2016 american youth leadership program...

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2016 American Youth Leadership Program (AYLP) Cyprus - Environmental Stewardship and Climate Change

An inclusive exchange opportunity

AYLP is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State,

Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and administered by Legacy International

BE A CULTURAL AMBASSADOR; THINK GREEN; TAKE ACTION

• Gain valuable skills in DIALOGUE, community ORGANIZING, environmental ACTION • Travel to Cyprus as a Citizen AMBASSADOR for a life-changing experience • Build FRIENDSHIPS with youth from

different ethnic, religious, and national groups • Promote MUTUAL understanding between

the United States and people of Cyprus • Develop environmental AWARENESS and

action campaigns in both countries • Expand civic PARTICIPATION and

COMMITMENT to community development • SHARE knowledge and skills with peers

through POSITIVE action and encouragement • Focus and promote awareness about mutual

ENVIRONMENTAL issues • DOCUMENT YOUR TRAVELS through

Blogs, Instagram, Flickr, etc. • Return home with skills and ENTHUSIASM to create positive, SUSTAINABLE change and

promote global thinking

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High school students and educators from the USA are invited to apply: The American Youth Leadership Program is a leadership training and exchange program for U.S. high school students and adult mentors. It is supported by a grant from the US Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and administered by Legacy International. The 27-day program focuses on the theme of environment and climate change. Participants will explore why sustainable management of resources is imperative, learn about careers in science, technology and environmental resource management, and work cooperatively with Cypriot peers to promote environmental stewardship.

Cyprus is an ideal place for U.S. students to explore the environment. Legacy's program design for AYLP

starts with the selection of a qualified, competent and well-prepared cohort of U.S. teens eager to address local and global environmental challenges. Each U.S. participant will select an environmental topic of interest having applicability in his/her community, and be prepared to identify ways this issue manifests in the Cypriot context. Topics include water resource management, conservation and habitat restoration, forest management, protection of flora and fauna, sustainable tourism, supporting local agricultural products, and alternative energy sources. After comparing and contrasting methods of environmental sustainability and effects of climate change in Cyprus and the U.S., the U.S. group will develop follow on projects to conduct upon returning home. Long-term friendships and mentorships between U.S. and Cypriot peers, Cypriot civic and environmental organizations, and university personnel will emerge from practical and meaningful projects and discussions.

Program Overview

Phase 1 July 6-8 Orientation and Environmental Leadership Training in Washington, DC metro area Phase 2 July 9-31 Cyprus Immersion U.S. participants will travel to Cyprus for an environmental service tour throughout the country. They will live with Cypriot families, and as a group in hotels and mountain resorts.

Phase 3 August - December Speaking for the Planet AYLP participants return home equipped with the knowledge, skills, and enthusiasm to create positive change in their schools and communities through student planned service and educational projects.

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Sponsor and Administrator:

The American Youth Leadership Program is sponsored by The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). ECA works to build friendly, peaceful relations between the people of the United States and the people of other countries through academic, cultural, sports, and professional exchanges, as well as public-private partnerships. ECA exchanges engage artists, educators, athletes, students,

youth, and rising leaders in the United States and more than 160 countries around the globe. Alumni of ECA exchanges comprise over one million people around the world, including more than 50 Nobel Laureates and more than 350 current or former heads of state and government. More information on their programs can be found at www.exchanges.state.gov/.

Legacy International, a non-profit educational organization, is dedicated to promoting peace by strengthening civil society and fostering a culture of

participation worldwide. We train and mentor community leaders, youth, professionals, and governmental and non-governmental administrators, helping them to develop and implement practical, community-based solutions to critical issues. Since 1979, Legacy International’s leadership development and civic education programs have enriched the lives of thousands of high school students and educators from around the globe. Legacy has been conducting youth leadership programs for the U.S. Department of State since 1989. www.legacyintl.org

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Cyprus Immersion

According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Cyprus is a unique and endangered eco-region. Located in the Mediterranean Sea, this island eco-region is home to a variety of flora and fauna. More than 125 endemic plants are found here, including the endangered Cyprus cedar and the Cyprus oak. The island is a stepping-stone between Europe and Africa for millions of migratory birds every year. The island is also home to Cyprus moufflon, a rare type of wild sheep found only on the island of Cyprus. Just eighteen percent of the island is covered by its original habitat. Urban development, conversion of forest to pastures, forest fires, and tourism are all causes of habitat loss and continue to be a threat to this eco-region. Many coastal habitats, such as dune systems and coastal marshes, have been destroyed with consequent species loss. Climate change and resulting droughts and water shortages also impact the island.

Program Details: Program activities, jointly planned by Legacy and our Cypriot associates, include a thorough introduction to the civic, cultural, and educational institutions of Cyprus. The program base is Nicosia where we have homestays for 5 nights with Turkish Cypriot families and 5 nights with Greek Cypriot families. Day trips and 2 nights in the mountains give exposure to almost the entire island. Site visits and service projects take place throughout Cyprus: Kyrenia, Famagusta, Paphos, Larnaca, Agros, Akamas region, and Troodos mountains. Activities have been designed to accommodate all students (non-disabled and disabled). American participants will get full immersion through group dialogues with peers, volunteer service projects, visits with community and government leaders, visits to university and government sponsored research and conservation facilities, as well as recreational and cultural activities. Daily language classes teach important phrases.

