Education & Culture

2011 Youth Leadership Program

Youth Leadership Program for Malaysia (Oct 25 – November 19, 2011) - Accepting Applications until September 9,  2011 

The U.S. Embassy's Public Affairs Section invites student leaders and adult educators to apply for the 2011 Youth Leadership Program.  Five student leaders (age 15) and one adult educator from Malaysia will be selected to join other participants from ASEAN countries for a 25-day program (October 25 – November 19, 2011) hosted by Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois.   All costs will be covered by the U.S. Embassy. 

This program is designed to promote high-quality leadership, civic responsibility, and community engagement among Southeast Asian future leaders.  It will offer a practical examination of the principles of democracy and civil society as practiced in the United States and provide participants with training that allows them to develop their leadership skills.  Participants will visit several communities in the United States, including DeKalb and Chicago, Illinois, and Washington, DC.

The experience will be intensive, academic, and highly interactive. The program sponsors seek energetic applicants who are ready to develop their skills in order to be effective leaders in their schools and communities.

Student applicants must..... 

• be a Malaysian citizen
• be 15 years old by the start of the exchange program (born between January 1, 1996 and December 31, 1996)
• be students in Form Three
• have good English skills and are strong academically
• have demonstrated leadership in their schools and/or communities
• have permission from parents (and schools, if missing any classes) to participate in the entire program.

Adult applicants must....

• be a Malaysian citizen
• be at least 30 years old and not more than 45 years old by the start of the exchange
• be active in working with youth in either a school or community setting
• exhibit a high level of open-mindedness, flexibility, and interpersonal skills
• be willing and able to meet periodically with selected students (SEAYLP participants) after the program to support their follow-up work
• be committed to the goals and ideals of the program, including civic leadership, diversity, and fostering positive regional and global interactions
• have good English skills

The program will employ a highly interactive approach both in workshops and in a range of public and community settings.  Through engagement with the activities of U.S. high schools, community organizations, youth groups, and community leaders in each location, the student and adult participants will better understand civic participation and the rights and responsibilities of citizens in a democracy.

The U.S. Embassy, in conjunction with its partner Northern Illinois University, will cover all participant costs.

Application Materials for Student Leaders

Program Details (PDF 169kb) | Application | Reference Letter Form | Parental Consent Form

Applications Materials for Adult Educators

Program Details (PDF 170kb) | Application | Reference Letter Form 

To request more program details, all interested candidates are asked to contact Helena Bridget, Public Affairs, American Embassy, 376 Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur. Tel: (03) 2168-5106; fax: (03) 2148-9192 e-mail: publicaffairskl@gmail.com

The deadline for receipt of applications is September 9, 2011.