The 6th Asia Young Leaders for Democracy Program: Enhance the Resilience of Democracy, Taiwan (Fully Funding)

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. Over the past 5 years, the AYLD has empowered nearly 100 young leaders with experience and knowledge from international NGOs or the academic field, and has built up a network of young people in Asia to encourage cooperation for consolidating democracy and human rights. In 2017, the AYLD participants passed the 2017 Asia Young Leaders Declaration, declaring young leaders’ determination to fight against democratic regression, and identifying the urgent challenges of democracy. In order to address these challenges, in 2018, the AYLD participants proposed various creative action plans.

What’s New for the 6th AYLD?
From 2018 to 2019, democracy is still backsliding. Extremism, uncontrolled populism, and disinformation are polarizing the society and destroying spaces of meaningful and inclusive dialogue. Through the use of technology, authoritarian regimes are not only able to tighten controls domestically, but also project their influence internationally. To help democracy survive these challenges, we must enhance the resilience of democracy. Therefore, this year’s program will work with the participants to innovate more inclusive approaches of public participation and encourage more dialogue to break people’s filter bubbles. Also, the program will provide interdisciplinary lectures and workshops to build up participants’ capacity to safeguard democracy.

Benefit:

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.
žParticipants will be reimbursed after the full completion of the program.
žThe TFD will not provide assistance in booking flights.
žParticipants will be given a small stipend in return for submission of a written report of the program.
žApplicants are encouraged to seek supplementary funding from other sources.

Requirement:

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.
žPreferable 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 must be received by e-mail before April 30th. Please download the application form from the TFD’s website, and submit it with at least two references to ayld@tfd.org.tw
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.
Applications must be submitted in Word and PDF file formats. Any other file format will not be accepted.
Fake or incomplete information and late submissions will not be accepted.
žApplicants usually receive an e-mail notice of acceptance/refusal in June.