"Education for a Better World"
Promoting the use of knowledge and computer technology to improve the human condition
For more information, please contact us:
(847)329-9847
or
nyef@springmail.com
The Global Challenges Scholarship Program
"Supporting Today's Young Leaders"
We believe that people who actually suffer from problems like poverty, human rights violations, and racism often possess the experiential backgrounds and motivation best suited to find their solutions. We also believe that knowledge gained by formal education should be used to address these problems. However, many disadvantaged people in developing countries who want to find solutions rarely will receive adequate formal education, practical experience, guidance to meet these challenges. The NYEF is therefore committed to help motivated but disadvantaged young leaders with permanent scholarships through the Global Challenges Scholarship Program (GCSP).
To be considered for a scholarship by the GCSP, a candidate must not only possess academic abilities, but he/she must demonstrate commitment to help resolve global challenges and participate in a community service program or internship with an appropriate non-profit, non-governmental organization during their academic career. Scholarship funds are used for tuition, room and board (if necessary), books, supplies, transportation, extra-curricular activities, and expenses incurred while working on a community service project.
Telma Alonzo (left) and Yolanda Cupil during a visit by NYEF in 2006 to the offices of IDEI in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. Both of these young female leaders volunteer their time to representing Guatemalan Mayan youth in national and international meetings and conferences.
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In sum, students who win GCSP scholarships acquire
1. formal education from primary school through university levels as long as the student continues to demonstrate interest in community service and improving the human condition, and maintains above-average grades;
2. practical work experience by working with a partner non-profit organization that addresses a global challenge during vacations or free time;
3. an appreciation of social responsibility and working on behalf of the public interest through activities with partner organizations and personal projects.
Since its formal inception in August 2001, the GCSP in Guatemala has supported the education of two indigenous Mayan students. With the crucial logistical support of our partner Guatemalan NGO, the Asociacion de Investigacion, Desarrollo y Educacion Integral (IDEI), Yolanda Cupil and Telma Alonzo, both young Mam women, have promoted human rights and represented Guatemalan youth at national and international conferences and institutions. Both will soon be starting their university studies (in education and medicine, respectively) and both are committed to use their knowledge and professional skills to serve their communities.
In 2006, the Program will start supporting the education of a promising young garifuna (Afro-indigenous) student in Honduras. With support from our partner Honduran NGO the Organizacion Fraternal Negra Hondurena (OFRANEH) Seydi Cecilia Bernardez will start her high school studies, and during her free time she will be active in promoting and defending garifuna cultural traditions. She wants to study law at a university after she graduates from high school.
In the future, the NYEF will expand the GCSP to include underprivileged, but promising students, both male and female, in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. We will continue partnering with local non-profit organizations to educate and foster socially conscious leaders who will use their knowledge to improve the human condition. Though few compared to the number of students supported by other scholarship programs, the quantity of students we fund is not as important as their humanitarian leadership qualities and determination to create a better world.