International Leadership Development Travel Grant for the ILGA World Conference

International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) World Conference, Mexico City, Mexico

Application Deadline- August 17th, 2014

Are you a passionate student leader looking to make a difference on campus, in the world, and internationalize your LGBTI/queer inclusion efforts? If so, please apply for this international leadership development travel grant opportunity available to University of Maryland, College Park students.

Depart date: Saturday, October 25, 2014
Return date: Sunday, November 2, 2014

From the ILGA World Conference website:
ILGA World Conferences are a reference point for the world.  Over the course of its existence, ILGA has held world conferences on three continents.  In these gatherings, between 300 and 450 representatives of civil society organizations from around the world come together for one week, where public officials, legislators, academics, directors of cooperative institutions and representatives of offices of the United Nations also participate in enriching our analysis and discussions.

For more information on the conference and to view a draft schedule, please visit the conference website at http://www.ilgaworldconference.org

The LGBT Equity Center is offering the opportunity for up to two undergraduate students to attend and represent the University of Maryland at this incredible conference. Strong preference will be given to rising sophomores and juniors who will bring what they have learned back to UMD, as well as to the wider community.

Costs: Although the LGBT Equity Center will cover the costs of air travel, ground transportation, hotel stay, and conference registration (worth over $1600), participants will be expected to contribute towards incidental costs, for example food and recreational activities. Selected students will be expect to make a non-refundable trip deposit of $200 that will be given back to students in the form of meals during the trip (though students should also be aware that this will cover many, but not all meals and recreational expenses, which may depend on students' choices). Students who have significant financial concerns should still apply, but must indicate what they can pay.

Travel documents: Participants are expected to organize and pay for their own travel documents. You will need a passport for this trip, which could take 6 weeks to obtain. You might need a visa or other travel documents (e.g. if you are not a U.S. citizen and don't have visa-free travel to Mexico).

Application process: Please apply as soon as possible, as there is only a short window when this application will remain open and applications will be considered on a rolling basis. This experience is open to any UMD student who identifies with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ) communities, or as an ally to these communities.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Sunday, August 17, 2014.

Selected students will be expected to attend a couple required pre-departure orientation meetings (to be scheduled based on participants' availabilities), and to follow the agreements and guidelines set down by the trip leaders. The primary trip leader is our Associate Director, Nick Sakurai, M.A., M.B.A., and this will be Nick's 6th trip to Mexico City, 9th trip to Mexico, and second time bringing U.S. students to Mexico City to learn about sexual and gender diversity movements.

This retreat is produced by the LGBT Equity Center in close collaboration with Multicultural Involvement and Community Advocacy. For questions, please contact Nick Sakurai at sakurai@umd.edu.