11th International Youth Conference in Krusevo

Youth Alliance from Krusevo with many partners has promoted European Values for 11 years, particularly by supporting the mobility of young people, their encouragement to be leaders and creators of the future as well as civil society and youth leaders cooperation across Europe and South East Europe. Youth work and youth policy are more crucial than ever for South East Europe and Europe. We, the young people, need European solutions that are translated into practice at the national level.

The International Youth Conference “European Values for the Future of SEE Countries” is response to the challenge. 60 participants from South East Europe and Europe will come to Krusevo for the eleventh time to discuss current issues and explore new approaches in youth policy and youth work across South East Europe and Europe in general. Aim is to encourage young people to be facilitators of broad policy dialog and to be multipliers of the European values in their societies. Young People, as representatives of the potential for the future of SEE and Europe in general, are the key forces in the process of strengthening the efforts of the countries of South Eastern Europe in fostering peace, democracy, respect for human rights and economic prosperity. The International Youth Conference is taking place in Krusevo, Macedonia between 19 and 23 of September 2013.

Conference will cover the following topics of interest:

• European Integration of Western Balkans: From Reconciliation To European Future;
• Youth Unemployment – a View from Within;
• Young People and Political (In)Activism;
• e-Participation & Youth;
• Structured Dialogue as a Bridge between Young People and Decision Makers;
• Young People‘s Participation in Politics and Society – New instruments of democracy

Participants

Eligible to apply are youth leaders, workers and activists between the ages of 18-30 from Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Greece, Germany, Kosovo, Montenegro, Italy, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia and Turkey; in particular participants that are experienced in the youth field and familiar with the Conference topic. They should be open to enrich their knowledge and awareness regarding the European values, Youth work and EU integration of SEE, and are willing to prepare themselves for the conference subjects, previous to their arrival and to do the remote work requested by the team in case of selection. The conference working language is English.

Costs

Participation is free of charge. All the other costs during the conference including accommodation, main meals and coffee breaks will be covered by the project grants. Participants will have to cover 20% of travel cost to reach the conference venue.

Application Procedure 

The applicants are requested to fill in the online application .The call for participants will be open till 10 September 2013. Selection of the participants will be based on “first come – first serve” if fulfilling minimum requirements and sending organization.

In case of any questions regarding the application and conference in general, please contact conference@youthalliance.org.mk.

For more information visit the official website

ISWinT 2013

ISWinT (International Student Week in Timisoara) is an international festival that gathers participants from all over the world each year since 1994. The purpose of this festival is to give the students from different countries the opportunity to communicate freely, to express their opinions in a productive manner, while enjoying a taste of our local culture. 

A simple word, ISWinT, brings with it 7 days of festival, perfect opportunities to meet new people, to discover new places, new traditions, to attend parties. And that is not everything this event comes with. ISWinT brings workshops, themed evenings and many many other activities. During the event you will not only discover Timisoara, you will also discover its surroundings with beautiful landscapes and the magic that comes with it. You will have the opportunity to discover the others participants’ tradition at the “Nations Party” where each country is presented by participants by means of singing, theater or video-projection, so that we that we can get a clearer picture of their culture and habits.

The purpose of the 2013 edition (15-24 July 2013) of the longest-running student festival worldwide is to create a suitable environment for cultural exchange by getting the local community involved in the activities organized for the participants.

 

This year’s theme is focused on the exchange of ideas through which we aim to underline, in an objective manner, the differences between cultures, leaving behind the stereotypes and preconceptions related to the nationalities’ customs and traditions. This way we hope to bridge the gap between the different perspectives of the participants which will lead to their acknowledgement of the importance of cultural diversity.
 
This year’s breakthrough is the idea of encouraging the participants to leave their mark on our city. For this to be possible, we have in mind a series of new activities which will allow the participants to bring their contribution to the enhancing of Timisoara’s cultural diversity.
 
To sum up, during the 20th ISWinT edition our purpose is to bring to light the impact of the cultural diversity, as well as the importance of creating an environment where all these differences are highly valued and appreciated. All this and much more can be made possible by exchanging ideas with a little glimpse on a culture snapshot.

Here is a list of the workshops that will take place this summer:

1. Magic

2. NLP

3. Fashion Design

4. Restyle

5. Non-formal Education

6. Video

7. Stop Motion

8. Dance

9. Handmade

10. Graffiti

11. Photography

12.Self-defence 

This year, the participation fee is 110€ and includes:

• accommodation in the student dorms for 10 days
• three meals per day
• all the materials needed for workshops
• all the activities
• entrance to all the parties
• public transport
• a city tour
• one day trip
• lots of other surprises.

The only thing the fee doesn’t cover for is the travel ticket to and from Timisoara and visa costs.

For those of you who don’t need a visa to come to Romania, the application period is extended until the 15th of June. 

