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Middle East Youth Forum: Apply Now!

Tuesday, 10 March 2009 | posted by Matt_BC
Dead Sea Forum 2009

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Are you active and engaged in your community? Are you between 17 and 23? Do you have a strong opinion on how to improve the state of the world, an interest in the Middle East, and a passion for global economic and political affairs?

The British Council is pleased to announce an exciting opportunity for select youth. Apply to become a Global Changemaker, attend the Dead Sea Youth Forum May 7-11, 2009 and have a chance to participate in the World Economic Forum on the Middle East where you will interact with the leaders who are shaping our world.

What is the purpose of the Dead Sea event ?

The Dead Sea event will bring together 150 young people from across the Middle East. Our objectives are to:

Increase participants’ knowledge, insight, and exposure to key issues facing the Middle East, with a focus on creating regional solutions for regional challenges
Improve participants’ ability to deliver their local projects by giving them the concrete tools and skills they need to amplify their efforts.
Raise awareness and engage high-level decision-makers at the World Economic Forum on the Middle East
Support dialogue and exchange among youth from across the Middle East

What are the Dates?

The Dead Sea Forum begins on Thursday 7 May and ends on Monday 11 May. Participants will be expected to arrive at the venue by the evening of Wednesday May 6.

Those chosen to participate at the World Economic Forum on the Middle East will be expected to remain in Jordan until the end of the Forum.

It is therefore critically important that all the candidates:

Are available to be in Jordan from Wednesday May 6 to Monday 18 May.
Have a valid passport, or are ready to get one as soon as they are selected to participate in the Forum (Since some of the participants might require a visa to Jordan, and the process of obtaining one might be long, we strongly recommend that those who are chosen to participate get their passports as son as they are notified of their selection).

What is the criteria for selection ?

Be between 17 and 23 years old
Be a national or a resident of a Middle Eastern country or have a strong interest in the region.
Demonstrate a proven track-record of social entrepreneurism, community work, social activism or voluntary work in their community.
Have the will and ability to learn and to meaningfully contribute to discussions on critical global and regional issues.
Have good communication skills and feel comfortable speaking in English. In addition have the confidence and willingness to speak in front of peers and influential leaders in a respectful manner while maintaining the capacity to challenge them as appropriate.
If selected, commit to joining and actively participate in a Global network of like –minded youth around the world. This participation includes, but is not limited to: engagement in Global Changemakers Community Action projects; participation in Global Changemakers events, sharing best practices with fellow global changemakers.

We are looking for a balance of gender and background, with the aim of building a diverse group.

I am already a Global Changemaker, can I apply to participate in the Dead Sea event?

Yes we are receiving applications from our existing network, a number of places will be given to changemakers that can demonstrate a strong interest in the region and that can demonstrate they can add value with their participation to the event.

How do I apply to participate?

You need to complete an online application form. Click here to do so.

We strongly encourage applicants to additionally make a 2-minute YouTube video to support and boost their application. Download the instructions here.

Participating in a Global Changemakers event and being invited to join the Global Changemakers network is an honour. It is our expectation that all participants behave in an appropriate and respectful manner at all times.

Do you have further questions? Send us an e mail to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), we will be happy to help.

The deadline for applications is April 3. Selected participants will be notified by April 10.

31 Comments
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scott.forbes
11 March 2009

This sounds like an amazing opportunity! I’ve forwarded it onto the British Youth Council who are currently running a number of projects in the Middle East!
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
11 March 2009

This sounds great, I am really excited about it.
Nimah Nawwab
13 March 2009

As a Young Global Leader who has been engaged in youth initiatives and the first group of ME participants at the WEF of the ME, I strongly recommend and endorse this forum and will continue to do so through various means.

A golden opportunity for our energetic, passionate and changemaking youth, that should not be missed.
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
16 March 2009

Hello Matt, thanks for informing us of such a terrific opportunity!
Does “people who have a strong interest in the Middle East” include those from East Asian countries like China, Japan, and Korea?
My friends from Japan and I myself am interested in applying.
Thanks!
:D
Matt_BC
16 March 2009

Hey Leo,

Thanks a lot for your comment! You’d best ask Gaby for more details, as she’s the one in charge of the Middle East event. My own take on this is that it depends on your own, individual interests - I’m sure that there are business ties between East Asia and the Middle East, for instance, or issues that are relevant to either region. Basically convince us that you have a genuine interest in the region and its issues and you’ve got a good chance.

P.S.: Gaby’s asked me to remind people that the British Council covers all costs for this event. Participants don’t have to pay anything.
Agula Joseph Ogoror
16 March 2009

Well done colleagues. This is a great idea.
I work with an NGO called Conflict Resolution by Youth (CRY) Uganda. We have interest in assisting and working youth that have been marginalized.
How can we be part of this event and process?

