The GOAL NextGen Youth Programme 2023 is now accepting applications. The GOAL’s NextGen Youth Programme brings together young people from around the world to learn more about global justice concerns and to develop their awareness of global citizenship.
This program will teach young, motivated changemakers about the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to food and climate action, and how we can work together to achieve a more equitable and sustainable future for all. Participants will work together to create awareness-raising tools to communicate their insights and wishes for our interconnected world.
The program is a seven-week engagement with young people in Ireland and selected GOAL program nations, with the goal of establishing the learning and empowerment opportunities required for positive youth-led change. Youth program participants will have a better grasp of global citizenship and related global justice concerns via interactive workshops and cross-cultural partnerships. Much more than a one-time event, following completion of the program, all participants will join GOAL’s NextGen Youth Network as facilitators and multipliers of GOAL’s message of Global Citizenship.
Benefits:
Over these 7 sessions, participants will work with peers across the world to develop skills in critical thinking, intercultural communication, project management, teamwork, and the fundamentals of organising and implementing public awareness campaigns.
By taking part you will be empowered to:
- Understand the diverse and interconnected nature of our world.
- Critically interrogate the systems that perpetuate inequalities.
- Reflect upon your own role and the role of others in tackling local and global challenges.
- Engage in dialogue with others in a spirit of empathy, inclusivity, solidarity and collaboration.
- Develop the courage, confidence and resilience to speak out for change.
- Understand the GOAL’s work and have the opportunity to connect with GOAL staff.
Stipend:
- In order to support participation, stipends will be available for all successful participants. Stipends are intended to cover costs of internet and data as well as any travel costs incurred during the programme. Stipends of €400 for the duration of the programme are available for all successful participants.
Eligibility:
To be considered, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Comfortably fluent in English.
- Between 18 and 25 years old.
- Available for 7 seminars between May and July. Seminars will be between 1-2 hours, and will fall on Thursdays and Saturdays.
- Be open and willing to engage in teamwork in between seminars.
- Demonstrate basic/emerging understanding of local and global issues.
- Show clear initiative and desire to be a part of positive change (this could be demonstrated through volunteering, participation in local events, workshop facilitation, tutoring, creative extra-curricular activities, etc.)
- Interest in participating in artistic methods of learning (this could be demonstrated through a passion for drama, art, creative writing, journalism, music or any other artistic disciplinary.)
- Current resident of Ireland, Ethiopia, Honduras, Sierra Leone, Uganda, or Zimbabwe.
- Reliable access to a “device” and internet is desired but not essential. If you do not have access to a device, please let organisers know in your application and they will endeavour to support your participation.
Programme Schedule
The 2023 Programme will consist of 7 sessions that take place online, with 2 sessions in person for Irish based participants.
Programme Dates:
- Sat, May 20: Irish based participants in-person 12-3pm. Hybrid meeting with all participants 3-4pm
- Thurs, May 25: All participants online 3-5pm
- Thurs, June 8: All participants online 3-5pm
- Sat, June 17: Irish based participants in-person 12-3pm. Hybrid meeting with all participants 3-4pm
- Thurs, June 22: All participants online 3-5pm
- Thurs, June 29: All participants online 3-5pm
- Thurs, July 13: All participants online 3-5pm
Seminars to take place on Thursdays at 3pm Irish Time and Saturdays at 12pm Irish Time. In order to ensure participation of this global cohort, seminars will take place on Thursdays at 3pm Irish Time (8am Honduras, 2pm Sierra Leone, 4pm Zimbabwe, 5pm Ethiopia & Uganda). Seminars will last between 1 and 2 hours and can be adjusted according to the needs of the group and the topic at hand.
Application:
- To apply, email nextgenyouth@goal.ie with the subject line Name, Country, NextGen Youth Application by May 5, 2023.
- In your email let them know if you have access to a phone or laptop.
- Attach your CV (keep it simple! an outline of your educational background, voluntary and/or professional work is enough), and a 1-page cover letter to nextgenyouth@goal.ie addressing the following points:
- Tell them about yourself! Why are you applying for this programme, and why do you think you are a good fit?
- What skills do you bring to this programme, and what would you like to gain from it?