Apply now to the 20th edition of ISWinT! All you have to do is fill in the application form. 

If you have any questions, send an e-mail to: contact@iswint.ro

Youth Future Conference 2013 in Bonn

From September 1st to 7th, the European Conference on Sustainability for young adults (18-28 years) will be held in Bonn. This conference is organised by a German group of students within the network of the Youth Future Project.

Imagine that YOU can come together with 100 other young people from all over Europe, 20 junior scientists and about 6 Laureates of the Right Livelihood Award (“Alternative Nobel Prize”) and the German Environment Prize. Together, on an eye-to-eye level and from an interdisciplinary and multi-perspective angle, you will work on challenges and innovative solutions in the field of sustainability .

During workshops, lectures, and discussions you will learn about the views and actions of important activists in the field of sustainability and you can gain an integrated understanding of the multidimensional challenges of environmental problems. We want to enable you to make new personal experiences and encounter new methodological approaches to sustainabilty issues. The multi-perspective approach shall encourage us to go beyond our academic disciplinary frameworks.

Therefore, during this four-day-long process, we will take a look at central challenges in the field of sustainablity in small working goups. During the conference lecturers from various fields (e.g. economy, ecology or social science) will be present in the working goups. So we will learn to understand the different challenges sustainability poses to various stakeholders and actors.

 

During the conference we will use our new knowledge and experiences as advice for future actions and practical next steps that you can implement through journalistic, academic research, civil-societal  or environmental projects, which we will initiate in the last days of the conference.

The most promising ideas, developed during the conference, will be supported for one year in the “Visionaries in Action”-support-programme. They will be offered a starting capital of up to 2.000 Euros as well as coaching and professional seminars in NPO-project management.

 

Costs 

The contribution-fee for early applications amounts to 115 EUR until May, 31^st. From June, 1^st on the minimum contribution is 145 EUR, although you can choose to pay more in order to help other participants come to the conference who would otherwise not be able to join us.

Scholarships

If you want to come to the conference but can not cover the expenses for the participation fee and/or the travel cost, you can apply for the Youth Future Conference’s Scholarship. The scholarship follows the principle of solidarity: People who can afford paying a higher participation fee enable financial less situated people to come to the conference by paying more than indicated. The scholarship is dedicated only to people between 18 and 30 years living or studying in Europe.

The number of scholarships granted depends on how many people apply for the scholarship and for how much money they apply. For the organizers it is much easier to cover the participation fee than the travel expenses. Of cause it is possible to, for example, only apply for a part of your travel expenses. For example when your whole itinerary is about 200€  and you can only cover 100€ by yourself, you can apply for the remaining 100€. You can check more info and apply for scholarship grant here.

The first places will be confirmed from the 3rd of June on. After this more places will be given out continuously.

If you would like to participate, but do not know, if you are really invited, for example because you feel to old, or to young, or because your are not living in Europe, please get in touch. In many cases we will find a solution. Just shoot us an email at conference@youthfuture.de

Apply NOW!

9th Annual PSSI Summer School

The 9^th Annual PSSI Summer School “NATO’s Security Challenges” will be held on July 7–12, 2013 in Měřín, Czech Republic, in cooperation with NATO’s Public Diplomacy Division.

Objective:

The main objective of Summer School is to offer a high-profile study course for students currently enrolled in Master’s degree programs, based on presentations, interactive workshops and simulations with international security experts from academia and government fields.

Eligibility:

Students currently enrolled in Master’s degree programs in Political Science, International Relations and Economics and other relevant fields from NATO’s member and partner countries.

Agenda includes topics such as:

• Cybersecurity
• Energy security
• NATO-Russia relations
• NATO and the US Pivot
• Afghanistan after 2014
• US and EU perspective on NATO’s security challenges

Invited Speakers:

Jiří Schneider, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Czech Republic; Dr. Andrew Monaghan, Research Fellow, Chatham House, UK; Keir Giles, Director, Conflict Studies Research Center, U.K.; Amb. Vaclav Bartuška, Ambassador-at-large for Energy Security, Czech Republic; Dr. Petr Luňák, Deputy Head, Public Diplomacy Division, NATO; Kurt Volker, Executive Director of the McCain Institute and former US Permanent Representative to NATO; Robert Cooper, Counsellor, European External Action Service, UK; Roger W. Robinson, Jr.,PSSI Co-Founder and former Senior Director of International Economic Affairs, National Security Council, USA; Amb. Petr Pelz, PSSI Executive Director and former Czech Ambassador to Afghanistan.

Application:

Please download the application form and send it filled-out, along with your CV and essay to christensen@pssi.cz by June 1, 2013. The selected participants will be notified by June 8, 2013.

Costs:

Registration fee amounts to 2000,- Kc / 80 EUR. Accommodation and meals will be fully covered by organizers; foreign participants’ travel expenses will be partially reimbursed (not applicable to those selected students from the Czech Republic or Slovakia). Participants will receive more information upon their selection.  

