Application form ; A New Relationship For a New Age YOUNG ...

Young Turkey/Young America: A New Relationship for a New Age

Foreign Policy Dialogue Among Emerging Leaders

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The Atlantic Council of the United States (ACUS), in partnership with the Istanbul Policy Center (IPC) at Sabanci University, is excited to announce the 2012-2013 Young Turkey/Young America program.? Funded by the U.S. State Department Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, this dynamic exchange program is designed to connect and build constructive relationships between future leaders from the United States and Turkey.? The initiative will work towards the vital task of renewing and reinvigorating the important bilateral relationship between the two nations.?

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The exchange will include two sessions ? a trip in the United States (August/September 2012) and a trip in Turkey (March/April 2013).? Each trip will be approximately two weeks long, and all participants from both countries will participate in both the U.S. and Turkish sessions. ?During the U.S. session, participants will spend approximately one week in Washington, DC, followed by short trips to New York City and a major regional center, such as Minneapolis, Minnesota.? The Turkish session will include time in Ankara and Istanbul, with the possibility of visiting a third destination.

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We are currently seeking applications from exceptional Turkish and American young professionals, aged 24-35 who are currently involved in international affairs, youth wings of political parties, not-for-profit organizations with a civic society or youth focus, universities, business organizations, government agencies, media, and think tanks and who possess a strong passion for international engagement and have demonstrated leadership abilities. ?All travel costs, room, and board will be covered by the Atlantic Council and IPC.? The opportunity to interact closely with peers from the other country is a central part of the exchange, and as a result all participants commit to attending both the U.S. and Turkish sessions in full.? Applicants who are selected will need to provide a signed letter from their employer stating that the employer will allow the applicant to attend both trips.

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Program participants will build enduring connections through vigorous discussions and web-based interaction, while meetings with government officials and independent experts will prompt serious explorations of foreign policy issues.? Through substantive discussions, seminars, and collaborative participant-organized events, the participants will build leadership skills while delving deeply into complex policy matters and processes. ?Social events with other young leaders? organizations and alumni of past exchanges will encourage the building of wider networks.? Participants will gain hands on experience in the think tank arena by completing small projects ? such as organizing an event or writing an op-ed ? during each program leg.? In addition, participants will have the opportunity to propose follow-on projects and apply to the Atlantic Council and IPC for a limited number of small grants (approximately $1,000-$2,000 each).? This combination of activities will help to forge lasting personal and professional relationships between participants.

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To be considered for this program, interested parties should submit the following materials to yanapplications@acus.orgby June 4, 2012.? Please submit all information in one Microsoft Word document or PDF ? recommendations can be emailed separately if needed:

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????????? One document (see Page 3) saved as YourLastName_YourFirstName_YTYA _2012_App, which includes:

?? Cover letter

?? Table of general information

?? Current CV, including nationality, gender, and age

?? 2 Essays

????????? Emailed separately:

?? A reference form from current employer (see pages 8-9)

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Applicants will be notified of their status by mid-June/early July 2012.

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YOUNG TURKEY/YOUNG AMERICA:

A New Relationship For a New Age

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The Mission

????????? To foster closer ties among, and build an expanding network of, emerging Turkish and American leaders committed to advancing U.S.-Turkish cooperation through dialogue, collaboration, and ongoing projects

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The Objectives

????????? Cultivate understanding and strong personal and professional ties between American and Turkish participants through vigorous dialogue and collaborative follow-on projects;

????????? Use a two-way exchange to increase participants? understanding of each country, and their ability to address complex political, social, and economic issues;

????????? Help participants develop critical real-world skills such as negotiation, collaboration, professional networking, public speaking, and frank but respectful discourse;

????????? Plug participants into a unique network of previous YTYA participants and other emerging leaders committed to engaged dialogue in both countries; and

????????? Utilize popular web 2.0 technologies to keep participants engaged, connect them with alumni, and facilitate collaboration on joint projects.

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The Program

????????? Approximately two weeks in August/September 2012 in the United States (Washington, D.C., New York City, and Minneapolis or a third city) and two weeks in Turkey (Ankara, Istanbul, and a third location) in March/April 2013.

????????? Small working group discussions and meetings with leading policymakers and experts in both countries on key topics in U.S.-Turkish relations, such as the impact of the ?Arab spring,? the economic and political role of Turkey in its neighborhood, the role of Turkey in global and regional energy markets, the future of energy security, border and immigration issues, and Turkey?s relationship with the European Union.

????????? Opportunities for socializing and for exploring each country?s rich culture and history.

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Accommodation and travel costs are fully funded.

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Applicant Requirements (see pages 5-6 for full eligibility requirements)

????????? Young professionals currently involved in international affairs, youth wings of political parties, not-for-profit organizations with a civic society or youth focus, universities, business organizations, government agencies, media, and think tanks

????????? Between 24 and 35 years of age

????????? Turkish or American citizenship

????????? Past experience and/or studies relating to international relations

????????? English fluency

????????? A willingness to create a follow-up project true to the program?s mission, possibly with the program?s financial and logistical assistance

????????? Applicants must currently live in their country of citizenship

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Application Requirements*

????????? Table of information

????????? Cover letter

????????? Essays

????????? Curriculum vitae

????????? One letter of recommendation or one completed reference form

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Selection Process and Criteria

Participants will be selected through an open, merit-based competition.? All written applications to the Young Turkey / Young America Program will be read and evaluated by both an American expert and an expert from the applicant?s home country. ?Please note that all references to an applicant?s name will be removed from all the materials submitted to the evaluators in order to ensure the anonymity of the applicant, and the objectivity of the readers.? All applications will be judged on the following criteria:

????????? Clarity of thought and presentation;

????????? Knowledge of the field of study and demonstrated commitment to educational principles;

????????? Potential for leadership and change at the applicant?s home institution; and

????????? Potential for initiating contact and exchange between the applicant?s home institution and a U.S. institution.

