YSEALI United for Peace 2015

A group of 10 representatives of young people from Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand got together at a forum to examine religious and cultural conflicts in Southeast Asia and to develop strategies to address violence that polarizes communities. 

The event, called the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) United for Peace, was organized by the Public Affairs Section of the US Embassy in Manila, in partnership with the Focolare Movement from Feb. 18 to 22, in Tagatay City, Philippines. 

Christina M. Bonifacio, one of the speakers at the event, called on the participants in the event to become peace builders soon after they returned to their respective countries. “To be a peace builder is a calling. 

“Something that does not let you rest until you perform it. Our challenge, therefore, is to nurture unity. It takes patience. It takes cultivating a culture of trust beginning with ourselves then with others,” she said.

Another speaker, Jeronimo L. Perez stressed the importance of dialogue in trying to resolve differences in society. “Dialogue is an exchange that starts with openness, enabled by trust and constantly nourished by a shared desire to know each other,” he said, adding the principles of shared humanity: “We are more similar than different and our differences create the necessary condition for mutual enrichment.”

Serafin A. Arviola, who was speaking about the need to “understand existing peace and conflict paradigms” stressed the importance of peace builders comprehending facts in conflicts, which include stages of conflict, timelines and conflict maps before they get involved in solving the problems.

This forum is designed to equip participants with skills to develop projects or campaigns to address conflict, while building their network of peace advocates in Southeast Asia. 

Participants shared best practices and looked for solutions to cultural and ethnic conflicts in their countries and regions, and creating one project they will implement in their respective countries. 

See more at:
http://m.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/03/09/citizen-journalism-learning-be-tolerant.html#sthash.IHaAXNMv.dpuf

http://jakarta.usembassy.gov/alumni-robinson.html

YSEALI TELAH MEMBAWAKU KE FILIPINA

Salah satu negara ASEAN yang sangat ingin aku kunjungi sejak tahun 2012 adalah Filipina. Ketika itu aku masih semester 5 jurusan Fisika di Universitas Sriwijaya. Aku juga tidak tahu entah apa yang membuatku ingin sekali berkunjung ke negara ini.

Ketika itu aku mencoba mencari kegiatan mahasiswa atau pemuda di sana yang berhubungan dengan jurusanku. Ternyata yang aku temukan adalah forum kepemudaan yang membahas tentang dialog dan volunteerism. Naman kegiatnnya adalah the 1^st Inter-civilization Dialogue on Youth Volunteerism. Oke, aku putuskan untuk mendaftar dan aku lolos. Wahh…rasanya itu bahagia banget‼

Aku mulai memperhitungkan budget untuk berangkat ke sana karena kegiatan tersebut tidak menanggung tiket penerbangan. Pada waktu itu aku berjuang mencari dana dengan mangajukan proposal ke beberapa tempat, termasuk ke kampus. Sayangnya aku tidak mendapatkan dana yang cukup untuk berangkat ke sana. Alhasil, aku belum bisa meraih mimpiku untuk berkunjung ke Filipina.

Setelah itu, aku tidak berhenti untuk tetap mengikuti kegiatan kepemudaan yang berskala nasional maupun internasional. Dalam beberapa kali kegiatan internasional, aku sering bertemu dengan pemuda dari Filipina dan selalu ada doa di dalam hatiku untuk bisa berkunjung ke sana.

Singkat cerita, awal tahun 2015 aku mendapat undangan untuk menjadi salah satu perwakilan Indonesia dari kedutaan besar Amerika Serikat di Manila, Filipina. Aku speechless dan sangat bersyukur sekali mendapatkan kesempatan ini. Apalagi semua biaya ditanggung panitia. Aku tidak lagi susah payah mencari sponsor seperti dulu. Nama kegiatannya adalah YSEALI (Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative) United for Peace 2015.

Kegiatan ini ada kesamaanya dengan kegiatan yang tidak bisa aku hadiri pada tahun 2012 lalu, yaitu mengenai pemuda dan dialog. Wahhh..kok bisa ya??

Aku merenung sejenak….

Oh iya, aku sudah telibat dengan organisasi kepemudaan yang mempromosikan toleransi melalui dialog yaitu Youth Interfaith Community dan CINTA (Community for Interfaith and Intercultural Dialogue) Indonesia selama beberapa tahun belakangan ini. Aku konsisten dengan apa yang aku lakukan dan tidak pernah patah semangat untuk terus mencoba meraih mimpi-mimpiku. Aku yakin, inilah salah satu hasil dari usaha yang aku lakukan selama ini. Karena aku percaya bahwa tidak ada hasil yang menghianati usaha.

Tahun 2012 lalu, aku berjuang keras untuk bisa berangkat ke Filipina tetapi gagal dan tahun 2015 ini aku terpilih menjadi salah satu perwakilan Indonesia tanpa memikirkan biaya apapun. Aku pun tak tau apa alasan pastinya. Yang aku tahu bahwa TUHAN ITU BAIK dan selalu memberikan jawaban dari doa kita diwaktu yang tepat.