For further information please contact Mr. Stephen Christensen at christensen@pssi.cz

Website: http://www.pssi.cz/security-scholars-program/summer-school/summer-school-213/detail

6th International Black Sea Symposium 2013 in Athens

The 6th International Black Sea Symposium on “Empowering Civil Society in the Black Sea region: a tool for Innovative Social Change” will be held in Athens, Greece, from 4 to 6 July 2013. In its sixth year, the International Black Sea Symposium (IBSS) project builds on the success and positive impact of its previous five editions and brings together the next generation of stakeholders with an interest in the Black Sea area. 

The ICBSS will welcome young professionals and international experts, for an intensive course on Black Sea issues. The event’s working language will be English. 

This year’s Symposium introduces a new dimension, the civil society, as a key element to economic growth, sustainable development and social change.

In this context, this year’s Symposium will focus on the following specific topics:

• Mapping social innovation in the EU

Good EU practices on social innovation will be presented giving emphasis on sharing experiences and learning from each other. Participants will have the chance to learn the emerging trends, as well as, the existing funding initiatives and tools.

• Development of human capital and empowerment of civil society in the Black Sea Region

The empowerment of certain social groups (e.g. youth, women etc.) is crucial in the rapidly changing economic and political landscape of the wider Black Sea Region. This topic will examine ways of developing civil society’s role aiming at a healthy and sustainable development of the Black Sea countries.

• Challenges and opportunities for social innovation in the Black Sea

Experts will be called to share their experience on existing opportunities and key challenges related to social innovation practices. Reference will be made on Social Entrepreneurship, Enterprise and Economy and the way these terms can bring social transformation.

• The role of Black Sea NGO Regional Networks

Speakers will also highlight the role of NGOs and the development of regional networks as an opportunity for establishing a platform of dialogue and cooperation, aiming at working complementary and achieving positive results on the social and economic environment of the Black Sea region. 

In this regard, we invite young professionals (22-35 years old), such as policy-makers, journalists, diplomats, members of Parliament, entrepreneurs, civil society leaders and researchers (post docs and PhD candidates) of different backgrounds with expertise in these fields from around the world, to discuss, to exchange views and enhance the dialogue on empowering civil society and bringing social change in the Black Sea. The three-day intensive course will consist of interactive sessions, with related reading material provided.

Fees and bursaries:

The Symposium participation fee is set at 150 € and will cover:

§         tuition and reading materials

§         accommodation in twin rooms in a hotel in Athens (two persons sharing one room)

§         breakfast, one meal per day and coffee breaks

§         one welcome reception and one farewell dinner

Please note: participants are expected to make their own arrangements for the following costs which are not included in the Participation fee:

§         international travel to and from Athens International Airport

§         transfer from and to the airport – Hotel in Athens

§         visa and health insurance cover for the entire duration of their trip/stay

§         any personal expenses that may arise during their trip/stay

Application and registration process:

Participation is limited to 20 people. Acceptance is at the discretion of the organisers. All applicants will receive an acknowledgment of receipt of their application within 5 working days. Only those applicants selected will be informed through confirmation email by 10 June 2013. The applicable fees and payment details will be confirmed to participants upon acceptance to the Symposium.

To apply please submit in Word format

§         the application form duly completed

§         a two-page CV in English. Please do not include or send photos.

to:

International Centre for Black Sea Studies (ICBSS)

Email: icbss@icbss.orgor Fax: +30 210 324 2244

Deadline for applications is 31 May 2012. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Late applications will only be considered if places remain unfilled.

Should you have any queries, do not to hesitate to contact us by email at icbss@icbss.orgor by fax at +30 210 324 2244.

Summer Scholarships for Study Trip in Turkey

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey offers short summer scholarships for a study trip for successful and motivated graduate students (MA, MPhil, PhD, etc.) interested in Ottoman and Turkish studies. 

The aim of the project is to provide wide-ranging first hand information on Turkey, its culture, history and politics; and to promote social and academic exchanges among the participants and their Turkish counterparts. 

Eligibility 

• Applicants to the study trip must be graduate students in Turcology, History, Political Science, International Relations, Sociology, Journalism, Law or Public Administration. 

• This year’s scholarship programme is open to students from the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Republic of Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Russian Federation, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, USA. 

Modalities 

• All travel and accommodation expenses of the study trip will be covered by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism. 

• The programme will include 30 participants. 

• The programme, excursions and discussions will be in English. 

• Participants of the study trip will be required to arrive in Turkey on 29 June 2013 and fully participate in the programme that ends on 8 July 2013.

• Following the visit, participants will be requested to provide an evaluation paper by 30 July 2013 on the programme and their perception of Turkey. 

Application Information 

• Applications will be made to the Turkish Embassy in Vienna to the following address: Prinz Eugen Str. no: 40 1040 

• Applicants will be requested to provide a CV, motivation letter in English and transcripts. 

