WHAT IS THE JOHN SMITH FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMME?
The British Council and the John Smith Memorial Trust are inviting applications to participate in the John Smith Fellowship Programme 2008.

The Programme aims to strengthen and deepen democratic awareness and good governance through a study programme in the UK and placements that show the workings of democratic organisations and their role within a democratic society. The “ideal” candidate will be aged 25-35, working in politics, local administration or civil society, with a track record of concern for good governance and promoting democratic values. Good written and spoken English is essential.

Applications for Fellowships are invited from the following countries:

Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Ukraine.

PROGRAMME OBJECTIVES
The primary objectives of the John Smith Fellowship Programme are to:

			Bring together influential young civil society and political leaders to exchange views and receive training and information on democratic practices and the promotion of good governance.
			Deepen awareness of how a mature democracy supports and develops good governance, the Rule of Law, human rights, and social justice, and encourages democratic access and accountability.
			Promote a dialogue between Fellows within and outside their home countries, and create links with young leaders and those working in similar fields in the U.K.
			Build an active network of young leaders commited to good government.

AREAS OF STUDY
The John Smith Fellowship Programme is a partnership between the John Smith Memorial Trust, the British Council and the UK Ministry of Justice. The Programme covers the following broad subject areas:

• Representative government in a democracy
• Citizenship, law and rights
• Civil society and the popular voice
• Public accountability in government, business and public life
• International institutions

PROGRAMME DATES AND STRUCTURE
The Programme will last for 5 weeks starting early in June (the precise dates will be given later this year on the related websites), made up as follows:

• Programme introduction in Edinburgh, Scotland
• An intensive, two-week Seminar Series on the political process in a mature democracy: A series of discussions and meetings with senior academics and practitioners combined with visits to illustrate how public policy is made and developed.
• Planning and preparation of “individual action plans” setting out how insights gained in the UK can be turned into concrete developments applied at home.
• A weekend conference sponsored by the Leadership Trust in Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire; providing an opportunity to explore issues of mutual interest and concern with invited guests from the UK.
• Nine working days of individual attachments to suitable organisations – for example, working with an NGO, “shadowing” a politician, a placement in central government, local administration or the media.
• •Visits to Parliament and other institutions, and opportunities to analyse collective experience.
• A concluding seminar during which Fellows present their projects to representatives of the Department for Constitutional Affairs, the John Smith Trust and the British Council.

Fellows are expected to produce a personal plan of action to be carried out when they return home. In the following year a Follow-Up Conference in one of the Fellowship countries brings all Fellows together to report on their activities and compare progress. The value of networking after the Fellow returns home and seeks to put into practice what he/she has learned is of great importance. The Trust expects Fellows to maintain contact through Alumni networks, the Trust website and other means long after the Programme has ended.

CADNDIDATE PROFILE
The Trust wishes to recruit high-flying and influential young leaders who will make a substantial impact on the future development of their countries. The aim is to recruit a mix of political leaders, government or local government officials, journalists/media experts, and influential young leaders from civil society or the NGO sector. Other criteria for suitability are:  

• Priority regions for the Russian Federation: Russian fellowships are primarily focused on candidates from Privolzhsky and Ural Federal  Districts, particularly from Nizhny Novgorod and Sverdlovskaya oblasts.
• Understanding of the Fellowship Programme: Applicants must have a clear understanding of what our Programme involves and what is expected of participants.
• Age: In the range 25–35 years, with some flexibility at both ends for exceptional candidates.
• Language proficiency: English at IELTS level 6 or above or equivalent.
• Experience: Candidates should have work experience, and MUST be in employment at the time of application. Note: All employers’ references will be checked.
• Professional background: Candidates should be employed in politics, central government, local government or economic development, the media, the law (especially in field of human rights) or the NGO sector.
• Demonstrable leadership and influence now or in future: Candidates should be people who have real prospects of advancement in their work and of making an impact.
• Activism in political/social development: Candidates must show evidence of active participation in politics or civil society, and point to accomplishments.
• Clear vision and motivation: Candidates must have a clear vision of the need for improvements in the practice of governance in their countries.
• Would use experience in UK to improve governance/democratic development: They must have a clear proposals on how, in their own work, they hope to use their experience to improve the practice of governance.
• Team players: Successful candidates must be team players with a desire to work with and learn from other Fellows.
• Good presentational skills: Candidates should be confident in speaking and should be able to present themselves well.
• Computer literacy: Basic IT skills and an ability to communicate by email are essential.

HOW TO APPLY
The deadline for submitting the documents is prolonged till 20 November, 2007.
The 2008 Programme welcomes twenty-four regional leaders from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, the Russian Federation and Ukraine. Applications for the year 2007 Programme must be submitted to one of the British Council offices below in digital form, along with a signed, original copy and passport-sized photograph, no later than 20 November 2007. Applicants should be aware that local interviews will take place during January 2008, and should bear this in mind when planning holidays/travel. Successful interviewees may be asked to sit the IELTS exam at the end of January 2008. Further details of the application process can be obtained from the local offices. Final selection of candidates will be concluded by mid February 2008.

If you wish to take part in the Programme, please fill in the application form and send it to Larissa Poludnevich at larissa.poludnevich@britishcouncil.ru and British Council, Dom Uchitelia, Bolshaya Pokrovskaya str., 2, Nizhny Novgorod, 603005, Russia.

Candidates from Ekaterinburg can send their application form to Ludmila Petrova at ludmila.petrova@britishcouncil.ru and British Council, Gogolya str., 15A, 4th floor, Ekaterinburg, 620075, Russia.

Please, indicate the name of the programme John Smith Fellowship as the title of your electronic message and on the envelope.

Further information on the programme can be obtained at www.johnsmithmemorialtrust.org or by e-mail larissa.poludnevich@britishcouncil.ru