Civic Education & Leadership Fellowship (CELF) Program – Deadline April 30, 2010

The U.S. Embassy in Beirut is seeking applications for the MEPI 2010 Civic Education & Leadership Fellowship (CELF) program. The CELF program will provide up to 6 academics from Lebanon an opportunity to participate in individually tailored programs at the Maxwell School for Public Affairs at Syracuse University (http://www.maxwell.syr.edu) in upstate New York.

CELF is a 4 month (one academic semester, beginning September 7 and ending December 17, 2010) fellowship opportunity for university teachers and scholars from the MENA region. The objectives of the program are to enhance international standards in social science education through improved curricula development and course delivery, increased institutional capacity, expanded student and faculty engagement; and improved critical thinking and analytic capabilities of educators in institutions of higher education. All Fellows will participate in civic engagement, teaching skills and curriculum development seminars. Fellows will also participate in professional networking initiatives that broaden their contacts with individuals and academic institutions in the United States. Program participants will receive a certificate from the accredited institution upon the successful completion of the program.

CELF is open to individuals working in an accredited institution of higher education for a minimum of five years and not more than ten years with at least five years of experience working in social science disciplines, including political science, public administration, law, media, journalism, and communications. Though Ph.Ds (completed or in progress) are preferred, the minimum requirement for the candidates is a completed Masters degree in one of these fields.
 
Applicants are expected to submit an updated resume and two essays of no more than 500 words each, written in English, which answers the following questions:

• Essay 1: What has influenced your thinking about civic engagement? What are the prospects for greater civic engagement in solving social problems and fostering participatory democracy in your country and how do you see the connection between your field of study and improving the prospects for civic engagement in your country?
• Essay 2: What hopes and plans do you have about improving the quality and capacity of your educational institution in your field of study?  How do you see yourself leading this change?

Professional resumes, essays, and a scanned copy of the applicant’s passport should be sent to BeirutPD@state.gov with the subject line “CELF Application” by Friday, April 30, 2010.