Ukrainian Youth Delegate to the United Nations

FAQ

 

Recommendation letter: what shall I keep in mind?

 

Your referee can be anyone who knows you well ( and is not your relative) and can provide us with insightful overview of your personal and professional qualities. It can be your professor, academic advisor, employer, NGO leader etc.

 

The recommendations may be sent directly to us or by you - we will be glad to receive the documents either way. If the letters are sent by your referees directly to us and therefore you have to send us your CV  - please mention that in the body of the email. We send a notification letter to all the participants once we receive their documents.

 

The letter doesn't need to be of a certain structure - we are open to any types of recommendations. However, please keep in mind that it's desirable for us (for convenience of applicants' assessment) that one should highlight the following points:

 

- referee's relation to you

- when did you get to know each other and how long he/she knows you

- what are your strength

- why you are a good match for us as a candidate

 

When is the final result of the selection process announced and when YDs are to start working towards performing their responsibilities?  

 

The final results of the first round will be by the end of May so the next YDs will have enough time to prepare for their work and hold a number of consultations with the officials in Ukraine.

 

How much time would I need to devote to the Program if being selected as Ukrainian Youth Delegate? Can I go to New York directly from the foreign country where I now study/work and then come back there without conducting additional activities in Ukraine?

 

The YDs should be present in Ukraine at least for a couple of months before the program starts. Moreover, the newly elected YD is advised to do a tour to his local community and to other cities in Ukraine to meet with young people and to learn about their local needs. This is the way YD program works in general. YDs need to be aware of the concerns young people of their country have and need to be a real link between youth and government (addressing youth needs, helping out them locally). It's not possible to do that while being away all the time, plus 2 interviews and consultations need physical presence of the candidate ( especially for the interview at Ministry of Foreign Affairs).

 

Could voluntary work  be conducted in the community of the city where I am from upon coming back from New York?

 

YD can conduct any volunteer work dealing with the youth both in his/her local community and on the national level.

 

Do YDs have to be in Ukraine during the whole two-year mandate?

 

You are not supposed to be in Ukraine ALL the time but you do need to be here most of the time. This is not an internship - you are given broad capacities to represent Ukrainian youth as a diplomat and you also need to do some volunteering and work with the young Ukrainians. You represent the youth of your country so it is not only professional development. Representation and youth advocacy are the essence of the YD program, not a trip to NYC.

1st year of the mandate  - active year

2nd year - mentorship (presence in Ukraine not required but you need to be  a guide for future YDs).

 

What is funded in the framework of the Program?

 

Bohdan Hawrylyshyn Charitable Foundation covered all the expenses related to  Youth Delegates' work during the UN GA (Oct-Nov) and CSocD (February) in UN HQ in NYC. That included airfare, living costs, per diem and transportation. Those expenses related to activities in Ukraine are not covered (but applying for sponsorship from various sources is highly encouraged). Therefore, you need to be aware that travel/living expenses in Ukraine are not to be reimbursed but those in NYC should be fully covered by the Foundation ( at least for the period of UN GA in fall 2015).