Apply now for 2017 Young Ambassadors Programme at Addressing Europe’s Unfinished Business forum in Caux, Switzerland. 50 scholarships available!

The Young Ambassadors Programme (YAP)

The “Young Ambassadors Programme” (YAP) is part of the European Project of Initiatives of Change (IofC), which aims to bring together young people caring about the future of Europe.

The programme consists of two days training designed specifically for the Young Ambassadors (14th-16th July), followed by full participation in the AEUB forum (17th-21st July).

We offer

1. An opportunity for young Europeans to grow in their personal understanding and commitment to Europe, shared ethical values and one’s personal contribution to a better future.
2. Experience the Conference Centre at Caux, Switzerland, as a place of reflection that provides an opportunity to listen to others and to oneself.
3. Strengthen the network of committed Europeans who are working towards change starting with themselves.

About the AEUB Forum and Caux-IofC

Launched in 2014, Addressing Europe’s Unfinished Business (AEUB) is an Initiatives of Change programme that seeks to engage European citizens from all backgrounds to conceive and participate in actions developing a spirit of partnership and solidarity across Europe in order to achieve the needed peacebuilding efforts in this continent.

The CAUX-Initiatives of Change Foundation’s vision is a just, peaceful and sustainable world in which people act from a sense of global interdependence and responsibility. Established in 1946, the CAUX-Initiatives of Change Foundation (CAUX-IofC) organizes and coordinates international and local forums, seminars and training in Switzerland, primarily in its Conference Centre, the former Caux-Palace, bringing together a true diversity of people.

CAUX-IofC provides a safe space to inspire, equip and connect individuals, groups and organisations from around the globe to engage effectively and innovatively in the promotion of trust, ethical leadership, sustainable living and human security.

The 2017 AEUB forum theme is: Tackling polarization, building trust

The Main Topics will be

• Initiatives addressing the root causes of polarization
• Methodologies for dialogue in divided societies
• How to create a safe space for people from different backgrounds to listen to each other
• The use of reflective space to consider our own responses.

The objectives of the YAP Programme

• To give a voice to young Europeans who are passionate to build a common future based on shared ethical values.
• To invite them to contribute to, and promote, a richer mutual understanding of beliefs, values, identity, history and cultures through a collective learning experience.
• To offer an opportunity to enrich themselves and others ethically and culturally, through the sharing of personal experiences.
• Become part of the YAP alumni network
• Explore possibilities of further co-operation and collaboration for follow up activities with other participants

Who should apply

This programme aims to invite young people from all over Europe who are actively and substantively contributing in the discussion about Europe. Young people who demonstrate their active participation through civil society initiatives, NGOs, political organisations and structures are invited to join this forum in order to bring their input, ideas and experiences.

Young people age 18-25 from countries who are members of the Council of Europe, plus Kosovo*, Kazakhstan and Belarus can apply (see the full list of the countries below).

People from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply, including recently arrived migrants, as well as representatives of minority communities. Should you wish to represent any minority community or group, please specify in your application.

Applicants for the Young Ambassadors Programme are expected to fulfil the below:

• Be present at Caux from 14th July 2017 (4pm) and not leave before the end of the Closing Session on Friday 21st  July, 2017 (12.30pm);
• Be actively involved in civil society and other initiatives related to Europe;
• Be able to communicate and work in English;
• Be motivated to contribute to developing new ideas on Europe;
• Be ready to share own challenges faced in their own communities and work about Europe;
• Cover your travel expenses to and from Caux, Switzerland;
• Complying with visa requirements (where applicable);
• Help disseminate the event information among your contacts and on social media;

*Designation for “Kosovo” is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence.

List of eligible European countries for the Young Ambassadors Programme (YAP) 2017
Note that participants from countries marked with an asterisk (*) are required to apply for a visa to enter Switzerland.

Albania – Andorra – Armenia* – Austria – Azerbaijan* – Belarus* – Belgium – Bosnia and Herzegovina – Bulgaria – Croatia – Cyprus – Czech Republic – Denmark – Estonia -.Finland -France – Georgia* – Germany – Greece – Hungary – Iceland – Ireland – Italy – Kazakstan* – Kosovo* – Latvia – Liechtenstein – Lithuania – Luxembourg – Macedonia – Malta – Monaco – Montenegro – Netherlands – Norway – Poland – Portugal – Republic of Moldova – Romania – Russian Federation* – San Marino – Serbia – Slovak Republic – Slovenia – Spain – Sweden – Switzerland – Turkey* – Ukraine* – United Kingdom ​

Scholarships

The program provides scholarships for participation.
The scholarships cover the conference fee, accommodation and the meals. The scholarship DOES NOT cover the travel to and from Caux (the closest airports are Geneva and Zurich) or visa connected expenses.

