YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM WITH SOUTHEAST ASIA (SEAYLP)
Administered by CCE Indonesia in cooperation with Northern Illinois University
and Funded by The U.S Department of State

The program will be offered for 60 participants from countries in Southeast Asia that are members of the Association of South East Asian Nations (Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam).  This Program is funded by The U.S Department of States and The U.S Embassy in Jakarta, administered by CCE Indonesia for Indonesia Program in cooperation Northern Illinois University (NIU) in DeKalb, Illinois as host organization in United States.

The program will employ a highly interactive approach both in workshops and in a range of public and community settings.  Through engagement with the activities of U.S. high schools, community organizations, youth groups, and community leaders in each location, the student and adult participants will better understand civic participation and the rights and responsibilities of citizens in a democracy.

This is an intensive program with three segments:  (1) A pre-departure orientation; (2) a 25-day exchange program that will offer students and teachers or community/ leaders the opportunity to explore the principles of leadership and community engagement in the United States; and (3) follow-on activities, where participants will conduct projects in their home communities.  The program will be intensive, academic, and highly interactive. The program sponsors seek energetic applicants who are ready to develop their skills in order to be effective leaders in their schools and communities.

This program is designed to promote high-quality leadership, civic responsibility, and community engagement among our countries’ future leaders.  It will offer a practical examination of the principles of democracy and civil society as practiced in the United States and provide participants with training that allows them to develop their leadership skills. 

In addition to the themes of civic education, community service, and leadership, the program may also explore the theme of care for the environment.

Participants will visit several communities in the United States, including DeKalb and Chicago, Illinois, and Washington, DC.  The program will focus on interactive activities, practical experiences, and other hands-on opportunities to learn about the fundamentals of a civil society, community service, conflict resolution, and building leadership skills.  The program will also include some school-based activities so that participants can meet their American peers, experience a U.S. school environment, and participate in some classes.  Cultural and recreational activities will balance the schedule.  Participants will live with American host families for a portion of the exchange.

The adult participants will have many program elements in common with those provided for the students, and will also have some activities designed just for them to help them foster youth leadership and civic education programs at home.

An important part of the program is the development and implementation of the projects to implement on their return home.  These projects will respond to a need in the school or community.  Examples include supporting student government or other means of student involvement in the decision making process in schools, producing visual materials that share information on social issues, developing peer-support or peer-mediation programs or workshops, cooperating with local NGOs trying to develop a spirit of volunteerism, or supporting activities that help increase media coverage of youth issues.  All participants will be expected to complete these follow-on projects.

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SEAYLP Blogs: www.seaylpspring2011.blogspot.com/