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What is the iLEAP International Fellowship program?
The iLEAP International Fellowship program brings leaders from civil society organizations working for positive social change in Africa, Asia-Pacific and Latin America, to Seattle, Washington for a 3 month intensive program in professional skill building, academic study, and global networking. The Fellowship program is organized around the central themes of: social enterprise, reflective practice, collaborative leadership, and social and environmental sustainability. It is designed to leverage the remarkable human resource base in the Seattle area working on these issues. iLEAP Fellows engage in an three-part, integrated, interdisciplinary curriculum that has them both learning in the classroom and in the community. Each week, Fellows: Participate in academic seminars led by experts in the four central themes of the program. These seminars range in their content and application—from discourses in critical social theory to the practical application of online communication techniques. Collaborate with Seattle-based organizations who are engaged in activities related to the Fellow’s interests. This regular interaction happens 2-3 days a week. Listen to and share stories with people in the Seattle area who have worked, served and led social enterprises. Taken together, this integrated curriculum offers Fellows a unique and rare opportunity to inspire their creativity and to sharpen their thinking; while at the same time, building meaningful relationships with people in the Seattle area who share a common vision to affect positive social change in communities around the world.
iLEAP International Fellowship program
How is the iLEAP International Fellowship Program structured?
The Academic Seminar: Each week, iLEAP Fellows take two or three seminar courses (2-3 hours per classroom session) in topics related to social enterprise, community and international development, social change, systems thinking, philanthropy, program and organizational development, and leadership. The regular seminars are led by Dr. Britt Yamamoto and are augmented by special lectures from experts from Antioch University, Seattle, the University of Washington and the local community, readings, and extensive writing and reflection exercises.
The Community Placement: From the beginning
of the program, iLEAP Fellows are placed in a community based NGO
working in the Seattle area. There they work 10-15 hours each week that
they are in the program, working closely with staff members on issues
that are broadly related to their own work at home. Their tasks will be
hands-on and collaborative. Fellows have a chance for interactions with
other organizations as well.
Bringing them together: What makes the iLEAP International Fellowship program unique is
how it brings together the professional and the intellectual in an
effort to critically examine participants' work and assumptions about
social change and community development. The program rests at the tension
between academic theory and social practice. In this way, the
curriculum is designed to challenge Fellows to become active learners
and to consider how readings, discussion, and their work and
interactions with others pushes them forward into new ways of thinking
and acting in the world.
Who Should Apply?
This program will appeal to those working in rural communities in Africa, Asia-Pacific and Latin American who are:
- Dedicated to serving communities at the grass-roots;
- Currently working with an organization and holds at least five years of relevant experience as a community leader;
- Creative, skilled and capable in working with different organizations, cultures, situations and settings;
- Connected to an international network of supporters;
- Fluent in the English language.
Dates of Instruction for iLEAP International Fellowship program:
- Arrival Date/Orientation: April 7, 2009 (T) to April 8, 2009 (W)
- Fellowship Program (10 weeks): April 8, 2009 (W) to June 19, 2009 (FR)
- Graduation Ceremony: June 20, 2009 (SA)
Estimated Total Participation Costs for 2008: $8,500 (breakdown below)
- Airfare and Other Transportation: $3,000
- Home Stay (room and board): $2,000
- Other Costs: $3,500
- Note: iLEAP is currently fundraising to cover as much of these program costs as possible. However, it is not certain that the organization will be able to cover all expenses. Therefore, we encourage all applicants to also seek out funding opportunities that will cover some or all of the program expenses.
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