I Am a Changemaker

I Am a Changemaker is a project grant competition for school and community-based youth organisations on how development issues and concerns on education, the environment, and/ or intercultural diversity* can be addressed through youth leadership and social entrepreneurship.

There will be three (3) winners nationwide (representing Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao ) who will receive up to PhP 100,000 each for the implementation of their projects within a 6-month period.

For competition details, visit: www.britishcouncil.org.ph



*British Council defines diversity in terms of our work in promoting positive social change through building trust, increasing understanding, reforming cultural stereotypes/perception, and countering misinformation and prejudice through intercultural dialogue.

API Fellowship Program Y9 (2009-2010)

The Nippon Foundation Fellowships for Asian Public Intellectuals is currently accepting applications for Senior and Junior Fellowships for grant year 2009-2010. Deadline for submission is 31 August 2008, Sunday, 8PM.

As Asia moves into the 21st century, it faces political, economic, and social challenges that transcend national boundaries. To meet these challenges, the region needs a new pool of intellectuals who are willing to be active in the public sphere and can articulate common concerns and propose creative solutions. Recognizing that opportunities for intellectual exchanges are currently limited by institutional, linguistic and cultural parameters, The Nippon Foundation, in cooperation with major academic institutions in Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand, has launchced the Asian Public Intellectuals Fellowships Program (API Fellowships Program).

The API Fellowship Program's primary aims are:
•To help create a new pool of public intellectuals in the Asian region;
•To promote mutual learning among Asian public intellectuals; and
•To contribute to the growth of public spaces in which effective responses to regional needs can be generated.

The API Fellowship Program is open to anyone involved in the production and exchange of knowledge, ideas, and inspiration which fit with the goals of API Fellowships Program. This includes academics, researchers, media professionals, artists, writers, NGO workers, social workers, public servants and others who work for the betterment of society.

Accepted fellows are provided transportation, housing, stipend, insurance, and research allowance (for computers, books, and other materials).

COMPLETE APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:
1. Application Form. Typewritten applications only. Handwritten will not be processed.
2. Cover Letter
3. Curriculum Vitae
4. Project Proposal
5. Two Reference Letters

Please submit your complete application documents:
Electronic format: api@admu.edu. ph
Hardcopy format (all documents with the 2 reference letters in a sealed brown envelope):

API Fellowships Program - Philippine Office
Ground Floor, Center for Community Services Bldg.
Social Development Complex
Ateneo de Manila University
Katipunan Avenue, Loyola Heights
Quezon City, Philippines 1108

We encourage you to apply today! Or forward this message to your interested friends and colleagues from your networks and institutions.

Visit the website: http://www.api-fellowships.org/body/home2.php

2008 IDEERS (Introducing and Demonstrating Earthquake Engineering Research in School)

25 – 28 Sept 2008
Taipei

IDEERS Earthquake Engineering Competition

IDEERS is a competition for students to design and make a scale model of a building, which must resist earthquakes simulated on a shaking-table, i.e. a research laboratory facility for testing structures. Dr Wendy Daniell and Dr Adam Crewe from the University of Bristol, developed IDEERS, with EPSRC funding, originally for secondary school students in the UK. However, it has been run since with undergraduate and postgraduate civil engineering students in the UK and abroad due to its open-end nature. We have been continuously working with University of Bristol and National Centre for Research on Earthquake Engineering to run the IDEERS competition from 2001 to 2007, and promoted the scale of competition from national to international level. In the past 5 years, the international teams included UK, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Vietnam, New Zealand, and USA. The teams came to Taiwan with one facilitator to experience the earthquake engineering and they all had learnt a lot and enjoy the educational and cultural trip here.

The challenge requires students to conduct their own research into the dynamic behaviour of buildings and how they can be designed to be earthquake resistant. It also encourages them to build and test a number of designs in advance of the competition in Taipei. The IDEERS web-site (www.ideers.bris.ac.uk) provides a supporting educational resource giving information on the effects of earthquakes on buildings, seismic design, techniques for making the models, and simple static tests to simulate earthquake loads on their models.

The competition is a two-day event: day one - teams construct their models against the clock to previously planned designs; day two – models will be displayed with brief description for participants to exchange ideas, then the models will be mounted in shaking-table shaken to destruction, and the best-designed models will in prizes. (please see all the relevant rules and regulations on the NCREE web site http://w3.ncree.org/ideers/2008/ )



Foreign participants

We would like to extend our cordial invitation to all East Asia regional countries and countries that might find this event of their interests.



