USA: Agents of Change Youth Fellowship

Jul 21, 2022 | Wilson Center
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The Wilson Center is a nonpartisan forum bridging the divide between research and policy decisions, particularly in the context of foreign policy. Wilson Center activities draw on considerable in-house expertise on every region of the world, and transdisciplinary topics including climate change, health, science and technology, and security. Through public and private convening, compelling reports and policy briefs, and engagement with our global network of scholars and policymakers, we identify and elevate actionable ideas and new.

The Wilson Center’s Middle East Program has over twenty years of experience analyzing U.S. interests in the MENA region - as well as complex themes such as security, defense, gender, and economic development. The program published two landmark reports marking the establishment of two new permanent initiatives, the Middle East Women’s Initiative, and the Middle East and North Africa Workforce Development Initiative. Together these thematic areas focus on two key—yet underemphasized—areas of regional security: the development and empowerment of women, and job creation, and increasing employment through inclusive growth and education.

For over 25 years, the Wilson Center’s Environmental Change and Security Program (ECSP) has blazed a path forward on closely linked issues such as environment, population, health, and development - as well as security and foreign policy. Its award-winning blog, New Security Beat, in-depth research, and short documentaries analyze global trends and share local stories. Throughout its history, ECSP’s work has emphasized the role that environment and demographic trends play in stability and economic growth. Through independent research and programming, ECSP experts have encouraged anticipatory and integrated thinking across the development, diplomacy, and defense sectors.

The Wilson Center is pleased to announce a call for applications for its “Agents of Change Youth Fellowship,” an initiative of the Wilson Center’s Middle East Program and Environmental Change and Security Program.

Recognizing the significance of the MENA region when it comes to climate response and the potential for youth leadership in the region to shape a more sustainable, peaceful, and prosperous future for the world, the Wilson Center is launching an Agents of Change Youth Fellowship. It is the first professional fellowship program for emerging leaders seeking meaningful careers at the intersection of climate change and security.

The program for 2022-2023 will have three components:

• Strengthening Analytic and Communications Skills: The fellowship will include capacity-building workshops in the areas of storytelling, environmental journalism/working with the media, working with policymakers and drafting policy briefs, and leadership skills.
• Speaker Series: The fellowship program will include a speaker series in the form of private discussions featuring leading subject-matter experts from the public and private sectors as well as a range of policymakers from the UAE and the region. Through these discussions, fellows will gain valuable insights into cutting-edge research and how to effectively communicate its relevance to public policy and other spheres of influence.
• Capstone Projects: The Agents of Change will be supported throughout the experience to identify, develop, and complete a final deliverable which draws from their project experience and provides a tangible step forward in their path toward impacting policy and action on climate, environment, and peace. Each fellow will produce a 3,000 word research paper accompanied by a short written or multimedia product. The Agents of Change Fellows will present and share their deliverables in a final convening. The Wilson Center will package and present selected projects externally.

NOTE: Selected fellows will be announced on November 7, 2022. The fellowship will run from January 2023 - November 2023. Fellowship events will be primarily virtual, with potential for in-person convening as opportunities arise.

To Apply:

Eligibility Requirements:

The Agents of Change Fellows Program is open to applicants from countries in the MENA region with a minimum of 5 years of work experience in a relevant field or a Master’s Degree, and a proven interest in pursuing a career in which they can incorporate issues related to climate change and peace.

Location: Fellows can be located in any geographic location with strong Internet access for conducting regular video conferences.

Application Requirements: All applicants should complete an application form via the link above and provide a resume, cover letter, and a short response (400 words max) to the following question: How can countries in the Middle East work beyond borders to address the challenge of climate change?

Applications are due by September 15, 2022

Please send application materials in single PDF packet to mep@wilsoncenter.org with "Agents of Change Youth Fellowship Application" in the subject line.