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Sample Activities - subject to adjustments as program planning progresses July 6-8: Orientation and Environmental Leadership Training, Washington, DC U.S. youth and adults will undergo intensive training to prepare for the program in Cyprus, along with a meeting with the U.S. State Department Educational and Cultural Affairs office. July 9-31: Cyprus Immersion U.S. participants will travel to Cyprus for an environmental service tour throughout the country. They will live with Cypriot families and as a group in hotels and mountain resorts. Some activities may include:

• Dialogue and team building with Cypriot youth • Visits to a desalination plant, Geo Park, fishery and turtle rehabilitation center, local farmer, etc. • Community service and volunteer work • Guest speakers and presenters including government official, environmental professionals, etc. • Tours of Cyprus towns • Follow on project planning

August – December: Speaking for the Planet AYLP participants return home equipped with the knowledge, skills, and enthusiasm to create positive change in their schools and communities through student planned service and educational projects. Community Based Projects – U.S. Participants Every participant will complete a community based project by mid December 2016. Each U.S. student will receive $100 in mini-grant funds. Legacy will provide on-going support to U.S. teens following their Cyprus experience to implement their projects.

Projects and on-going engagement includes: a) Making a presentation to 30+ peers on the environmental problems faced and addressed in

Cyprus and similar issues prevalent in the U.S. b) Organizing an environmental action project, which will include as many as 20 fellow students c) Contributing regular updates and articles to the blog and Facebook pages

From experience, we know that successful projects are those that spring from the passion of the participants. We encourage and cultivate practical and feasible projects. To stimulate creativity and set realistic expectations, some sample project ideas are: • Conservation: peer education programs, aligning with natural resource management teams locally to

do park clean ups, educational tours, etc. Projects can also use social media to support a conservation mentality.

• Nature-based enterprise: setting up student clubs that offer eco-tourism activities such as bird or wildlife walks, developing small reforestation nurseries, and spice or flower gardens. Past participants have built bat homes, breeding areas for oysters, and school-based composting bins.

Who can apply? Student Participant Profile: Legacy’s goal during the selection process is to recruit a total of 16 youth participants, representing geographical diversity of the U.S. We aim to have a highly inclusive program with an equal number of students who are non-disabled and those with disabilities. Legacy will accept applications from students with all types of disabilities. Legacy International includes a broad outreach to insure a wide diversity of ethnicity, race, gender, religion, geographic location, and socio-economic status among participants. Legacy has an established record of including individuals with disabilities and insures an open and inclusive application process. We

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provide reasonable accommodations as needed to people with disabilities. Feel free to contact us with any questions.

Youth Selection Criteria:

a. Between 15-17 years of age, with at least one year remaining in high school after the exchange b. Is a U.S. citizen c. Sincere interest in environmental issues and community engagement/service d. Demonstrated interest in the culture and history of Cyprus e. Committed to follow-on application of their learning (at least 1 formal presentation to peers and

organizing an environmental service project, and involvement in alumni activities) f. Preference will be given to individuals who have not previously traveled abroad nor would have

the opportunity if it weren't for AYLP g. A candidate will be considered ineligible if s/he has previously traveled outside their home

country on any ECA-funded program within the past three years or if s/he has accepted a scholarship for an impending U.S. Government-funded exchange program. (Sample programs include Fulbright exchanges, NSLI-Y, or CBYX.)

Adult Participant Profile: Legacy is looking for two adults who will travel with the group, learn about Cyprus, meet professional peers and, upon return, support the youth as they develop and implement community based projects. After the trip to Cyprus, adult participants will stay connected with youths and mentor them in the completion of their projects. This is a seven month commitment.

Legacy seeks adults who have experience with inclusion and environmental stewardship. There will be an additional two adults from Legacy's who will hold overall responsibility for the quality of the learning experience and coordinating personal support services, group integration, and individual mentoring as needed. The other adult participants will be there to learn alongside the youths, gain insights from Cypriot professionals, model how to make the most out of a cultural immersion experience and assist teens in reflecting how to transfer the lessons home. During the community based project phase you will mentor specific individual and student parings as they complete projects plus give presentations and develop projects for colleagues or youth groups.

Adult Selection Criteria: in addition to fulfilling the items b through g listed above under youth criteria, the adult applicants must be: • Minimum age of 25 years • Experience working with teenagers and have demonstrated strong leadership skills • Experience with and sensitivity towards inclusion of those with disabilities • Preference will be given to individuals who have not previously traveled abroad nor would have

the opportunity if it weren't for AYLP Exceptions will be made for What are the program costs? It costs nothing to apply. With the generous support of the U.S. Department of State and other donors to Legacy International, most of the costs of this experience are covered. Applying students, their families, and sponsors pay only miscellaneous personal expenses named below.

Applicant and his/her sponsors and supporters pay for: • Passports, clothing, medical exams, and/or suitcases. • Pocket money for souvenirs while in Cyprus (a minimum of $50 is recommended) • Any airline fees for overweight luggage or second suitcase

Legacy and program sponsors provide:

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• Food and lodging during the pre-departure orientation program (PDO) in Washington, D.C.

• Air transportation to and from Washington, D.C. and Cyprus • Round trip transportation to and from your home and Washington, D.C. • All travel, lodging, and meals during air travel and within Cyprus • All program supervision, activities, including educational events, service projects,

group cultural events, educational materials, adult escorts and supervision, etc. • Accident and sickness insurance (subject to specific limitations)

How to apply? Please visit our website for more information and a link to the application: www.legacyintl.org/our-programs/american-youth-leadership-program/