The deadline for applications is 15 May 2013.

Venice Academy of Human Rights 2013

The Venice Academy of Human Rights is an international and interdisciplinary programme of excellence for human rights education, research and debate. It provides an enriching forum for emerging ideas, practices and policy options in the field of human rights. The Academy hosts distinguished experts to promote critical and useful research and innovation through the exchange of current knowledge. This year the Academy will take place on 8 - 19 July.

Participation is open to academics, practitioners and Ph.D./J.S.D. students from all countries of the world with an advanced knowledge of human rights. In the selection of participants, the Academy puts great emphasis on fostering interdisciplinarity and securing gender equality. Participation is limited to 60 participants.

The Academy reviews all applications after the end of the application deadline. We aim to give participants as much time as possible for the organisation of visa, travelling and accommodation. Additional applications, after the deadline has passed, will only be considered if the number of accepted participants is below 60.

Important note: While all applications will be reviewed after the deadline has passed, the Academy appreciates early applications as it facilitates the review process.

 

Eligibility 

The Academy is an intensive programme of high standard and applicants should be confident that they are academically and linguistically prepared. All courses will be taught in English. It is, therefore, indispensable that all participants understand and speak English without any difficulty.
Participants must be

• currently enrolled in a PhD/JSD programme in human rights, international law, political science, international relations, philosophy, sociology or related subjects,

          or

• have work experience of at least two years in one of these fields in an international or non-governmental organisation,

          or

• work on human rights issues for a government authority or in academia.

Fees and Waivers

The participation fee is EUR 600. The fee includes enrolment, lunch during the week (Monday-Friday), use of the facilities at EIUC (including wireless access) and social events. The registration fee does not include accomodation. 

The Venice Academy of Human Rights does not offer scholarships.

In the case of hardship, the participation fee can be waived for up to five admitted participants who demonstrate special needs. Priority is given to participants from developing countries. An application for a waiver must be made through the online application form. In case the participation fee is waived, the admitted participant still needs to cover all other expenses associated with the stay in Venice.

 

Costs 

All participants must ensure sufficient funds to support themselves during the Academy. Upon request from admitted participants, the Academy can provide support and confirmation letters to employers and grant institutions.

A list of accommodation options on Lido and in Venice, including two special arrangements starting at approx. 40 EUR per night, will be sent to all admitted participants.

Applications will be accepted until 5 May 2013.

Read more: http://www.eiuc.org/research/venice-academy-of-human-rights.html

Global Entrepreneurship Summer School 2013

Don’t miss the chance to be part of the most exciting Summer School around the Globe. Apply now and meet leading entrepreneurial talents from around the world for more than one week in Germany. The Global Entrepreneurship Summer School under the general topic Rethinking Education will take place on Sep 18 – Sep 26, 2013 in Munich.

The vision of the Global Entrepreneurship Summer School is based on the claim „Billion Dollar Projects to Foster Societal Change“. We want to encourage and connect outstanding students from all over the world to challenge society’s problems by entrepreneurial means. We want the students to think big and contribute to sustainable change in the dimension of billion. The Global Entrepreneurship Summer School is a collaborative project of the four leading university-based Entrepreneurship Centers in Munich – that’s why we believe in the power of entrepreneurial thinking for a better und sustainable future.

During the Summer School the student teams develop ideas that have both a sustainable impact for society and a self-sustaining, profitable business model. The students learn about entrepreneurship, develop their own sustainable business ideas and build a long-lasting network of international excellent and entrepreneurial students. The Global Entrepreneurship Summer Schools fosters the important role of education, entrepreneurship and networking for a sustainable development.

Who can apply?
You have to be enrolled in any university at any time during 2013 and you have to be between 18 – 27 years old. Example: If you are enrolled only until February 2013 you can apply even if you won’t be enrolled in September 2013.”Enrolled” applies in our definition also to MBA or PhD students.

Application process
This year we will accept 35 outstanding students from around the world who will get an invitation to Munich. In addition we will accept 15 virtual participants. All applications will go through a very strict, but fair selection process. The deadline for Early Bird applications will be April 30, 2013. The regular deadline will be May 31, 2013 (GMT -12). We will inform everybody at the latest during the last week of June about their application status.

Accommodation
Participants won’t have to pay for their accommodation. We will provide accommodation from Sep 17 until Sep 27 either in the guesthouse of the LMU or at other places such as appartments of other participants from Munich.

Global Scholarships
International students who are invited to Munich will automatically receive a travel scholarship. The Global Entrepreneurship Summer School will contribute 50% of your total travel costs (mostly flight tickets) up to a cap of € 500,-. Just to remind you, accommodation, travel during your stay and lots of food during the week is also included!