The programme is possible thanks to the support of the Robert Hahnloser Foundation (Switzerland).

Application Procedure and Selection Process

How can I become an AEUB Young Ambassador?

To apply, please:

1. Fill in the application form
2. Upload your CV
3. Submit a short video[1] (90 seconds) in which you briefly state what you see as the most important problem facing Europe today, and outline what you would do about it. Post the video on YouTube (please check further instructions below). Should you prefer another platform please include the link in your application.

[1]By submitting your video you grant AEUB / Caux / IofC the right to use it on our websites, social media, and quote it in any materials connected to the AEUB forum and the Young Ambassadors Programme.

Application deadline: April 15, 2017 Midnight (CET) time.

We will select suitable candidates on the basis of their personal motivation and the demonstration of their active participation in initiatives and projects related to Europe, seeking regional, gender and other possible diversity.

All applicants will be notified of their application results by May 15, 2017.

For more information please contact us at yap@caux.ch

Want to contribute further?

We aim to include in the programme 2 workshops of a maximum of 1.5 hours each, delivered by the YAP participants.  If you have a specific workshop or an activity that you are willing to share with your fellow Young Ambassadors during the forum please submit a short paragraph with a description and requirements you may have to deliver the workshop, together with your application.  This requirement is not mandatory in order to be selected in the programme.

Use the following instructions to send us your video.
YouTube:
1. Create a Google account if you do not already have one at https://accounts.google.com/SignUp
2. Go to www.youtube.com
3. Click the Upload link at the top of the page.
4. Select the video you’d like to upload from your computer. You can also record a video from your webcam, or create a video slideshow.
5. Once the upload is completed YouTube will notify you that your video is done uploading and processing
6. ADJUST YOUR PRIVACY SETTINGS: When you upload a video, by default it’s set as a “Public” video, which means that anybody can view it.
You can easily change the privacy settings while you’re uploading the video in the “Privacy Settings” section. Or, if you’ve already uploaded the video, you can change the privacy settings by following the steps below:
a. Visit your Video Manager
b. Find the video you’d like to change, and then click the Edit button.
c. In the “Privacy Settings” drop down menu, select ‘Unlisted’
d. Click “Save changes”
7. Copy the URL address of the video into your application form

The YAP scholarship covers:
a) ​full board in Caux during 7 days/nighs
b) your conference registration fee of 50.- CHF

The YAP scholarship does NOT cover:
a) your travel expenses to and from Caux;
b) your visa expenses, if required;
c) any other personal expenses in or outside Caux.

2) I am not sure I will able to cover my travel expenses. What can I do?

Unfortunately, the Full scholarship will not cover your travel expenses to and from Caux. However, should you be in need of a ‘sponsor’ we suggest that you start your own crowdfunding campaign. In other words, your can convince people around you (such as your family, friends, school, church, etc.) of the bounty of your initiative and encourage them to finance the purchase of your tickets to represent your country in Caux. We encourage you to check the following website https://www.crowdfunding.com, where you will find the list of the top 10 crowdfunding websites.

You should also keep in mind that once you choose crowdfunding, you will need time to convince people, as well as commit to report back on your experience and to provide any further explanations whenever people ask you. Having said that, let’s keep our fingers crossed because crowdfunding works pretty well if you are serious about it!

You could also check blablacar.com, where you might get a good deal to get to Caux by lift-sharing with individuals traveling by car in the same direction.

BEFORE ARRIVING
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3) If, because of travel booking constraints, I arrive in Switzerland before July 14 and/or leave after July 21, would it be possible to spend extra night(s) in Caux?   

In case you need to spend extra night(s) in Caux because of exceptional travel arrangements e.g. your flight arrives and/or departs one day before/after the YAP starts/ends, the cost of extending your stay in the Caux Palace will be of 63.- CHF per night. This is the rate according to the age range 18-25 and includes three meals per day. The accommodation rate can be paid upon arrival in Caux or beforehand. If you decide to do that, please inform the AEUB Team and email the Caux Reservation Team (reservation@caux.ch) indicating in the message body that you will stay and pay extra night(s).
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DURING THE CONFERENCE

4) Can I go to Montreux or leave the Conference Centre at any time?

Selected Young Ambassadors are expected to take part in all of the activities from the beginning to the end of the conference. We also understand that you might come from afar and that you might have a particular interest in exploring the surroundings. For this reason, we have allocated a slot of free time in the daily programme and you can decide to sightsee as you wish. However, if you think that you need more time to travel around, we recommend that you consider allocating some extra time before or after the completion of the conference. ​​