Apply for a Scholarship

United Religions Initiative is committed to the principle of full inclusion in its assemblies (religion/spiritual expression/indigenous tradition, gender, age, geography).   Global Assembly scholarships will make it possible – to the extent resources permit – for Cooperation Circles that need financial assistance to send a delegate to Mayapur, with a special emphasis on the participation of young leaders.  In the spirit of Principle 17, “to develop financial and other resources to meet the needs of our part, and to share financial and other resources to help meet the needs of other parts”, a CC that can pay all or any portion of its representatives’ expenses is expected to do so.  


The ideal Global Assembly 2008 will have one delegate from each CC, including 200 young leaders (ages 18-35).  There are two pools of scholarship funds, one for general delegates and one for participants in the young leaders program.  Scholarships for general delegates will be allotted regionally, in proportion to the numbers of CCs in each region.  For the additional form required to apply for a scholarship of the Young Leaders Program, click here.


CCs with members who are active young leaders and want to participate are encouraged to sponsor their participation as a CC delegate, or to support them by helping them to raise funds for their participation in the Young Leaders Program.


CCs are invited to pay whatever portion they can, up to 100% of all expenses for participation (registration, room, meals and airfare).  Applications received before midnight on March 31, 2008 will receive priority consideration.


The regional teams, including a representative from the Young Leaders Program planning team, will evaluate the scholarship applications from their own regions and make allocation recommendations to the global office.  The global office will receive the recommendations and inform the individual, their CC and their regional staff when a scholarship is offered.


All participants will make their own travel arrangements. Any participant who receives a scholarship for travel is expected to make air travel reservations based on the lowest available advance purchase roundtrip coach airfare before May 26, 2008.    URI reserves the right to provide reimbursement based on a price quote it obtains should a question arise about significantly higher than expected airfare purchases.


Any request for extras, including single room, guests, and meals for guests, and visa expenses, cannot be subsidized by a scholarship, and advance payment may be required.


The amount of money for scholarships to support CC representation and young leaders at the Global Assembly depends upon the funds raised at all levels of URI, beginning with the individual and her/his CC.  To make the best use of a limited amount of funds, special consideration will be given to CCs that are able to pay at least part of their delegates’ expenses.  To apply for a scholarship, please have your CC recommend an individual for consideration using this form (download) or copy and paste the text below into your own document.




For the Cooperation Circle


  1. •First name and last name of individual to be considered for a scholarship

  2. •Name of the CC endorsing this application

  3. •Region and Country

  4. •Indicate any or all that applies to the individual to be considered for a scholarship
    [  ]  The individual will be the primary representative of your CC.
    [  ]  The individual is a young leader between the ages of 18- and 35-years old and member of    
           your CC.
    [  ]  The individual is not a member of your CC, but you are recommending that he or she
           participate in the URI Global Assembly.

  5. •Indicate the scholarship funds requested

     [  ]  Registration Fee (US$225 / $275 / $325 depending on date of payment)

     [  ]  Room and Meals (approximately US$15 - $20 per day)

     [  ]  Airfare (one round-trip ticket purchased before May 26)

  1. •How much will the CC contribute to their delegate’s participation?

  2. •How much will the individual contribute to her or his own participation?

  3. •First name and last name of the CC representative signing this form

  4. •Signature and date

  5. •E-mail address


For the Individual to be Considered for a Scholarship

  1. •Religion/spiritual expression/indigenous tradition

  2. •Gender

  3. •Age

  4. •Country

  5. •Postal Mail Address

  6. •E-mail address

  7. •Phone number(s)

  8. •Fax number

  9. •Signature and date

  10. •Please provide responses for the following questions:


1)What does this opportunity mean for you, your CC, and your local community?


2)How do you plan to bring back the Global Assembly experience to your Cooperation Circle? 


3)Share a little about your experience in working with intercultural and interfaith diversity. What kinds of multicultural or interfaith activities have you participated in? What skills or characteristics do you bring that would help you interact with diverse groups of people from different cultural, religious and/or spiritual backgrounds?


4)Many languages and cultures that will be represented at the Global Assembly, and the majority of the activities and group dialogues will be conducted in English. What is your level of comfort and experience in communicating in English?  Would you need any particular translation assistance?



PLEASE SUBMIT THIS APPLICATION BEFORE

MARCH 31, 2008 FOR PRIORITY CONSIDERATION


It is best to send completed applications to Mark Mancao directly

by fax to +1 (415) 561-2313 or by e-mail to mmancao@uri.org


Applications may also be sent postal mail, using the following address.

Be sure to also send an e-mail to let us know that your application was mailed.
United Religions Initiative

PO Box 29242

San Francisco, CA 94129

USA

 

Pilgrims of Peace

Many Paths, One Purpose

UNITED RELIGIONS INITIATIVE ▪ GLOBAL ASSEMBLY 2008

Mayapur, West Bengal, India ▪ November 30 - December 5, 2008