The Asia Young Leaders for Democracy Program (AYLD)Print
Date： 2020-01-12
The Asia Young Leaders for Democracy Program (AYLD)
Taipei, Taiwan
What is the AYLD?
In 2014, the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy (TFD) established the Asia Young Leaders for Democracy program (AYLD), aiming at strengthening democracy in Asia through young people’s collaborations. Each year, young practitioners advocating for democracy or human rights across the countries in Asia are selected to participate in the AYLD which empowers them through lectures, discussions, and site visits. More importantly, the AYLD builds up a network of young people in Asia to encourage cooperation for consolidating democracy and human rights.
What has the Asia Young Leaders for Democracy achieved?
Over the past six years, the AYLD has empowered nearly 120 young leaders with experience and knowledge from international NGOs or academic, and has encouraged them to share their ideas on safeguarding democracy. In 2017, for the first time, the participants of AYLD passed the 2017 Asia Young Leaders Declaration, declaring young leaders’ determination to fight against democratic regression, and identifying the urgent challenges of democracy, such as fighting against disinformation; rejecting extremism; refusing discrimination against migrants, minority groups and the LGBTQ+ community; supporting political participation of unrepresented groups; ensuring free and fair elections; and combating uneven development.
Addressing the Declaration, the following AYLD focused on seeking for solutions to democratic recession. For example, in 2018, the solutions proposed by the participants included hosting a regular conference among NGOs to promote a united approach towards issues and institutionalize democratic procedures; establishing a collaborative online platform that provides capacity building trainings and shares information on creative ways to counter shrinking spaces for civil society; and encouraging in-person meetings and actions to eliminate hate and misunderstanding. Based on the achievements of all the Asian young leaders over the past six years, we are looking forward to work with more young people to bring further inspiring ideas through the AYLD program.
Where?
The AYLD is held at the TFD headquarters in Taipei, Taiwan.
When?
The AYLD is held in August each year. All participants must attend the program for its entire duration.
Who Can Apply?
This program is aimed at practitioners, who work actively to promote democracy and human rights in Asia.
Applicants can be a policymaker, academic, legal professional, and leader of civil society organizations, such as representatives of political parties, legislative assistants, nongovernmental organizations and the media.
Preferable applicants should be between the ages of 18 to 35 and have some working experience in the field of democracy and human rights promotion.
All participants must attend the program for its entire duration.
The official language of the program is English. Participants should have a solid command of written and spoken English.
Academic credentials are not a requirement. However, it is crucial that participants have enough knowledge on democracy and human rights advocacy necessary to participate in the program.
Participants are also required to submit written reports at the end of the program.
How to Apply?
Applications have to fill in application form on the TFD website and submit it together with two recommendation letters before deadline.
Applicants must enclose at least two references from organizations or individuals in the field of democracy or human rights. The referees should be familiar with the applicant’s work or have worked with the applicant. The references must be signed and should include the contact information for the referees or their affiliated organizations, and the date of the references should correspond to the year of applying.
Fake or incomplete information and late submissions will not be accepted.
Applicants usually receive an e-mail notice of acceptance/refusal.
Funding?
The TFD will cover round-trip airfares to Taiwan (economy class), airport shuttle bus, accommodation, meals (partial), and visa costs for all participants during the program. Participants will be reimbursed after the full completion of the program.
The TFD will not provide assistance in booking flights.
Participants will be given a small stipend in return for submission of a written report of the program.
Applicants are encouraged to seek supplementary funding from other sources.
Contact
Should you have any questions, please e-mail ayld@tfd.org.tw
If you would like to learn more about previous AYLD programs, please click:
Taiwan Foundation for Democracy
