Description

During this GYC delegation, International participants from the USA and Canada will join with Rwandan peers to explore the human rights situation in Rwanda (and the world) and to take concrete action steps together to support current and future efforts for human rights protection and promotion, both in Rwanda and abroad.

Through a combination of workshops, site visits, advocacy meetings, and volunteer service with grassroots NGOs, we will learn and act on numerous key human rights issues in Rwanda, including but not limited to: gender and human rights, human rights of children, LGBTI populations, historically marginalized indigenous groups, refugees, domestic workers, poverty reduction, public health, juvenile justice, freedom of expression and the arts.

In advance of and during the delegation, all participants will examine the roots of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, and see how its legacy has impacted the country and its people, particularly Rwandan youth, and also how the country is attempting to rebuild today.

Delegations will work in a Learning and Action Community (LAC) with Rwandan peers and organizations to explore the human rights situation in Rwanda and the world today and to take concrete action steps together to support current and future efforts for human rights protection and promotion, both in Rwanda and abroad. We will focus on the relationship between human rights and international development, the relationship between the arts and human rights, and the role of grassroots organizations in the realization of human rights. In volunteer service activities we will focus on several key issues: children's rights, LGBTI rights, public health, juvenile justice, and the rights of historically marginalized groups.

Highlights

* Educational training workshop connecting the international and host-country peers during which they can share ideas, analyze problems and create collaborative projects with local NGOs which are also represented in the workshop/community.

* Site visits and dialogue with local human rights defenders, government representatives, youth and local communities, putting human rights concerns into context and exploring the organizations' practical strategies to achieve change.

* Volunteer service projects with grassroots NGOs to gain hands-on experience and contribute to changes taking place in the host country. These projects ideally build upon the work already being done at the organization (sometimes work that has previously benefitted from partnerships with GYC volunteers), and may include assisting with the preparation, implementation, facilitation, and reporting of advocacy conferences.

Qualifications

Global Youth Connect, an international human rights organization that facilitates cross-cultural human rights programming for youth, is pleased to announce that we are still accepting applications from young leaders for our Summer 2012 international human rights delegations to Rwanda. The Bosnia program is currently full, but we have several spaces remaining on the Rwanda program for qualified candidates.

Each GYC human rights delegation is a unique, first-hand opportunity to cross cultural boundaries, learn about the daily reality of human rights as experienced in a complex and increasingly globalized world, and to contribute to progressive action. Each delegation weaves together three core sets of activities:

- a training workshop with local youth activists
- site visits to important institutions & historical sites
- service projects with grassroots organizations

We invite interested young leaders to apply. We are looking for participants who are between the ages of 18-35 and who possess U.S. or Canadian citizenship or residency as well as international students studying full-time at a U.S. or Canadian college or university. Most importantly, applicants should wish to expand their knowledge and understanding of human rights and social justice and to offer hard work, skills, connections to the work already underway in Rwanda. Participants will become part of a growing global movement of youth acting together for compassion, human rights and responsibility.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

2,300

Cost Includes:

• Excursions
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Medical insurance
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Travel while in host country

Program Fees Include:

- Coordination and planning of workshops, meetings, site visits, fieldwork projects and other formal delegation activities
- Pre-trip departure information (including advice on fundraising and logistics), required reading packet, participant support and mentoring
- Costs associated with selecting and including youth participants from the project country in the training workshop and other activities
- Costs and expenses related to coordinating and planning fieldwork projects as organized by GYC. Please note that some transportation costs for fieldwork projects may not be covered for small group or individual projects.
- In-country orientation and community-building activities
- Logistics coordination
- Basic medical travel insurance
- Shared accommodations in culturally appropriate, low-budget hotels or guest houses
- Ground transportation for group activities, including airport transfer, with the exception of some transport costs for individual or small group fieldwork activities
- Experienced staff support, including a program director, program
coordinator/assistant and local staff
- Post-program inclusion in a growing network of program alumni/ae working together to share ideas, resources, strategies and projects for human rights

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

"The young people who do this work are amazingly courageous and passionate. Standing witness and taking action helps shine light on issues and problems that need urgent change. We want to be part of the solution and demonstrate to the world that there are alternatives that work , and work well." --Jennifer Kloes, Executive Director Emeritus

Age Range

18-35

This Program is open to

American and Canadian Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Guest House
• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

in Groups

Scholarships are Available

One USD200 scholarship for Rwanda program, more for NYC program

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Phone/Video Interview
• Resume

Typically The Application Process Time is

one month

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad

Global Youth Connect's Mission Statement

Our mission is to build and support a community of youth who are actively promoting and protecting human rights, and to educate and inspire the next generation to work for peaceful change.

Year Founded

1997