#SheLeads4Peace Summer School
Are you curious about what it takes for young women, like yourself, to lead in the male-dominated field of peace and security? Do you want to gain practical and professional skills to master effective leadership for peace? Or are you looking for an opportunity to meet a unique group of peers from around the world that will build your international network of strong women with a common goal? Then this opportunity might be for you.
The #SheLeads4Peace Summer School will offer participants the opportunity to gain first-hand experience at the United Nations as well as the knowledge and skills to realise their ambitions to become a leader in peace and security.
What motivates us at UNITAR to offer you the best possible summer school? Our answer is: Did you know that it is estimated that 50% of the world’s population is under 30 years old? That the COVID-19 pandemic has set the world back by a generation on its agenda to reach gender parity? Increasing the number of women elevated to lead and contribute to peace processes at all levels is not just desirable from an equity perspective, but it is crucial for sustaining peace.
In light of the realities of the world we are living in, UNITAR is delighted to be able to offer this face-to-face summer school for young women peacebuilders, within the same halls that many peace agreements have been negotiated over the years, in the heart of International Geneva.
With the focus on encouraging leadership in young women as well as an emphasis on the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda, UNITAR’s #SheLeads4Peace Summer School seeks to:
- Provide participants with opportunities for professional growth and personal development in regard to becoming an effective leader for peace;
- Help participants increase their own awareness of their leadership styles through exploring examples of effective leadership for peace;
- Allow participants to learn first-hand about working for the United Nations and International Organisations;
- Give participants an insight into the latest developments regarding the realisation of Agenda 2030;
- Provide participants with opportunities to build and join a network of strong women with a common goal.
The #SheLeads4Peace Summer School will consist of two weeks of full-day experiential sessions focused on what it means to lead effectively for peace as young women as well as gaining familiarity with International Geneva and the sustaining peace ecosystem.
Module 1: International Geneva and the sustaining peace ecosystem
Module 2: Effective leadership
Module 3: Becoming the next generation of women leaders for peace
Module 4: Tips, tricks and navigating those early career hurdles
Through experiential learning, participants will engage in practical based exercises that support their professional and personal growth. UNITAR will employ various pedagogies to enhance learning and behavioural change, with the aim to challenge participants in a safe environment where they can share lessons learned and strengthen their networks and understanding of the world. Through peer-to-peer learning, mentoring, and simulation activities participants will gain practical skills as well as have the opportunity to reflect on and develop their own leadership style.
The #SheLeads4Peace Summer School is designed for young (self-identifying) women who are looking to make the transition from further education into the workplace and are eager to start their career with the self-awareness that is needed to be an effective leader for peace. It is suggested that participants should be post-graduate students (either at a Masters or Doctoral level) or in their first year or two of their career. However, outstanding candidates who are in their final year of undergraduate studies are also encouraged to apply.
UNITAR encourages applications from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities to apply.
If the Summer School is oversubscribed, preference will be given to applicants who are already leaders within their communities.
UNITAR will be responsible for the overall design, coordination and implementation of the #SheLeads4Peace Summer School. It will liaise with participants on a regular basis prior to the activity's implementation in order to ensure a smooth and flawless organisation for everyone involved.
Participants are responsible for covering all costs related to the Summer School.
COVID-19 Safeguarding Measures
Upon arrival in Geneva, Switzerland, participants will be expected to obey the appropriate rules outlined by the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) regarding testing and quarantining requirements to enter Switzerland. Any additional cost due to these requirements must be covered by the participants. A requirement for participation in the course is comprehensive health insurance which includes coverage for costs accrued due to COVID-19. Participants will be tested regularly during the course and UNITAR will comply with the regulations enforced by the Canton of Geneva regarding sanitary and hygiene precautionary measures.
Fees without accommodation: USD $2,450