FAQs
What kind of girls are you looking for to take part in the Global Youth Impact Leadership Program?
What will I get out of Global Youth Impact?
Why is there a focus on gender throughout the program?
How much does participating in the GYI program cost?
What do I need to bring to the 2 night Introductory Camp?
Are all the components of the program compulsory?
What is a Social Justice Action Plan?
How will I know if my application was successful?
Why do I need to have an interview?
What will happen at the interview?
Do I need to wear school uniform to the course?
I have a special dietary, health, mobility or other requirement. Is this ok?
I have a question not answered here. Who should I ask?
Frequently Asked Questions:
What kind of girls are you looking for to take part in the Global Youth Impact Leadership Program?
- girls in years 10 and 11 (during 2011) who are passionate about making the world a better place
- girls who feel strongly about equality
- girls who believe in a fair world for everyone
- girls who have empathy and understanding
- girls who enjoy working with others in a team environment
- girls looking to build their leadership and practical skills, confidence and initiative
- a diverse group of girls from a wide range of backgrounds
What will I get out of Global Youth Impact?
By the end of the program you will have been supported to develop new skills, including:
- practical leadership skills
- the tools to make a difference on issues of importance to you
- the capacity to develop and execute an action plan which involves advocacy in your community
- increased confidence, and the skills and tools to speak out on important issues
And an increased knowledge of:
- issues facing women locally and globally
- different approaches which can be used to address these issues
- various models of international development
- career paths you might not have thought about before
You will also have:
- made new friends
- been part of an inspiring journey and had a great time!
This program will support you to explore a career in some of the following areas:
- International Development
- Advocacy
- Social Justice
- Community Development
- International Relations
- Human Rights
- Gender Studies
Why is there a focus on gender throughout the program?
IWDA aims to create positive change for women and their communities. Despite the progress that has been made in terms of gender globally, females remain the most disadvantaged in many areas of society, including leadership roles. In keeping with this and the foundation beliefs of IWDA, GYI has been designed to:
- empower young women
- promote gender equality
- educate participants on issues facing women globally
- create practical opportunities that may increase young women’s future prospects
- reinforce the fact that women can have a significant impact and be agents of change
How much does participating in the GYI program cost?
Nothing at all! This course is sponsored by IWDA, and everything you need is covered – all you need to bring are your personal items such as clothing and toiletries to the camp and the workshops.
We will arrange transport to the course, your accommodation and all your meals. Course materials, pens and notebooks will be provided throughout the program.
What do I need to bring to the 2 night Introductory Camp?
Just yourself and your personal items. All travel and accommodation arrangements will be organised by IWDA.
This camp is an opportunity for you to get to know the other participants, make new friends, learn about development, gender, human rights and social justice, and have fun!
In teams we will be preparing our own meals (and all food will be provided) so be ready to pitch in and lend a hand.
There is no need to bring bedding as we will be comfortably accommodated in share rooms. We will also provide you with pens, paper, course materials and relevant documents to use over our time at the camp.
All students who live a significant distance from Melbourne will be assisted with travel arrangements to Melbourne or the campsite.
No problem. IWDA will arrange safe and supervised accommodation in the city for all those who live outside of Melbourne.
Are all the components of the program compulsory?
Absolutely. It is critical that you are able to attend 100% of the program. Each component is unique and different from the other and full participation is required to complete the program.
Make sure you check with your school that GYI program dates do not clash with any other important school dates such as camps, formal etc., as your acceptance in the program is on the basis that you are fully committed and available.
What is a Social Justice Action Plan?
The SJAP is an opportunity for you to address an issue that is important to you (such as poverty, the environment or human rights) in your community. What you do and how you do it, is completely up to you. It may involve raising awareness of an issue, encouraging debate, developing resources for others to use or inspiring other young women to get involved and make a difference.
Each participant will be matched with a mentor who will guide them through the process of creating, developing and implementing their SJAP.
The 2009 participants found the SJAP an exciting and rewarding process. To read examples of their SJAPs, visit the Action! page.
Applications close 5pm Wednesday 17th November
- Fill out the application form
- Ask a parent/guardian and your year level coordinator to sign off your participation – this is really important so that we can make sure that they know you will be missing a couple of days of school
- Submit your application to IWDA
How will I know if my application was successful?
We will be contacting all applicants by email or phone around a week after applications close. We will let you know then if you were successful in advancing to the next stage – an interview. A time and a date for the interview will be confirmed if you are successful.
We will also contact you by email and let you know if you didn’t make it to the interview stage and why.
Why do I need to have an interview?
This is the best way of making sure we make a fair decision when selecting participants. It is also great practice for you when you need to undertake job interviews.
What will happen at the interview?
You will be asked a series of questions about:
- why you would like to participate in this leadership training program
- what you hope it will be like
- your personal interests
- what you know about IWDA and the type of projects we support (this information is available on our main website so you might like to have a look there)
- whether you can participate in all components of the program
Most importantly we are interested in getting to know you a bit better; there are no right and wrong answers. The interview will last for 20-30 minutes. Interviews will be held at the IWDA’s office in the city. Rural candidates can elect to have a phone interview.
Do I need to wear school uniform to the course?
We suggest you don’t wear your uniform to the course if you are selected (but it is okay if you do). We would like everyone to be as comfortable as possible as you will be moving around quite a bit for some of the activities.
I have a special dietary, health, mobility or other requirement. Is this ok?
The leadership program is open to young women with a wide range of abilities and requirements, and we will do our best to cater for everyone’s requirements.
Applicants selected to participate in Global Youth Impact will be sent a permission form and information pack prior to the camp. Make sure you indicate on the form that you have special requirements so that we can make the arrangements in advance.
For complicated dietary, health or mobility requirements it would also be good for us to chat to you and your parents to ensure we cater for you properly.
I have a question not answered here. Who should I ask?
You can send us an email from the CONTACT US page and we will respond to your question – we are more than happy to answer any questions you, your parents or teachers may have.
You can also phone us on 1300 661 812 and ask to speak to the Global Youth Impact Program Manager.
