The leadership program consists of 4 very different but complementary components.  It is essential if you apply that you are able to participate in all 4 parts.

Program Overview

• Introductory Camp
• Leadership Workshop
• Implementing your Social Justice Action Plan
• Presentation Day and Graduation Dinner

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

DETAILS

Part 1: February 1 – 3

Introductory Camp: Gender and Development

• Exploring leadership
• Discussing development
• Exploring challenges facing women in the world and  issues of diversity
• Making a difference to the issues that are important to you

The camp provides an opportunity for participants to get to know one another, make new friends, learn about development and have fun!

Over the two days participants will learn about international development, gender, human rights, social justice, IWDA, the work we do and why we do it. Leadership and different ways to be a leader will also be looked at.

To do this we will:

• look at real case studies of projects supported by IWDA
• share stories from the amazing women we work with and the ways in which they have made their communities a better place to live
• explore gender roles and diversity in Australia and globally and look at where we are today in terms of equality
• think about “development” and what it means to work with communities to find solutions to problems
• get you thinking about what type of issues are important to you and how you can make a difference in the world

You will get a chance to meet some of IWDA’s Program Managers whose jobs can take them anywhere, including Cambodia, Sri Lanka, East Timor, Fiji, Vanuatu and the Thai Burma border. There will be lots of chances to ask questions!

Part 2: March 23-25

Leadership Workshop

During this three day workshop we will look more closely at process of designing and implementing a social justice focused activity. Participants will have a chance to develop their own Social Justice Action Plan.

We will:

• look at different ways to influence opinion in your community or school through advocacy and campaigning
• learn event management skills
• develop communication skills
• think about ways you can build relationships with those around you

Participants will be matched with a mentor who will support them through the process.

Students who live a significant distance from Melbourne will be comfortably accommodated in supervised hotel stays during the workshop.

PART 3: 26 March – 26 May 2011

Action: Implementing your Social Justice Action Plan

Students are encouraged to think widely about an issue that is important to them and be innovative in finding ways of bringing attention to the chosen issue. Some examples of past Social Justice Action Plans (SJAPs) are on the ACTION page. With the help of a mentor, participants plan and implement an activity or event in their local community or school which will raise awareness about an issue of importance to them. Mentors provide support, expertise and advice to participants but the Social Justice Action Plan will be the participant’s work.

Mentors will:
• be available to their matched participant weekly via email and telephone while they put their plan into action.
• help with sounding out ideas and brainstorming solutions to barriers that may arise.
• visit the participants’ school or community and give them a hand with implementing their plan.

Participants have eight weeks to implement the Social Justice Action Plan (SJAP) they developed during the leadership workshops and can use the private Facebook group to share how they are going and get some support and advice from others who are also putting their plans into action.

PART 4: 27 May

Program Review, Presentation and Graduation

The final session gives participants the opportunity to share the successes and challenges of implementing a Social Justice Action Plan with the group in the Melbourne CBD, and evaluate the program.

A celebration dinner will be held in the evening with the mentors and parents. Participants will receive a certificate of participation, which they can use in their resume or future application for study opportunities.