Deadline: 6 January 2020
The U.S. Embassy in Beirut is seeking proposals for its 2020 Study of the United States Institutes for Student Leaders on Religious Freedom and Pluralism (SUSI RFP).
The SUSI RFP is a five-week intensive program includes an academic residency for four weeks at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA and programming in Washington, DC; Philadelphia, PA; New York City, NY; and Salt Lake City, Utah. The program consists of a series of seminar discussions, readings, group presentations, and lectures. Coursework and activities will be complemented by educational travel, site visits, leadership activities, and volunteer opportunities within the local community.
Topics covered may include religious traditions in the United States, freedom of religion as a fundamental human right, protection and representation of minority groups and religions, the separation of church and state, and interfaith dialogue/cooperation in a diverse and rapidly changing world.
The SUSI RFP will take place from June to August 2020 (exact dates pending) and is open to students from Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iraq, and Lebanon who are interested in the topic of Religious Freedom and Pluralism.
Eligibility Criteria
- This program is merit-based. To be considered, applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Lebanese citizens or holders of the Special Travel Document for Palestinian Refugees issued by the Lebanese authorities (U.S. citizens, dual-U.S. citizens, and U.S. permanent residents are ineligible to apply);
- Undergraduates in the first, second, or third year of a full-time undergraduate program at a registered academic institution in Lebanon at the time of application and have at least one semester remaining in their university studies after the end of this program; students who have already graduated from university are ineligible.
- 18-25 years old; and
- Fluent in English
- Qualified applicants must be able to demonstrate:
- Interest in religious freedom and pluralism;
- Commitment to returning to Lebanon to complete university studies;
- Commitment to community and extracurricular activities;
- Willingness to participate in all aspects of the program; and
- Comfort with campus life, shared living accommodations, and cultural/social adaptability.
For more information, visit https://lb.usembassy.gov/2020-study-of-the-united-states-institutes-for-student-leaders-religious-freedom-and-pluralism/