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Democracy Series Participatory Learning and Active Youth (DESPLAY Africa), the foremost and consistent annual Youth Democracy Academy in West Africa since 2005 is accepting applications from interested youth. In the past 5 years, DESPLAY Africa admitted youth from Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia and Cameroon, who were educated on different broad based democracy and governance issues.  For DESPLAY Africa Season 6, about 40 youths from Nigeria and other African countries shall come together under a unique learning platform to deepen their knowledge about democracy and also foster youth participation in governance processes in Africa. This program is for young people that are concerned about Africa’s growth and development. It is for those youth who desire to be part of the region’s emerging transformational leaders. It is also for those who believe that as youth we can begin to foster positive change in our continent within our space. It has been professed that Africa is the continent of the new millennium, to achieve this potential, new entrepreneurial and transformational actors must emerge to drive the processes. But most critically is the fact that these emerging new actors require unique platforms for interaction, capacity building, knowledge-sharing, and networking among others in preparation for the huge task of leap-frogging Africa’s development. It is on this background that we offer DESPLAY Africa Season 6 and invite all those who share in this aspiration to participate therein.

 DESPLAY SEASON 6 OFFERS:

• Three different workshop/semesters of 4 days each.

Each workshop shall hold in a different city of Nigeria after 3 months interval. This allows participants better appreciate our national diversities and re-enforce the spirit of peaceful co-habitation among people of different socio-religious backgrounds.

• About 40 different sessions and activities offered.

Each Semester lasts for 4 days and each contain atleast 4 different interactive sessions and activities, including breakout sessions, film shows, debates, panel session, reading class among others. A team of well experienced facilitators ensure quality interactive experiences.

•  Win the “I Debate” Campus debate award.

10 participants of DESPLAY Africa Season 6 shall have the opportunity to each conduct students debate in a higer institution in their state of residence using a template format to ensure uniformity. Finalist from each campus based debate shall be invited to the grand finale during DESPLAY Semester 3 to compete for the “I Debate Prize”.

• Participate in our maiden “ Young Champion for Democracy Challenge”

Knowledge, passion, advocacy etc without Action is like wishing to drive a car but not able to actually drive a car. DESPLAY Season 6 shall offer participants the chance to compete in the “Young Champions for Democracy Challenge”. It is a component that encourages participants to identify a key issue in our democracy and to implement a project to address that challenge. All projects must be completed 4 weeks before semester to qualify for the award.

• Opportunity to vie for President of DESPLAY Republic for season 6.

Every season of DESPLAY offers any interested participant the chance to become the DESPLAY Republic President during an election to be conducted in semester 2 by the participants themselves. The current DESPLAY President is Femi……..

• Gain visibility through Youth Power Weekly Radio Show on Highland FM Jos.

All participants shall enjoy the benefit of featuring on our new weekly radio show Youth Power to contribute to related discussion, give visibility to their projects as well as bring to visibility issues of concern among the youth demography.

• Participate in a self funded Learning Visit to a Democracy in Africa.

Since 2007 every year, a team of DESPLAY participant raise funds and travel to a democracy in West Africa for a 2 weeks learning visit during which they interact with a cross section of the society including lawmakers, youth leaders, NGOs, students etc. DESPLAY Season also offers this unique learning experience after Semester 2 for those who can afford to raise the required funds. 

• Become a DESPLAY Fellow and get a DESPLAY Certificate of Participation among others.

From DESPLAY Africa Season 6, all participants who complete the program shall graduate as DESPLAY Fellows! Moreso, 5 participants shall emerge as Senior Fellows with unique benefits attached to the Senior Fellows status!!

Moreso, DESPLAY allows you meet with youths from different African countries as well as gives you the rare opportunity to join a robust community of young and emerging leaders united in their passion for democracy and good governance in the Africa region.

ELIGIBILITY

Young people from Nigeria and African countries aged between 18 - 35 years.

SPONSORSHIP AND REGISTRATION FEE

• 30 persons shall enjoy full scholarship covering feeding, accommodation, conference materials and travel subsidy on paying N5, 000 registration fees per semester/workshop.

• While 10 persons shall enjoy  partial scholarship covering feeding, accommodation and conference materials on paying N20, 000 registration fees per semester/workshop.

Payment are only made after you have been finally selected and officially informed of your selection.

APPLICATION FORM IS AVAILABLE ON:

www.youngstars-foundation.org and also attached to this email. Please fill form and email to us.

APPLICATION CLOSING DATE:

December 17^th 2010.

FOR ENQUIRIES CALL:

Bola                  +234, 8065479817, 07072000256

Emma                        +234 7039634873

Nandak              +234 8065353382

EMAIL:engage@youngstars-foundation.org, desplay@yahoo.com, ystar27@yahoo.com

Youngstars Foundation:       

Intl Office: Chief Botmang House, A.M. Dung Str. Sparkling Junction, Dadin Kowa

P.O. Box 515, Jos Plateau State Nigeria

www.youngstars-foundation.org

engage@youngstars-foundation.org

DESPLAY Africais a program of  Youngstars Development Initiative, Nigeria since 2005.

