THE CLINTON DEMOCRACY FELLOWSHIP: South Africa

THE CLINTON DEMOCRACY FELLOWSHIP: South Africa

The Clinton Democracy Fellowship Program is designed to motivate and engage young leaders worldwide to promote the concept of global citizen service. Each class is comprised of a diverse pool of candidates reflective of its society and culture (gender, ethnicity and cross-sector diversity).

Mission

To build a global network of young leaders between the ages of 21 and 35 from emerging and established democracies who are committed to developing citizen service programs, advancing citizen service policy and using social entrepreneurship techniques to strengthen democracy and create sustainable social change.

Goals:

To build a global network of young leaders committed to citizen service: a tool to promote collaboration, reduce prejudice, and help people assume responsibility for their democracies.

To inspire the development of citizen service programs and policies particularly in emerging democracies that are actively building new pathways for diverse citizens to work together for the common good.

To provide an opportunity for these leaders to learn about citizen service programs and policies in the United States and to inform U.S.-based organizations on the global citizen service movement.

To inform City Year International on the potential of supporting a youth corps program in a specified country.

History:

In partnership with President William Jefferson Clinton and President Nelson Mandela, City Year launched the Clinton Democracy Fellowship at City Year in April 2001 to build a global network of young leaders. The inaugural 21 Fellows of the 2002 and 2003 classes have completed the program and the class of 2004 is being selected this month. Throughout their stay in the United States, the Fellows engage in dialogues, workshops and trainings with U.S. citizen service leaders, practitioners, policy makers, academics, social entrepreneurs, private sector leaders and public officials. Many of the Fellows were already established leaders in their own right and have returned to continue in their roles – or to take on new, even more challenging roles – of leading social change efforts in their communities and nationwide. For example, previous fellows are currently in leadership positions at Ithuteng Trust, Soweto Kliptown Youth and the National Youth Commission, while others are exploring the possibilities of opening their own non-governmental organizations.

Evaluation of the program through pre and post surveys has helped us to understand its impact and how to consistently improve it. Through interviews of the 2002 Fellows, a pro bono team from Abt Associates is now gathering data on program outcomes one year after the residential program, measuring the impact on the Fellows and on the communities where they serve.

The post-residential component in South Africa was designed to integrate the learning of the residential program with the local context. The Fellows build on their earlier learnings through working sessions with a network of local leaders committed to social change. We are looking forward to collecting feedback on this first effort that will help us further develop this critical component of the program that has provided the Fellows with opportunities to:

continue to develop skills, training and networks;

integrate the residential experience with the context of citizen service in South Africa; and

learn and reflect on building democracy in South Africa.

Stipend:

Each Fellow received a $5,000 stipend

Criteria for Selection

Minimum criteria that must be met by all applicants:

1. Between the age of 21 and 35 years
2. Ability to provide relevant academic transcripts, diplomas or certificates
3. Professional competency in English
4. Computer Literacy
5. Ability to complete university-level academic curriculm
6. Ability to relocate to the United States from May 18 – July 7
7. Citizen of South Africa and valid South African passport holder

Fellows will be selected based on the following criteria

CDF 2004:

Orientation in South Africa in May 2004.

Eight-week intensive immersion in the U.S. (based in Boston and traveling throughout the country) to learn about best practices with citizen service programs and policies.

Robust academic element through a partnership with the University College of Citizenship and Public Service at Tufts Universitywhich will provide access to not only lodging and facilities, but also to top scholars and practitioners in the public service and academic fields.

Group presentation led by Fellows at the end of the U.S. component including reflections on the experience and recommendations for strengthening citizen service in South Africa.

Post-residential program in South Africa through May 2005 including service days, strategy sessions and other special events to help promote the idea of citizen service in South Africa.

Imagine a world of humanity and social justice led by the energy and idealism of young people.