Programme Briefing

· Competition is held in three tiers: Senior High School, Under Graduates and Post Graduates, 4 members each team.

· All PG teams (foreign and domestic) are to be invited to participate in the IDEERS international seminar on 26 Sept to share their research subject / model design concept, UG teams are welcome to join!

· A day trip to earthquake engineering related construction, such as ShihKang Dam, 921 Earthquake Park and Taipei 101 – the highest building in the world, will be arranged for international participants accordingly.


Packages for foreign representatives

· 5 nights accommodation plus all meals,

· Day trip and group transportation.

· We will be able to cover for the teacher who is leading the high school team (one team one teacher)



On-line application deadline for international team

31 July 2008

http://www.ncree.org/

European Studies in Asia Network Young Academics Workshop

Bruges, Belgium
1-4 September 2008

The Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF), the National Centre for Research on Europe (NCRE) and the College of Europe organise the 1st Young Academics' Workshop “How is the EU Perceived in Asia: Media, Public and Elite Perceptions”, which will take place in Bruges, Belgium, on 1-4 September 2008.

The organisers welcome proposals for participation in the project.

ESiA's Young Academics' Workshop is a new series initiated specifically to provide a platform for next generation European studies academics in Asia and Europe to exchange ideas, acquire new skills and present their work to the larger European studies community.

For further information, please visit http://esia.asef.org/default.asp

Global Xchange Programme

Global Xchange gives young people from the Philippines and the UK a unique opportunity to live and work together, develop and share valuable skills, and make practical contributions to disadvantaged communities in both countries faced with challenging situations.

You can be one of the nine Filipino volunteers of the 2008 Global Xchange Programme.
• 18 – 25 years of age (must NOT be younger than 18 or older than 25 between March and September 2008)
• Male or female
• Medically fit to undergo an active 6-month volunteer work
• Completed at least high school or secondary education
• Willing to do fundraising
• Willing to live and work with a British counterpart in a modest accommodation in a host family setting within a disadvantaged community in the Philippines and in the UK
• Flexible, open-minded and with a genuine commitment to learning
• Sensitive to the needs of others and can work within a team
• Can commit a minimum of 6 months (consecutive) to do 3 months of volunteer work in the Philippines and 3 months in the UK, and time to attend preparatory training

Important reminders:
• You can send your Application Form via e-mail to jona.ang@vsobahaginan.org or via fax to 02-3762160.
• The other requirements need to be submitted by regular mail at: Global Xchange Programme Secretariat – VSO Bahaginan Foundation, Inc., Unit 505, Pacific Corporate Center, 131 West Avenue, 1101 Quezon City
• Please indicate the code (GXP Application – Your Surname) in the subject line of your e-mail or outside the envelope for regular mail
• Personal and professional reference forms should be sent in sealed envelopes
• Please use the cover letter of the reference forms to inform your referee about Global Xchange

Deadline for submission of application is on July 2, 2008 by 12:00pm. Only applications received on or before the closing date will be screened. Short-listed applicants will be invited to an Assessment Day scheduled on July 10/11, 2008. Training and fundraising activities start in August 2008. Exchange proper will commence in September 2008.

For inquiries, please send an e-mail to jona.ang@vsobahaginan.org or call 02-3746450 local 25

http://www.vsobahaginan.org.ph/gxp_apply.htm

http://www.britishcouncil.org/philippines-gxp-call_for_application-2.htm

http://youtube.com/watch?v=JQlPaC8_NBQ

http://youtube.com/watch?v=cubOx1gt-Tg&feature=related

http://youtube.com/watch?v=JbWZVvdQLIY&feature=related

EarthCorps

EarthCorps is now accepting international applications. Please consider forwarding this announcement among your contacts.

EarthCorps offers a 6-month service learning program in Seattle , Washington , USA that brings together emerging environmental leaders to learn the fundamentals of:
Environmental Service
Community Building
Leadership

View a typical day at EarthCorps here: http://www.earthcorps.org/day_ in_the_life.php.
EARTHCORPS CHARGES NO TUITION OR FEES for its services and in fact supplies insurance, individual homestay families, food, gear and a monthly stipend to all international participants. EarthCorps provides additional support in acquiring US J-1 Trainee visas.

