STRENGTHENING COMMUNITIES TO DRIVE POSITIVE SOCIAL CHANGE
Education Education transforms communities by
English skills are essential for participat-
creating new economic opportunities,
ing in today’s global marketplace. World
strengthening citizen engagement, and
Learning helps institutions meet this
reducing inequality. World Learning roots
worldwide demand in two ways: through
its approach in the experiential learning
high-quality training for those who wish
model and in the field-tested methods of
to teach English at home or overseas,
our accredited SIT Graduate Institute.
and through professional development
We partner with government agencies,
for English language education profes-
educational institutions, and communities
sionals.
to remove barriers to education and improve educational quality.
World Learning is also a strong advocate for high-quality, basic education.
Our work in higher and vocational
Our work increases children’s access
education empowers universities and
to primary and secondary school to
training institutions to design and deliver
reduce poverty, improve health, prevent
in more than 60 countries. Our mission is to empower people and
relevant, learner-centered programs that
HIV/AIDS, and protect children from
strengthen institutions through education, exchange, and development
help students achieve their maximum
exploitative labor. Our projects mobilize
programs. Together, these programs build the leadership necessary
potential while meeting local demands
communities to support and develop the
for a creative and productive workforce.
skills of teachers, inspectors, curriculum
World Learning is a nonprofit organization advancing leadership
to address critical issues such as poverty, youth participation, educational access and quality, the spread of HIV/AIDS, marginalization
developers, parent groups, and school administrators to produce system-wide educational reform.
of women and children, and government accountability.
To foster individual leadership, we focus
Listening to communities and building
on building self-awareness and humility,
local capacity are critical to developing
and a sincere appreciation for the ideas,
strong institutions and organizations.
cultures, and context of others. World
World Learning draws on 80 years of
Learning programs emphasize that
expertise to help our partners identify
leaders use connection and consensus
specific needs, resources, and challenges
to create lasting positive change, while
that inform the design and implementa-
working to eliminate inequality, discrimi-
tion of custom development activities.
nation, and oppression.
This approach ensures that our partners invest deeply in projects and provide the local leadership required to ensure their long-term success.
Experiential Learning All World Learning training programs use experiential learning principles and techniques, combining rigorous academic standards with hands-on, applied practice. Experiential learning provides participants with relevant tools to analyze and transform their professional practice while engaging in real-world tasks, both in the classroom and on the job. Participants do not simply acquire new skills; they learn new ways of leading meaningful change.
World Learning works with Algeria’s Ministries of National and Higher Education to implement system-wide educational reform.
Performance Improvement Tools
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World Learning’s Participatory Institutional Analysis is a powerful framework used to help organizations identify their strengths and weakness in broad categories such as service delivery, governance, financial management, grant administration, and monitoring and evaluation. We also work extensively with performance improvement professional tools that are carefully adapted for the development context. World Learning is an active member of the International Society for Performance Improvement, a leading international association dedicated to improving productivity and performance in the workplace.
International Exchange Program Participants by Country January 2007 - April 2012 1
761
Visitor Exchange, Youth Exchange
Organizational Capacity Development Strong organizations help communities and societies achieve their goals. World Learning works with nongovernmental organizations, government institutions, schools, universities, and others to strengthen their capacity and performance. World Learning has provided organizational capacity building
Exchange “ IF THIS INTERVENTION HAD BEEN DONE PREVIOUSLY, WE WOULD HAVE SAVED MORE OF OUR FRIENDS.” - Teferi Kassahun
A pioneer in intercultural education, World Learning organizes transformative exchanges and study tours for thousands of emerging leaders from 140 countries annually. These programs develop leadership skills, community-building tools, and professional expertise while immersing participants in other
“ GLOBAL UGRAD HELPED ME REMOVE THE CULTURAL BARRIERS THAT I HAD BEFORE, IT HELPED ME BECOME MORE
cultures and contexts.
OPEN MINDED AND ACCEPTING TO DIFFERENCES THAT PEOPLE
and performance improvement for decades. Today, host coun-
Peer Educator, HIV Prevention
World Learning provides short-term learning experiences
HAVE IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF
tries and donors actively seek programs that prepare local
in Large-Scale Construction
in the United States for individuals seeking professional
THE WORLD.”
Sites in Ethiopia Project
development through links to US and international col-
organizations to lead development initiatives in their own communities, rather than rely on outside assistance.
leagues, new insights, and a broader view of core US values and culture.
While World Learning custom tailors every engagement, Our academic exchanges place international exchange
our basic approach begins with a collaborative analysis, designed and conducted in partnership with the local organi-
Capacity Development
students in US colleges and universities to strengthen
zation. Together, we identify capacity and performance gaps.
their leadership and career-specific skills while exploring
Then we work together to close those gaps, through tools such
US culture through campus activities, internships, community
as technical assistance, mentoring, small grant funding, and
service, and homestays with US host families.
training. Principles of partnership, sustainable impact, and accountability are paramount.
Young people from around the globe learn about leadership, current issues, and peacebuilding on World Learning youth programs. Our programs empower young people to understand their world, develop civic responsibility, build lasting friendships across cultures, and gain the skills and motivation to make a difference in their communities.
- Uyanga Vladimir Global UGRAD Participant, Mongolia
A DVA N C I N G LEADERSHIP FOR 80 YEARS
SELECTED CURRENT AND RECENT PROJECTS INCLUDE:
• Working in the Middle East and North Africa to increase youth involvement in leadership development in Egypt; improve English language education in Libya; and bring
Exchange Programs
World Learning is a nonprofit organization that advances leadership through education, exchange, and development programs in more than 60 countries.
Iraqi students to the US to learn about leadership, civil society development, and advocacy. • Strengthening the ability of NGOs in Jamaica to support populations most-at-risk for HIV/AIDS. • Facilitating the US Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program to bring about 1,000 visitors to the US for observational study tours each year. • Creating school-community partnerships to expand care and support for 40,000 orphans and vulnerable children in Ethiopia. • Addressing healthcare challenges ranging from teen pregnancy to HIV/AIDS awareness in Liberia.
World Learning 1015 15th St, NW Seventh Floor Washington, DC 20005 Phone Fax Email
+202 408-5420 +202 408-5397 development@worldlearning.org
International Development and Exchange Programs are part of a family of World Learning programs: The Experiment in International Living offers challenging summer abroad programs that immerse high school students into other cultures and languages. SIT Study Abroad offers undergraduates semester, summer, and academic year programs in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East, as well as comparative programs in multiple locations. SIT Graduate Institute delivers master’s and professional education in peacebuilding and conflict transformation, international education, sustainable development, and TESOL. Photo credits: Blanka Homolova, Laura Ingalls, Irawan Nugroho, Jeffrey Woodward
www.worldlearning.org
It is the policy of World Learning to provide equal employment and educational opportunities for all persons regardless of age, ethnic origin, gender, nationality, physical or learning ability, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran’s status, or any other legally protected status. World Learning and its circle design, School for International Training, SIT, and The Experiment in International Living and its infinity design are registered trademarks of World Learning Inc. The U.S. Experiment in International Living is a trademark of World Learning Inc. © 2012. All Rights Reserved