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Applicants whose written applications receive a successful evaluation will be invited to participate in an English language interview.? The interviews will be conducted over the phone by Atlantic Council or IPC staff.

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Application Submission*

Please submit completed applications by e-mail attachment to yanapplications@acus.org by June 4, 2012 with the subject line ?Last Name_First Name_YTYA Application.?? Accepted Applicants will be notified in mid-June.

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* PLEASE NOTE that late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

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Program Eligibility Requirements

Turkish applicants must:

????????? Be a citizen of Turkey and currently reside and work in Turkey;

????????? Be 24-35 years of age;

????????? Be able to participate in both components of the program and depart for the Turkish session in March/April 2013;

????????? Have at least two years of full-time experience and currently work in international affairs, the youth wing of a political party, a not-for-profit organization with a civic society or youth focus, a university, a business organization, a government agency, the media, or a think tank;

????????? Be highly proficient in written and oral English (be able to participate in an English language interview);

????????? Return to their home country after completing the program;

????????? Be able to begin the program in the United States in August/September 2012; and,

????????? Be able to receive and maintain a U.S. exchange visa (J-1) required for this program.?

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Turkish applicants will not be eligible to participate in the program if they are:

????????? U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the United States;

????????? Currently participating in academic, training or research programs in the United States;

????????? Currently residing or working outside of the country of citizenship;

????????? Individuals who have participated in an exchange visitor program sponsored or funded by the U.S. government (e.g., U.S. Department of State, Public Affairs Sections at U.S. Embassies, U.S. Agency for International Development or other U.S. government agencies) for a period of more than six weeks and who have not fulfilled their two-year home residency requirement by the time of application;

????????? Individuals who have applied for U.S. permanent residency in the past three years;

????????? Local employees of the Atlantic Council and partner organizations or employees of the U.S. missions abroad who work for the U.S. Department of State or?USAID are ineligible for grants during the period of their employment and for one year following the termination of employment;

????????? Immediate families (i.e., spouses and dependent children) of Atlantic Council and partner organizations, and USAID, and U.S. Department of State employees for a period of one year following the termination of such employment.? This provision does not disqualify self-supporting members of families who live apart from their parents; or

????????? Persons arrested for, charged with, or convicted of a crime (excluding minor traffic violations).?

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American applicants must:

????????? Be a citizen of the United States of America and currently reside and work in the United States;

????????? Be 24-35 years of age;

????????? Be able to participate in both components of the program and depart for the Turkish session in March/April 2013;

????????? Have at least two years of full-time experience and currently work in international affairs, the youth wing of a political party, a not-for-profit organization with a civic society or youth focus, a university, a business organization, a government agency, the media, or a think tank;

????????? Be able to receive and maintain a Turkish visa required for this program;

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American applicants will not be eligible to participate in the program if they are:

????????? Currently participating in academic, training or research programs in Turkey;

????????? Currently residing or working outside of the country of citizenship;

????????? Employees of Atlantic Council and partner organizations and Federal Agencies* are ineligible for grants during the period of their employment and for one year following the termination of employment;

????????? Immediate families (i.e., spouses and dependent children) of Atlantic Council and partner organizations and Federal Agencies for a period of one year following the termination of such employment.? This provision does not disqualify self-supporting members of families who live apart from their parents; or

????????? Persons arrested for, charged with, or convicted of a crime (excluding minor traffic violations).

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*Note:? Congressional staff ARE eligible to apply, while U.S. Executive Branch employees are not.
YTYA Application Outline

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Table of General Information:

Last Name	First Name	Email Address	Nationality	Country of Residence	Gender	Date of Birth (Day/ Month/ Year)	Mailing Address*	Phone Number
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Job Title, Place of Employment	University (1); Degree; Concentration; Dates	University (2); Degree; Concentration; Dates	University (3); Degree; Concentration; Dates	How did you find out about this event?	Have you ever traveled to Turkey or America before?	If ?Yes,?? when and where within the country did you travel?	Which languages do you speak?
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*Note: Please use a semi-colon (?;?) to denote a new line or paragraph. Ex: 1101 15^th St. NW; Washington, DC 20005

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1. Young Turkey/Young America participants will complete a small project ? such as organizing a seminar or writing an op-ed ? during the trip and are also encouraged to complete a follow-up project that continues the program?s mission after the conclusion of the program.? Please describe a potential idea you have for both the trip project and a follow-on project.? How would your projects contribute to strengthening present-day Turkish-American relations?? (750 words)

2. What key challenges will define the future of U.S.-Turkish relations and how can current and future leaders in both countries address these challenges?? (500 words)

Many thanks for your help in selecting an outstanding class of Young Turkey/Young America participants.? Please answer the questions below based on your experiences and interactions with the applicant, or submit a letter of recommendation addressing the same areas.? Your input will help Young Turkey/Young America choose the most qualified applicants for the program.? Please be as specific as possible about the applicant?s suitability and readiness for this program.? Thank you.

Please assess the applicant?s leadership skills.

Please assess the applicant?s commitment to, and interest in, international affairs within the context of his or her specific discipline or career (business, journalism, politics, etc.).

Would you describe the candidate as outgoing and proactive?? Please elaborate with examples.

Participants will be required to attend both the U.S. and Turkish sessions of the trip in full.? I confirm that if the applicant is accepted to participate in the exchange, he or she will have permission to be out of the office in order to participate in both the U.S. and Turkish sessions of the trip (approximately 2 weeks each) in August/September 2012 and March/April 2013.

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