33:57+01:00
The program is a full scholarship initiative, with all fees covered such as:
The Webinar session (May 2021)
- Tuition fee
- Workshop materials
- Webinar completion certificate issues by VSPS and ODHiR
The Warsaw Security Forum session (October 2021)
- Tuition fee
- Workshop materials
How many participants will be selected for the program ?admin2020-04-09T15:45:08+01:00
The program will offer 20 leaders, critical skills and knowledge to take a leap into public leadership and politics, at the same time developing participants’ abilities to shape and strengthen the democratic processes and institutions in their respective countries.