2012-2015 (sekitar 3 tahun) merupakan waktu yang tidak singkat. THANK GOD‼ Engkau menjawab salah satu mimpiku‼ Sekitar 3 tahun baru Tuhan mejawab doaku ini. Jadi, harus tetap sabar dan tetap berpegang teguh padaNYA :)))

Aku mendapat banyak ilmu dan pengalaman selama di sana. Semoga ilmu dan pengalaman tersebut bisa aku bagikan dengan orang-orang di sekitarku. AMIN!

Thanks to my beloved team from Youth Interfaith Community and CINTA Indonesia for supporting me. Thanks to the US Embassy Jakarta and the US Embassy Manila for giving me this opportunity.

YSEALI TOOK ME TO THE PHILIPPINES!‼

YSEALI Professional Fellows

What is it?

Starting in spring 2015, over the course of a year, 250 YSEALI Professionals will have five-week placements in U.S. non-profit organizations and state and local government offices. YSEALI Professional Fellows will work directly with their American counterparts to enhance their practical expertise, leadership skills, and professional contacts to address challenges and create new opportunities their home countries and communities. YSEALI Professional Fellows will work in the fields of:

• Civic engagement
• NGO management
• Economic empowerment
• Governance
• Legislative process
• Environmental and natural resources management

The program will conclude in Washington to allow for engagement with policymakers and networking among YSEALI Professional Fellows from across ASEAN. A select group of Americans who worked with the YSEALI Professional Fellows will then travel overseas to further strengthen relationships, continue to collaborate on issue-based projects, and mentor other YSEALI members.

Who is eligible to apply?

Young professionals from all 10 ASEAN countries who are leading change and innovation in civil society, the public sector, or the private sector. Interested YSEALI members should visit here to apply.

What are the eligibility requirements?

Applicants must be:

• Between the ages of 25-35 at the time of the application, although exceptional applicants younger than 25 will be considered if they meet all other eligibility requirements;
• A citizen of one of the following countries: Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam;
• A resident of one of the following countries: Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam;
• Currently employed and with at least two years of professional experience at the time of application;
• Proficient in spoken and written English at the time of application;
• Eligible to receive a United States J-1 visa.
• What are the selection criteria?
• Demonstrate a strong track record of leadership or positive impact in their community or workplace;
• Demonstrate knowledge, or professional experience in one of the YSEALI themes: civic engagement, environment and natural resources management, or entrepreneurship and economic development;
• Demonstrate a commitment or interest to community service, volunteerism, or mentorship;
• Indicate a serious interest in learning about the United States and ASEAN as a region;
• Be willing to actively participate in a professional work environment to develop professional capacities and leadership skills;
• Have a commitment to return to their home country to apply leadership skills and training to benefit their community, country, or the ASEAN region; and
• Preferably have little or no prior work, study, or travel experience in the United States.

What is the application process timeline?
Now through December 8, 2015: Visit http://exchanges.state.gov/non-us/program/yseali-professional-fellows-program to apply for the Spring 2015 YSEALI Professional Fellows Program.

Starting in January 2015: Semi-finalists Interviews Begin

Mid to late February 2015: Finalists Selection

May 2015: U.S. Exchange Program Begins

How do I apply?

Visit http://exchanges.state.gov/non-us/program/yseali-professional-fellows-program to apply.

YSEALI Academic Fellows

What is it?

Starting in summer 2015, over the course of a year, 250 YSEALI Academic Fellows will take part in academic institutes in one of three core YSEALI themes:

• Civic engagement
• Environment and natural resources management
• Entrepreneurship and economic development

These five week institutes, held on the campus of a U.S. university or college, will include an academic residency, leadership development, an educational study tour, local community service activities, and opportunities to engage with American peers. The program will conclude in Washington, D.C., to allow for engagement with policymakers, governmental representatives, businesses, and think tanks.

Who is eligible to apply?

Young leaders from all 10 ASEAN countries who members that are current undergraduate or graduate students or recently graduated. Participants are selected by their local embassy based on their background, experience, leadership record, and commitment to service. For country specific application and recruitment information click here.

What are the eligibility requirements?

Applicants must be:

• Between the ages of 18 and 25 at the time of application, although exceptional applicants over 25 can be considered if they meet all other eligibility requirements;
• A citizen of one of the following countries: Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam;
• A resident of one of the following countries: Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam;
• A full-time undergraduate or graduate student; recent graduate of college, university, or other institutions of higher learning; or young professional who has recently joined the workforce;
• Proficient in reading, writing, and speaking English; and
• Eligible to receive a United States J-1 visa.

What are the selection criteria?

Applicants should:

• Demonstrate strong leadership qualities and track record in their university, place of work, and/or community;
• Demonstrate knowledge, or professional experience in one of the YSEALI themes: civic engagement, environment and natural resources management, or entrepreneurship and economic development;
• Demonstrate a commitment to community service, volunteerism, or mentorship;
• Indicate a serious interest in learning about the United States and ASEAN as a region;
• Be willing to actively participate in an intensive academic program, community service, and study tour;
• Have a commitment to return to their home country to apply leadership skills and training to benefit their community, country, or the ASEAN region; and
• Preferably have little or no prior study or travel experience in the United States.

What is the application process timeline?

Check for your country-specific information:

https://youngsoutheastasianleaders.state.gov/country-specific-information/

How do I apply?

Participants are selected by their local embassies. For country-specific application and recruitment information open this link:

https://youngsoutheastasianleaders.state.gov/country-specific-information/