Announcing LankaCorps Fellowships: July 1 - December 31, 2013
The Asia Foundation is pleased to announce LankaCorps, an exciting new opportunity for North Americans of Sri Lankan background to "explore their roots while giving back" to the country of their heritage. Young leaders will once again be selected to live and work for six months in Sri Lanka as Asia Foundation LankaCorps Fellows for 2013.
Background and Purpose
The recent settlement agreement between the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE follows decades of conflict. Attention has now turned to rebuilding a cohesive state that restores critical institutions. The Asia Foundation Representative Office, present in Sri Lanka since 1954, is a vital partner in the ongoing rehabilitation of this dynamic and multi-ethnic nation. As part of this effort, the Foundation has created LankaCorps: (1) to help members of the diaspora engage with post-conflict Sri Lanka; and (2) to enhance understanding of contemporary Sri Lanka within the diaspora community and the broader public. The program's intent is to foster identification with Sri Lanka among the young diaspora with limited in-depth experience with the country.
The Program
LankaCorps Fellows will be placed with host organizations identified by The Asia Foundation in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. These individual affiliations may be augmented by an orientation program, language training and, periodic activities with other young leaders. Asia Foundation staff will offer in-country advisory and logistical support for the Fellows during the six-month internship. The fellowship will provide roundtrip international airfare, in-country expenses, including a monthly stipend, and health insurance coverage.
To apply:
Candidates in all fields will be considered; however, preference will be given to those whose background and interests are likely to contribute to Sri Lanka's development.
- At least 21 of age, and not over 30, on the projected start date;
- A bachelor's degree with high academic achievement;
- Demonstrated leadership skills and civic engagement;
- Excellent physical health; and
- Sri Lankan heritage and U.S. or Canadian citizenship.
The Application Form and supporting documentation must be received by February 28, 2013. A select committee will review applications and invite finalists to be interviewed for the 2013 program.
Contact: James Grant, Program Assistant, Asian American Exchange, The Asia Foundation
Tel: (415) 743-3303; E-mail jgrant@asiafound.org.
Make a Contribution
To donate to the LankaCorps Program and help ensure its continued success, please contact Nicola Burt, Assistant Director, Resource Development, or make a contribution here.
Sponsorship opportunities are also available. For more information and to learn how you can support the LankaCorps program, please contact Daniel Stokes, Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations.
LankaCorps 2012 Fellows selected
The inaugural class of LankaCorps Fellows has been chosen for July - December 2012. The five fellows and their placements are:
Ms. Sahani Chandraratna, MAS Holdings
Ms. Chandraratna will be based in the Ratmalana office working on the Women Go Beyond Initiative, and in various projects carried out by the host organization under the Social Sustainability Initiative.
Mr. Sivashankar Krishnakumar, Foundation of Goodness
Mr. Krishnakumar will be involved with the Northern Development Initiative, the Murali Cup, the Seenigama project in the South and with projects at the Foundation for Goodness head office in Colombo.
Ms. Seshma Kumararatne, Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies
Ms. Kumararatne will be based in Colombo, working as a research analyst on various research projects, policy papers, and conferences regarding Sri Lanka's foreign relations and engagement with the diaspora.
Ms. Sabina Martyn, National Water Supply and Drainage Board
Ms. Martyn will be based in the Ratmalana office, working in the Policy and Planning Department to expand the framework for public-private partnerships in water supply and sewerage projects. She will also participate in other projects carried out by the Board.
Ms. Ann Selvadurai, Women In Need
Ms. Selvadurai will be based in the head office in Colombo, with regular travel to the North and South, and will be involved in various projects carried out by Women in Need, shadowing counselors, visiting hospitals, organizing workshops and awareness programs and undertaking case studies.