Agula J.O
CRY Uganda
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
16 March 2009

Hello again, Matt
Yeh, I will send my questions directly to Gaby in the following application process. Thanks.
My father actually has done business with Arabic merchants and I thus got a chance to learn more about Middle Eastern cultures than my peers. (feeling lucky about that, lol)
I’ll submit the application soon and hope that I can meet with my dear Global Changemakers buddies in May. =)
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
17 March 2009

hey mat,
thnx for mailin….well this is indeed a great opportunity…. but matt i have worked as in community service… but not in a changemakers one…. will i be allowed to apply???
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
17 March 2009

hello matt…..
well i dont have conncetion with the changemakers so far…. but i want to have one…. i have simple community service done…. well am i eligible to apply??? plz help me in this….i want to be a part of it….
Matt_BC
18 March 2009

Hi Piyush,

You’re absolutely eligible to apply. The central thing is that you convince us you’d make a good Global Changemaker - and that’s more about motivation, potential and people skills than about having done big projects already.
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
19 March 2009

sounds very interesting )
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
20 March 2009

This is VERY interesting, I have always dreamed to expand my experince to the international level!!
I applied, and I REALY wish to be accepted
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
20 March 2009

Hi Matt,
I already took part in a BC programme. Am I eligible?
A couple of months ago I tried to apply to the Global Changemakers, but I was informed that I wasn’t eligible. Actually, I’ve already talked to you by e-mail in that opportunity
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
20 March 2009

It gives graet pleasure to be one of those students who are going to represent thier countries , I’ve always dreamt to represent my country .
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
23 March 2009

It is a great cahnce for creative and innovative youth… cooooool
Afsa Babar
24 March 2009

The dates of the forum clash with the GCSE A Level Examinations. Can something be done?
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
24 March 2009

Hello everyone, this is just to address a couple of concerns.

The dates: Unfortunately we can not change the dates of the event as it is linked to the Meeting of the World Economic Forum, and we can’t really change that.
The age, the cut off is strict, we can not consider applications of people younger than 16 and over 24.
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
24 March 2009

can i plz know the deadline for submitting the applications???
Max Gerald Guillaume
24 March 2009

Hello,
Happy to have opportunity to share ideas with all the others working in the social development and contributing together for a better tomorrow of the world.
It will be appreciated if i can always be present to all your activities so that my country will benefit although the projets, forums, seminars or trainings that i will post with my International Caribbean Institute (ICI)
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
25 March 2009

Hi,

I am a 16 year old in Dubai and am seriously interested in applying; however, I will still be 16 at the time of the Summit. Would I still be eligible for consideration?

Thanks,

Aahan
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
26 March 2009

Hi,

This sounds extremely exciting. Do we need to apply straight away or are we required to contact our local British Council offices before doing so for further details?
Lina
26 March 2009

I’m very interested in such conferences. However, the fact that I live in Gaza, makes me unable to attend this conference due to many reasons related to Jordan and to my location.
:(
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
26 March 2009

That sounds really exciting!
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
26 March 2009

hi Matt
i am so interested with this program but i have a problem that the date of the dead sea event will be during my last days in my graduation semester that will not allow me to travel because of my graduation project and final exams, could I participate in this program??
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
29 March 2009

hi..
it sounds really great.. but for me the timing of the dead sea event will be during the beginning of my psychiatry rotation and i can’t be absent more than the period from (7-11 May)
hope i still can participate in the program..??
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
31 March 2009

I have trouble with the registration system. I was born on 16th June 1985. It means at the moment the Middle East Youth Forum will be helt I am still 23. But the application is open only for those who were born up to 1986. How can I fix the problem?
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
2 April 2009

Hey!!
just wondered if there is any scholarship to participate..
or if u covered any think,like accomodation or meals, or tickets?!!

Thanks
Matt_BC
2 April 2009

Hey Hadeel,

Thanks for your message. We cover all costs (tickets, meals, accommodation) when we do a youth forum.

Concerning all other questions and requests: we’ve got a big event at the moment but we will get back to you once it’s over.
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
3 April 2009

Hi!!!
I´m very much interested in applying for the event, but I’m 30 years old, how can I apply for it? Is it impossible?
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
7 April 2009

Hey Matt,
How are you doing?
I’m writing to say sorry about not making and uploading a new 2-min video for the application of the Middle East Forum, as I’ve planned. I was extremely busy in the past few days and my video camera was sent to have repairment due to unknown technical problems. It still has not been sent back. I’m very sorry for that and hope my application form can be thouroughly expressing my activism, ideas and desire of attending.
Thank you!
With smile,
Leo
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
9 April 2009

hey…
I turned in my application since I’ve been notified but still not posted my short-video? is it still okay to be posted ? or it is not neccesary ,
Best Regards…