Funded since 2005  -  National Endowment for Democracy USA.

DESPLAY AFRICA ……..building Africa’s next generation good governance actors.

Remarks from DESPLAY Alumni

Babafemi Oyediran (DESPLAY 2009/10 Elected President): “………DESPLAY is one democracy and good governance program that truly have the capacity to provoke the development we needed and desire in Africa continent. This is one program that should be domesticated across Africa, Asia and even Middle East. I bet you, if you dear attend DESPLAY program, your life can and will never remain the same again. Yes, I’m one of the few but privileged young person(s) to participate in this event of life time. I therefore urge every young person that truly desire change in Africa to participate in this event. ……………

Leona Taylor (Liberia):“……….. Just want to say thank you to Youngstars and DESPLAY team for giving me the opportunities to be part of this life changing event in Africa. Though this is the first time of attending any event outside Moronvia and I have already visited 4 different states of Nigeria, but I can categorically say, am glad I did. DESPLAY has truly opened a new chapter in my life and my country and young people in my country a swell are better for it. My only request now from Youngstars is that they should please always give a slot to Liberia to benefit from DESPLAY programs in terms of participations in future. This is because, DESPLAY program can really achieve a lot in term of trust and hope in someone country, and I know we truly need this type of event in Liberia. Once again, thank you NED and Youngstars for making me a better person through DESPLAY program”

Muhammed Labbaika (Ghana)“……..i have been attending programs for sometime now, but the idea of DESPLAY is out of this world. It is better to happen to you than to be told, I am sincerely happy to be part of a new generation of Africa in the making. Special thanks to the entire team of Youngstars and NED for this laudable idea. It is obvious that I am now a new and better person, DESPLAY has opened a new chapter in my life…..”

Bassey Duke(DESPLAY first elected President)“…DESPLAY program has truly improved in all standard. Though I’m not surprise at all, as Youngstars is widely known for excellence in all they do. More kudos to NED for still identifying with DESPLAY project since 2005. It’s sincerely a program of life time impact, and I’m one of the living testimonies of DESPLAY program. Yes, Naija Youth hails thee NED and Youngstars Foundation”

Orakwe Nonso(Anambra State) “……If there is any project in this Country Nigeria that should be recognize by federal government, I believed it should be DESPLAY program. This is a program that empowers young people to become not just change agents, but also to become lovers and preachers of democracy. I was here in 2007/2008, and my life has never remained the same again.  The impact DESPLAY program is having in my life is truly unquantifiable! And I can only say it is a great privilege to be a DESPLAYer. My deepest appreciation to NED and Youngstars Foundation for their doggedness in promoting democracy and good governance in Nigeria and Africa as a whole”.

Obinna Udenwe (Ebonyi State): “………It takes more than a word to express the impact of DESPLAY in my life. To be honest, there is no adjective that can also explain the impact of DESPLAY in my life. I can only say, am glad this event of life time impact is happening in my time, and I have opportunity to be part of it all through. Action, hope, participations, hard work, integrity, honesty, human feeling among other things is now my watch word. Many thanks to Youngstars and their wonderful team, as well as NED – USA.

Motunrayo Momodu (Lagos State):“………..DESPLAY is one program that should be instituted into curriculum at various higher institutions across West Africa countries. Since I have been attending programs, this is one program that have truly challenge my thinking about the growth and development of Nigeria and Africa as a whole. May God bless NED – USA and Youngstars Nigeria.

Ogaga Maxwell (DESPLAY 2008/9 Elected President) ……the impact of DESPLAY program can not be quantified in my life and career. The exposure, knowledge deepening, and the entire democratic values among others has really made me tick and powerful. Thanks to Youngstars of this world and NED – USA

Danladi Erisa (Gombe State) …….. DESPLAY program has inputed in me those knowledge and values that can’t be gained or taught in the four walls of a class room. Today I am a better person compare to before I enrolled in DESPLAY program. Thanks to Youngstars Foundation for this laudable idea, and of course NED for funding

Prince Christian Ajong (Cameroon)…..this is the first time I will be participating in a year long program that involve other nationals. DESPLAY project should be endorse and incorporated by Africa Union for large numbers of people across the Continent to benefit. Today, I am better informed than few of my contemporaries back home in Cameroon. Big thanks to Youngstars Foundation and NED – USA for this wonderful initiative

Frank Mensah (Ghana) ……DESPLAY program has really impacted me as a young democracy advocate. Believe me, more people should be encouraged to participate from Ghana and other West Africa Countries. Thanks to Youngstars and NED for helping to develop the growth of good governance, accountability, rule of law in Africa Continent……….