The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada (APF Canada) is accepting applications for its third cohort of the Canada-Asia Young Professionals Fellowship Program (2024-25). This nine-month, non-resident program is for 10-to-15 current students and young professionals aged 22-to-30 with prior knowledge of contemporary Asia and an interest in understanding and advancing Canada’s relationship with the countries and peoples of that region. While part of the fellowship will focus on the Asia Pacific as a whole, participants will also take a deeper look at Southeast Asia and its growing importance to Canada.
Fellows convene twice monthly for 60-minute virtual meetings (with breaks during major holidays). The focus of these meetings is one of the following:
- Overview of key issues and debates related to Canada’s evolving and deepening engagement with Asia; a major point of discussion will be the federal government’s forthcoming Indo-Pacific Strategy.
- Q&A with experts.
- Group discussions.
- Workshops to help fellows sharpen their written and oral communication skills. These workshops will support fellows in publishing one piece of analytical writing as part of the program.
Fellows’ average weekly commitment will be approximately three hours.
The program will begin in mid-September 2024 and conclude in June 2025. In early May, the cohort spends two days at APF Canada’s head office in Vancouver for an in-person retreat and the opportunity to network with other APF Canada staff and stakeholders. Travel costs are covered by APF Canada.
Benefits to Participants
Through this program, fellows will have the opportunity to:
- Examine and discuss the key debates around how Canada should respond to Asia’s growing strategic importance.
- Connect with key thinkers and stakeholders in the Canada-Asia relationship.
- Network with like-minded peers.
- Strengthen communication skills.
- Publish one analytical piece of writing on the Canada-Asia relationship.
Eligibility Criteria
Ideal candidates will meet the following criteria:
- Be aged 22-to-30 at the start of the fellowship (September 18, 2024).
- Hold a degree in political science, international relations, business, economics, Asian Studies, or a related program.
- Have a demonstrated interest – through coursework, professional or volunteer experience, or lived experience – in contemporary Asia and/or the Canada-Asia relationship.
- Be available for twice-monthly virtual meetings (60 minutes each).
- Be available to travel to Vancouver for a two-day concluding event in early May 2025 (travel costs to be covered by APF Canada).
- Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
APF Canada is committed to supporting and amplifying the diversity of young Canadians’ voices that will shape the future of Canada-Asia relations. We invite and encourage young people from all backgrounds (including, but not limited to, racial, ethnic, religious, and socio-economic backgrounds), sexual and gender identities, and abilities to apply. If you require any accommodations during the application process or the Fellowship, please let us know and we will work with you to arrange appropriate accommodations.
How to Apply
To apply, submit the following items to Erin Williams (Ms.) at erin.williams@asiapacific.ca.
- Current CV.
- Official or unofficial transcripts for all post-secondary education.
- A two-page cover letter* addressing the points described below.
- The names, titles, and e-mail addresses of two references, either professional or academic. Please note that according to the referees’ preference, we would also accept a written reference letter. Those letters should be submitted directly to APF Canada and addressed to Erin Williams (Ms.) at erin.williams@asiapacific.ca.
Short-listed candidates for the next intake will be contacted for an interview in early August 2024. Successful applicants will be notified of their acceptance by the third week of August.
*In your cover letter, please address the following:
On Page 1
Introduce yourself and describe what you hope to gain from participating in this program. Provide any information you would like us to know about you that is not included in your other application materials.
On Page 2
Describe a recent or current event in Asia (i.e. 40 years ago to the present day) that you have followed. What about this issue interests you most? In your view, why should Canadians care about it, or how could they relate to it (the connection to Canada can be either direct or indirect)? What 2-3 questions would guide you if you wanted to explore this issue further?
