The Climate Change Professional Fellows Program is an international fellowship program which will convene professionals and young emerging leaders from four East Asian and Pacific countries—Australia, China, Indonesia and Japan—and the United States to explore the science, impact, adaptation, mitigation and actions related to climate change. The program will serve 38 participants, including 14 from the U.S. and 24 from the other participating countries, in three exchanges: fellows from abroad will come to the U.S., dividing their time among San Francisco, New York City and Washington, DC. These portions of the program will occur in Spring and Fall 2011. During a three-week period in the summer of 2011, U.S. Fellows will travel to the East Asian and Pacific Region (countries include Australia, China, Indonesia, and Japan). This program is supported by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational Affairs Office of Citizens Exchanges.
The goal of the Professional Fellows Program is to create opportunities for young emerging leaders and professionals in the field of climate change to come together and share information and strategies for reducing carbon emissions and move to more sustainable economies. Participants will exchange ideas and best practices developed in each country, and share information on education and communication campaigns for those working in urban and rural areas that are most vulnerable to environmental devastation resulting from climate change.
Details of the Summer Fellowship
Baruch College will help select 14 individuals to serve as Professional Fellows and will work with partners abroad to develop a program of activities while the Fellows are in their country. Activities will vary from country to country but will focus on climate change issues affecting that region. It is anticipated that the topics to be included are:
• Addressing challenges of climate change in urban settings, focusing on energy, waste management, and communication strategies;
• Exploring how each country defines climate change problems, the range of solutions they are exploring, cultural and other constraints and how these issues are communicate to the population at large; and
• The challenges of building sustainable economies while preserving the environment.
Fellows will meet with climate change partners in each of the countries to be visited. The partner organizations include, but are not limited to, government, NGOs, and business corporations. This experience will provide the Fellows and the partner agencies with an opportunity to gain insight and promote information sharing on climate change endeavors. The 14 Fellows may visit less than the four countries participating in the project.
How to apply for Climate Change Professional Fellows Program
Fellow Qualifications: Fellows are selected based on outstanding performance and the ability to play leadership roles in their organizations and in their communities. Partners use a competitive approach in selecting participants. All applicants must fulfill the following criteria:
• Be a citizen of the United States.
• Have a strong interest and be actively engaged in climate change issues.
• Mid-level professional, young emerging leader, media professional, established community leader, or government staff.
• Be able to participate in the 3 week program: mid-July to early August (approximately July 18 – August 5).
• Demonstrate commitment to community service.
• Have approval from current employer to take a leave of absence.
• Be able to adapt to new environmental surroundings and challenges.
Financial Support: The program covers airfare, lodging (double occupancy), local travel in the countries being visited, health insurance for the Fellow only, and a limited number of meals. The Fellow’s home organization will cover the salary during the fellowship period. There are no financial responsibilities for international partners serving as a host organization.
Visa: The International Center and Baruch College will work with the U.S. Department of State to facilitate the visa application process with the U.S. Embassy.
The application can be accessed at http://blsciblogs.baruch.cuny.edu/climatechangefellows/apply-for-fellowship/.
The International Center/Baruch College Contact Information: If you have any additional questions, please contact Ms. Aisha Khan at Aisha.Khan@baruch.cuny.edu or 1-646-660-6720.
Link : http://workvolunteerabroad.com/call-to-volunteer/climate-change-professional-fellows-program-6/
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