Organizations: Doris Duke Foundation and the East-West Center
Program Duration: October 2024-May 2025
Application Deadline: April 15, 2024 (at 11:00 PM Hawaiʻi Standard Time)
Many of the world’s biggest problems today stem from systemic imbalances of wealth, access, and power. Solving them requires new approaches to leadership and capabilities to put forth transformative actions and policies that reimagine concepts of power and governance.
In answer to this need, the Equitable Futures Fellowship is a new program from the Doris Duke Foundation and the East-West Center for leaders from a broad range of cultures and backgrounds. Fellows will explore techniques to empower previously unheard voices and resolve inequity in its many forms, including gaps in income, health care, and education; impacts of the climate crisis; and challenges to societal pluralism.
Selected participants will include leaders and creative thinkers across government, communities, advocacy groups, media and technology, artists and entrepreneurs. This expanded view of who can create policies and positive change will ensure an array of unique experiences and ideas.
Through a combination of in-person sessions in Hawai‘i and Aotearoa (New Zealand), plus regular virtual meetings, fellows will hear from top experts and engage in activities designed to enhance their knowledge, leadership capacities, and networks. The enduring skills and bonds they gain are intended to serve their communities and our world in building more equitable futures.
Program Dates
Program runs October 2024-May 2025
- Pre-Residency Virtual Sessions: October 14-27, 2024
- Honolulu, Hawai‘i: October 28-November 8, 2024
- Virtual Sessions: November 9, 2024-May 25, 2025
- Wellington, New Zealand: May 26-31, 2025
Application Deadline: April 15, 2024 (at 11:00 PM Hawaiʻi Standard Time)
One letter of reference from a professional contact is required to complete your application but two are suggested. Instructions with a link to the Letter of Reference form will be sent to your referee(s) via email upon the submission of your application. Inform your referee(s) ahead of submitting your application that a request will be coming from Submittable, our online application platform. Should your referee(s) require assistance, please have them contact our team at leadership@eastwestcenter.org. The program will not accept a Letter of Reference directly from applicants. Letters of Reference will be accepted until April 21, 2024 (at 11:59 PM Hawaiʻi Standard Time).
Eligibility Criteria
- 5 to 10 years of professional leadership experience in any aspect of policy, advocacy of influence. This includes but is not limited to: elected officials, government agency representatives, advocacy group leaders, topic experts, community leaders, artists, activists, and entrepreneurs.
- A citizen or resident of countries in the Indo-Pacific region, or citizens or residents outside this region but whose past experience or current work comes with a focus on the Indo-Pacific region. There is no country restriction to apply/participate in the EFF.
- Applicants will be expected to have a fluent level of English. Applicants are encouraged to provide an English language test score (such as IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC…) if available.
- A current passport with validity through the end of 2025.
- Able to fully commit to two weeks of travel in October and November 2024 and one week in May 2025, plus regular virtual connections in between and a capstone project to implement during and after the program.
Desirable Qualifications
- A minimum of 3 years of studies in a higher education institution sanctioned by a degree representing a full-time program of study is preferred but not required.
- Committed to championing causes that serve communities most impacted by the global challenges of our time.
- Proven ability to work in a manner that respects differences in ethnicity, culture, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion, ability, and socio-economic circumstance.
- Willingness to learn and try new techniques and approaches, and to face unfamiliar experiences with curiosity and openness to the process, as well as to be challenged and willing to push beyond their professional comfort zone with a commitment to their personal growth.
- Willing to engage fully in a place-based, policy-focused, creatively demanding program.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills to complete writing and public speaking assignments with high quality.
Financial Information/Provisions
The Equitable Futures Fellowship provides fellows with round-trip airfare to/from the program locations, program fee and materials, accommodation, travel insurance, meals, and some applicable visa-related costs (if required). This program is subject to postponement/cancellation due to prevailing and unforeseen circumstances.
