Cross Culture Internships

Transcription

1 Cross Culture Internships I believe that the cultural approach and dialogue will be the new solution for conflicts. Olfa Jelassi, CCP alumna from Tunisia

2 The Programme ifa Project Funding Alumni Side Activities Workshops Federal Foreign Office Host Organisations Intercultural Dialogue The programme (CCP) of ifa (Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen) provides young professionals from the Middle East, North Africa and Central/Southeast Asia with an opportunity to undertake 8-to-12-week internships in Germany. In return, young Germans have an opportunity to experience living and working in Islamic countries. The programme is funded by the Federal Foreign Office as part of its foreign cultural and educational policy, thus laying a broad foundation for stable international relations, along with creating political and economic ties. Acquiring Specialist Skills Supporting young people as they expand their professional and intercultural skills represents an important investment in the development of civil societies and relations between Germany and the countries involved in the programme. Along with offering scholarship holders the chance to experience different cultures, CCP also focuses on their professional development and specialist training. By working with organisations and institutions in their host countries, scholarship holders improve their skills, discover new ways of working and bring their own knowledge and experience to the table. After they return home, their respective organisations enjoy the benefit of these newly acquired professional and intercultural skills. Everyone benefits from this opportunity to expand professional and cultural horizons. Intensive Exchange The programme is aimed particularly at committed professionals and multipliers working in education, media, international politics and civil society. It also includes other areas that are important for the development of society, such as justice and human rights, economic and environmental issues and civic education. The programme provides young people with an insight into the social and political structures of their host countries by offering them individually tailored internships. Lasting Networks Between the launch of the programme in October 2004 and the end of 2014, 357 young professionals from 32 countries completed an internship and enjoyed a wide range of valuable experiences. ifa is currently planning to extend the programme to other countries that may also benefit from the stimulus for social development and international networking that is provided by this innovative concept. Tasks and Goals Through its understanding of cultural activities as being a form of peace work, ifa s programme significantly contributes to peaceful and democratic action in the participating countries and provides impulses for the further development of civil societies. Building intercultural, professional and sociopolitical competencies The change of perspective has a positive impact on scholarship holders personal and professional development. This improves their capacity to act as multipliers, enhances their personal and professional skills and encourages them to contribute more effectively to their country s decisionmaking processes. Connecting people and organisations for cross-border cooperation The programme provides opportunities for specialists to network and for people and organisations to work together across a broad spectrum of issues that are relevant to society. The personal and professional networks of the alumni provide the basis for lasting ties between Germany and other countries in the programme. Gaining a clear and realistic view of other countries Gathering personal experiences and learning about the cultural and religious diversity of countries participating in the programme helps to counter widely-held stereotypes and prejudices and promotes mutual respect. CCP Participants open up exchange between organisations and enable an enhanced partnership. After my internship I organised the first Model International Criminal Court in Bangladesh, which is a project set up by my host organisation, the Kreisau-Initiative in Berlin Imran Md. Shah, CCP intern 2013, Bangladesh

3 Palestinian Territories Tajikistan United Arab Emirates Qatar Malaysia Iran Syria Jordan Indonesia Morocco Tunisia Egypt Lebanon Pakistan Iran Egypt Israel Kazakhstan Germany Pakistan Afghanistan Tunisia Iraq Kyrgyzstan Jordan Participating Countries Dialogue with Islam is a great buzzword. But: cultures or religions can t talk to each other. It s people who have to get together, on an equal footing and that s exactly what the CrossCulture Programme makes possible. No TV report and no book can substitute what be comes pos sible when people actually meet and listen to each other. Stephanie Dötzer, CCP intern 2007, Germany Home Countries of CCP Participants I think when you are in a place where people from different countries come together, you are experiencing that you are unique and the others are unique as well. Abdelhaq Saddik, CCP intern 2014, Morocco Being one of the scholarship holders of and living in Germany, many stereotypes were broken and this country became a part of my personal life history as well as the place of acquiring unforgettable cultural and professional experience. Gulsum Tadjitdinova, CCP intern 2012, Uzbekistan Host Countries of CCP Participants from Germany Kuwait Oman Israel Qatar Libya Mauritania Republic of the Sudan United Arab Emirates Bahrain Saudi Arabia Morocco Bangladesh Lebanon Nigeria Uzbekistan Algeria Indonesia Malaysia Syria Yemen Palestinian Territories Tajikistan Kazakhstan

