CENTER FOR WOMEN, FAITH & LEADERSHIP 2015-2016 FELLOWSHIP APPLICATION
A VISION FOR WOMEN OF FAITH The Center for Women, Faith & Leadership (CWFL) at the Institute for Global Engagement (IGE) seeks a future where the values and beliefs of women of faith are brought to bear in all levels of policy and decision making, and where the voices of all women are equally valued and represented. CWFL supports and equips women of faith to assume leadership roles and influence decision making in global affairs, with particular emphasis in areas where women are most affected yet have the least influence their freedom of conscience/belief and ability to engage in conflict transformation. THE CENTER FOR WOMEN, FAITH & LEADERSHIP CWFL integrates issues at the nexus of religion and gender into the domestic and overseas programs at IGE. In partnership with IGE s country and regional programs, CWFL convenes global faith and secular leaders to discuss the role of women of faith in global affairs and decision making through conferences, high level events, and forums. These platforms provide stakeholders from across vocations, sectors, regions, and issues with the opportunity to engage in dialogue regarding the role that gender and faith play in our world s most pressing challenges. In addition, they provide the opportunity to engage the global voices and diverse perspectives of advocates, practitioners, decision makers, and other stakeholders in issues of gender and religion worldwide. CWFL (formerly Women of Faith for Peace & Security network) dates back to June 2006 when IGE first began convening women security experts in Russia who, themselves, were women of faith. Since that time, IGE has convened religious women of different faiths in the U.S., Syria, Pakistan, China, Vietnam, Laos, Burma, and Kazakhstan. This is one manifestation of IGE s theory of change, and demonstrates an intentional focus on religious women s leadership globally. A NEW APPROACH TO WOMEN, PEACE & SECURITY: THE CWFL FELLOWSHIP The CWFL Fellowship is an innovative 2-year program that offers women of faith the opportunity to increase their capacity and leadership skills in order to more fully impact global affairs, peace-building and conflict resolution. Fellows will learn from one another, and from a network of experts, in order to enhance their leadership, cross-cultural communication, and negotiation skills, while leveraging their expertise and networks in order to influence and educate multiple audiences and stakeholders.
THE CWFL FELLOWSHIP STRUCTURE The CWFL Fellowship begins by providing a cohort of women of faith with the requisite support and technical assistance through in-person trainings and skill-building workshops; online courses; mentor/mentee relationships; and, networking platforms to take their leadership to the next level so they can truly be movement-builders. In year one, fellows will attend in-person and virtual training sessions, with topics including The Power of Story: Using Your Story to Influence Others; Leveraging and Building your Network for Greater Impact; Engaging In and Influencing Decision Making; and, Leading Without Authority: Exploring Alternative Models of Leadership. Building upon lessons learned in previous virtual trainings, Fellows will have opportunities to engage in discussions with decision and policy makers from government, international agencies, and the diplomatic corps. In year two, trainings and workshops will provide Fellows with diverse and detailed information on a final capstone project to include the geo-political and social landscape; key issues/challenges; key stakeholders/actors; needs and assets. Fellows will travel together to meet with government leaders, policy makers, religious and grassroots leaders to present their capstone projects/research results in order to demonstrate their leadership as women of faith and bring awareness to their research and/or areas of expertise. In addition, Fellows will also visit women-led projects, and have opportunities to meet women of faith working on the ground. Final projects and recommendations will be compiled in a report that will then be made available to stakeholders, policy and decision makers worldwide, especially those who are working directly on the particular issue or region that the capstone project seeks to address or on other global conflicts where new approaches and solutions are needed. Through the CWFL Fellowship Program, Fellows will: Learn and adapt practical models of leadership which enable them to influence and address issues at the nexus of faith and gender; Be better equipped to understand and influence decision making processes and agenda setting at the policy level; Develop new networks of support and advocacy across faith, political, cultural and geographic lines; and, Gain access to women of faith in leadership roles from across all sectors operating at the highest levels of advocacy, policy and decision making.
With the ultimate goal of creating an alumni network of women of faith who are connected through their shared fellowship experiences and equipped to advocate holistically and collaboratively on local and global issues of import to women and their communities, the CWFL Fellowship Program fills an important, yet unmet void in the landscape of global women s empowerment and mainstreaming efforts. Upon completion of the 2-year fellowship, Fellows will be better equipped to: Assume broader leadership roles from a gender and faith-based foundation; Understand and influence decision making and agenda setting at all levels; Negotiate religious, ideological, political and geographical divides and challenges; Leverage their personal and faith narratives as a platform to overcome barriers and influence change; and, Build more diverse networks of support and advocacy. 2015-2016 FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM ACTIVITIES In addition to leadership development and network building, the 2015-2016 fellowship will include: 1. An annual conference, the Women of Faith in International Affairs Annual Conference in Washington, D.C.; 2. Access to mentors and experts; 3. Online and virtual courses; 4. Regularly scheduled conference calls and assigned readings; 5. Scheduled meetings with national and international policy makers and leaders; 6. Partnerships with first ladies offices (where available); 7. A capstone project that provides fellows with the opportunity to work collaboratively on a peacebuilding, policy or social change project in the final year of the fellowship; and, 8. A financial stipend in year two to assist with fellows capstone projects.
