Albert Schweitzer – Leadership for Life Programme
About the Programme
Foróige, in association with the UNESCO Chair in Children, Youth and Civic Engagement, has developed an international youth leadership initiative, called the Albert Schweitzer Leadership for Life programme (ASLFL). This exciting programme will enable young people to develop the skills and qualities of good leadership and challenge them to use these skills for the betterment of society. The ASLFL Programme takes its name from one of the world’s greatest humanitarians and 1952 Nobel Peace Prize recipient, Albert Schweitzer.
The programme has been developed as a way of exploring vision and passion, and to enable young people to develop key skills such as planning, decision making, critical thinking, goal setting and problem solving that are core to leadership. Leadership is defined as facilitating change and development of the individual and society through use of core social and emotional competencies, including self-awareness, collaboration, empathy and relationship building.
ASLFL will motivate and equip young people to:
- Identify their personal strengths and the motivations that inspire them to become leaders
- Develop a clear vision of what they would like to achieve as a leader
- Develop a greater understanding of their style of leadership
- Explore the challenges and difficulties of leadership
- Develop clear communication skills
- Explore local, national and global issues
- Explain and apply methods of conflict resolution
- Identify goals and vision for the future
- Organise and plan a project
- Understand and use the Logic Model for planning
- Practice problem solving and critical thinking skills as part of a group
- Set clear goals and develop action plans to achieve them
Participants
The ASLFL programme is designed to be facilitated by a trained leader with a group of 10-15 young people aged 15-18. The programme has been successfully delivered to transition year groups, youth projects and youth clubs.
Commitment
The ASLFL taught programme consists of two modules, each containing 15 one hour long workshops. These take place through one academic year. An additional self-directed module completes the programme as a Foundation Certificate in Youth Leadership and Community Action, accredited by National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG).
During piloting, these have been delivered successfully using the following structures:
- Regular sessions for one hour a week (suitable for a youth project)
- Several one day workshops covering several sessions per day (suitable for a youth club)
- One session a week during school time (suitable for a school)
Programme Content
Module 1:
Understanding leadership; Team building and critical thinking; Communication skills; Self awareness and values; Global and community needs; Personal vision and goal setting; Planning; Presentations.
Module 1 also involves personal reflection outside of group time.
Module 2:
Understanding Leadership; Research skills, Leadership styles; Planning using the logic model; Self awareness and values; Communication skills; Debating; Critical thinking; Team research project; Presentations.
Module 2 also involves a team research project completed outside of group time and reflection.
Module 3:
Module 3 involves a 20 hour self-directed community action projects where the young person puts their leadership skills to action in their community. A portfolio of the research project will be completed and learning journal.
Financial Considerations
Workbook costs €5 per module one and module two.
If students choose to complete the Foundation Certificate in Youth Leadership and Community Action a fee of €300 (per young person) covers:
- NUI Galway administrative fee, only paid if young person decides to seek accreditation
- Covers academic accreditation, external examination and graduation, course materials
Youth Leadership programme in Claregalway
This Youth Leadership programme will run in Claregalway offering young people from the area and surrounding areas the chance to become change makers in their community. Sue Redmond, Foróige’s Best Practice Unit Manager will be running the programme in conjunction with volunteers. If you have any questions please contact her below.
Venue: Above Hughes Supervalu
Time: Monday 8:30-9:30pm
Start Date: Monday 24th September 2012
Contact Details: Sue Redmond 086 810 2770
Download Application Form
Please send completed applications to: Sue Redmond, 7 Gort an tSamhraidh, Claregalway, Co. Galway
