Being a leader – the chance of a lifetime
Age group: 21+
As a CISV Leader you guide four children to an international camp abroad. These camps are hosted in Europe and way beyond EU-borders.
At the camp you meet other Leaders from 8 to 11 other countries. This is how we guarantee you will make international friends with people you wouldn’t otherwise meet. It seriously is the chance of a lifetime.
Enjoy:
- Meeting like-minded people
- All-paid-for travel experience abroad
- Gain leadership and peace promoting skills
For clarity’s sake, extra snacks and shopping sprees are for your own account.
Receive sponsored peace leadership training
Our mission is to promote peace by providing Peace Education to the next generation. The role of Leaders is to train youngsters aged 11-16.
In the spirit of promoting peace from the ground up, aspiring Leaders receive their Peace Leadership Training free of charge. The training focuses on educating peace, justice and equality to young people. Through the method of “learning by doing”, Leaders teach the children how to use tools to bring forth the principles of peace.
The course is partly online and self-paced, and partly in real life with other aspiring Leaders:
- Risk-management (e-learning)
- Leadership training (two days in Belgium)
- Peace Education for Leaders (two days in Belgium)
In line with the “learning-by-doing”-philosophy of CISV, expect your leadership training also to be action-focused. 😉
Leaders bring their newly gained knowledge and skills into practice at CISV meetings and events (see below). Leaders guide the group, while receiving support from experienced former Leaders and trainers.
Who will you lead?
In February we host a weekend outing. Then we create “delegations”, a group of four teenagers of the same age. Usually, delegations consist of two girls and two boys.
In spring you learn which delegation is yours to lead and inspire. You learn which camp you are going to: Village, Youth Meeting or Step Up! Camp, and, not to forget: what will be your destination! You’re invited to organise a Delegation Hang Out in Belgium to get to know one another better before travelling abroad together.
In July or August, you have the responsibility to travel with your delegation to the camp. The camps are the highlight of the Peace Education programme. The shortest camp is 15 days, the longest camp four weeks. At all camps local adults and other Leaders from other countries are by your side.
Each Leader is responsible for his/her own delegation. Depending on the type of camp, Leaders:
a) organise and lead all the activities for the delegations, or
b) help the delegations in organising their own activities by facilitating and leading the youngsters.
For the duration of the camp, you are the link between the children and their parents or caregivers. You are the adult the children turn to in time of need. In order to keep the children focused on the camp, all communication between them and their respective parents/caregivers goes through you.
Becoming a CISV Leader when you:
- Enjoy working with children in the ages of 11 to 15
- Want to promote peace around the world – four children at a time
- Value teamwork and want to promote peace, equality and justice
What do I have to pay? Will I get paid?
Becoming an officially certified CISV Leader pays off by gaining international leadership skills, boosting your resume and career prospects. Most of all, you’ll gain an amazing life experience.
The Leadership training is offered for free to CISV Belgium members. For insurance purposes, you do need to pay the CISV membership fee. Currently the fee is € 50 per year.
Regarding the camp, all travel and full board accommodation costs are covered by your delegation’s parents or care givers. Personal purchases on-site are for your own account. for your time and leadership.
Minimum requirements
- You are 21 years old or older (there is no age limit)
- You speak English plus French/Dutch
- You are available to go 2-4 weeks abroad in July and August
- You are in possession of a valid EU Identity Card or Passport
Questions you may have…
Am I good enough to become a Leader? Can I choose the camp? Is it really free? Do I have a say in who will be in my delegation? All good questions!
We appreciate you taking the Youth Leadership Programme seriously. The best way to get answers is to schedule a (video) call with our Leader Recruiters Annick or Kirande. Or send a message first by Whatsapp, Signal or the old fashioned way of SMS. No strings attached.