#USAlumniID – Exchange Opportunity Community Solutions Program
The Public Affairs Section is pleased to announce an exchange program opportunity, the Community Solutions Program (CSP). The CSP is a program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State, implemented by IREX. It is a professional development program for the best and brightest global community leaders working in Transparency and Accountability, Tolerance and Conflict Resolution, Environmental Issues, and Women and Gender Issues.
Selected candidates will participate in a four month U.S. fellowship with a local nonprofit organization or government agency, and will also enjoy structured virtual learning and networking via the Online Community Leadership Institute. In addition, they will design and implement follow-on projects in their home countries. The program will also include a small outbound component that will allow up to five U.S. host representatives to travel overseas for approximately two weeks on projects related to the program themes.
Goals: The goal of CSP is for global community leaders to improve their capacity for local community development and serve as ambassadors for increased mutual understanding. CSP leaders:
• Build and strengthen sustainable professional networks with international colleagues and institutions
• Increase their understanding of strategies to address challenges in their community
• Strengthen their management, leadership, and problem-solving skills
Eligibility (TECHNICAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS)
Candidates will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, or gender. Persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Competition for the Community Solutions Program is merit-based and open to community leaders, ages 25-38 at the time of application, who meet the following criteria:
• Must be from a participating country (U.S. citizens, permanent residents of the U.S., and individuals who have applied for U.S. permanent residency in the past three years are not eligible for this program). Indonesia is one of the participating country.
• Currently living and working in his/her home country (Individuals participating in academic, training or research programs in the United States at the time of application and individuals residing or working outside their home countries at the time of application are not eligible for this program)
• Currently working on a community project or initiative in his/her home country; and, has at least 2 years of professional experience in this capacity at the time of application
• Able to begin the program in the United States in 2014, and committed to returning to his/her home country after completion of the program
• Able to receive a U.S. J-1 visa (Individuals who have participated in an exchange visitor program sponsored or funded by the U.S. Government and who have not fulfilled their two-year home residency requirement by the time of application are not eligible for this program)
• Proficient in spoken and written English at the time of application The application deadline is Friday, September 20, 2013. Applicants should submit their application directly via online to IREX.
The application and additional information for the 2014 Community Solutions Program is available online at: http://www.irex.org/project/community-solutions.
Related links are also included below. Related links: ECA webpage for the Community Solutions Program – http://1.usa.gov/9HPWn6
IREX website on the program – http://www.irex.org/project/community-solutions
CSP Alumni Bios – http://www.irex.org/people/csp-leaders
Community Solutions on Facebook – http://on.fb.me/qE14Kc
Community Solutions on Twitter – https://twitter.com/cspecairex
Community Solutions | IREX – Civil Society, Education and Media Development
www.irex.org
Informed by SUKRISNO TBI’10, FB: Sukrisno Nino