Global Voices is an independent, not-for-profit organisation. Each year they provide scholarships for young Australians to travel overseas, meet world leaders, and engage with international policy making at home and abroad.

A Global Voices delegation will challenge and inspire you. Delegates will get an insider’s look into policy making, and have the chance to express their opinions and offer solutions to global challenges.

This term, Global Voices and CQUniversity are offering two fully-funded scholarships to attend:

UNFCCC Climate Talks in June 2021
Un Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in New York, USA, from 22 – 26 March 2021.

Applications close Midnight (AEDT) Sunday 23 August 2020. To be eligible, you must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident aged between 18 to 30.

If you are passionate, driven and want to make a difference in the world, don’t miss your chance to apply! Here are our top tips for a world-class Global Voices application…

#1 Do your research

Each scholarship has it’s own web page with all of the information you need. Here are the pages:

On each page you will find the details for the delegation and the Application Instruction Pack. Do your research and decide which delegation is right for you. Then get serious about drafting a well-informed application.

#2 Put your own stamp on the personal statement

The application includes a personal statement of no more than 500 words. Tell us your unique story, share your aspirations and provide an outline of why you are applying, what you hope to gain from participating, and how you plan on using and/or sharing the skills and knowledge that you develop to benefit your community.

Dare to be different – showcase what makes you unique and sets you apart from fellow applicants. If you are having trouble selling yourself, ask a parent, teacher or friend how they’d describe you and your potential. Let your application say something about who you are, and why you feel passionate about your research proposal.

Compile your personal statement in a Word document so it’s ready to copy and paste into the online application. Use headings to help make reading easier.

#3 Choose a Research Area that you feel passionate about

Global Voices provide priority research areas to choose from. For example – Global Shortages of and Universal Access to Medicines. Your proposal must address one of the research areas outlined in the Application Instruction Pack.

Choose a research area that you feel passionate about and write a proposal that demonstrates imagination and cutting-edge research. Global Voices also provide prompts and questions for each research area to help inspire you.

If you are selected to attend a delegation, you will produce a final policy paper of approximately 2,500 words based on this proposal. Some Global Voices alumni have gone on to have their papers published online. You will also be supported to submit altered versions of your research to media organisations and think tanks for further publication, most often in the form of editorial or feature articles.

#4 Structure your research proposal

The research proposal should outline the focus of your intended policy paper, within the 500 word limit. Your proposal must include:

Context and background, including a top-line review of the existing research and commentary.
Your research aims.
Your proposed recommendations.

#5 Write SMART recommendations

The Proposed Recommendations for your Research Proposal should provide specific, realistic, and achievable policy recommendations. You should aim to write these using SMART criteria – Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time bound.

Recommendations should also outline the mechanism responsible for implementing, funding, and evaluating the success of your policy recommendation. It is not always the same organization who does all three of these. For example, many Federal Departments provide funding to the ABS to conduct research into a specific area, which is then used and evaluated by another organisation. These must relate specifically to Australia, but should also consider the global implications of their implementation.

#6 Keep to the word count

No more than 500 words for the personal statement and no more than 500 words for the research proposal. It would be a shame to waste a quality submission by not sticking to this simple rule. It makes for great practice as you’ll need to stick to word counts in your assignments throughout your degree.

#7 Find yourself a proof reader

We all have a friend or family member who missed their calling as an editor. Have someone proof read your entire submission – correct grammar and spelling can make the world of difference!

#8 Submit before the deadline

Applications close Sunday, 23 August at midnight AEST. Make sure you allow yourself plenty of time to complete the online application, including your personal details, word and education history and statistical information.

Applications for each delegation can be found on the following web pages:

Global Voices is a unique and rewarding experience. To find out more about Global Voices delegations, check out these blogs from our past delegates:

Global Voices Response to COVID-19

Global Voices is committed to providing a safe development experience for all Scholars. The Semester 2, 2020 program will be delivered as per normal, keeping in line with State and Federal Government COVID-19 mandates as necessary. The safety, health and wellbeing of the young people who participate in the program is the priority.

Should CSW65 or UNFCCC Climate Talks be cancelled, Global Voices will seek to provide an international component within a 12-month period of when the original forum would have taken place. This flexibility will allow Global Voices to look at other meaningful opportunities available to the Scholars that meet health and safety requirements (whether the experience be in person or online).

Mae Swarbrick (https://cqunilife.com)

Mae Swarbrick is a current student, studying part-time in the Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Arts, and working full-time as Student Communications Officer. Mae's ongoing experience as a current student is invaluable in her role as leader of the Student Communications team. Combine this with practical experience in the call centre, Admissions and Student Communications teams, and she’s ready to share some first-rate uni hacks for new students. Follow Mae on #How2Uni.