INDIGENOUS YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
In 2007, YCA initiated the Indigenous Youth Leadership Program (IYLP), offering sponsored places for Indigenous Australians to participate in development work in Vanuatu. From December 2009, Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) will be funding 5 Indigenous volunteers to travel to Vanuatu to work with Ni-Vanuatu youth for 6 weeks on an infrastructure project (such as building a school, water system, community hall or health post) and to participate in a cross cultural conference with Indigenous youth in Vanuatu. Youth Challenge Australia’s IYLP aims at enhancing young Indigenous Australians leadership, personal and professional skills through grass roots community development work in Vanuatu. Whilst living in a rural community in Vanuatu, successful IYLP applicants will have the opportunity to work with, share experiences and develop relationships with other Indigenous Australian and Ni-Vanuatu youth and Indigenous communities in Vanuatu for a period of 6 weeks.
About Vanuatu
Vanuatu means "Our land" and its people are called "Ni Vanuatu". Vanuatu is a chain of 83 islands in the South Pacific and it is part of the Melanesian Archipelago, which includes Papua New Guinea and Fiji. While on project you might also be able to try Kava-kava, the national drink or take part in a Melanesian ceremony and feast. Although it sounds like paradise, the country has one of the lowest standards of living in the world and is virtually a subsistence economy. The main community development needs of Vanuatu concern its youth unemployment and alienation; its geographical isolation from infrastructure in the remote islands; its reliance on foreign aid, the lack of a productive sector; minimal formal education; domestic violence; and maternal and child health problems. For more information on YCA's Vanuatu program, please see the Vanuatu page or the Youth Challenge Vanuatu website.
Read about the experiences of some YCA volunteers in Vanuatu.
For more information on the positions being offered, please download the position description.
HOW TO APPLY
To apply for one of the four positions available on the next Indigenous Youth Leadership Program follow the steps below:
1. Read the Position Description carefully to determine if you are ready to participate on the IYLP. 2. Make sure you will be available to participate on the program between June 21 2010 and August 7 2010.  3. Make sure you will be available for an interview between February 24th and February 26th 2010 in case you are shortlisted to the second round. 4. Fill out the IYLP online application. You can find the application form here. 5. Submit your application and don't forget to attach your resume. 6. YCA will be in contact with you by Tuesday February 23rd by phone or email to let you know  if you have been shortlisted to the second round.