Food & travel in Munich
We will provide you for free some exclusive dinners as well as many snacks and coffee during the whole week. In addition we will cover your travel expenses for the public transport in Munich throughout the whole week.

Tuition
We will charge a tutuion fee of € 79,- for early bird applicants and € 119,- for regular applicants per selected participant. (Note: Previously we mentioned here that this only applies to students from Germany. We changed that recently due to the following reason: For our international guests the fee covers part of the the medical insurance including an ambulance transport or even a emergency transfer back home. We will get back to those applicants who have applied before 26.03. if you get selected on how to handle that individually.)

If you are a student from Germany and you can provide accommodation to an international participant you won’t have to pay a tuition fee – no matter when you apply.

Please apply here with your CV and motivational letter (max. around 200 words) as PDF attachments.

 
If you have any questions please please send a mail to info@globalsummerschool.org

Summer School for Young Professionals 2013: Challenges of Global Security Environment

Centre for European and North Atlantic Affairs (CENAA) together with its partner Armed Forces Academy of General M. R. Štefánik (AFA) in Liptovský Mikuláš, Slovakia is organizing the Summer School for Young Professionals 2013: Challenges of Global Security Environment on 29 June 2013 – 7 July 2013. If you are a master or doctoral level student of political science and/or international relations, or a young professional who is interested and active in the foreign and security policy issues, then we would like to invite YOU to join other students from Central Europe (V4), South Eastern Europe (Western Balkans), Ukraine and South Caucasus in an interactive week-long forum focused on the current issues of the security policy.

You can enjoy the environment of the Armed Forces Academy in Liptovský Mikuláš, located between the beautiful High and Low Tatras. On July 4th we will move our summer school from Liptovský Mikuláš to Mukcahevo in Ukraine and we will continue with our program. The structure of the teaching at the summer school is aimed to provide you with the basics of the security policy background and overview of the current security issues such as Afghanistan beyond 2014, NATO partnerships, smart defence or  current events in Africa and other conflict region. 

One of the main objectives of this international summer school is the preparation of young professionals – future leaders from mentioned regions – to act in the foreign and security policy. Interactive discussions and lectures led by top speakers from various international and Slovak organizations will therefore focus on open exchange of ideas and interaction of participants from different backgrounds. There will be many side activities besides the classroom lectures and discussions – dynamic workshop, trip to nearby High Tatras and city of Liptovský Mikuláš, receptions, Airbase in Prešov and others.

The teaching language of the summer school will be English. At the end of the school, you will receive certificate of course attendance issued by the Armed Forces Academy.

Application Process

To apply please send a complete application package, i.e. filled-in application form, your CV and motivation letter (max 550 words), to the following email address: school@cenaa.org (put word “application” into the mail subject). The deadline for receiving your application is April 30, 2013 (Tuesday). You will receive the information on your acceptance within one week after this deadline. If accepted you will be provided with complete details regarding the summer school.

Participants will be selected according to the following criteria:

1. Educational background
2. Level of English as a second language
3. Motivation letter, in which the interest in the issues of the foreign and security policy will be valued the most

Motivation letter should address your interest in the issues related to the topic of the summer school and should explain how do you intend to turn the knowledge and experiences gained at the summer school for your benefit. Motivation letter should be maximum 550 words. It will be taken into consideration that English is not your mother tongue; however, a good command of English is required.

Financial Support

• If you are from Ukraine, South Caucasus or Western Balkans: Your travel costs, accommodation and meals will be fully covered. However there is a participation fee 60 EUR and you should pay your visa if required by yourself.
• If you are from V4 country: Your accommodation and meals will be fully covered. However there is a participation fee 100 EUR and you should pay your travel cost by yourself.
• If you are from any other country: You will have to cover all the expenses of your participation at the Summer School. It amounts to 290 EUR + travel cost.

E-mail: school@cenaa.org

Mobile: +421 949 341 304

Website: http://cenaa.org/en/publications/summer-school/

Summer School on Human Rights, Minorities and Diversity Management

Since 1999 the Institute for Minority Rights organizes a Summer School on the topics of Human Rights, Minorities and Diversity Management. The international Summer School hosts 20 - 30 students from all over the world and offers a platform to discuss and elaborate on current topics in the field of diversity management with outstanding academic experts but also practitioners from international organizations, such as political advisers of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, lawyers from the European Court of Human Rights, experts and members of the Advisory Committee of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities etc. The Summer School will take place on 24 June – 5 July 2013 in the city of Bolzano/Bozen, Italy. Special Focus 2013: The Revival of Self-determination: opportunities, concerns and challenges.

In the last few years, claims for self-determination, secession and independence have entered a new phase. In Western Europe, the borders of states seemed settled yet independence movements re-gained importance in Scotland, Catalonia and Flanders. In other parts of the world, claims to form an individual state are long-standing issues and have proven to be very durable. For instance, Tibet has been claiming for its self-determination and independence from virtually 100 years. Such demand fuelled after the Chinese occupation in 1950. Other territories such as Palestine, Abkhazia and many more also have been fighting for their right to self-determination since several decades.

