See the world through new eyes
New digital platforms are bridging divides. In the right hands, social media like Wikipedia, Facebook, YouTube, mobile technology and blogs can erode cultural barriers and shatter common misperceptions. In order to make an impact and drive change, the opinion-makers of tomorrow need to be better equipped and better connected than ever before.
The Young Leaders Visitors Program (YLVP) was successfully launched in 2008 as an intercultural leadership program supporting the development of young leaders through a combination of personal growth and practical experience, focusing on social media as a tool for positive change.
The 2010 YLVP will have a strong focus on social entrepreneurship and all YLVP participants will be invited to attend the Rework the World meeting (see link on the right), dates: June 2-5, in Leksand, Sweden.
Objectives
The main aim of YLVP is to lay a foundation for dialogue, mutual understanding and knowledge sharing among young opinion makers from Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, West Bank-Gaza, Yemen and Sweden. YLVP strives to strengthen participants in their aims to drive processes for social change in their respective contexts.
Why Sweden?
Tolerance, openness and equality are hallmarks of Swedish society. Sweden is one of the most vocal countries when it comes to supporting global peace and democracy. Technologically advanced and open to new concepts and ideas, Swedes take pride in a rich tradition of innovation.
YLVP focus areas
YLVP integrates four focus areas:
Leadership training: personal development and group dynamics from an intercultural perspective, encouraging creative initiatives as well as cooperation. The leadership training is done through lectures, workshops, reflection and a variety of work assignments.
Social media: training in innovative technologies as practical tools for shaping public opinion and building networks that promote dialogue and knowledge sharing. The social media training is done through workshops, practical assignments and group projects.
Knowledge building: theoretical and practical perspectives on democracy and human rights issues through lectures, seminars and workshops by prominent speakers and inspirers actively working on these subjects.
Practical experience: practical assignments and projects run throughout the program in combination with study visits to Swedish authorities, organizations and institutions that work in the spheres of culture, society, business and politics.
Program platform
The Young Leaders Visitors Program 2010 consists of two phases.
Phase 1: YLVP in Sweden
May 10-June 1, 2010 (three weeks).
Phase 1 encompasses experience-based training in intercultural leadership skills and personal as well as group development. It also includes advanced hands-on experience with the use of new media, blogging and Web 2.0, as well as study visits to Swedish authorities, organizations and institutions working in the spheres of culture, society, business and politics. Phase 1 gives innovative tools and inspiration in the process of shaping public opinion within the framework of democracy and human rights issues.
The YLVP 2010 will be summarized by the Young Leaders Network Seminar with high profile guests from Sweden as well as the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, encouraging the exchange of ideas and experiences between today’s opinion-makers.
Phase 2: YLVP follow-up
During fall of 2010.
Phase 2 offers a golden opportunity to maintain, build and expand your network. All participants, including those from Sweden, will regroup to discuss and evaluate their involvement in the program. New topics will be presented, and ideas, opinions and knowledge will be shared.
Program practicalities: Participants from the MENA region
The first phase of the Young Leaders Visitors Program 2010 will take place between May 10 and June 1, 2010 at different venues in Sweden. The second phase of the program will take place during fall 2010. As a selected participant of the YLVP, it is mandatory to attend both phases.
Accommodation, food and travel
All costs related to accommodation, food and transport during the Young Leaders Visitors Program are covered by the Swedish Institute. The Swedish Institute will also arrange and pay for your air travel to and from Sweden, but participants are themselves responsible for costs related to transport within their own countries.
Insurance
During the program in Sweden all participants will be insured against acute illness and accident through the Swedish State Group Insurance and personal insurance by The Swedish Legal, Financial and Administrative Service Agency (Kammarkollegiet).
Visa
Selected participants are responsible for obtaining their visas in good time before departure to Sweden and other relevant countries. A link to Swedish embassies and consulates can be found in the right-hand menu.
The program will be conducted in English.
Program practicalities: Participants from Sweden
The program for the Swedish participants encompasses one obligatory week of phase one in Sweden: May 10-16, 2010 and of phase two during fall 2010. As a selected participant of the YLVP, it is mandatory to attend both phases.
Swedish participants may attend the full program if the possibility is available for them.
Accommodation, food and transport
All costs related to activities outside Stockholm during the YLVP in Sweden are covered by the Swedish Institute; this includes accommodation, food and transport.
During the program in Stockholm, the Swedish Institute covers your lunch expenses as well as the costs of all arranged activities.
The program will be held in English and proficient command of English, written and spoken, is therefore a requirement.