2015-2016 FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM SCHEDULE/ YEAR 1 I. CWFL FELLOWSHIP WORKSHOP IN WASHINGTON, DC (MARCH 2015) Introduction to the Fellowship program, and training session on The Woman of Faith Leader: Exploring Alternative Models of Leadership II. VIRTUAL TRAINING SESSIONS - Session One: The Power of Story: Using Your Story to Influence Others - Session Two: Leveraging and Building your Network for Greater Impact - Session Three: Negotiating for Conflict Resolution - Session Four: Engaging In & Influencing Decision Making III. WEEK LONG FELLOWSHIP TRAINING (NOVEMBER 2015) Fellows come to Washington, D.C. for capacity building trainings. Building upon lessons learned in previous virtual trainings, Fellows will have opportunities to engage in discussions with decision and policy makers from government, international agencies, and the diplomatic corps. 2015-2016 CWFL FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM/ YEAR 2 I. CWFL FELLOWSHIP WORKSHOP (FEBRUARY 2016) - Fellows will receive training on how to identify and benefit from mentors, as well as how to successfully benefit from being a mentee, with special emphasis on how mentor/mentee relationships can support their leadership development. - Fellows will receive an overview of the Capstone project [regional or topical issue] preselected by the CWFL Advisory Council for their cohort, including a discussion on the topics/experts for the second year virtual sessions. II. VIRTUAL TRAINING SESSIONS (DATES TBA): These sessions will provide Fellows with diverse and detailed information on the final Capstone project (e.g. the geo-political and social landscape; key issues/challenges; key stakeholders/actors; needs and assets) in order to provide them with the necessary background information from which to begin working on their Capstone projects. III. INTERNATIONAL CAPSTONE TRIP (NOVEMBER 2016)
2015-2016 CWFL FELLOWSHIP APPLICATION FORM INSTITUTE FOR GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT MISSION The Institute for Global Engagement (IGE) works at the critical intersection of religion and global affairs, building sustainable environments for religious freedom worldwide. THE CENTER FOR WOMEN, FAITH & LEADERSHIP The Center for Women, Faith & Leadership (CWFL) supports and equips women of faith to assume leadership roles and influence decision making in global affairs, with particular emphasis in areas where women are most affected yet have had the least influence their freedom of conscience/belief and ability to engage in conflict transformation. INSTRUCTIONS: To complete this form, please follow the instructions carefully. Once completed, please forward it, along with a resume or curriculum vitae, a recent photograph (head shot, preferably in.jpg format) and any attachments to CWFLfellowship@globalengage.org. Contact Information: NAME: Dr./Mr./Ms./Mrs. First Name Middle Name(s) Last Name/Surname Preferred Mailing Address: STREET: CITY: POSTAL CODE: PREFERRED PHONE: DATE OF BIRTH: STATE/PROVINCE: COUNTRY: ALTERNATE PHONE: EMAIL ADDRESS: Business Information: TITLE: SECTOR: YEARS OF EXPERIENCE: NAME OF ORGANIZATION/COMPANY: CITY: POSTAL CODE: STATE/PROVINCE: COUNTRY: PHONE: WEBSITE:
Professional/Volunteer Engagement (1,000 character maximum): A. Describe your role within your organization and your impact/influence. B. Describe briefly your professional background, area of expertise, and any community groups, volunteer boards or professional organizations that you serve on outside of your paid work.
Essay Questions (2,500 character maximum): C. Describe how both your personal and professional worldview align with IGE s mission in general, and CWFL s mission specifically.
D. Provide an example of when your personal initiative or leadership resulted in a tangible change in policy or practice.
E. Detail how your personal background and/or professional experience highlight your interest in issues of religion, gender, and security. Describe an example of your engagement in these issues.
F. Describe your primary goals for this fellowship and what you hope to receive from your fellowship experience. How do you see the achievement of these goals being transformative in your future leadership and influence?
G. Given CWFL s ultimate goal of building an alumni network of women of faith who, together, can provide support, share best practices and advocate holistically for the inclusion of women of faith in decision making and agenda setting, describe what you hope to receive from CWFL s global alumni network and how you anticipate playing a role in it?
References Please provide one (1) personal and two (2) professional references who can speak to the quality of your work and ideas, your professional experience, etc. Letters of recommendation are optional, but appreciated. Letters should be from individuals who know you in a personal or professional capacity and can write about your skills and experiences as well as your potential for success as a CWFL Fellow. Letters can be emailed separately to CWFLfellowship@globalengage.org. Please make sure your name is clearly listed in each letter of recommendation. Reference #1 NAME: Dr./Mr./Ms./Mrs. First Name Middle Name(s) Last Name/Surname RELATIONSHIP TO APPLICANT: JOB TITLE (if professional reference only): Preferred method of contact: PHONE: EMAIL: Recommendation letter being sent Reference #2 NAME: Dr./Mr./Ms./Mrs. First Name Middle Name(s) Last Name/Surname RELATIONSHIP TO APPLICANT: JOB TITLE (if professional reference only): Preferred method of contact: PHONE: EMAIL: Recommendation letter being sent Reference #3 NAME: Dr./Mr./Ms./Mrs. First Name Middle Name(s) Last Name/Surname RELATIONSHIP TO APPLICANT: JOB TITLE (if professional reference only): Preferred method of contact: PHONE: EMAIL: Recommendation letter being sent
Supporting Documents Please include/attach the following documents: An updated resume or curriculum vitae A recent picture/headshot An applicable writing sample of no more than 10 pages All application materials, including letters of recommendation, must be received no later than December 20, 2014. Selected fellows will be contacted by January 30, 2015.