PROFESSIONAL FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM:
TOLERANCE AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION
IN UGANDA AND RWANDA
PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT FOR RWANDA
OVERVIEW
Smith College is soliciting applications for
participation in a Professional Fellowship Program. The project will bring eleven
Rwandan professionals and eleven Ugandan professionals to the U.S. for six
weeks on a fully-funded trip. Approximately half of those selected would
participate in a U.S.
program from April 30 to June 10, 2016, and the other half from October 1 to
November 11, 2016. The theme of the project is Cross-Sectoral Development in
the field of Tolerance and Conflict Resolution.
US-BASED PROGRAMS
Participants of the US-based programs will be from Rwanda
and Uganda.
Each program will start with one week of orientation activities at Smith College
in Western Massachusetts. In addition to
orientation activities, the week will include lectures, site visits, and
cultural outings. During weeks 2-5, small groups of participants will be placed
with host organizations throughout Massachusetts
and neighboring states to learn how those organizations provide conflict
resolution and other services, and to contribute their own knowledge and
experience. During the final week of the program participants will travel to Washington, DC
for cultural activities and a closing conference hosted by the U.S. Department
of State. Participants will be guided and supported throughout the programs by
staff at Smith College.
PARTICIPANT
RESPONSIBILITIES
Once selected, participants must secure a valid passport, and make an
application for a J1 visa from the U.S. Embassy in their country. In addition
to submitting a written application, visa applicants must attend an individual
interview at the Embassy. Staff will facilitate the visa application process
for each participant. Only those who are granted a visa may travel to the U.S.
On their return from their U.S.
program, African participants will be required to implement a project relating
to improving tolerance and conflict resolution programs in their communities.
The projects will be defined by the participants, with support and guidance
from U.S. and African
project organizers, and will be developed during the U.S. program.
African participants will also be expected to be actively involved in the
development and implementation of a two-week Africa-based program for four
American participants in July/August, 2016 in Rwanda,
and a comparable program in January, 2017 in Uganda. The U.S. delegations will consist of people actively
involved in the U.S.
fellowships for Africans, and work in the same fields. They will visit for two
weeks, traveling to many of the African alumni organizations and communities.
The Americans will be expected to support the African delegations in
implementing their projects.
More information regarding activities and responsibilities for the projects and
for the Africa-based program will be provided during the U.S. program.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR
PARTICIPANTS
To be eligible, an applicant must:
· be between the ages of 25 and 50
· be a citizen of Rwanda
· have significant volunteer and/or professional experience
in community involvement relevant to the project theme
· have demonstrated an understanding of project goals and
objectives
· commit to developing and implementing an action plan
· be open to new ideas and perspectives
· have limited travel abroad experience and no previous
participation in this type of program.
Other criteria that will be
considered include diversity among group members, including ethnic,
socio-economic, and gender diversity. Special consideration will be given to
female candidates.
The selection process is as follows:
1. Application forms for the spring program are due no later
than 31 December 2015. Applications by Rwandans must be submitted to Ms. Dora
Urujeni (see below for contact information).
2. The Selection Committee will consist of 3-5 people working
in the fields of tolerance and conflict resolution, and will possibly a
representative of the U.S. Embassy in Kigali. Selection Committee members will
review applications and select up to 22 semi-finalists from Rwanda.
3. Individual interviews for the semi-finalists will be held
during the month of January 2016.
4. Eleven finalists and six alternates will be announced by
31 January 2016.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR
APPLICATION
To be considered complete and valid, your application must include:
Section 1: Personal Information
Section 2: Essay Question Responses
Section 3: One recommendation
IMPORTANT!
How To Apply
Find here the Application Form to
be filled document and send it on this email address “udoran2001@yahoo.fr”
Please consider all of the above
information carefully before deciding to apply.
Print clearly or type, in
English. Do not include these cover pages with the application.
Completed Applications must
be received by Dora Urujeni, Rwanda Coordinator, no later than midnight on 31
December 2015.
RWANDA APPLICATION AND
RECOMMENDATION DEADLINE: DECEMBER 31, 2015
Rwanda applications may be
delivered to Ms. Dora Urujeni (tel: 0788308983)
Post: Memos, P.O. Box 6433, Kigali- Rwanda
Email: udoran2001@yahoo.fr