The International Summer School “Human Rights, Minorities and Diversity Management: Self-determination" takes up these new and old trends and analyzes them from a variety of different perspectives. The prominent role of international law in the debate of secession and self-determination will be further complemented by perspectives of political science and sociology. One the one hand, sub-national political parties as well as social movements have always been important drivers of self-determination claims. On the other hand, international players such as the United Nations, the European Union and others, maneuvered by their members, play a significant role in hindering or facilitating the right to self-determination. The emergence of new states through unilateral declarations of independence, such as in the case of Kosovo, are confronted with bilateral agreements, such as in the case of Slovakia and Czech Republic.

In particular, the Summer School aims to discuss the following topics:

• external self-determination vs. various forms and degrees of self-government
• the role of regionalist and nationalist parties
• the role of violence in independence movements
• minority rights protection
• economic and financial implications of secession and independence.

The Summer School aims to cover a broad range of geographical spectrum of independence movements, from cases in Europe (e.g., Scotland, Basque Country, Corsica, South Tyrol, Flanders) and the Balkans to Russia and Asia , the Middle East (e.g., Palestine), Asia (e.g., Tibet) and eventually excursions to Africa, South America and Canada. The Summer School brings together leading academic experts in the field of international law and political science, but also offers students a possibility to discuss with practitioners from international organizations, leaders of political and social movements and journalists. 

Who should participate?

• Post-graduate students wishing to acquire greater competitive personal competence beneficial for a future career in academia or in practice-oriented professions; • Lawyers, economists, political and social scientists and others working in non-governmental organizations;
• Civil servants from local, regional or national administrations who primarily deal with minority and diversity related issues and therefore require both theoretical and practical training in this year’s topics; and
• Journalists and teachers interested in recent developments, current theories and advanced training in related fields. 

Diploma and credits (possibility of a publication)

You can either chose to obtain a diploma of participation or write an essay after the Summer School and obtain 5 ECTS points (from University of Graz). The best essays will be offered the possibility to be published in the European Diversity and Autonomy Papers.   

Tuition Fees and Scholarships

• Tuition fee including lunch: 350€ - Accommodation, travel costs and other expenses are not covered by the tuition fee.  
• Convenient accommodation for every participant will be arranged by the organizers in the Youth Hostel of Bozen/Bolzano. 
• 8 Scholarships covering accommodation in a 4 bed-room at the Youth Hostel as well as reducing the tuition fee to 150 € are available. Selection is based on the application and in particular the short essay.

Application Process

Please apply online clicking here until the 14.04.2013. 

REMEBER: only fully completed applications are taken into consideration - we will not inform you if any field has not been completed! 

For problems and questions please write to meir@eurac.edu

READ MORE

Youth and Conflict - Conflict Resolution Education in Central Asia

The Center for Conflict Studies (CCS) at the University of Marburg is delighted to announce the call for applications for the international summer school “Youth and Conflict - Conflict Resolution Education in Central Asia”. The CCS has been awarded a grant by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) to organize the summer school in collaboration with the Kyrgyz Russian Slavonic University (KRSU) and the DAAD in Bishkek. The summer school will take place at KRSU on August 25 - 31, 2013.

The summer school deals with the role of the youth in Central Asia with a special focus on conflicts and conflict resolution approaches. The role of youth with regard to conflicts is ambiguous. Youth may play a central role as a high-risk group for conflict escalation as well as be „agents of change“ who can stimulate a peaceful development and social consensus within conflict societies. On average, Central Asian societies are rather young with a high percentage of young people who have great impact on the societal development. Central Asia has been in transition since the end of the Cold War and has had to deal with violent conflict where „youth bulges“ at times played an important role for the conflict process. An in-depth analysis of the role of youth in connection with conflict in Central Asia therefore lies at hand.

The objectives of the summer school are threefold: 

• First, students will receive training in approaches to conflict resolution and mediation. 
• Second, students will be introduced to conflict resolution education and the role of marginalized youth in conflict transformation. 
• Finally, students will apply the acquired skills in practice through the analysis of specific conflicts in Central Asia.

FINANCIAL CONDITIONS: Thanks to the financial support by the DAAD we can offer full funding for travel and board for all accepted applicants. Accepted applicants are asked to book tickets to Bishkek early in advance.
 

ELIGIBILITY: Students must hold a BA degree and have Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Tajik, Turkmen or Uzbek citizenship. Applications from nationals of other countries will not be accepted. In addition, a small number of Master or doctoral students from Germany can also be funded. 

 
APPLICATION: All applicants are asked to submit a CV of no more than two pages and a letter of motivation. The letter of motivation must not exceed 700 words. The letter of motivation should outline the reasons for applying and the intended benefits you expect for your further studies at university, research or professional career.

