2012-2013 President Néstor Kirchner Fellowship
Organized by:
Observatory on Latin America OLA/The New School, New York, United States
Universidad Nacional de San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
This Fellowship is inspired by the legacy and achievements of former President Néstor Kirchner during his term as President of Argentina (2003-2007), coupled with his important work as the first Secretary General of UNASUR (2010).
This Fellowship is aimed at the training of political leaders in Argentina and South America. The Observatory on Latin America (OLA) of The New School, New York and the Universidad Nacional de San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina, have joined together for this initiative.
2012-2013 COMPETITION AWARDING THREE FELLOWSHIPS
GUIDELINES FOR SUBMISSIONS
The President Néstor Kirchner Fellowship is focused on supporting the training of leaders in South America, working in political/social and academic fields. The Fellowship consists of an exchange of ideas and experiences between the Fellow and academics, politicians, and civil society agents in the city of New York selected based on the academic work presented by the Fellow.
The Fellowship covers a two-week stay in New York (during predetermined dates) and will be based at The New School. The Fellow will present his/her work to students and academics of The New School, will meet with political and civil society leaders, and will take part in various other activities such as visits to local government offices and multinational organizations, as well as tour museums, and public and university libraries, among other activities.
This call for applications will award three Fellowships. Fellowship 1 is a competition for Argentine citizens, and the selected Fellow will come to New York for the Fellowship from November 4-17, 2012. Fellowship 2 is a competition for citizens of South American countries, excluding Argentina, and the selected Fellow will come to New York for the fellowship from February 24-March 9, 2013. Fellowship 3 is a competition for citizens of countries in South America, including Argentina, and the selected Fellow will come to New York for the fellowship from February 24-March 9, 2013.
Profile of Fellowship Applicants
Applicants for Fellowship 1 must be citizens of and born in Argentina; applicants for Fellowship 2 must be citizens of and born in a South American country, except Argentina; while applicants for Fellowship 3 must be citizens of and born in any country of South America, including Argentina. That it is to say that only citizens of and born in Argentina can apply for Fellowship 1; only citizens of and born in a South American country except Argentina can apply for Fellowship 2: i.e. Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Surinam, Uruguay, and Venezuela; and only citizens of and born in any South American country (including Argentina) can apply for Fellowship 3: i.e. Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Surinam, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
In each of the three cases above, applicants must be in the early stages of their careers, and they must demonstrate proven experience in both of the following two fields: in academia, they must have either completed a postgraduate degree (master or doctorate) within the past 15 (fifteen) years or are currently working towards a postgraduate degree; in politics, public service, or in civil society, they must be either currently working or have previously worked in public service organizations of the state at national, provincial, or municipal levels, or in a registered non-governmental organization (NGO). Applicants must have verifiable experience of a minimum of 4 (four) years and maximum of 15 (fifteen) years in politics, public service, or in civil society.
Applicants must submit a copy of their postgraduate degree(s) or graduate certificate in progress, in addition to certificates showing proof of employment. Applicants are required to possess proficiency in English (Internet-based TOEFL exam score of at least 100, or another test issued by another institution of equivalent level).
The Application and Documents
Applicants must submit a complete Application Form, Essay and certificates. The Essay must be written by the applicant on one of the ten topics listed below in relation to Argentina and/or South America:
- International Economic Relations;
- Democracy and Media;
- Poverty and Social Policy;
- Role of the State;
- Regional Cooperation and Integration;
- Inequality and Social Justice;
- Democracy and Human Rights;
- Promotion of Democratic Political Culture and Education;
- National Economic Management;
- Cities, Design and Local Development.
The Essay can be either a preview of the applicant’s masters or doctoral thesis in progress; a summary of the completed master or doctoral thesis; or an analysis or critical interpretation of current or completed work in public or social service, identifying the applicant’s role within this context. The essay should be between 4,000 and 7,000 words. Longer theses will be accepted, but must be accompanied by a summary of the length mentioned above.
The Application Form and Essay must be submitted in two versions: one in Spanish (or Portuguese) and another in English (both forms can be downloaded here). To learn more, read the Rules.
All documents (Application Form, Essay and certificates) must be presented together. (Partial applications will not be accepted).
Applications must be sent by email to OLAbecaPNK@observatorylatinamerica.org before June 4, 2012 5:00pm Buenos Aires time, or 5:00pm New York time.
About the Fellowship
The Fellowship consists of a two-week stay at The New School in New York. The Fellowship includes: one roundtrip economy-class plane ticket from the Fellow’s city of residence to New York for the dates stipulated in the implementation schedule of the Fellowship; and one payment of U$S1,000 (one thousand U.S. dollars) as an honorarium and for living expenses.
While in New York, the Fellow will: 1. present their work and hold a discussion during a seminar of 2 or 3 sessions, organized by The New School with students and professors from different disciplines (the Fellow’s work will have been previously distributed in writing); 2. meet with representatives from other universities in New York, political and civil society leaders, as based on the Fellow’s background and interests; 3. give a public lecture at The New School; and 4. visit civil society organizations and multilateral institutions (such as The United Nations), local government offices, cultural centers and museums, as well as public and university libraries.
After completion of the Fellowship, the Fellow must deliver an essay between 8,000 and 15,000 words which elaborates on the discussions held, and input and suggestions received throughout the duration of the Fellowship. The essay must be presented in two versions, English and Spanish (or Portuguese), and must be submitted to The New School no later than three months after the conclusion of the Fellowship. Upon approval from The New School and Universidad Nacional de San Martín, the essay will be published in print and digital versions as “Working Papers” of the President Néstor Kirchner Fellowship on the websites of the organizing institutions.
Selection of the Fellows
On behalf of the OLA/The New School and Universidad Nacional de San Martín, an appointed Evaluation Committee will select the three Fellows. An announcement of the Fellowships awarded will be made publicly in Buenos Aires on August 17, 2012 and will be published on the OLA and Universidad Nacional de San Martín websites.
Agenda
-February 17, 2012: Competition for Fellowships 1, 2 and 3 opens.
-February 17 – May 26, 2012: Consultation Period: Questions to be sent to OLAbecaPNK@observatorylatinamerica.org.
-June 4, 2012: Deadline for submission of Application Forms and Documents (Deadline extended)
-August 16, 2012: Announcement in Buenos Aires of the three selected Fellows and subsequent publication of the announcement on the websites of the organizers.
Calendar of the Fellowships
-November 4 – 17, 2012: Fellowship 1 (Fellow from Argentina)
-February 24 – March 9, 2013: Fellowship 2 (Fellow from South America, excluding Argentina), and Fellowship 3 (Fellow from South America, including Argentina)
Questions
Questions may be directed by e-mail to OLAbecaPNK@observatorylatinamerica.org with the subject line “Questions about the PNK Fellowship.” Questions will only be accepted and responded to during the Consultation Period (February 17 – May 26, 2012).
Applying to this Fellowship implies complete acceptance of the RULES, which can be found on the following websites: www.observatorylatinamerica.org; www.unsam.edu.ar.
+ Download the Guidelines for Submissions
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