Deadline: 30-Jun-22
The East-West Center’s Professional Development Program, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and Young Pacific Leaders, is conducting a Special Professional Fellows Program Opportunity for Young Economic Empowerment Leaders from the Pacific Islands.
Starting in early 2023, this program will bring three cohorts of young professionals from the Pacific Islands to the United States for intensive five-week programs that build significant new capacity and facilitate enduring professional bonds between industry leaders in the United States and the Pacific Islands.
Professional Fellows (aged 25-40) are chosen through an open competition which highlights their demonstrated commitment to improving their communities through innovative economic development approaches. A particular emphasis is placed on selecting individuals with social entrepreneurial talents geared towards helping their communities emerge from the global COVID-19 pandemic and building resilience to future economic shocks.
Theme: Post-Pandemic Equitable and Sustainable Economic Recovery
Program Details
- Fellowship Work-Placement
- All Fellows will spend 4 weeks working at a U.S. host organization, business, or government agency either in Hawai’i or at another location in the U.S. An appropriate placement will be identified collaboratively with the Fellow who is required to provide the East-West Center with their overall learning objectives for the program and goals for their future after returning home from the program.
- Educational & Cultural Activities
- Upon arrival, Fellows spend several days receiving classroom instruction from industry professionals and leadership specialists as well as going on experiential learning fieldtrips to various signficant cultural and historical locations.
- Follow-On Project
- During the Fellowship, participants are expected to create and refine a personal action plan to guide their activities upon returning home after the program.
- Outbound Exchange
- This exchange, usually about 2-weeks long, is intended to support the Pacific Island Fellows implement their action plan and magnify the impact of the program by bringing U.S. expertise directly to their communities.
Benefits
- Selected Fellows are assigned to customized work-placements in the U.S. that will offer them fresh insights, new analytical perspectives, and practical approaches to address the challenges their communities are facing and identify opportunities for economic empowerment.
- Supplemental educational and cultural enrichment activities will ensure Fellows acquire substantive leadership skills as well as a deeper appreciation of American society.
Eligibility Criteria
- The East-West Center is looking for organizations who want to benefit from this unique opportunity to host a Pacific Islands Professional Fellows for a 4-week work placement.
- Individuals who are:
- 25-40 years old
- Currently employed (including self-employment) in a position relevant to economic empowerment within Pacific and indigenous communities, with at least two years of demonstrated work experience.
- BOTH a citizen of, and currently residing in, one of the eligible countries
- An English language speaker with proficiency in spoken and written English to effectively function in an American workplace
- Eligible to obtain a J-1 Visa and spend five weeks in the United States for the Fellowship
- Committed to returning to their home country after the program
Note: People living with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.
For more information, visit https://www.eastwestcenter.org/professional-development/pacific-islands-young-economic-empowerment-leaders