The American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL) and the U.S. Department of State, in cooperation with The United States – Indonesia Society (USINDO) are pleased to announce that the Spring 2020 Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Professional Fellows Program is currently accepting applications. YSEALI is the U.S. government’s signature program to strengthen leadership development as well as networking in Southeast Asia, particularly between young leaders from the United States and Southeast Asia.
The YSEALI PFP Spring 2020 will take place from April 18 – May 29, 2020 focusing on the theme of Governance and Society. This prestigious program comprises of a week of political and policy discussions in Washington, DC; a month-long individual fellowship in an American office; and a three-day global Professional Fellows Congress in Washington, DC.
This exchange of ideas and knowledge will serve as a foundation for the establishment of a more sustainable two-way partnerships between the young political and policy professionals from these Southeast Asian countries and their American counterparts, with the goal of strengthening good governance, enhancing economic empowerment, and increasing civic engagement. With the invaluable experience gained from this fellowship, the young leaders from Southeast Asia may identify their generation’s greatest challenges in the region and develop ideas in tackling them.
Eligibility Requirements
Must be a citizen, national, or permanent resident of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, or Vietnam and have a professional background and project related to the theme of Governance and Society
Living and working in your home country at the time of the application
Between the ages of 25-35
Fluent in oral and written English
Have at least two years of professional experience at the time of the application
Provide a comprehensive, well-conceived written framework for a project to benefit civil society or governance in your home country
Demonstrated commitment to public service
Leadership potential in the government, the private sector, or civil society
Committed to organizing an 8-14 day program in your home country for your American host
Committed to become an active member in the YSEALI community
Committed to returning to your home country after the completion of the program
Cannot hold a dual-US citizenship or have traveled on a J-1 VISA for a Department of State sponsored program in the past two years.
YSEALI Professional Program Fellows Overview
The international fellows from each country will travel to Washington, DC for a 5-day program orientation and federal government overview as well as cultural outings. Each fellow will participate in a 4-week intensive fellowship in a separate political, policy, or civil society office with day-to-day mentoring and guidance from a single point of contact, their fellowship host. Together with their American hosts who are also ACYPL alumni, the fellows will attend meetings pertaining to current events in the area, and together will develop action plans for a series of follow-on activities to be conducted in the fellows’ home country.
At the conclusion of the program, all international fellows will return to Washington, DC for a 3-day Professional Fellows Congress where they will interact and share their experiences with other international fellows from different programs.
Upon returning to their home countries, select international fellows will work with their American hosts to create an 8-14 day program in which the American hosts will visit each of fellows’ places of employment to learn more about what they do, assist in the continuing implementation of their project, meet with local leaders, as well as enjoy cultural outings.
Eligible candidates are required to complete the application form by November 1, 2019 the latest. An incomplete or late submission will not be considered.
If you are recommended or learned about this program from USINDO (ACYPL’s in-country program partner), please indicate it in the application form. Only shortlisted candidates will be interviewed by the panel consisting of representatives from ACYPL, U.S. Embassy Jakarta, and USINDO.
Should you have any further inquiries and questions, please contact Mr. Peter DeAnna at pdeanna@acypl.orgor Ms. Kaylee Boalt at kboalt@acypl.org.
