There’s still time to apply for the new Bangladeshi Diaspora Leaders programme – for leaders of Bangladeshi heritage in the UK to increase their impact both in Bangladesh and the UK – and build bridges between the two.
We are keen to promote this opportunity to representatives of Bangladeshi heritage in Newcastle to be part of a select group of 40 UK leaders working with young leaders from Bangladesh in a structured leadership, mentoring and social action programme.
If you are interested, but would like to discuss the opportunity before applying, contact either Joanna.hancox@commonpurpose.org or ieva.kaleininkaite@commonpurpose.org. You can apply by 9am on 13th September online here
An opportunity to make a difference
LEAD Bangladesh is a new project developed by Common Purpose and British Council Bangladesh to support Bangladeshi Diaspora leaders to increase their impact both in Bangladesh and in the UK and to provide mentorship and expertise to young leaders working on social action projects in Bangladesh.
The social action projects will address three key areas of Bangladesh’s development linked to the Sustainable Development Goals of Social entrepreneurship, Climate impact and Democratic inclusion.
UK participants in the programme will be supported to build mentoring relationships between with young leaders from the British Council’s LEAD Bangladesh project in Bangladesh.
Who should apply?
Applications are invited from exceptional leaders from the Bangladeshi diaspora resident in the UK. Applicants can be in the early stage of their careers or more established leaders and from different generations. They may have experience of leadership from different walks of life and from any sector, in any field and in any role professional or voluntary.
If you are interested, but would like to discuss the opportunity before applying, contact Joanna Hancox at Common Purpose: Joanna.hancox@commonpurpose.org
Applications should be made online here and should be submitted by 09.00 on 13th September 2021.
Dates, time commitment and location
The programme is a mix of online and in person activity:
- 5–7 October 2021, London for the diaspora leadership programme
- 17 November 2021, 3 hour online mentoring training
- 12 hours of mentor support online in 2022 to young leaders in Bangladesh (dates to be agreed)
- 1 day (date to be agreed) in 2022 in London to work with the mentees as part of their leadership programme
There is no cost to the participants to take part, the programme is funded by the British Council Bangladesh. Costs associated with travel and accommodation and some bursaries are available for those outside London.
“We are delighted to partner with Common Purpose to bring together leaders from the UK diaspora with young leaders in Bangladesh through the LEAD Bangladesh project, with the goal of exchanging knowledge, ideas and experience. We hope this initiative will be enriching for all involved, and provide the creative spark for exciting social action projects that will benefit local communities and the country as a whole.”
Why take part?
This experience will help participants to:
- enhance their ability to Lead Beyond Authority – the ability to lead in situations where they have no formal authority, which is key for diaspora leaders
- develop their thinking on possible futures for Bangladesh – and grow their capacity to translate that thinking into positive action
- build new networks – by giving them access to participants and contributors they might otherwise never meet
- develop their Cultural Intelligence – the ability to cross boundaries and thrive in multiple cultures, by throwing them into a difficult task with a diverse group
- stretch their analytical and creative skills – by exposing them to a new approach to innovation
- develop their mentoring skills to support young people (aged 18-35) in Bangladesh
What will happen during the programme?
The programme focuses on a challenge: “How can we as Bangladeshi diaspora leaders support the young leaders of Bangladesh with information, knowledge and know how to address the country’s development challenges through effective social action towards the Sustainable Development Goals?”
This challenge will provide the framework for the programme. Over three days participants are guided through a process of creativity and innovation, to explore the challenge through every possible angle – visiting organizations and meeting leaders with knowledge of Bangladesh, development challenges and/or diaspora leadership.
Participants work up practical ideas in response to the challenge, which they present to a panel of senior leaders at the end of the programme. They then work on their ideas individually and collectively, building long-lasting connections and developing projects that can be prototyped in the ‘real world’ beyond the programme.
The programme will also include a session on mentoring in preparation for the work with young leaders in Bangladesh.
Following a three day face-to-face programme and a half day online session, the participants will join the Common Purpose alumni community. Then they will be ‘matched’ with young leader mentees in Bangladesh. Through a structured mentoring programme over six months they will work with their mentees to provide support, ideas and expertise to help the young people with their social action projects.
In 2022, the young people will come to the UK to take part in a leadership programme, and the alumni mentors will be invited to join this programme to meet face to face with their mentees. This will be an opportunity to strengthen their mentoring relationship, and build on what they have worked on together over the previous months.
Further information
- Contact Joanna Hancox at Common Purpose to discuss the opportunity further Joanna.hancox@commonpurpose.org
- Click here to view or download the flyer with details of the Bangladeshi Diaspora Leaders Programme
- Click here to visit the programme website
- Click here to apply online by 09.00 on 13th September
- Find out more about the British Council Bangladesh‘s work and activities
What will happen during the programme?
The programme focuses on a challenge: “How can we as Bangladeshi diaspora leaders support the young leaders of Bangladesh with information, knowledge and know how to address the country’s development challenges through effective social action towards the Sustainable Development Goals?”
This challenge will provide the framework for the programme. Over three days participants are guided through a process of creativity and innovation, to explore the challenge through every possible angle – visiting organizations and meeting leaders with knowledge of Bangladesh, development challenges and/or diaspora leadership.
Participants work up practical ideas in response to the challenge, which they present to a panel of senior leaders at the end of the programme. They then work on their ideas individually and collectively, building long-lasting connections and developing projects that can be prototyped in the ‘real world’ beyond the programme.
The programme will also include a session on mentoring in preparation for the work with young leaders in Bangladesh.
Following a three day face-to-face programme and a half day online session, the participants will join the Common Purpose alumni community. Then they will be ‘matched’ with young leader mentees in Bangladesh. Through a structured mentoring programme over six months they will work with their mentees to provide support, ideas and expertise to help the young people with their social action projects.
In 2022, the young people will come to the UK to take part in a leadership programme, and the alumni mentors will be invited to join this programme to meet face to face with their mentees. This will be an opportunity to strengthen their mentoring relationship, and build on what they have worked on together over the previous months.
Further information
- Contact Joanna Hancox at Common Purpose to discuss the opportunity further Joanna.hancox@commonpurpose.org
- Click here to view or download the flyer with details of the Bangladeshi Diaspora Leaders Programme
- Click here to visit the programme website
- Click here to apply online by midnight on 23rd August
- Find out more about the British Council Bangladesh‘s work and activities