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.
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.
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.