The World YWCA equips young women for the challenges of leadership through internships and exchange programmes; leadership training for young women at all regional and global events; as well as an electronic forum designed to provide a support and information network for young women leaders at all levels. The YWCA has always affirmed the importance of partnership across generations, and therefore, also encourages both formal and informal mentoring relationships.

INTERNSHIPS

The World YWCA offers one year and short internships to further develop young women's leadership skills.The internships are intended to increase the number of globally experienced and trained leaders in the YWCA movement. Participants return to their associations to share their experiences and learning.

Women candidates, between ages 22-30, from all national and local YWCAs are encouraged to apply.

Advocacy internships
The short programme offers development of advocacy skills through hands on training and participation usually in a United Nations event. The programme accepts up to four young women per year, who attend either the UN Commission on the Status of Women in New York, or the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

One-year programme

Joy (L) and Leanne (R), 2008 World YWCA Interns

This one-year programme based in Geneva, Switzerland provides a host of leadership and skills training opportunities, including participation in UN and NGO events and working groups. The internship varies each year and normally includes programme development, leadership development, advocacy, communications, and financial development. A small stipend and modest living arrangements are provided by the World YWCA. Joy Yakubu, left, from Nigeria and Leanne Baumung, right, from Hawaii have been selected to spend 2008 working at the World Office in Geneva, Switzerland.

Read more about World YWCA Internships and download application forms .

The deadline for applications for 2008 internships is September 14, 2007

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WORLD YWCA EXCHANGES
The World YWCA unites 25 million women and girls through over 100 affiliated, autonomous national YWCAs. Within the movement, there are abundant training resources available for young women.

The World YWCA Exchange Programme is intended to stimulate young women to make use of training resources in other national associations. It provides funding assistance to young women wishing to gain further skills through short-term training in another YWCA.

Selected participants take part in a training programme from a host national or local association for a period up to two months. This training is flexible, depending on the participant and the skill area sought. It can include specific skills training (leadership training, programme development, youth work, management, fieldwork) as well as general sharing of information and experience.

How to apply
Any YWCA young woman between the ages 22 and 30 can apply to the Exchange Programme through her national association.

Together with her national association, the candidate should:

• identify the training needs.
• identify another YWCA which has the particular expertise needed through the Skills Bank or other contacts.
• contact the offering or potential host to explore the training possibilities and the two host associations should make up a training plan.
• complete an application form which the national association will sign and submit to the World YWCA.

Download application form here .

There is no deadline for applications.

The World Office will consider all applications and assist up to five participants each year with expenses for an Exchange.

National associations must also demonstrate how they will contribute financially. A plan should be in place for how the trainees new skills will be used upon her return.

Participants must submit a written report on their Exchange experience to the World YWCA following the training period, as well as an action plan for the future.

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YOUNG WOMEN'S FORUM
One of the big challenges facing young women in YWCAs is isolation from each other. The Young Women’s Forum is an online network of YWCA young women from around the world. The Forum is a platform for young women to share ideas and opinions, support each other on issues faced in their associations and communities, as well as to plan and strategise actions on concerns and challenges.

Joining the forum is easy . Just send an email to worldoffice@worldywca.org today!