2024 Resilient Pacific Islands Leaders (RPIL) Fellowship

In 2024, the East-West Center will host a hybrid six-week, US-funded Pacific leadership development program that will include an online module, a residency in Hawai’i and a field immersion in Washington DC. This program will provide individuals from a Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders (PICL)-member country/territory/State of Hawaiʻi the opportunity to enhance their leadership capacities and build a network with other leaders from across the Pacific and the US. Participants will engage in experiential learning exercises in a cohort of 25 early to mid-career professionals from all sectors.

RPIL attracts participants possessing high leadership potential and a commitment to serve their national and regional development goals. The curriculum for these rising leaders will be centered around the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent and thematically organized in the following areas of critical importance to humanity identified in the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace and Partnership. The program strengthens participants’ knowledge and understanding of key regional economic, social, political, health, educational and environmental issues, and cultivates culturally sustaining leadership capacities.

Program Dates: April 8 – May 18, 2024

Eligibility:

• Citizen of a PICL member country/territory/State of Hawaiʻi: American Samoa, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Hawai’i, Kiribati, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Republic of Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.

• Preference will be given to applicants who receive a formal nomination from their respective PICL member governments.

• Bachelor’s degree. Exceptions may be considered on the basis of other relevant experience and qualifications.

• The program is aimed at early- to mid-career professionals.

• A minimum of 3 years demonstrated impact in your professional career and/or local community.

• All qualified persons especially indigenous Pacific Islanders are strongly encouraged to apply.

Application deadline: November 19, 2023

Funding:

East-West Center is providing the following provisions:

• Roundtrip airfare between home country and Honolulu, Hawaiʻi
• Roundtrip airfare between Honolulu, Hawaiʻi and Washington, DC
• Ground transportation and airport transfers in Honolulu and Washington, DC
• Lodging in an EWC housing facility in Honolulu and hotel accommodations in Washington, DC
• Living stipend during the program
• Health insurance
• Course materials
• SEVIS and visa application fees (if applicable)