About the program
The programme offers personal and professional development to leaders who work for positive social change in the fields of democracy, human rights, sustainability, and equality. YLVP provides the tools necessary to accomplish a greater social impact.
YLVP builds and strengthens individual leadership through group-centric methods such as collaboration, feedback, and reflection. Participants will learn in groups from merited facilitators and from each other through workshops, practical exercises, and hands-on performance.
The application process for YLVP 2017 will open on 4 November 2016. The deadline for the application will be 5 December 2016. Read more about the application process here.
Who can apply?
The four-week programme is divided into two modules at separate times and places. Application is open to individuals between 22 and 32 years of age from Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Syria, Tunisia, Yemen or Sweden, who are actively working for social change through the promotion of democracy, sustainability, diversity and/or human rights.
Applicants must have a proficient command of both written and spoken English.
Learning methods
All participants are experts in their field, and learning will take place between participants and through external experts. The methods used originate in collaboration and experience rather than individual performance. Exchanging knowledge and inspiration with each other is central to YLVP. Participants will learn by participating in interactive sessions with facilitators, exchanging experiences, doing practical exercises, and finding common solutions to global challenges.
The methodology is also quite experimental in nature. Instead of traditional teachers or tests, you will meet inspirational and skilled field experts, perform practical tasks, receive feedback, and participate in interactive workshops and reflection sessions.
Who is behind the programme?
The YLVP programme is an initiative from the Swedish Institute, developed in close cooperation with Hyper Island in Sweden. SI is a representative of Sweden as well as Swedish values and experiences in the world. SI has goals related to creating a sustainable and equal society globally.
In YLVP, SI collaborates with Hyper Island, with expertise in developing professional experience-based learning in a digitalised world. Central to Hyper Island’s methodology is to practice experiential learning: to question, reflect and explore different approaches to solving challenges.
This collaboration has resulted in a programme that is both revolutionary and widely appreciated by participants. Leadership programmes have been a part of SI’s offer since 2008 and are evolving for every new generation of alumni.
Practical information
YLVP is made up of four weeks divided into two modules at separate times. Module one is three weeks long and always takes place in Sweden. Module two is one week long and takes place either in Sweden or in another location. The programme is in English.
SI covers all costs related to accommodation, food, and transport during YLVP.
Module 1
In Sweden, 8–26 May 2017
During the first module, we will dive straight into the experience-based leadership training with a focus on personal and group development. You will be an active participant in several seminars and workshops that touch on important and relevant topics to you and your ambitions – such as diversity, human rights, transparency, tolerance, and other global challenges.
A substantial amount of time will also be dedicated to feedback, active listening, and reflection. During the module, YLVP aims to create a safe space for you to explore your approach to driving social change. At the same time, you are expected to take a step out of your comfort zone and challenge your own behavior as you go along.
The module involves advanced hands-on training with digital tools, tactics, and security. All parts of the program will be led by facilitators working actively in their respective fields. Practical group assignments and project work run throughout the module in combination with at least one study visit to relevant Swedish organizations or institutions.
Module 2
14–20 October 2017 (location to be decided)
The second and final module takes place a few months after the end of Module 1 after you’ve had time to start implementing the lessons from the first module into your work. It will take place in Sweden or in another location.
The focus during Module 2 will be to maintain, build and expand the network, continue the learning journey, and follow up the development of your work. Just as the first module, this one includes workshops and seminars with speakers and builds on the sharing of the participant's own experiences and knowledge.
Please note that the Young Leaders Visitors Programme is an intensive program, and all selected participants will have to commit to participating in all activities of both Module 1 and 2.
Accommodation, food, and travel
All costs related to accommodation, food, and transport during YLVP are covered by SI. SI also arranges and pays for the participants’ air travel to and from Sweden and to the location of the second module of the program. Each participant is responsible for transportation costs within her/his own countries.
This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:
https://eng.si.se/areas-of-operation/leadership-programmes-and-cultural-exchange/young-leaders-visitors-programme/