CAMP for Emerging Leaders

Camp for Emerging Leaders started in 2018 as a way to reconnect Bhutanese youth leaders from all over the US. 5 years later, it continues to bring and connect leaders, artists, activists, advocates t has not is an immersion experience for personal transformation and social transformation. It is a leadership training program of ARU designed to build a network of vibrant Bhutanese refugee community leaders, organizers, artists, and activists by training emerging leaders to become agents of change.

Our training goals are to: explore what it means to be a Bhutanese Community Leader in America; learn the skills required to be an impactful leader; build a network of like minded circles; become part of the network of emerging leaders, community organizers, artists, activists, scholars and mentors; engage in building a strong foundation(s) for community healing and empowerment; learn to create and advance peace through dialogue and reconciliation.

Apply by February 15th, 2024

LEADERSHIP TRAINING PROGRAM FOR SELF-IDENTIFIED BHUTANESE IN THE DIASPORA. ARU Camp for Emerging Leaders program is an immersion experience for personal and social transformation. The program is designed to build a network of vibrant Bhutanese community leaders, organizers, artists and activists by training emerging leaders to become agents of change. Asian Refugees United (ARU) invites self identified Bhutanese youths in the diaspora to apply for a year long youth leadership training program. The program is open for individuals who are 16 to 30 years, and are committed to creating positive social change in their communities.

Participants in the program will:

- Develop team building skills.

- Develop community building, organizing, and advocacy skills

- Learn skills required to be an impactful leader.

- Develop a network of emerging leaders, community organizers, artists, activists, scholars and mentors with refugee experience.

- Learn to identify current community challenges, issues, and needs, and work towards creating solutions to address them.

- Build community healing, equity and empowerment.

Time Commitment

Phase I: March and April (Weekly Zoom meeting on Saturdays for 1.5 hours)

Phase II: June and July (Team Project management + Preparation)

Phase III: August (In Person Youth Summit Retreat at Harrisburg, PA)

Phase IV: Sept - Dec (Project Implementation)

Please note only committed participants during the 1st phase Online Zoom Session will be invited to participate in the in-person youth summit retreat in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. ARU will offer need-based scholarship certain percentage of participants' travel expenses, and ARU will take care of food and lodging needs. This is a great opportunity for the participants to meet with their mentors to develop their community projects and initiatives).

Organizer: Asian Refugees United (ARU) (www.asianrefugees.org)

About the ARU Camp for Emerging Leaders 2024:

CAMP for Emerging Leaders was founded in 2018 by emerging refugee leaders from Asian Refugees United, who recognized the vital need for leadership training program in the Bhutanese community. Since the beginning, the program has been supported by leaders and partners from a wide range of Asian communities, informing the program every step of the way.

Mission/Vision of ARU: Asian Refugees United is an art and healing leadership center that cultivates and restores wholeness in communities impacted by displacement. We facilitate training programs and collective power-building through storytelling, ritual and connection to land.

We envision a sense of home and belonging for all.

Email: contact@asianrefugees.org