South Caucasus FLEX-Ability Workshop Program Description
FLEX-Alumni Bringing Ideas, Leadership, and Initiative To Youth.
American Councils for International Education announces the South Caucasus FLEX-Ability Workshop to be held in Kvareli, Georgia on August 30 – September 3, 2017. The South Caucasus FLEX-Ability Workshop 2017 is a four-day training for 36 FLEX alumni and three Alumni Coordinators from Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. The theme of the workshop is storytelling and public speaking. Trainer from Shakespeare Theatre Company and USG alumni mentors will prepare participant alumni on how to effectively present their community projects and prepare presentations about the value of international exchange programs.
As a follow up to the workshop, American Councils offices in Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia will organize TED-like talks, where alumni participants of the workshop will present to the community. These events will aim to promote international education, exchanges and promote recruitment of students to participate in the FLEX program. The best presenters will be invited to attend a formal FLEX Talks event in Tbilisi, Georgia in November 2017. At the FLEX Talks event, videographers will film the talks and the videos will be used to highlight some of the aspects of the FLEX program including:The value of international education in personal and professional development, How exchange programs bridge the gap between people of different nations and the U.S.; How FLEX and other programs are developing regional cooperation and fostering regional security, Why hosting matters and Alumni impact on their home community.
The videos will be edited and shared widely on social media as examples of the value of the FLEX program.
Country offices will also hold in-country alumni presentations and project development and management training for FLEX-Ability participants in fall 2017 to help them design projects and share their knowledge.
Who can participate in the FLEX-Ability Workshop?
12 FLEX alumni from each country will be selected by a panel evaluators of U.S. Embassy, American Councils, and FLEX Alumni program staff based on the submitted application and proposed speech outline.
Eligibility criteria: FLEX Alumni of all years from Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia may apply. Preference will be given to those alumni whose applications highlight a need for the training sessions and a desire to utilize a storytelling approach in addressing needs identified in their communities. Active FLEX alumni and City Representatives will be given preference. Preference will also be given to those alumni who have not previously attended a FLEX-Ability Workshop. Alumni may be asked to attend an interview as part of the selection process.
Conference Costs:
Participation in the South Caucasus FLEX-Ability Workshop is free for the selected participants. All costs including round-trip transportation and room and board will be covered by a combination of grants from U.S. Embassies from participating countries and funding through the FLEX Alumni Program. Participants may be asked to cover the cost of travel to and from their home to the capitol city of their country.
Application Information:
Interested applicants must complete and submit the online application with all accompanying materials and a picture for the workshop handbook July 30th, 2017 11:59 PM EST. Late submissions will not be accepted!
For questions, write to Natia Sharikadze at natia@amcouncils.ge
