Young Ambassadors Programme

The Young Ambassadors Programme (YAP) is a learning experience in social transformation that links individual change and community change.

The programme, under the aegis of Tools for Changemakers, brings together young people who aspire to take an active role in transforming society, with a focus on Europe. The training explores the dynamic relationship between personal and global change, sharing stories and exchanging experiences, creating space for reflection and taking focused action.

The programme began in 2015 as an additional component of the Addressing Europe’s Unfinished Business conference (now Tools for Changemakers). Over the last six years it has brought together over 200 participants, inspiring them with deeper conviction about Europe, equipping them with the tools to build sustainable change, and connecting them to a supportive network of similarly engaged young people, as well as to the wider Initiatives of Change network.

YAP bases its methods on over 70 years of trustbuilding work by Initiatives of Change around the world. 

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Young Ambassadors Programme 2021 will take place in an online format. The programme will be a series of 90-minutes sessions in English, held between the 9 July and 29 August 2021.

Objectives

• To train and equip young people with practical tools and deeper sensitivity to the diverse perspectives of others
• To develop a network of young people who are committed to positive change in their communities
• To create opportunities for further cooperation and collaboration and follow-up activities between participants and alumni
• To contribute to and promote a richer mutual understanding of beliefs, values, identity, history and cultures through a collective learning experience

What we offer

• A training programme that supports your efforts to transform your community and equips you with tools for social change, dialogue and peacebuilding 
• An opportunity to grow in your understanding of social transformation and commitment on the basis of (self-)reflection
• The opportunity to become part of a European-based community of young changemakers and friends who are working towards change, starting with themselves, and supporting each other in this process
• Upon graduation, the Young Ambassadors join the community of YAP alumni, with the opportunity to take part in further programmes specifically designed for their needs.

Who is this programme for?

Young people aged 18-30 who:

• Demonstrate a strong interest or active participation in civil society initiatives, NGOs, political organizations and structures 
• Are willing to make space for new ideas, dialogue and reflection on topics that impact communities
• Show interest and curiosity about the experiences of others and come with an open mind
• Have a high standard of spoken English 
• Are ready to share about the challenges of social cohesion, identity and trust in their communities (however big or small) and are ready to take initiative after the training programme
• Are ready to participate actively throughout the entire duration of the programme
• Since we are running this programme online this year, we are gratefully inviting young people from everywhere. However, the programme focuses on residence or citizenship in the following countries: Switzerland, UK, Romania, Germany, Netherlands, Denmark and Ukraine.

Partners

The Young Ambassadors Programme is funded by Movetia, the Swiss agency for exchange and mobility.

Programme

See the full programme HERE.

Trainers 

Rob Lancaster | Australia

From Australia, since 2007 Rob Lancaster has worked with more than 30 different teams, primarily with Initiatives of Change, on trust building projects and programmes in Asia, Africa, and Eastern and Western Europe. His experience ranges from Leadership programmes in Caux, to the reconciliation process and grassroots consultation in South Sudan. Rob has degrees with Honours in both Law (LLB) and Arts (International Relations/French) from the Australian National University, as well as a Master’s of Public Policy (MPP) from the University of Oxford. He currently works with Oxford Policy Management, an international development consultancy, managing a peacebuilding programme in South Sudan. He likes fresh cinnamon donuts.

Patrycja Pociecha | Poland / Switzerland

Patrycja Pociecha (Pati) is a project manager, facilitator and digital education specialist. She holds a degree in Psychology. Since 2010 she is active in national and international organizations on a voluntary basis. First as a Project Coordinator in GFPS - Polska, a student organization that promotes Polish-German cooperation, later on in a network of Initatives for Central and Eastern Europe (InMOE e.V.). In 2013 she got inspired by IofC's approach to personal change that affects global change. Since then she has been active in several programmes in Caux (Caux Interns Leadership Programme, International Peacebuilders Forum, Young Ambassadors Programme since 2018).

Applications

Application deadline: Please apply before 14 June 2021.

We recommend that interested individuals apply as early as possible.

We will select suitable candidates based on their personal motivation and their demonstration of high interest or active participation in initiatives and projects related to the topic.

For more information contact us.