Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Swedish Institute (SI)?
The Swedish Institute (SI) is a public agency that promotes interest in Sweden abroad. SI seeks to establish cooperation and lasting relations with other countries through active communication and cultural, educational and scientific exchanges. SI works closely with Swedish embassies and consulates around the world. For more information see About SI.
2. What is the Swedish Institute Young Leaders Visitors Program (YLVP)?
The Swedish Institute Young Leaders Visitors Program (YLVP) is an intercultural leadership program with focus on social media as a tool for positive change. The program invites young opinion-makers from Sweden and selected countries in the MENA region who are actively working for social change in their respective contexts.
YLVP is designed to give participants innovative tools to shape public opinion in cutting-edge media while strengthening their intercultural and leadership skills. During the program participants will be part of an exclusive network that will boost creativity and support personal and professional development, while also laying the platform for a more connected future.
3. When and where does the Young Leaders Visitors Program take place?
The Young Leaders Visitors Program was successfully launched in 2008. The first phase of the 2011 program will take place between in the beginning of May 2011 for two weeks in different venues in Sweden. The follow-upp till take place in the MENA region in November. It is mandatory to attend both phases.
4. Who can apply?
Young open-minded opinion-makers in Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, West Bank-Gaza, Yemen and Sweden who are actively working for democracy and human rights within the spheres of media, culture, society, business and politics: journalists, bloggers, artists, activists, project managers, youth party leaders, politicians, government civil servants, lawyers, teachers and researchers. Age: 20 - 35, with good working knowledge of both written and spoken English.
Eligibility
- You are an engaged opinion-maker within the spheres of culture, society, business or politics.
- You are actively working for social change within your own context, using media as a tool in shaping public opinion.
- You are committed to democracy and human rights issues.
- You are between 20 and 35 years old.
- You have a good working knowledge of both written and spoken English.
- You are from Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, West Bank-Gaza, Yemen or Sweden.
5. How do I apply?
A complete application consists of your contact information, YLVP questionnaire and CV. You can find further instructions under Application procedure in the left-hand menu.
6. When is the deadline to apply for the Young Leaders Visitors Program
Deadline for submitting the application for the Young Leaders Visitors Program 2011 is February 15, 2011.
7. How does the selection process of eligible applicants work?
The Swedish Institute will appoint a selection committee consisting of staff from the Swedish Institute as well as representatives from partner organizations and field experts. The applications will be evaluated according to the following selection criteria:
- The relevance and quality of the personal motivation and commitment, and the applicant’s answers to the YLVP questionnaire,
- An assessment of the eligibility criteria, CV and recommendations,
- The general qualifications of the applicant.
The Swedish Institute will make its decision based on the final selection, taking into account the recommendations of the selection committee as well as the candidates’ general suitability for the program.
Out of all applicants, a number of shortlisted candidates will be called for interviews as a second step of the selection process. The interviews will be conducted through Skype (see Skype.com). Results for the 2011 applications procedure were announced by the end of March, 2011.
The Swedish Institute composes a list of reserve candidates for an eventual second selection. If you were not announced as a reserve candidate by the end of March, 2011, you are not on the reserve list.
A total of 30 applicants will be selected to attend the YLVP 2011. As far as possible SI has ensured that there is an even distribution of candidates from the different countries.
8. Why is the Young Leaders Visitors Program only open for applicants from Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, West Bank-Gaza, Yemen and Sweden?
The main aim of YLVP is to lay a foundation for dialogue, mutual understanding and knowledge-sharing among young opinion-makers from Sweden and the Middle East and North Africa.
For this year’s program participants from Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, West Bank-Gaza, Yemen and Sweden are eligible to apply. However, the Young Leaders Visitors Program is an annual event and the countries will change from year to year.
9. How much does it cost to attend the Young Leaders Visitors Program
Participants from the Middle East and North Africa
If you are accepted to the YLVP, it is an offer which covers all costs in association with program participation.
Accommodation, food and transport
All costs related to accommodation, food and transport during the YLVP are covered by the Swedish Institute. The Swedish Institute will also arrange and pay for your air travel to and from Sweden as well as France, 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).
Participants from Sweden
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 Swedish Institute will arrange and pay for your air travel to the follow up module, but participants are themselves responsible of costs related to transport within Sweden.