Call For Youth Reconciliation Ambassadors, Serbia

Deadline: December 1, 2012
Open to: young people from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and Serbia, high level university students, enrolled in undergraduate or master studies, young profesionals working within public sector or youth worker from NGOs dealing with Human Rights, European Integration or Reconciliation, with good command of English
Venue: December 23rd – 28th, 2012, Belgrade, Serbia

Youth Reconciliation Ambassadors is interdisciplinary and intensive programme, which includes five-day study visit, peer to peer education, media appearances and essay publishing. The seminar will be held in Belgrade, 23rd – 28th December, 2012, the first and the last date named being the arrival and departure date.

Idea behind the visit

The idea of this programme is to encourage multi-perspective discussions on topics relevant to the future of the entire area of former Yugoslavia. The exchange of experiences between young people from neighbouring countries, which are all at different stages of transition, could help form new ideas and overcome conflicts from the past.

The curriculum consists of three core topics, which will be elaborated in very intensive 8 hour working day: EU Integration, History Education and process of Reconciliation in the Region. Selection process will be conducted based on applicants’ motivation to become person who will promote cooperation between Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and Serbia. Selected participants will attend lectures and visit different types of institutions (government, embassies, universities, NGOs).

In the afternoon debates will be organised with the idea to exchange thoughts and work-out the solutions for the cooperation among youth. Also, participants will be introduced to the sights of Belgrade and its night life.

All successful participants will be issued a certificate and honour to become fist Youth Reconciliation Ambassadors in the Region.

Program lecturers and moderators are well educated experts drawn from diplomacy, governmental institutions, universities and non-governmental organisations.

Eligibility

The profile of the participants is as following:

• Age between 18 – 30
• University student, enrolled in the undergraduate or master studies or,
• Young professional working within public sector or,
• Young worker from NGOs dealing with Human Rights, European Integration or Reconciliation
• Be motivated and committed to contribute to the theme of the activity and its outcomes
• Be able to work in the official working language – English
• Be available for the whole duration of the activity
• Be a resident of Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina or Serbia

Costs

• Participation fee is € 20 and should be paid only by selected participants on the arrival day in local currency.
• Selected participants will be granted a scholarship to cover the expenses of the programme, accommodation, food and public transportation. Travel costs to and from Belgrade will be reimbursed according to the YEC’s internal policy.

Application

If you perceive the program as a valuable education opportunity, fill the form out and submit it to the e-mail address.

Application forms have to be sent to ambassadors@ooo.org.rs no later than December 1, 2012 by 00:00hrs. Application forms sent after the specified deadline will not be considered.

Results will be published via Youth Education Committee web by December 5, 2012 by 00:00hrs. The selected candidates have to confirm their presence by December 7, no later than 17:00hrs. If there is a need interviews with some/all of the candidates will be organised on December 2 via SKYPE. Information package with the precise program details and materials will be given only to the selected participants.Working language shall be English.

Youth Education Committee is a non-governmental organisation seated in Belgrade. It aims at compensating for the critical gaps made within the system of formal education: this system contributes to the authoritarian society and obstructs development of critical thinking. Therefore the organisation strives to provide the youth in Serbia proper informal education, as well as to address long-term analysis of the formal, evaluate changes and give recommendations to the institutions responsible. The goal of the Youth Education Committee is to equip young people with enough knowledge and skills to ensure their active role in society.Members of the Youth Education Committee are young and skilful enthusiasts’ graduates and university students who are determined to invest their time, knowledge and energy into making a greater future. Regardless of their political and social background, they are united in struggle for freedom, democracy and human rights.