International Guest Program for Human Rights Advocates 2006/2007

Program Description

The Third Millennium Foundation is a private foundation located in New York City. The Foundation was founded in the year 2000 as an initiative for unlearning intolerance in the new millennium. Its work is focused on childhood education and human rights with emphasis on supporting social entrepreneurs among global youth. The foundation is particularly interested in supporting innovative organizations and young leaders that develop new approaches and methodologies that are based on collaboration and have strong potential for replication around the world.

In 2004, TMF launched the International Center for Tolerance Education (ICTE) located in Brooklyn, New York to provide a meeting place where a wide variety of people could discuss, create, implement, and reflect on initiatives that address our core areas. ICTE facilitates events, exhibitions and conferences and houses a retreat program for activists, scholars and social change leaders.

At present, TMF is seeking eligible candidates to apply for our ICTE International Guest Program. The Program invites 12-15-social change activists annually to engage in networking, professional skills training, reflection on their work, and work in consultation with staff and partner organizations. It is hoped that this opportunity gives recognition to and support for committed and emerging leaders who are doing outstanding, innovative and courageous work to improve the life in their communities.

International Guests (IGs) will be paid for travel, awarded accommodation in Brooklyn, New York, fully equipped office space at ICTE for 2-3 months as well as a weekly stipend. This award offers individuals the following support:

• Networking with individuals and organizations i.e., UN Agencies, NGOs, non-profits, foundations, government agencies, and academe working in the fields of tolerance education and human rights. Efforts are also made to connect IGs to partners in their respective regions;
• Collaboration and consultation with a staff experienced in the core areas of ICTE;
• Assistance with “capacity building” and professional development
• Participation in conferences and trainings offered at ICTE and, where relevant, around the US and;
• Opportunity to present work to ICTE community in the form of a workshop, presentation and/ or paper accompanied by audio/visual equipment.

Criteria for International Guests working in the human rights field

Ideal candidates would be human rights defenders and social change activists preferably, but not exclusively from the Global South and countries in the transitional world who would like to accomplish a specific project, do research, engage in networking, or would benefit from time off from work to reflect and/or further develop their work strategies and skills. Eligible candidates must be conversant (strong speaking and comprehension skills) in English.

TMF seeks human rights defenders and social change activists who are engaged in human rights work, broadly defined. According to the foundation’s mission, preference will be given to young and less established leaders such as individuals who have had minimal opportunity to travel outside of their respective communities, have a desire to connect to the international community, and/ or would benefit from exposure to different professional approaches to their work.

Application Information

• Personal information: name, coordinates, gender , languages (including native tongue)
• Desired length of stay (2-3 months) and preferred time
• Curriculum vitae
• 2 letters of recommendation (1 from a host organization, university or school and 1 from a supervisor, professor or teacher with contact information and relationship)

Responses to the following questions with a length of 1-2 paragraphs per response:

• Background information about your work, including major achievements
• What is the central problem you address in your work?
• What are your main goals for your stay through the International Guest Program?
• What are some of the outcomes you hope to foster from your stay here and how would your organization or community benefit from this experience?
• How would becoming a participant in the International Guest Program support your professional development and the work you do?
• Please also let us know how you heard about the Program.

If selected, candidates will be asked to submit a more detailed proposal of their intended plan of action during their stay with ICTE.

The application submission deadline is January 27, 2006. Applicants may be asked to submit additional materials. Award notifications will be made by April 1, 2006.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should email or mail a complete application to:

Brigitte Schmid
Human Rights Director
Third Millennium Foundation / ICTE
25 Washington Street, 4th floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
USA
bschmid @ tmf-tolerance.org
www.seedsoftolerance.org

No phone calls please. Only selected candidates will be contacted.