Email
PrintBefore you apply: things you need to know
How are OIYP participants selected?
OIYP selects 300 young people from 100 countries by assessing applications against our selection criteria. OIYP is open to all nationalities, Indigenous and ethnic groups. It is open to young people with any level of education and who live in rural or urban areas. We aim to recruit equal numbers of men and women. We have a strong focus on the participation of Indigenous young people and those marginalised in their communities.
Our selection process involves:
- Checking applications for eligibility
- Reviewing applications
- Reviewing short-listed applications; this is done by selection panels with cultural and regional knowledge
Selection criteria for OIYP 2007-2010
Eligibility
- Age: 18-25 at 1 October 2007
- Speak English or Spanish
- Not previously a participant with OIYP (an ‘action partner’)
- Available to attend an eight-day event in October 2007 in Sydney Australia
Core selection criteria
- Demonstrated resilience
- Commitment to positive and sustainable change
- Analytical ability
- Community or organisational support
Diversity criteria
- 50/50 males and females from a diversity of communities and countries.
- We are looking for people working on a diversity of issues
Email us if you would like more information about the selection process.
Who has taken part in OIYP?
Young people in the OIYP network create change in partnership with others in their communities:
- A young man in the Solomon Islands set up a drama group with unemployed young people
- A young woman from Mexico worked with mothers of disappeared and murdered women to achieve justice
- A young man from Ghana supported small-scale farms in his community
- A young woman from Cambodia worked with garment workers to campaign for better labour conditions
Indigenous Australian participants have:
- Developed hip hop workshops for young people in their community
- Established a youth network in a remote community
- Educated young people about HIV and AIDS
How do I apply?
You can apply by sending your application with your letters of support from community members or organisations before January 31 2007 by email, fax or mail. If you can express yourself better through art, photos or a tape you can send these along with your application.
Download the application form (PDF 759k)
Can I take part in OIYP with a friend?
If you are working with another young person in your community, your applications may be considered together if you wish.
If you are selected, both of you will be invited to participate in the program. Please contact the Indigenous Australian Participation Officer if you are interested in pursuing this option. This will only be considered in some cases.
When will I know if I’ve been selected?
We will contact you in April 2007 to advise you if you have been selected for OIYP.
What will happen if I am selected?
If you are selected you will join the OIYP network. From 2007–2010 you will have opportunities to develop your skills, knowledge and understanding and share your experiences with other young people. There will be three stages to your involvement in OIYP:
April–August 2007: getting to know each other
If you are selected, your participation in OIYP will start in April 2007. We will be in contact to learn more about you and your community and provide information on Oxfam, OIYP and the three-year program.
You will have the opportunity to get to know and to learn from other young people in the OIYP network and we will fill you in on how we will support you to attend the OIYP event in October 2007.
October 2007: coming together
To be selected, you must be available to attend an eight–day event in October 2007 in Sydney, Australia. At this event, you will meet other participants and Oxfam staff, discuss issues affecting your communities, build skills, share ideas and experiences, celebrate and plan future action in communities.
October 2007–2010: learning and working with others for change
After the event you will return to your communities and continue to work with others to achieve positive change. You will continue to learn and develop through opportunities provided by the OIYP organising team and through exchange with other young people in the OIYP network.
Over the three years, opportunities will arise that will be relevant to you and what you are doing in your community. You can choose which activities to participate in. You can also help develop opportunities that are relevant to your work. The three year program is not meant to be time consuming as we want your time and effort to be in your community where it is needed most. You can draw things from the network that you need for your work.
It is vital that you share your journey of the program with Elders and the broader community from where you are from.
Will I be supported to participate?
Please let us know if there is support that you need (e.g. childcare, disability requirements, an Indigenous mentor that has been involved in past OIYP programs, access to communication etc). If you are selected we will try and support you where we can so you can participate. What we can offer is limited and we may be unable to meet all needs. It is important to work with others in your own community to gain support for your participation, as well as working together to create change.
You can contact the Indigenous Participation Support Officer for more information regarding support offered.