Applications to be part of the Oxfam International Youth Partnerships Program (OIYP) have been extended until 12 February 2010.

OIYP is an Oxfam International initiative, managed by Oxfam Australia since 2000. OIYP strengthens young people’s ability to effect change in their community, and provides a base from which they can influence broader changes through engagement in a global network of over 1,100 OIYP Action Partners. 

Through a three year program, OIYP will provide opportunities and support for 300 new Action Partners so they may demonstrate leadership and expand the influence of youth for positive changes locally, nationally and globally.

To launch the 2010 – 2013 OIYP Program, Oxfam will host an eight-day day Kaleidoscope event in November 2010 in New Delhi, India. 

At this event, Action Partners are given the opportunity to connect with people across regions and cultures that are facing similar challenges in their own communities. It allows for cultural exchange, as well as the exchange of skills and knowledge building and planning on how young people can contribute to changes in their own lives as well as the lives of others in their communities. 

The following two years includes a variety of online and offline learning and development opportunities including face to face workshops, cultural immersion programs, e-workshops, online discussions and networking opportunities. 

Who are we looking for?

Every three years OIYP goes through a rigorous process of recruiting and selecting a new group of 300 Action Partners. To be eligible to apply, applicants must be aged 18-25, able to speak English or Spanish conversationally and available to attend an eight-day event in November 2010, in New Delhi, India. 

Core selection criteria:

• Commitment to finding new ways of working
• Evidence of commitment to positive, equitable and sustainable change
• Ability to explain their own understanding of the issues they’re working on
• A commitment to personal reflection and developing self awareness
• Community or organisational support

OIYP is open to all nationalities, Indigenous and ethnic groups.  It is open to young people with any level of education and who live in rural or urban areas.  We have a strong focus on the participation of Indigenous young people and those marginalised in their communities. 

For the 2010 – 2013 OIYP Program, Oxfam is specifically targeting young people who:

• Are active on gender justice
• From communities impacted by climate change
• Living with a disability
• Using innovative means to influence decision makers (locally or nationally)
• Are from minority Indigenous groups

Applying to be part of OIYP

Application forms in word and PDF format are available by visiting www.oiyp.oxfam.org and the English version is attached to this email.  Applications will be assessed against selection criteria by Oxfam Australia staff; staff from other Oxfam affiliates; youth partners and current OIYP Action Partners. 

Applications close on 12 February 2010.

Applicants will be informed of their selection by mid April 2010.  At this point, we will inform successful applicants (Action Partners) of how OIYP will support them to attend the OIYP Kaleidoscope 2010 event. 

There is a limited scholarship pool which will be allocated to support travel costs for many of the top selected Action Partners.  However some Action Partners may be required to fundraise for travel costs, in these cases OIYP will provide support letters and training on fundraising.  There is no registration fee for OIYP. 

For more information about the Oxfam International Youth Partnerships (OIYP) Program, please visit our website www.oiyp.oxfam.org.

A short video of the last Kaleidoscope event, held in 2007 in Sydney, can be found at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgPRoCGI6_U.