Team Tuesday (7/2/2012)

Is it Tuesday again? Where’s the last week gone? Blink twice and it’s another seven days gone by. Whoosh…

Those of us based in Switzerland are still battling with the cold temperatures – anyone used to proper Siberian temperatures probably thinks we’re wimps, but just look at this…

Now that’s just wrong, isn’t it?

Anyway, what’s happening here? Our Dutch demoiselle (is that the right word or am I just an alliteration geek?) is back at the office though still not 100% okay. (My personal bet is that it’s somewhere in the low 30%s.) Fran’s having weird phonecalls where she mentions drooling over shoes – is she turning into a shopaholic? Is that a Manolo Blahnik bag under her desk? Gaby’s hot, but hopefully not bothered, in Mozambique. And I’m mainly working on the Euro-Africa Youth Summit call for applications.

… which actually prompts some FAQs – so anyone who’s interested in applying and hasn’t done so yet, make sure to imprint these on your brain:

  • Is the age range (18-24 on the first day of the summit) for regular applicants fixed? (AKA “I was born in the same year as you, Matt. May I apply?”)
    Well, the answer to that one is simple if tough: yes, the age range is fixed. We cannot make exceptions, even if you turn 25 two days before the summit. The thing about exceptions is this: in order to be fair, you have to extend them to everyone, and then they’re no longer exceptions. I understand that it’s tough for people who otherwise fit the profile, but I’m afraid we need to be strict about this.
  • Is it okay if my video is longer than two minutes?
    Are we talking about an additional four, five seconds? Sure, that’s okay. Are we talking about more than that? If so, please re-edit your video. Effective communication is a lot about selecting what you’re going to say. Make a choice and make your video striking and effective. We don’t need a complete list of everything you’ve done – just mention what is more central and prepares you best for becoming a Global Changemaker.
  • Are there any scholarships for transport, accommodation etc. at the summit?
    Let me make this clear: anyone who’s selected as a participant will not have to pay their flight to the event, accommodation and meals during the summit, or their visa fee in order to attend. All of these are covered by the British Council. Also, since we always have people asking about this: if you’re not selected, please do not offer to attend at your own expenses. The summits are open only to those who are successfully selected to attend. Sorry, but them’s the breaks.

Okay, that’s it for the moment. Next week we should have a special treat (which, I believe, may have been promised for this week – my apologies about the delay, but it’s for a good reason). Except elephants and prophylactics!