Please send your application to summpacs@staff.uni-marburg.de. DEADLINE: April 15, 2013. Applicants who are selected will take part in an essay competition (deadline: August 1, 2013).

Transparency International Summer School on Integrity

Applications are welcome for the Transparency International Summer School on Integrity that will take place in Vilnius, Lithuania, on 8-14 July, 2013. The Summer School is designed for students, graduates and young professionals. 

The aim of the Summer School is to provide student leaders from across the region with an opportunity to learn first-hand from professionals working in the anti-corruption field. The School seeks to provide students with a peer-to-peer learning and integrity-building platform that links international experience with transparency and integrity to the current situation in post-communist countries and beyond.

Participants of the Transparency International Summer School on Integrity  learn about the causes of corruption and practical ways in which societies can become more transparent and accountable.

 

The School staff  offer students state-of-the-art professional guidance and compelling case studies showing long-term sustainability through transparent and integrity. Led by leading anti-corruption professionals, the School seeks to create an environment that brings discussions about transparency and integrity from a high public policy level into the classroom and the everyday life of students.

University students earn 6 ECTS credits upon successful completion of the course.

Course Programme 

The TI Summer School consists of three teaching modules covering the public sector, the private sector and civic empowerment. Each module will include theoretical definitions of corruption as it affects different parts of society, and how anti-corruption tools are used in practice.

• The public sector module covers abuse of office, nepotism, public procurement and accountability mechanisms for public institutions.
• The private sector module focuses on international anti-corruption mechanisms, corporate reporting standards, media accountability, and corruption in different industry sectors.
• The civic empowerment module addresses the role of citizens in monitoring the activities of the state and explores ways in which people can become involved in the public decision-making process, in reporting corruption, and in anti-corruption activities.

Students will be introduced to new online mobilisation methods, falling under the “web 2.0″ rubric, used by organisations such as Sunlight Foundation, My Society and will receive a training on media literacy, i.e. how to critically read and work with news.

Application Process

Applicants wishing to apply shall submit the following documents:
1) Application form (save as.doc)
2) Europass CV.

The completed application form with the CV should be sent to admissions@transparencyschool.org. Only fully filled applications will be considered. The copies of the diplomas and letters of recommendations are welcome but not compulsory. The final deadline for the submission of application documents is 1 May 2013.

Fees

For 2013 the course participation fee is set at 400 EUR. The fee covers accommodation, meals, study material and extra-curricular activities. Participants are expected to cover their own travel expenses (including visas, insurance, etc.). Students may be granted (partial) tuition fee waivers in exceptional cases.

Scholarships

A limited number of competitive scholarships is available. Full scholarships cover transportation, tuition and board expenses. Students seeking a scholarship are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Students may be also offered partial scholarships that cover a part of their expenses.

Students from the following countries can apply for a full scholarship (the full list of eligible countries is to be confirmed by 1 April 2013): Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Egypt, Estonia, Georgia, Jordan, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Lithuania, Moldova, Morocco, Palestine, Romania, Russia, Ukraine, Syria and Tunisia.

For further questions regarding the application procedure, fees, scholarships or general inquiries, please contact at admissions@transparencyschool.org
 

Web-site: http://transparencyschool.org/

European Forum Alpbach 2013

"Experiences and Values" is the general topic of the European Forum Alpbach 2013 which will take place from August 12 to 31, 2013 in the village of Alpbach in the Tyrolean mountains. The three-week event offers an opportunity to enter into discussion with renowned personalities. In a unique atmosphere, speakers from a wide variety of disciplines will discuss burning issues of our times with the participants. An extensive social programme offers opportunities to continue debates outside the conference and seminar rooms. This special nature of the European Forum attracts around 4,000 participants from more than 60 countries every year.

To enable young people to share in this experience, the European Forum Alpbach Non-Profit Foundation under Private Law, supported by many sponsors, makes scholarships available for students and recent graduates. Last year, more than 600 students and recent graduates from 47 countries were able to take part in the Forum thanks to scholarships.

Scholarships for the Symposia of the European Forum Alpbach

Scholarships for the European Forum Alpbach 2013 are available for students and recent graduates up to 30 years of age. We welcome applications from all countries and academic disciplines. Our main objective is to ensure the participation of many young people in the entire event. The combination of academic seminars followed by symposiums and short courses on specific topics reflects the special character of the European Forum Alpbach.

Please take into account that there are different scholarship programmes for the Alpbach Summer Schools on European Integration 2013 and on European Health and Social Systems, and that you can apply only either for the European Forum Alpbach or for one of the Summer Schools.

Deadline for scholarship application: May 2, 2013 (postmark).

Scholarship Value 
A scholarship includes the participation fee for all events of the European Forum Alpbach 2013 (August 12 to 31, 2013) worth 550.00 EUR.

