1
A Proposal for Collaboration
To Developing the Leadership Potential of Young Azerbaijanis
Between
The Azerbaijan Open Society Institute, Global Learning Works,
and U.S. University Partners
Garth T. Katner, Ph.D. and President
1.0
Vision
To strengthen the emerging civil society of Azerbaijan
by preparing and sustaining the next generation
of local, regional, and national NGO leaders
Mission
To identify, train, and support
young Azerbaijanis with leadership potential
Goal
To establish
the Emerging Leaders Institute of Azerbaijan and the United States
More than a decade has passed since Azerbaijan gained its independence from the former Soviet Union. A vibrant civil society has emerged as one of the driving forces in the country’s democratization. Market reforms continue as Azerbaijan seeks to define its place in the global community.
Young people are playing increasingly active roles in this new Azerbaijan by making significant contributions to the civic life of their local communities. Because of this, many are emerging as the future leaders of local, regional, and national NGOs. However, they often lack formal opportunities to enhance their leadership knowledge and skills. No national NGO network exists to provide them with the curriculum, materials, training, and mentoring necessary to grow as ethical and effective leaders in an emerging democratic society.
In order to encourage and support this next generation of leaders Global Learning Works proposes establishing the Emerging Leaders Institute (ELI) of Azerbaijan and the U.S. Its mission will focus on identifying and training young Azerbaijanis with leadership potential. It will bridge the gap between current theories on leadership, NGO management, and civic education with actual practice in leadership development for youth. It will bring together the emerging leaders of NGOs with their existing leaders, international youth leadership development specialists, and Azerbaijani civic educators.
The ELI will develop and deliver a series of Azerbaijan Emerging Leaders Projects (AzELPs). These will help young Azerbaijanis acquire the values, knowledge, and experiences of democratic leadership. The AzELPs will provide them with opportunities to actively apply their leadership skills through internships and service projects in their local communities as well as exchanges with NGOs in the United States. At the same time, the ELP will create and train a national network of Emerging Leaders Trainer-Mentors to support and sustain future AzELPs. As a result, young Azerbaijanis will develop a sense of responsibility for the common good and a positive attitude toward active citizenship while coming to think of themselves as partners and stakeholders in the civil society of Azerbaijan.
The AzELPs will begin during the summer of 2004 and unfold in six integrated phases through the spring of 2006. The successful completion of each will determine the implementation of each stage. Their overall success will culminate in the establishment of the ELI in Baku and the U.S during the fall of 2006. At that time, the ELI will determine the feasibility of deepening youth leadership development through additional AzELPs in Azerbaijan and broadening it through emerging leaders projects in the Caucuses and Central Asia.
Phase IEmerging Leaders WorkshopSummer 2004
Phase IIEmerging LeadersFall 2004
Trainer-Mentors Workshop
Phase IIIEmerging Leaders InternshipsSpring 2005
in Azerbaijan
Phase IVEmerging Leaders and Summer 2005
Trainer-Mentors Exchanges
Phase VEmerging Leaders InstituteFall 2006
in Baku and Chicago
Phase VIAdditional Emerging LeadersSummer 2006 and after
and Trainer-Mentors Workshops
throughout Azerbaijan,
the Caucuses, and Central Asia
To provide the greatest flexibility in scheduling each phase, the organizers responsible for implementing each AzELP will take full account of yearly schedule of Azerbaijan’s public schools.
Term 1 September 1-October 30-31
October 30/31-November 6 - holiday
Term 2 November 6/7-December 27/28
December 28/29-January 10/11 - holiday
Term 3 January 10-11-March 24/25
March 23/24-April 1 - holiday
Term 4 April 1 - May 25 (May 25-June 5 finals)
June 5-August 31 - summer holiday.