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Interfaith Young Adult Challenge Now Accepting North America-Based Applicants | Deadline To Compete For Parliament UN Delegate Status Soon

January 30, 2014

Last year’s speech delivered to the United Nations General Assembly on the state of educational inequality around the world brought Malala Yousafzai even closer to the hearts of global citizens, as many youth in the world’s most democratic nations were shaken to realize the urgent needs for revolutionizing change is in many different regions of the world. As United Nations initiatives act to diminish the disparities which exist, we count on them to make real human rights status quo for all.  As the Parliament steps into the NGO community at the United Nations, we are ready to share and expand our platform with the emerging leaders of today who will live out the vision of a just, peaceful, and sustainable world.
Because Malala is busy, the Parliament is asking young adults possessing the poise and guts necessary to stand up for this vision. Parliament Delegates to the United Nations will be believers in the principles of a global ethic, who aspire to working across faith-based and secular lines to achieve positive social change. These interfaith savvy young adults must be between the ages of 18 – 24, living in the North America. Applications should be received by February 12, 2014.
How to Apply to the 2014 Interfaith Young Adult Challenge 
A contest to become a Youth Representative of the Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions at the United Nations
Is it your dream to become a diplomat? Do you have both the poise and guts necessary to stand up for peace, justice, and sustainability in our world? Do you believe in the principles of a global ethic? Do you believe that faith-based and secular partnerships can achieve positive social change?
If this sounds like you, an interfaith savvy young adult between the ages of 18 – 24, living in the North America, The Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions would like to hear from YOU.
The Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions, the global organization which traces its roots back to the 1893 World’s Parliament of Religions and the birth of the modern interfaith movement, invites you to apply for our most elite young adult opportunity yet.
Two young adults will be selected to become the 2014 Parliament of the World’s Religions Youth Delegates at the United Nations through the United Nations Department of Public Information NGO body.
This contest is open to all young adults living in the North America aged 18 through 24.*
The Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions is a member-NGO of the United Nations Department of Public Information, which represents over 1,500 NGOs at the United Nations. The Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions retains access to open sessions of the United Nations (such as the one where Malala Yousafzai blew the minds of every world leader in her 2013 speech on the human rights of women and girls to be educated safely and equally), in addition to weekly briefings for the NGO community of the UN DPI,  general-access observer groundspasses, and an invitation to attend an annual NGO conference at the United Nations slated to be held summer 2014.
Selected delegates will be required to:

Connect with the Parliament via Skype or in person for one-hour orientation on our United Nations goals.

Visit the United Nations Headquarters in New York City at least once in 2014

Report to the Parliament on your experience

Selected delegates will self-finance their travel-related expenses to attend the United Nations  in New York City, but will receive counsel and fundraising support from the Parliament of the World’s Religions, as well as opportunities to apply for Parliament sponsorship for first time United Nations visit.
Visit the website of the Parliament (www.parliamentofreligions.org) and familiarize yourself with the Parliament mission, history, and programs, as well as study up on our “Resources” by reading the introductions to An Initial Declaration Towards a Global Ethic, and the A Call to Our Guiding Institutions.
Join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/parliamentofreligions and become familiar with our social content and worldview.
Your application will include:

your resume listing all educational and leadership experience, your full name, date of birth, and residential address

a cover letter

in 750 words or less, a reflection answering the following questions:

After learning more about the Parliament of the World’s Religions, why do you want to represent this organization at the United Nations in 2014? How do you see this experience benefiting your future, and advancing the Parliament mission?

What is your experience/interest in the United Nations, interfaith, and/or international relations?

A letter of support from a non-related reference of your choosing.

Optional Alternative: Send us your resume/cover letter, and a link to a video, 5 minutes maximum,answering to the application questions. Outstanding finalists may see their video shared on our Parliament of the World’s Religions Facebook page.  Video and print applications will receive equal consideration by the Parliament selection committee.
 Applications must be e-mailed by 11:59 p.m. Central Standard time on Wednesday, February 12 to:
stephen@parliamentofreligions.org and molly@parliamentofreligions.org with the subject “My Interfaith Young Adult Challenge Application”
Finalists will be interviewed via Skype or phone.
Winners will be notified by phone with offer of Youth Representative credentials to the United Nations Department of Public Information.  
Winning delegates will be announced on February 18.
*Family members of Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions staff and Board of Trustees are not eligible for this competition. Applicants must be aged 18 by May 1, 2014, and must not turn 25 before November 30, 2014.
DOWNLOAD PARLIAMENT OF THE WORLD’s RELIGIONS INTERFAITH YOUNG ADULT CHALLENGE UNITED NATIONS DELEGATE CONTEST INFORMATION PACKET.