Should you not have sufficient funds to cover the costs of your stay in Alpbach, there is the possibility to apply for an additional amount for accommodation and board. Please fill out the financial statement form and include it in your application if you wish to be considered for this extra sum. If you have any proof of financial support for your studies, you do not need to explain your financial situation in writing but only include the corresponding forms (e.g. the confirmation that you are receiving the Austrian "Studienbeihilfe" or any other study grants). Travel costs cannot be refunded.

Students and young graduates who have been scholarship holders in the past may apply for a return scholarship. The scholarship comprises 90% of the participation fee; 10% of the fee as well as the costs for board and lodging have to be covered by the scholarship holder. If you apply for a return scholarship, you need to hand in the application form and a letter of motivation only.

Application Requirements 
Please make sure that the application submitted is complete and that you send all documents by regular mail.
Applications via e-mail cannot be accepted.

-Motivation statement-

The essential features to be included in the motivation statement (one-page text) are:
a) A comment on your personal thoughts and ideas about the topics of the current programme.
b (1) An exploration of your views and ideas concerning the European integration process, and of the fundamental ideas of the European Forum Alpbach;
OR
b (2) All applicants composing a contribution to the project “Europe 2057” or the "Science Slam" at the Built Environment Symposium will be allowed to limit the letter of motivation to the personal part (a), if the project contribution is attached to the application.

-Curriculum Vitae-

In addition to listing your academic education, the curriculum vitae should give evidence of your practical experience and extra-curricular activities.

-Certificates and Transcripts-

Copies of relevant school and university certificates, as well as a transcript covering all credits obtained during the last academic year, in order to prove your academic progress. If your transcripts/certificates are made out in a language other than German or English, you need to submit a translation. This translation need not be certified.

-German or English Proficiency-
(non-native speakers only)

Please enclose proof of your proficiency in German or English (minimum: European level B2 or IELTS 6.5). Any conclusive proof will be admitted. If your certificates are made out in a language other than German or English, you need to submit a translation. This translation need not be certified.

Selection Procedure 
All applications will be assessed through careful consideration of the documents submitted. The candidates will be selected by a committee chaired by Prof. em. Erich Gornik, former Vice-President of the European Forum Alpbach.

The following criteria will be taken into account: content of the motivation statement, academic achievements, professional experience, extra-curricular activities, and overall appearance and orderliness of the application. 100 points can be achieved. For every failed application in the past 5 points will be added, for every successful application 10 points will be subtracted.

Scholarships for the Alpbach Summerschool on European Integration

Scholarships for the Alpbach Summer School on European Integration 2013 are available for students and recent graduates up to 30 years of age.

To be eligible for a scholarship, applicants must either have a degree from a university or a specialised institution of higher education, or be near completion of their studies (preferably in law, economics, social or political sciences), and are required to produce evidence thereof (certificates, etc.). In exceptional cases, mature students may also be eligible.

Deadline for scholarship application: May 2, 2013 (postmark).

Scholarship Value 
A scholarship includes the participation fee for the Alpbach Summer School on European Integration 2013 (August 12 to 27, 2013) worth 500.00 EUR.

Should you not have sufficient funds to cover the costs of your stay in Alpbach, there is the possibility to apply for an additional amount for accommodation and board. Please fill out the financial statement form and include it in your application if you wish to be considered for this extra sum. If you have any proof of financial support for your studies, you do not need to explain your financial situation in writing but only include the corresponding forms (e.g. the confirmation that you are receiving the Austrian "Studienbeihilfe" or any other study grants). Travel costs cannot be refunded.

Application Requirements 
Please make sure that the application submitted is complete and that you send all documents in duplicate.
Applications via e-mail cannot be accepted.
-Letter of Motivation
-Curriculum Vitae
-Certificates and Transcripts
-Two letters of recommendation of relevant academic teachers, especially university professors
-German or English Proficiency (non-native speakers only)
Please enclose proof of your proficiency in German or English (minimum: European level B2 or IELTS 6.5). Any conclusive proof will be admitted. If your certificates are made out in a language other than German or English, you need to submit a translation. This translation need not be certified.

Selection procedure 
All applications will be assessed through careful consideration of the documents submitted. The academic director of the course will select those applicants who appear to be best qualified to complete the course successfully taking into account both their prior educational record and their language skills.

Selection results 
The scholarship holders will be informed via e-mail in the middle of June at the latest. Please make sure to mention an e-mail address in the application form that is valid from March to August. The European Forum Alpbach disposes of an adequate allocation of student accommodation and will handle your room booking if you are granted a scholarship. Therefore, it is not necessary for you to reserve accommodation prior to the announcement of the selection results.

Postal Address:

European Forum Alpbach

Franz-Josefs-Kai 13/10

1010 Vienna 

Documents and application forms can be downloaded here.

Official Website: http://www.alpbach.org