4 Personal Encounters, Dialogue and Networking For three days, it not only united the Western world with the Muslim world, it also united the Muslim world with each other. And that s a big achievement in a world which is slowly losing tolerance and empathy for each other. Saba Khalid, CCP intern 2012, Pakistan Side Activities A number of side activities are organised on an individual basis, representing a valuable addition to the internships. The scholarship holders attend conferences and hold discussions with a number of experts and organisations that are linked to their particular field of interest. These side activities help them to improve their vocational and specialist skills, establish contacts and strengthen their networks. Media Knowledge society & education Legal dialogue, justice & human rights CCP Fields of Work Workshops Three days of intensive discussion, exchange of specialist knowledge and networking: twice a year the programme (CCP) hosts intercultural workshops for all its scholarship holders from a number of participating countries. During the three-day workshops the participants have an opportunity to challenge their own cultural values and recognise the role played by culture in social encounters and the field of work. A qualified intercultural trainer accompanies the participants throughout the workshop. The participants also present their home and host organisations in the workshop s Market of Opportunities. Presenters offer their expertise and enter into dialogue with other participants. The event provides many opportunities for cooperation between participants and organisations that are involved with similar topics and helps them to develop networks. The event is rounded off by discussions on a range of subjects, such as the ethics of work and the role of women. There is also time for participants to reflect on their learning experiences and think about how they can transfer this knowledge into practice once they return home. In this way, the workshop is a breeding ground for innovative ideas, provides impulses for future cooperation and encourages the formation of lasting international friendships. Impressions, Experiences and Successes CCP intern 2010 Eraj Atiq Pakistan In 2010 I spent three months at the Institute of Media and Communication Science (IFMK) at the Ilmenau University of Technology. This really gave me an insight into my German colleagues ways of thinking and working. It also gave me a chance to counter people s stereotypes about Pakistan. Many people I met thought Pakistan was a failed state where violence is an everyday occurrence. But now they think differently, because I have told them all about my country s culture. We stay in regular contact and still work together. I am particularly active as an associate member of the International Research Group on Crisis Communication (IRGOCC). I got married when I returned home from Germany. In Pakistan, it is not normal for married women to work. But the strength and self-confidence that I gained during my internship in Germany helped me to stand up for myself when I returned to Pakistan. Today, I can make an even better contribution to my employers in Pakistan, the Women Media Center in Karachi. I have a number of responsibilities. For example, in 2013 I managed the live TV reports on the elections in Pakistan for the Women Media Center. ifa gave me the opportunity to make the most of my abilities and talents and to become the woman that I am today both professionally and personally. I am very grateful for this. CCP intern 2012 Gulzada Ilipbaeva Kyrgyzstan I come from Tamga, a rural district in the northern highlands of Kyrgyzstan. Even as a young girl, I dreamt of travelling abroad. When I heard about the CrossCulture Internships programme (CCP), I was so excited! I was working for a non-governmental organisation, the Central Asian Mountain Communities (AGOCA). This organisation works to promote sustainable development in rural regions of Central Asia. So I was very interested in the work of similar organisations in Germany. First of all I went to Sonthofen in the Allgäu region. In 2005, this town was named Alpine Town of the Year for its sustainable urban development. My second host organisation was the Michael Succow Stiftung, a nature conservation organisation in Greifs wald. In both these internships, I was involved in ongoing projects. I like the way my colleagues work in Germany: they are very punctual and plan very thoroughly. I picked up some useful ideas from them. My stay also provided me with a number of new contacts. For example, at the end of my internship the Michael Succow Stiftung worked on a project with AGOCA. I m still in touch with a lot of my former colleagues. When I returned home, a number of professional opportunities opened up for me. Today I work for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Kyrgyzstan. I would never have come this far without my CCP internship. So it is an honour for me to be able to spread the word about the programme as the CCP Country Representative in Kyrgyzstan. Culture & art Economy & development cooperation International politics & civic education Environment

5 Euro Alumni Network The programme (CCP) provides huge potential for networking, with 357 alumni from 32 countries by the end of The programme s alumni possess the kind of specialist skills and intercultural competencies that are very important for a dialogue among cultures. Their expertise is a valuable resource for international cooperation and the empowerment of civil society. This is why ifa believes it is vital to maintain a vibrant alumni network. The alumni meetings provide a forum for longer, more intensive discussions. Digital forums or lists of names can never replace personal encounters. I only keep my network alive if I can combine a name with a face and link it to a personality. Lena Schröder, CCP intern 2013, Germany International Alumni Meetings Meetings of CCP alumni offer an opportunity for participants from different years to get together in person. They provide a forum for discussion and ongoing networking. Two such meetings have been held so far: in December 2013 participants from Germany, Tunisia and six other Arab countries gathered in Tunis. In May 2014, German alumni came together at the ifa premises in Stuttgart. More meetings are planned in order to provide opportunities for sharing knowledge and experience at a regional level. In addition, a number of local alumni meetings have been organised by CCP Country Representatives. CCP Country Representatives CCP Country Representatives play a key role in the alumni work of the programme. They are former interns who act as a point of contact between ifa, alumni and new participants in the programme. They spread the word about CrossCulture Internships in their home countries and support the work of local alumni. CrossCulture Plus Project Funding for Alumni The CrossCulture Plus programme helps alumni to set up small projects in Egypt, Jordan, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia and Yemen with the aim of strengthening social and political reform processes. This funding enables local civil society actors, their partners and networks to play a constructive role in their country s transition process and to promote exchanges with Germany. Funding for CrossCulture Plus is provided as part of the Federal Foreign Office s transformation partnerships. CCP alumni can apply with their project ideas to receive a maximum of 15,000. Applications are accepted from alumni from the six target countries and Germany. Apart from funding, ifa provides guidance to project initiators and their institutions during the project implementation. The young project managers attend two project workshops covering project management, financial administration and impact-oriented monitoring. They enjoy the benefit of expert advice and have an opportunity to learn from each other. Between 2012 and 2014 funding was allocated to eleven projects in the areas of media, education, art and culture and on specific issues relating to politics, human rights, environment and economy Children in Peace by Osama Abdulsalam Al-Fakih in Sanaa, Yemen Osama Abdulsalam Al-Fakih completed his CrossCulture internship in 2010 at AFS Interkulturelle Begegnungen in Hamburg. As a CCP alumnus, he worked with the Youth Leadership Development Foundation to set up a children s rights project in Yemen in children aged between 10 and 14 from different social strata and ethnic groups came together at a summer camp. For three months, they took part in fun activities designed to teach them about human and children s rights. The project helped the children to rid themselves of their prejudices and fear of contact and to discover more about their own abilities and rights. It also motivated them to get involved in civic processes in their communities. At the end of the project, the participants produced a short film, which gives a sensitive insight into children s perspectives and looks at the question of exclusion from their point of view. Video Clip: Children in Peace (Arabic with English subtitles)

