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The Southeast Europe Youth Leadership Institute
SEEYLI / A program of the United States
Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
Administered by the Open Society Institute in cooperation with IDEA
The Southeast Europe Youth Leadership Institute invites you to apply for the
opportunity to participate in an intensive, challenging 4-week study of civil
society in the U.S., beginning July, 2004. During this month, while staying at
a university campus near the U.S. capital, student and adult participants will:
. engage in several small, intensive group workshops, focusing on the
skills of advocacy, negotiation, investigation, and leadership.
. study and practice debate
. explore American culture through visits to area attractions, two-week
home stays with American hosts, and interaction with American students.
To be considered for this program, applicants must first be selected to
participate in a local 3-day leadership camp in January or February 2004. Local
camps will be held in Albania, Bulgaria, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania,
and Serbia.
The local camps will bring together secondary school students and
teachers/community leaders who work with youth for a variety of team building
and leadership activities. (The student/teacher ratio will be approximately
5:1). Participants will explore the roles and responsibilities of the
individual in a civil society and develop concepts for local community service
projects. 15 of these participants will be selected to attend the 4-week U.S.
camp. Those not selected to continue the program in the U.S. will still benefit
from the local camp experience by developing leadership and group interaction
skills, and by working with other local youth to develop ideas that will benefit
the community.
Because of the rigorous nature of the SEEYLI program, participation in both the
local 3-day leadership camp and the continuing summer program in the U.S. is
highly competitive and selective.
There is no charge to apply to the SEEYLI program. Likewise, there is no charge
to participate in either the 3-day local camp or the 4- week program in the
U.S. Participants in the U.S. program will receive a modest per diem
allowance.
Students who are eligible to apply for possible participation in the 4-week U.S.
SEEYLI program must:
a.. be born between September 1, 1986, and June 1, 1989.
b.. be proficient in English (SLEP test will be administered in English to all
qualified applicants).
c.. have a valid passport from their country of residence.
d.. have parental/legal guardian approval to participate.
e.. submit a complete application, including photograph, transcripts and
letters of recommendation, by December 1, 2003.
f.. be able/willing to spend 4 weeks in the U.S., Summer 2004.
g.. be able/willing to attend a local 3-day leadership camp in Winter, 2004.
Teachers/community leaders who are eligible to apply for possible participation
in the 4-week U.S. SEEYLI program must:
a.. be proficient in English
b.. have a valid passport from their country of residence.
c.. submit a complete application, including photograph and letters of
recommendation, by December 1, 2003.
d.. be able/willing to spend 4 weeks in the U.S., Summer 2004.
e.. be able/willing to attend a local 3-day leadership camp in Winter, 2004.
Qualified student applicants will be evaluated on the following criteria:
. a demonstrated commitment and interest to service in the school,
neighborhood, city or country
. an ability to work cooperatively in diverse groups
. a demonstrated leadership aptitude/ability/interest
. a desire and ability to develop concrete plans for local service
projects
. an energetic, positive demeanor
. a tolerance for the ideas and opinions of others
. an ability to think critically
. good academic performance
Qualified teacher/community leader applicants will be evaluated on the following
criteria:
. a demonstrated commitment and interest in service to their local
regions
. active in working with youth in a school/neighborhood/city
. a desire and ability to develop concrete plans for local service
projects that involve youth
. a demonstrated leadership ability
. a tolerance for the ideas and opinions of others
. an ability to work cooperatively in diverse groups of peers and
students
. an ability to think critically
. an interest in locating and working with community organizations,
especially those that serve youth
For both students and teachers, geographic diversity will also be a factor in
selection.
How do you apply?
. Complete an application form, in English. Applications must be
hand-written by the applicant. Attach a recent photo to your application.
. Submit 2 letters of recommendation along with the application, using
the forms available with the application. (Students should submit letters from 2
adults (other than relatives) whom they have known for a substantial period of
time. Teachers/ community leaders should submit one letter from a colleague and
one letter from a supervisor.)
. Students should also include secondary school transcripts showing
coursework taken and grades earned.
Application forms and recommendation forms may be downloaded at
www.idebate.org/seeyli
or, you may obtain these forms from ARDOR
Soseaua Iancului nr. 10 bl. 114B sc. B ap. 50 sector 2 Bucuresti
For general information, please contact: Oana Munteanu
