World Youth Alliance (WYA) – Africa Internship Program 2019

THE WORLD YOUTH ALLIANCE

Vision

To build a global network  of young people to transform policy and culture by promoting the dignity of the person

Mission

The World Youth Alliance (WYA)  is a global coalition of young people committed to promoting the dignity of the person and building solidarity among youth from developed and developing nations. We train young people to work at the regional and international levels to impact policy and culture. Through this lived experience of the dignity of the person, young people are able to affirm life at all levels of society.

History

Founded in 1999 at the United Nations in  New York, the World Youth Alliance trains young people to work at regional and international levels to impact policy and transform culture.

At a conference on Population and Development, thirty-two young people were brought into the  negotiations and given the floor. They stated that they represented all three billion of the world’s youth, and demanded abortion as a human right, sexual rights for children, and a deletion of parents’ rights. As a reaction of conscience, Anna Halpine, the WYA Founder and fist President, and a few others went back into the assembly the next morning and distributed flyers which stated that these young people did not represent all the youth of the world. She called for a discussion on topics addressing basic human rights and necessities. The statement was well-received by many delegations and she was requested to maintain a permanent presence at the United Nations, as well as to work with young people from the delegates’ countries. This marked the birth of World Youth Alliance.

What we have seen is the global response of young people, and of those already placed in positions of influence in government, policy, and culture, to the ideas that we are proposing.

There is an embrace of the dignity  of the person, and of the need to experience this on our own, and restore it to the culture.

The organization currently embraces membership from 160 countries, more than 1 million members Middle East and North America, 40,000 individual members, 500 international alumni, 25 global staff and 100 annual global interns.

WYA received its United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) accreditation in May 2004.

Our Work at the UN

WYA’s involvement with the United  Nations is primarily through the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). WYA is an accredited NGO to the ECOSOC Council. WYA can thus access UN grounds, attend meetings, and take the floor to speak as a civil society representative. WYA closely follows the following issue areas: health, maternal mortality and morbidity, education, sexual education, population concerns, discrimination, religious freedom, and the environment. We focus on 3 main commissions: Commission on the Status of Women, Commission for Social Development, and Commission on Population and Development.

WYA is also a member of several different working groups that are associated with the UN, including the Working Group on Girls, the Working Group on Children without Parental Care, and the Working Group on Trafficked Children.

Programs

1. Advocacy

WYA works at the United Nations (UN), European Union (EU), Organization of American States (OAS), and other international institutions to defend the dignity of each and every human person.

2. Education

WYA offers educational programs, conferences, and seminars to study the link between respect for the
dignity of the person and solutions for human flourishing in policy and culture.

3. Cultural Programs

WYA’s cultural programs examine the human person in action through art, film, and music. Through WYA’s cultural programs, individuals nurture their creativity, experience a longing for the transcendent and deepen their understanding of who the human person is.

B. ABOUT THE WYA AFRICA INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

The World Youth Alliance (WYA) is looking for young people and leaders with a strong desire to protect and promote human dignity while making a positive impact on society. Successful interns have been proactive, self-driven, resourceful, detail-oriented, and humble individuals with willingness to learn, and give the best from their experiences, skills and initiative. If you possess these qualities, if you are looking to make a difference, apply today for the World Youth Alliance (WYA) Africa Internship Program. This program takes place at the WYA Africa offices in Nairobi, Kenya.

The WYA Africa Internship Program grants qualified members real-world experience in project management, international law and advocacy together with a good understanding of the basic philosophy on the human person. The WYA Africa office launched the region’s first internship program in September, 2005, and over 10 young people from Africa have gone on to attend a 3-month training program at WYA’s Headquarters Office in New York to date. Since the Africa internship program started in 2005, interns have completed projects at the office during each internship period.

The WYA Africa Internship Program is a 3-month volunteer opportunity for young people committed to fulfilling WYA’s mission through work with our regional staff on projects related to advocacy, education, or culture. Interns will report to the WYA Africa office in Nairobi, Kenya. It could take longer than 3 months depending on circumstances.