6 Application and Participation As the CCP-Country Repre - sen tative of Iran I wish to introduce this programme to a wide range of talented young professionals and help them to take the most advantage of this cultural and professional opportunity. Fatemeh Ahmadi Kamali, CCP intern 2013, Iran Would you like to apply for? Would you like to take part in the programme as a host organisation? Contact us at: crossculture@ifa.de Target Groups and Requirements Length of Internship and Benefits Application and Selection Process Preparing for the Internship and Support The programme (CCP) is aimed at committed professionals from Islamic countries and Germany. Applicants should have completed their professional training and are required to have a long-term involvement with an organisation in their home country, either as an employee, freelancer or volunteer. A very good command of English is a precondition. Knowledge of the host country s language is an advantage, but not essential. Applicants should be aged between 23 and 45 years. CCP offers internships between 8 and 12 weeks within the field of expertise of its participants. The programme covers all travel costs including visa fees. Health insurance is provided for the duration of the internship. Participants receive a monthly grant to cover their living costs. Additionally, scholarship holders from abroad are provided with accommodation and a monthly ticket for the local public transport at their destination. The call for applications is to be found every December on the ifa website at Relevant information about the application procedure, deadlines and application forms is available online. Applicants from abroad send their applications via to the German diplomatic mission in their home country. Applications from Germany are sent directly to ifa. The final selection of all applicants is carried out by ifa after prior agreement with the Federal Foreign Office. After their nomination, scholarship holders prepare for their stay in the host country. An internship agreement provides guidelines and regulates the responsibilities involved in the internship. By communicating closely with the CCP coordinators, participants from abroad are assigned to a suitable host organisation in Germany. Participants from Germany are expected to organise their stay abroad on their own initiative. During the internship, all scholarship holders take part in a workshop in Germany. Afterwards, they are encouraged to join the CCP alumni activities and continue international networking. ifa (Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen) ifa, an institute for international and cultural relations, is committed to the peaceful and enriching coexistence of people and cultures worldwide. It promotes art and cultural exchange in exhibitions, dialogue and conference programmes. As a competence centre for foreign cultural diplomacy, ifa connects civil societies, cultural practices, art, media and science. It initiates, moderates and documents discussions on international cultural relations. ifa has a global network and aims to create longterm partnerships. It is supported by the Federal Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany, the state of Baden-Württemberg and its capital Stuttgart. I consider the programme to be one of the Foreign Office s most important projects. Not only do participants expand their professional and political know-how by experiencing different cultures firsthand, it is also a long-term means to carry intercultural dialogue into all layers of civil society. Dr Stefan Buchwald, Federal Foreign Office, Deputy Head of Dialogue with the Islamic World in 2014 Editorial Information Photo Credits Editors, English Edition: Anja Scholz, Eva Sodeik-Zecha, Inga Zoller, Claudia Judt Translation: Gill McKay, Nick Hawkins Graphic Design: Demian Bern Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen e.v. (ifa) P.O. Box , Stuttgart, Germany ifa 2015 ifa: OFC, OBC, p. 3 bottom Bilal El Soussi: OFC, OBC, p. 6 bottom Nicola Mesken: OFC, p. 2 Mohammad Dosouqi: OFC Achim Binder: IFC, OBC, p. 6 top, p. 8 Imran Md. Shah: p. 1 private Ute Brenner: p. 3 top, p. 4 Eraj Atiq: p. 5 private Gulzada Ilipbaeva: p. 5 private Osama Abdulsalam Al-Fakih: p. 7 private

7 I was looking forward to having a new network, check! Emphasize my NGO s working experience, check! Gain knowledge about a new field I am interested in, check! And finally collect unforgettable memories, double check! Mouna Ayari, CCP alumna from Tunisia crossculture@ifa.de