Mission: To encourage active participation and impact that advances freedom of religion or belief for women
Why a FoRB Alliance Fellows Program? Alliance fellowships are designed to support and enhance the unique positions and capacities of women and their roles championing freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) by accelerating the work of select FoRB leaders, and by extension their organizations, in their efforts to support women and religious freedom. The program will provide Fellows with opportunities to further build skills, network with experts in the field, gain valuable experience, and build lasting sustainable partnerships.
What makes the FoRB Women’s Alliance program different? FoRB Women’s Alliance Fellows Program develops skilled and courageous professionals of all backgrounds, particularly women, to be leaders and change agents in both the public and non-profit sectors, with a strong commitment to the values inherent in freedom of religion and belief and the need for universal religious freedom.
We facilitate the fellows by being the “CHANGE AGENT” that enables fellows to network around the world using technology and make strong connections in their fields, learning from others in their cohort who will be from many different backgrounds. The fellowship provides training for leadership and working cross cultures and fields of work. Training programs will include four modules:
- Classes
- Group interactions
- One-on-one meetings with faith and FoRB leaders
- An audio-visual presentation to be presented at the end of the program.
What does a Fellow do? Fellows will work virtually on an agreed upon project; participate in capacity building workshops; meet virtually with other Fellows quarterly; and meet in person annually in Washington D.C., with the goal of building a global community of innovative and invigorated thinkers and advocates.
Eligibility: Applicants must work in an existing nonprofit, academic institution, faith group, publication or business that focuses on the areas of freedom of religion or belief, women’s rights and human rights and/or the interaction of these areas with the United Nation’s SDG goals. Applicants must have a demonstrable commitment to this work and speak English fluently – all interviews and any writing submissions will be conducted in English.
Selection Criteria: Fellows are selected on the basis of their activities and demonstrated interest in the field. They must be articulate, adaptable, and have strong communication and writing skills. The Alliance welcomes qualified applicants of all backgrounds and experiences. Applicants must identify the organizations they will work for/with, the religious freedom/human rights/women’s rights issues on which they have focused, and the parameters, objectives, goals, and outcomes of the work they have undertaken or propose to undertake.
The Alliance is looking for Fellows who seek to make valuable contributions to the field and learn more about specific issues in the field.
To Apply: The online application portal, with detailed information and a schedule, will be available on the Alliance site by March 2023. If your application is successful, the next round of consideration will include an online interview. If you are interested in receiving more information or discussing the Fellows program with us, please mark this on our Contact Form on Forbwomen.org.
Award: The inaugural program runs from June 2023 until May 2024. Four Fellows will be selected for the program’s first year and will receive a stipend, along with coaching, trainings and discussions with other Fellows; quarterly virtual discussion calls; and an in-person meeting in Washington, D.C.