EarthCorps has established the following minimum criteria to be considered for the program:
· 18-25 years of age
· Conversational English
· No Criminal Record

BEFORE YOU NOMINATE please note that EarthCorps is required by the US government to ensure that every applicant meets strict criteria in order to qualify for a US J-1 Trainee visa. Before you nominate please make sure your candidates meet the following minimum criteria:

· 4 year college degree in the environmental field and 1 year of relevant work experience*
- OR-
· 5 years of work experience in the environmental field*

* These criteria are only for meeting US government regulations regarding the J-1 Trainee visa. US American team members may have less experience than this when entering the program.

DEADLINES AND START DATES:
· Applicant Application Dead Line: July 31, 2008
· Participant selection: August 2008
· Visa processing: September - December 2008
· Travel confirmation: January 2009
· EarthCorps Program starting date: February 2009
· EarthCorps Program graduation: August 2009

TO APPLY:
Candidates should be referred to EarthCorps by an environmental organization (i.e. NGO, community group or student club). Materials are available online at: http://www.earthcorps.org/join_ international.php

Please feel free to contact me via email: mark@earthcorps.org if you have any questions or concerns.

Thank you for your support!

Sincerely,


Mark Howard
International Program Manager, Responsible Officer
EarthCorps
6310 NE 74th St., Suite 201E
Seattle, Washington 98115 USA
+1-206-322-9296 ext. 224 office
+1-206-322-9312 fax
email: mark@earthcorps. org
http://www.earthcorps.org/international.php

Rotary Centers for International Studies in Peace and Conflict Resolution

Rotary Centers provide Rotary World Peace Fellows with the opportunity to pursue a master’s degree in conflict resolution, peace studies, international relations, and related areas.

Each year, up to 60 Rotary World Peace Fellowships are offered on a competitive basis at six Rotary Centers, which operate in partnership with seven leading universities:

Duke University and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA (joint Rotary Center)
International Christian University, Tokyo, Japan
Universidad del Salvador, Buenos Aires, Argentina
University of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England
University of California, Berkeley, USA
University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia

Coursework at the Rotary Centers focuses on preventing and resolving conflict by addressing its root causes ― for example, responding to hunger with food security, disease with health care, illiteracy with education, poverty with sustainable development, and environmental degradation with conservation. Fellows put classroom lessons into practice through an applied field experience, when they work with a variety of governmental and nongovernmental organizations worldwide.

The fellows are chosen from countries and cultures around the globe based on their potential as leaders in government, business, education, media, and other professional areas. Learn more about program eligibility and deadlines .

Rotary Centers alumni have demonstrated their ability to further global understanding and peace in their work for United Nations agencies, the World Bank, European Parliament, the Organization of American States, and other nongovernmental organizations, along with national governments and international businesses.

http://www.rotary.org/en/StudentsAndYouth/EducationalPrograms/RotaryCentersForInternationalStudies/Pages/ridefault.aspx

Capture Nature: Photography Competition

Capture Nature is an annual environmental digital photography competition initiated by a group of students from Ngee Ann Polytechnic. Started in 2007, the event allows the passion youths have for photography to be channelled towards environmental awareness, conservation and action. This year, the competition will be held in conjunction with the ASEAN+3 Youth Festival, a youth-for-youth initiative supported by the National Youth Council, Singapore.

The theme of this competition is “Global Warming”. Citizens or Permanent Residents from ASEAN + 3 countries who are aged between 18 and 25 are eligible to participate.

We would like to invite you and your ASEAN+3 friends to participate in this competition. The youths will have to submit softcopies of their photos, including a small description stating why they choose the photo, together with the entry forms from 15th Apr 2008 to 31st May 2008.

This environmental digital photography competition is initiated to allow youths to learn about environmental issues through experiential learning. The objectives of this competition are:

a. Promote better understanding about the current environmental situations of ASEAN+3 countries and in turn promote better understanding among the youth of ASEAN nations through photo taking,

b. Provide a catalyst to spark an interest in participating in environmental activities by exposing youth to the nature and

c. Educate youths on the impact of global warming.

Pls refer to the website for more details on the competition and the rules and regulations. The application form is also downloadable from: www.aseanyouthfestival.org/capturenature.

Should you have any queries or require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us at my@aseanyouthfestival.org.

http://aseanyouthfestival.org/capturenature/

2nd GLOBAL YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP FORUM

Yogyakarta, 18-20 July 2008

Background

The Global Youth Entrepreneurship Forum (GYEF) is an annual programme in corporation with the World Assembly of Youth (WAY) which brings together young entrepreneurs, multi-national corporation representatives, financial institution and youth leaders from around the world to discuss pertinent youth entrepreneurship issues. More than 200 young people attended the 1st GYEF. The GYEF produces a declaration which serves as a guideline for youth to address the selected issues.

