Carl Wilkens Fellowship

The Carl Wilkens Fellowship is a selective, 12-month program that provides a diverse set of emerging citizen leaders with the tools and training to build sustained political will to end genocide. Seeking to bridge the gap between thought and action in the anti-genocide movement, the goal of the Carl Wilkens Fellowship is to develop effective leaders in communities across the United States who have acquired the skills and fostered the relationships necessary to influence and shape US policies on genocide.

The program is named in honor of Carl Wilkens, the only American who chose to remain in Rwanda during the 1994 genocide and is credited with saving hundreds of lives. Mr. Wilkens is emblematic of the program's theme: ordinary individuals can make an extraordinary difference when they choose to engage.

Program Details

The Carl Wilkens Fellowship program is designed to fit the schedules of working professionals and community members with standing professional commitments and other organizational affiliations.The fellowship includes the following core components:
. Monthly group skills training, check-in and mentorship calls via conference call or webinars
. Regular participation in Genocide Intervention Network (GI-NET) advocacy campaigns and efforts to build relationships with Congressional offices - including making calls to Congressional offices, developing and circulating community sign-on letters to Congressional offices, holding meetings at Congressional offices in-district or in DC, and working with Congressional offices to co-sponsor legislation.
. Regular opportunities for networking within the anti-genocide and human rights fields at-large, including with alumni of the inaugural class of Carl Wilkens Fellows, and access to GI-NET and partner organization staff, notable academics, and thought leaders.
. Two weekend retreats in Washington, DC - the first in February 2010 and the second in September 2010.

Over the course of one year, the Carl Wilkens Fellowship provides rich training opportunities in the following areas:
. Leadership development and community organizing
. Networking with genocide survivors and faith leaders
. Volunteer recruitment and engagement. Advocacy training
. Messaging and media outreach
. Fundraising
. Strategic planning

In addition, Carl Wilkens Fellows receive
. Funds to use towards organizing events in their communities
. Transportation to and accommodation at Fellowship program retreats

To apply, visit http://www.genocideintervention.net/advocate/wilkens/overview.

APPLICATION TIMELINE
November 1 - Application due date
December 3-7 - Phone interviews occur
December 16th - Notification of acceptance
February 4-6th 2010 - Mandatory Fellows retreat in Washington, DC

Please note that attendance at the first Fellowship Retreat, held February 4-6th, 2010, is mandatory.