The Asia Foundation is a non-profit international development organization improving lives and generating opportunity across the Asia-Pacific. Headquartered in San Francisco, the Foundation works through a network in 18 Asian countries.
The Foundation invites Indigenous applicants* to join the 2025 Development Fellows Program. Designed for talented individuals under the age of 40, it enhances leadership skills, builds Asian development knowledge, expands professional networks, and delivers international exposure.
With 70 years’ experience and deep local knowledge, the Foundation has continued to grow this initiative with a focus on governance, climate action, gender equality, education and leadership, inclusive growth, and international cooperation. To widen participation, the program is fully funded for each awarded Fellows and is not full time, the program can be completed around work, study or other commitments.
With National NAIDOC Week, July 7-14, an opportunity for all Australians to learn more about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrating these oldest, continuous living cultures, it’s fitting to promote this global Fellowship opportunity across the education sector nationally.
Recognising the role global climate change plays in development, the 2025 program will focus on climate action. Eligibility requires candidates to demonstrate a career background or vocation focused on climate change, with evidence of working toward achieving a resilient, sustainable future; areas the Australian education sector is well respected in worldwide.
Our Indigenous Public Diplomacy strategy also promotes Australia’s First Nations identity, through bilateral partnerships to strengthen Australia’s position on the global stage. Similarly to the Foundation Fellowship, the strategy supports the access and use of speaking engagements, tours, workshops, performances and exhibitions to connect Indigenous peoples globally.
The 12-month fellowship includes 2 in-person intensive programs (in Nepal and the U.S.), executive coaching and a financial development award. Fellows in the multidisciplinary cohort will come from a variety of backgrounds, including but not limited to environmental sciences, sustainability, climate and conservation, community engagement and activism, and environmental policy and law. They may also be journalists, conflict and fragility specialists, women’s rights activists, or in any field whose work intersects climate issues. All professional backgrounds will be considered.
To be eligible, Asia Foundation Development Fellows must:
- Demonstrate a record of experience and accomplishment related to climate action and a proven commitment to working toward achieving a resilient, sustainable future.
- Be thoughtful, committed, respected, and inspirational leaders in their professional fields and community.
- Be under 40 years of age by January 1, 2025.
- Be conversant in English.
- Be available to participate in all program components.
- Be able to secure a visa for travel to the United States.
- Be a resident national or citizen of: Afghanistan, Australia*, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Maldives, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pacific Islands, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam.
It is a national priority of the DFAT Indigenous Diplomacy Agenda to recognise Indigenous knowledge and global contributions. As a nation Australian can and should do more. Linking Indigenous and non‑Indigenous peoples through deep and uplifting Fellowships and exchange experiences will continue to build and celebrate the global engagement of Indigenous Australia.
Application instructions are here.
Program guidelines are here.
Further inquiries can be made to Asia Foundation Development Fellows staff at development.fellows@asiafoundation.org
Applications here close Monday, July 29, 2024, at 11:59 PM UTC-4.
*For applicants from Australia, this is a First Peoples Identified role only open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The filling of this position is intended to constitute a special measure under section 8(1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth), and from: s 27 of the Discrimination Act 1991 (ACT), s 57 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1996 (NT), s 105 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (Qld), s 65 of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (SA), ss 25 and 26 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1998 (Tas), s 12 of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic) and s 8(4) of the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 (Vic), s 51 of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (WA). This appointment is only available to Aboriginal or Torres Strait people who are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, and are accepted by their community as being Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
