The ASEAN Fellowship for Social Justice Leaders (the “Fellowship”) is an initiative developed jointly by a group of human rights organisations in Thailand for temporary relocation of Southeast Asian human rights defenders/ social justice leaders to Bangkok, Thailand. The Fellowship is designed to provide fellows with opportunities for rest and respite, capacity building and networking with other defenders and organisations in Thailand and in Asia.
Through this Fellowship, each fellow will be matched with a human rights organisation in Thailand that fits their profile and interest and carry out activities according to a customised action plan developed together by the fellow and the organisation. The fellow will have an opportunity to engage in diverse activities, from daily work and projects at the organisation to well-being sessions to courses of their interest. There will also be social sessions and workshops with other fellows and defenders. The Fellowship will take place for 6 months, with 5 months expected to be spent in Bangkok, Thailand. The timeline of the Fellowship will look as follows:
| May | June | July | August | September | October |
| Interview and selection
Preparation for relocation |
Fellowship in Bangkok, Thailand | Wrap-up and return home | |||
After the Fellowship, we expect the fellows to return home with renewed energy and developed skills to continue their human rights work.
About the Fellowship
The Fellowship will include 5 months placement in Bangkok, Thailand. The fellow will be provided with:
- Accommodation during placement in Bangkok, Thailand;
- One economy class return ticket;
- Visa costs, if any;
- Monthly stipends;
- Health insurance during stay in Bangkok, Thailand; and
- Opportunities to develop and strengthen their capacity as human rights defenders/ social justice leaders, to care for their well-being, and to network with other defenders and organisations.
Eligibility Criteria
We expect those who wish to apply for the Fellowship to meet the following criteria:
- Are working on peaceful human rights and/or social justice activities;
- Are from one of the following countries: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam (for the purpose of temporary relocation of fellows, to ensure that the fellows can achieve rest and respite through this Fellowship, we are not considering any applicant from or currently residing in Thailand);
- Are willing and able to return to their home country after the Fellowship ends;
- Have passports with validity of at least six months by the time of travel or other valid identity documents that can facilitate their placement in Thailand;
- Are conversant in English; and
- Are able to provide contactable references for their application.
How to Apply
To apply, please fill out and send the attached application form and a copy of your CV to [email protected] by 21 April 2024. You will be contacted about whether you were shortlisted within April. If you are shortlisted, we will request an interview in the first week of May and a copy of your passport or other identity documents. The Fellowship is expected to start in early May, with relocation to Bangkok in early June.