GYEF 2007 Theme

The theme selected for GYEF 2008 is Youth Business and International Trade. This theme has been selected in realization of the need for young people to engage in entrepreneurial activity as means of creating employment and contributing to global economic development. The theme was proposed by participants during the 1st Global Youth Entrepreneurship Forum 2006.

Objectives

The objectives of GYEF 2008 are:

-To identify the scope and contribution of young people to national and international business activity;
-To encourage youth to start their own businesses and entrepreneurial ventures;
-To discuss the role of governments, NGOs and the private sector in promoting youth business;
-To develop business appreciation and skills in participants and enable them to positively harness their talents and business acumen;
-To promote youth involvement in international trade leveraging on networks availed by organizations such as the World Assembly of Youth, World Bank, European Union, Non Aligned Organization, etc; and
-To advocate for fair trade that contributes to third world development.

Organizers

The GYEF is organized by the Global Youth Entrepreneurship Forum Committee in collaboration with the World Assembly of Youth, Yogyakarta Special Provincial Government, Yogyakarta Provincial Government and the Ministry of Youth and Sports (Indonesia). Other business associations, entrepreneurial organizations and trade and commerce organizations will also be involved this year.

Participants

GYEF invites participants from National Youth Councils, youth business clubs and the private sector. National delegations are encouraged to register gender-balanced groups. There is no specific age limit but delegations are encouraged to include young people below the age of 30. The total number of participants in this programme shall be 300 from at least 50 different countries. There will be an exhibition of youth businesses, therefore delegations are encouraged to bring along some products of youth businesses to display at the conference venue.

Venue
The conference will be held at Jogjakarta Plaza Hotel, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Registration
All delegates should register with the GYEF secretariat by the 1st June. Registrations shall be considered on a first-come-first-served basis. Once all places are full registration will be closed.

Participation Fee
A participation fee of U$150 (One hundred and fifty US dollars), inclusive of registration fee, twin-sharing accommodation and food shall be levied on all participants. This fee is payable in advance or on arrival.

http://pinoyworld.wordpress.com/2008/05/26/join-the-2nd-global-youth-entrepreneurship-forum/

Australian Leadership Awards - Scholarships

Applications are being accepted for postgraduate scholarship positions at an Australian university in 2009 under the Australian Leadership Award (ALA) Scholarship program.

These prestigious Australian scholarships are targeted at high achievers to undertake study in Australia at masters or doctoral level. Scholars also participate in a unique Leadership Development Program.

ALA Scholarships are tailored for people with potential to assume leadership roles and influence social and economic policy reform and development outcomes at home and in the region.

Entry is competitive and open to citizens of Asia-Pacific countries where Australia has an active aid program. There are approximately 30 scholarships on offer to the Pacific Region. ALA Scholarships are managed through Australia’s aid agency, AusAID.

Applications are open to all fields of study, however, scholars in international trade, pandemics, security and climate change (including clean energy) are especially encouraged to apply.

Applicants should have a record of high-level undergraduate or postgraduate academic achievement and advanced English language ability. An unconditional offer of admission from an Australian university is required at the time of application. Prospective applicants should contact their university of choice well in advance of the closing date for applications- 30 June 2008.

For more information:

http://www.ausaid.gov.au/scholar/ala.cfm

or send an email to ala@ausaid.gov.au

UNDP/Peace Child Youth Video Climate Change Challenge

Description:
The UNDP/Peace Child Youth Video Climate Change Challenge is an interactive competition that aims to inspire and educate young people on the key messages of the 2007 Human Development Report - the United Nations' most comprehensive analysis of current scientific, economic and political thinking about the threat of catastrophic climate change and how to avoid it. To see these key messages Click Here. The contest invites young people aged 15-25 to make 30-150 second videos that relate these key messages to their own lived experience of climate change, their views about it, and/or their concerns about how the older generation have been, or should be, reacting to the challenge of combating it.

Videos to Engage and Inspire the World:
The United Nations is made up of 193 member states - and young people aged 15-25 in each of them are welcome to enter this contest. Even if you do not own a Video Camera, or a computer, you can take part in the contest. Click Here for full details.

Prize:
An all expense trip paid to attend the World Youth Congress 2008 in Quebec City, Quebec.

The 4th World Youth Congress will bring 600 of the world's most dynamic young activists in the field of sustainable development to Quebec from 120 different countries.

http://www.quantumshift.tv/contests/11