Live Desk: U.S. Embassy Dhaka has invited applications for the 2022 Community Solutions Programme (CSP), which is a year-long professional development programme open to Bangladeshi community leaders who are working to address issues related to the environment, peace and conflict resolution, transparency and accountability, and women and gender issues.

This year, CSP celebrates its 10th anniversary providing fellows around the world with valuable experience in community work and opportunities to strengthen their capacity for leadership and development in their home countries.

After completing the U.S. practicum and leadership training, CSP fellows will return to their home countries to implement a community action project that leverages the new knowledge, skills, and network they developed in the United States in their home country. 

This intense professional development program entails the following:

• Four-month U.S.-based Professional Practicum: CSP provides fellows with hands-on experience as they will be matched with U.S. host organizations working on the following technical areas: environment issues, women and gender issues, peace and conflict resolution, and transparency and accountability.

• Personalized Leadership Coaching: CSP fellows will take part in programs offered by the Community Leadership Institute (CLI) which provides customized learning and coaching.  Fellows will complete subjects such as strategic planning, ethical leadership, motivational leadership, and partnership building through the institute’s blended learning approach.

• Opportunities to Engage in Community-Action Projects and Network:During the fellowship, U.S. host organizationswill help CSP fellows develop innovative projects to implement upon returning to their home communities.  These projects allow fellows to apply the new knowledge and skills they gained through their U.S. practicum and CLI courses in the field.  CSP fellows will also continue to network and collaborate with like-minded leaders from around the world working on similar issues in their home countries through alumni engagement activities such as the annual Solutions summit.

Over the past nine years, 18 Bangladeshi community leaders have participated in this unique exchange. CSP alumni include physicians, government consultants, human rights activists, educators, and many more community leaders. 

Prominent Bangladeshi CSP alumni include Dr. Nowsheen Sharmin Purabi, who has contributed to advancing sexual and reproductive health rights in Bangladesh.  After she returned from her exchange, she successfully led an advocacy campaign that led to the reduction of taxation on sanitary napkins. 

Additionally, CSP alumna and educator, Musammat Badrunnesha, is promoting English Language learning inSylhet as the founding principal of Captain Academy.

Applications are due on Wednesday, October 27, 2021, at 11:59 p.m. ET (Washington D.C. time). For additional information and to apply today, please visit www.irex.org/csp.

Dhaka, 27 September (campuslive24.com)//BIT