United States

Click below to apply for the US GCC Leadership program. There are two categories: High school age youth (18 and under) and University age youth (18 and over). We realize that these categories do not always apply perfectly and some  young people may be older or younger depending on their experience. Please apply for the most appropriate category and note this in your application. Please see below for program details.

Annual Leadership Program and Summer Intensive Training (Under 18)

GCC student leaders belong to a year-long leadership program where they network with the peers around the world and organize action projects in their schools and local communities around the issues of food security, climate change, peace and conflict, global health, and education. Leaders are supported by their national and international network of GCC youth, program alumni, GCC staff and Mercy Corps experts to get the resources to take meaningful action.  Learn more about the annual leadership program, the Global Action Calendar and check-out last year’s GCC Leader Orientation Packet. 

High school leaders commit to be actively engaged in their schools and communities throughout the year, attend online trainings and organize actions that link with the GCC action calendar. Leaders will be supported by staff, program alumni and older youth that have experience working in their communities.

Thirty applicants will attend the GCC residential summer training taking place June 25-29. This fun, interactive and engaging, residential four day training will prepare participants to join an international movement of young leaders who are taking an  actions to address critical global issues affecting their communities. Group activities, skilled GCC educators and Mercy Corps experts will propel students to share their own knowledge, while deepening their global understanding. Through interactive workshops, training sessions, video conferencing with GCC leaders around the globe from Iraq to Indonesia, students will develop the skills necessary to work with the media, use the resources available through the Global Citizen Corps website (www.globalcitizencorps.org), navigate Mercy Corp’s cutting-edge social learning network, and design innovative campaigns to inspire their peers. Residential summer training participants will also have the opportunity to briefly tour the beautiful city of Portland.

There is a registration fee of $350 to attend the 2012 GCC Leadership residential summer training.This fee will help offset the cost of lodging, meals, transportation, and training materials you will receive over the course of the week. You will also be responsible for the cost of transportation to and from the residential summer training. There is a small amount of financial aid available for travel scholarships and registration discounts. Scholarships are disbursed on a “needs” basis and areavailable until funds run out.

In order apply for the 2012 Intensive National Training you will need to apply to participate in GCC for the 2012-2013 GCC year. When asked if you want to attend the 2012 summit in the application click yes and follow directions to file an additional application for financial aid if need be.

Regional Internship and Intensive Summer Training (18 and over):

The Global Citizen Corps Regional Interns will be located around the country, organizing youth to make a difference. They will not only provide resources and trainings for youth in the community they will also serve as a gateway to the broader GCC community organizing video conferences nationally and internationally to share youth work and bridge the divide across cultures and communities. They will be responsible for meeting with youth leaders on a regular basis to support their work and document activities, sharing them through social media outlets, Mercy Corps’ website and www.globalcitizencorps.org. For more information on the role and responsibilities of GCC regional interns check out the details here.

Six Regoinal Interns will be selected to attend the intensive summer training to serve as trainers and camp counselors for the attending high school-age youth. Regional interns will need to be available from June 24- July 1. They will arrive a day early on June 24th to receive a day of in-person training and will remain in Portland for a full day after the conclusion of the intensive summer training to debrief and develop their Regional intern plan. These plans will help outline their year of recruitment and leader support.

NOTE: It is imperative to show experience in terms of implementing community service work however, you do not need to be attending college to apply.