UNESCO Laura W. Bush Traveling Fellowship

The fellowship is intended for American college/university students who express an interest in international collaboration but as of yet had not been afforded many opportunities to travel abroad. The length of time for the travel is expected to be between 4 and 6 weeks and should include interaction with individuals from other nations. During his/her travel, the recipient should be willing to participate in public diplomacy events arranged with the pertinent U.S. State Department Consulate, Mission, and/or Embassy. Following the travel, the recipient agrees to submit a report describing experiences and analyzing objectives achieved; share his/her experiences with others; and be available to make a presentation at the Annual Meeting of the U.S. National Commission for UNESCO.

Funding:Funding for this fellowship has generously come from private donations.

Eligibility:
Must be a U.S. Citizen eligible for foreign travel
Must be at least 18 years old and not older than 25 at the time of application
Must be currently enrolled in an accredited U.S. college or university in the United States

Call for Applications:
The United States believes that peace depends upon building strong foundations of knowledge that bridge nations, enlarge freedoms, and promote democracy. The U.S. National Commission for UNESCO Laura W. Bush Traveling Fellowship was established in 2008 to enlist young Americans to work toward this end. The Fellowship provides supplemental funding for applicant designed proposals to conduct brief activities in a foreign country related to the mandate of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) – using education, natural sciences, social and human sciences, culture, and/or communication and information to build strong ties among nations.

On September 12, 2002, President George W. Bush addressed the United Nations General Assembly and announced the intention of the United States to return to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), ending nearly a twenty-year absence from the organization, to further help build these foundations. In February 2003, First Lady Laura Bush was designated by UNESCO as an honorary ambassador, and seven months later Mrs. Bush led the ceremony raising the United States flag at the 32nd UNESCO General Conference, officially marking the return of the United States to UNESCO membership. It was in the spirit of this dedication to international issues and to furthering human dignity that the U.S. National Commission for UNESCO Laura W. Bush Traveling Fellowship was created.

The Fellowship is intended for American college/university students who express an interest in international collaboration but as of yet have not been afforded many opportunities to travel abroad. The length of time for the travel is expected to be between 4 and 6 weeks and should include interaction with individuals from other nations. Thus far, U.S. National Commission for UNESCO Laura W. Bush Traveling Fellows have traveled to and conducted meaningful work in: Honduras, Guatemala, India, Afghanistan, Dominican Republic, and Kyrgyzstan.

The Commission has opened the next call for the Spring/Summer 2009 round of applications for the U.S. National Commission for UNESCO Laura W. Bush Traveling Fellowship for those traveling between May and August 2009. The deadline for applications will be March 1, 2009 (5:00pm EST). Eligibility and details about the application process are posted at: http://www.state.gov/p/io/unesco/c25426.htm