Call for Applications: 2022 U.S.-ASEAN Women’s Leadership Academy for YSEALI

We are excited to announce the eighth U.S.-ASEAN Women’s Leadership Academy for YSEALI Regional Workshop for youth from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam. This fully-funded workshop will bring together 44 young leaders who are between the ages of 20 – 35.

This year, the Academy will be an avenue for young women leaders to advance their leadership skills, understand the importance of human capital development and civic engagement to support their work on human rights issues. This program also cultivates a network of young Southeast Asian women leaders who work across national borders, drive collective action and nurture a strong ASEAN identity and community.

The WLA consists of a series of leadership labs, panel discussions, break-out sessions, and mentoring and networking opportunities with leaders from the region and the United States.

The U.S.-ASEAN Women’s Leadership Academy for YSEALI is a program funded by the U.S. State Department through funding managed by the U.S. Mission to ASEAN, in partnership with Wedu as the implementing partner.     

Program Dates

If you’re interested in strengthening your leadership skills and advancing your career, and you meet the following eligibility criteria, please apply by submitting this form before December 18, 2021.

This hybrid program will start with online activities and sessions from February – April 2022, tentatively followed by an in-person workshop scheduled for May 2022. The in-person workshop will depend on the pandemic situation at the time.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must be: 

• YSEALI member (not a member yet? Join here!) 
• Age between 20 – 35 (at the time of application and workshop). 
• Citizen of: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, or Vietnam.
• If you are living outside of Southeast Asia you may apply for the workshop and join the virtual program. However,  flights for the in-person workshop will only be covered for participants currently residing in Southeast Asia.
• Proficient in written and spoken English.
• Working on the below human rights issues, including advocacy for minority groups, with a minimum 3 years of relevant experience.
  • Ethnic and religious minorities
  • People with disabilities
  • Indigenous communities
  • LGBTQI+ communities
  • Other professional or academic experiences that are involved in and not limited to, activities/work in gender equity, media and press freedom, peace and security, sustainable development and other fields relevant to advancing civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights.
• Bonus points may be given for: Specific voluntary or professional experiences advocating for a human rights cause and/or people from a marginalized community (for example, fighting to increase the awareness of or expand the civil rights of people with intersex conditions, people with disabilities, people who identify as transgender, members of indigenous communities, or gays, lesbians, and bisexuals); Having a personal connection to a marginalized community.
• Passionate about building communities and have a keen interest in building a network through collaboration and partnership with other Southeast Asian countries.
• Will commit to a minimum of 36 hours of workshop sessions from the Academy’s agenda in May 2022.
• Have a valid passport that expires after May 2022 (at least six months validity).

How Can I Apply? 

For the full call for application details, click bit.ly/ysealiwla2022. For questions, please contact yseali@weduglobal.org. 

Please note that:

• All applications submitted after December 18, 2021, will not be accepted.
• Selected participants will be notified by the last week of January 2022.