Call for preparatory team members – study session "Equality in Action"

We are pleased to open the call to join the preparatory team for the upcoming IGLYO and TGEU (Transgender Europe)  study session  “Equality in Action: mobilizing LGBTQ youth around the Council of Europe recommendations on combating discrimination on the grounds of SOGI”, which will take place in the European Youth Center in Strasbourg (France) during 22nd – 28th September 2013. The event has been kindly supported by the European Youth Center Strasbourg (EYCS) of the Council of Europe.

[Deadline for applications 20th May 2013, midnight CET]

In March 2010, the 47 member states of the Council of Europe agreed to take a broad range of measures to combat sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination. These measures are set out in a Council of Europe Committee of Ministers Recommendations (CM/Rec(2010)5), which is the world’s first comprehensive intergovernmental agreement on the rights of LGBT people. The study session will be centered around the recommendations and will pursue the following objectives:

• Understand the process behind the Committee of Ministers Recommendations on measures for combating Homophobia and Transphobia;
• Engage and mobilize LGBT young people taking ownership in monitoring, advocating for these measures in their national contexts;
• Gain knowledge of the provisions dealing with LGBTQ young people specifically, gather LGTBQ youth perspective and experiences of the unique experiences in the areas discussed in the document;
• Raise awareness and provide training and capacity building on working with international human rights instruments;
• Encourage and plan multiplying activities to further monitoring of the implementation of the Recommendations in home countries (using already existing tools and adapting them to the young people’s needs).

We have have opened this call for preparatory team members to help plan, organize and facilitate this study session. The preparatory team will consist of two people from the IGLYO Board and Secretariat, one person from TGEU, and two people recruited via this call. The preparatory team will be supported by the educational advisor of the EYCS.

The preparatory team will have  the following responsibilities:

• Within the themes of Equality in Action, identify methods of facilitation for each session within the conference program using both non-formal and a limit amount of formal methodology
• Select participants on the basis of the given selection criteria
• Coordinate the running of the event with the rest of the team, including daily reflection groups
• Ensure a good cohesion and flow among different program elements
• Implement the program by facilitating/moderating workshops and chairing plenary sessions
• Write the conference report and evaluation
• Maintain follow-up work after the conference to identify progress made by participants in their own countries.

The ideal candidates should:

• Be fluent in English (the conference working language will be English.);
• Have experience in LGBTQ youth work;
• Have experience in leading non-formal education workshops and activities and be a confident facilitator;
• Be between 18 and 30 years of age;
• Be available to attend the preparatory team meeting in Strasbourg 20th-23rd or 27th-30th June, as well as several days prior to the study session in September;
• Be responsive and available for teamwork before and after the event, mostly by email and Skype;
• Be ready to provide a reasonable amount of preparation work before the event (between 1 and 6 hours a week as the event approaches);
• Be motivated to work in a stimulating, challenging and fun environment of young queer people!

Candidates will be selected on the basis of geographical balance, gender balance, and a good reflection of the LGBTQ diversity. All related expenses (travel, accommodation and subsistence) will be covered.

Interested candidates can apply by sending their 1) CV/resume and 2) a motivation letter to the studysession@iglyo.com, presenting yourself, your previous experience on the issue and/or in IGLYO events and your availability for the preparatory meeting.

Please, describe in your motivation letter (up to 500 words):

• Why you are interested in this particular event;
• What qualifies you to be a preparatory team member;
• What expectations you have from the study session;
• Your relevant skills and experiences.

If you have any question, please don’t hesitate to contact us at studysession@iglyo.com

Successful candidates will be notified by May 25th, 2013.

The deadline for sending CVs/resumes with the motivation letters is May 20th, 2013 (midnight CET).

Please, note that applications received after the set deadline will not be considered.