As an intern, you can be involved in the following:

1. Join an international youth organization that promotes human dignity
2. Learn about national, regional, and international policy-making that impacts development
3. Help implement WYA projects in advocacy, education or culture
4. Participate in WYA’s Certified Training Program discussions with young people from different
parts of Africa
5. Challenge yourself and advance your skill sets and field of expertise

C. PROJECTS

Interns will be assigned to execute or manage projects with the guidance of WYA Africa staff. The types of projects interns work on may vary according to existing interests and skills. Projects will fall under one of WYA’s three main program areas: Education, Advocacy, and Culture.

Education: WYA education programs are designed to equip interns with the tools to promote and defend the dignity of the person. A variety of educational program opportunities are offered to interns to develop a deeper understanding of the meaning of human dignity through programs such as the Certified Training Program and WYA’s Film and Book list, among others.

Advocacy: WYA represents youth at the United Nations, European Union, and other government and civic institutions by offering language proposals, sharing grassroots experiences or working with delegates to propose person-centered policies. At the regional offices, interns will get the chance to learn about WYA’s advocacy work and its impact on local policy and culture.

Culture: WYA provides interns with the opportunity to experience the dignity of the human person in concrete ways. Participation in the arts and culture nurtures the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of the human person and in this way, promotes the integral development of the individual, contributing to the authentic development of society.

Administrative Work: Interns may also be assigned administrative work at the Africa office. They may be asked to handle data encoding, business correspondence, document filing, and social media, among others.

D. HOW TO APPLY

Before applying, it will be helpful to browse through the website to learn more about WYA and to see if our programs are the right fit for you.

Application Requirements:

1. Completed application form (available upon request by email to [email protected] or
downloaded from https://www.wya.net/get-involved/internship/)
2. Cover Letter
3. Resume or CV
4. Two letters of recommendation
5. Signed copy of the WYA charter (for new members)

You will receive a confirmation receipt via email within one week of the internship application
deadline. Incomplete application forms will not be processed. Selected applicants will be asked
to interview. Please send your application to [email protected].


E. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: Is this opportunity for me?

If you believe that every person has dignity and you are committed to promoting this message then this opportunity is for you.

Q: What kind of interns are we looking for?

Our internship program is open to university students, recent graduates, and young professionals. Ideal candidates possess a strong passion for the defense of human dignity. We seek committed members with strong communication abilities and organizational skills. Interns must also be able to motivate and inspire others.

Q: Do I have to be a WYA member in order to eligible for the internship?

Yes, you have to be a WYA member to be accepted as an intern. You can become a member by signing the WYA Charter.

Q: Who can apply and how many interns do you accept for each batch?

The Africa Internship Program is open to all World Youth Alliance members in the Africa region between the ages of 18 to 30. Internships are voluntary and may be done on a part-time or full-time basis for a period of 12 weeks.

Q: Are interns required to finish the Certified Training Program?

Yes, interns are required to undergo the Certified Training Program and are expected to finish it before the end of their internship. Interns need to be knowledgeable about WYA’s history and mission as they may represent the organization in various activities.

Q: Do interns/volunteers get compensated?

Interns are expected to take care of their living expenses while in Nairobi, Kenya. Applicants accepted into the internship program may apply for limited scholarships for a monthly stipend but approval is granted on an individual case basis, and is dependent on applicant need.

Q: Can I choose my own shift and schedule?

Interns need to choose from the three internship batches that are offered each year (Batch 1, 2, 3). Accepted interns may either opt for a part-time internship (report at least 12 hours a week) or a full-time internship. Please see the internship section on WYA’s website for details on which dates are included in Batch 1, 2, and 3, including application deadlines.

Q: Who do I ask for my letter of references?

Recommendation letters help us assess your character when it comes to working professionally. Your letters should come from people who can attest to your skills and work experience. It can come from your professor, co-worker, team leader, coach, and organization head. It should not come from any of your family members.

WYA Africa Internship Batches Timeline

Batch 1Batch 2Batch 3
Internship Period
Jan 14 – Apr 5, 2019Deadline
 Nov 12, 2018
Internship Period
May 13 – Aug 2, 2019Deadline
 Mar 10, 2019
Internship Period
Sep 16 – Dec 13, 2019Deadline
July 22, 2019

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