Become an International Youth Fellow

Since 1989, more than 500 young individuals have participated in AKFC’s International Youth Fellowship Program – an extraordinary opportunity to become a leader in global development.

The Fellowship offers an international development training program and an eight-month overseas placement to recent university graduates and young professionals who are 30 years of age or younger.

Each Fellow spends eight months in Africa or Asia working with agencies and partners of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), one of the world’s largest and most respected international development agencies.

Before Fellows depart for their eight-month overseas placement, they attend a month-long seminar in Ottawa, which provides a thorough grounding in the skills and knowledge required to contribute effectively to their host organizations. Workshops are facilitated by leading international development professionals, based in Canada and overseas.

The International Youth Fellowship Program builds the skills of young Canadians and supports the work of AKFC’s partner organizations overseas. Participants can apply for one of three streams that best match their backgrounds and interests:

International Development Management (IDM) Fellows benefit from placements in a variety of organizations, working in fields such as health, education, rural development, and civil society strengthening. Placements include positions in research, project management, communications, and monitoring and evaluation.

International Microfinance and Microenterprise (IMM) Fellows gain experience with an organization involved in microfinance or market development, to develop skills in the day-to-day operations and evaluation of these programs.

Young Professionals in Media (YPM) Fellows work as journalists for Nation Media Group, a leading media outlet in East Africa. With opportunities to report in print, broadcast, and digital media, Fellows gain the skills to work effectively in today’s global media environment.

This prestigious Fellowship is a launching pad for diverse careers in the government, non-profit, media and finance sectors. In a survey conducted in 2009, 80 per cent of alumni felt that participating in the program helped shape their career or study decisions.

To become an International Youth Fellow, applicants must:

• Be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada

• Be 30 years of age or younger at the time of the application deadline

• Be able to demonstrate a strong interest in the field of international development and their chosen Fellowship stream

• Hold at minimum an undergraduate university degree

For more information, please visit the FAQs page.