The SVRI Forum Young Professionals Programme (previously, Abstract Mentoring Programme) is an exciting initiative which provides the opportunity for young professionals from low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), to expand their knowledge and skills-base, and to network and engage with experts in a vibrant global space.
The SVRI introduced its first Abstract Mentoring Programme at the SVRI Forum 2011 in Cape Town, South Africa, where four young professionals were mentored by experienced researchers to confidently and successfully deliver their presentations at the Forum. In 2017, the SVRI supported six young professionals to attend the SVRI Forum in Brazil, expanding the programme to include Spanish and Portuguese speaking mentors and mentees.
The success of this mentoring model paved the way for the SVRI Forum Young Professionals Programme, which not only provides the opportunity for Young Professionals to present at an international event and to receive guidance on their presentations in the run up to the Forum this year, but also to participate in networking events to learn from experienced professionals at the conference.
The goal of the Young Professionals Programme is to support, nurture and guide Young Professionals who have had an abstract accepted for presentation at the SVRI Forum 2019 in the process of developing their presentations for the conference. Mentors are experienced professionals who will support young professionals to confidently deliver their presentations through a two-month process of developing and refining their presentation and to receive guidance on public speaking where necessary. Mentoring happens online via email and where mentors and young professionals agree, Skype or any other type video/voice calling may be used.
The SVRI Forum will provide spaces for Young Professionals to network and learn from experienced professionals at the conference. These spaces will encourage young professionals to exchange ideas, learn from each other and from others working in the field. More information on the networking events will be made available closer to the conference and may include a meet and greet at the welcoming event and a post-conference discussion.
How do I apply?
Kindly fill out the following online submission by 25th March 2019. Submissions must be made online. The online submission will require you to either upload and / or provide the following information:
Why you should be considered for the Young Professionals Programme. Please give a short description of how attendance at the conference could build your networks; advance your career; and advance your knowledge or research in the area of violence against women, violence against children and other forms of violence driven by gender inequalities.
What will you do at the Forum to achieve the above?
A bursary may cover all or some of the following:
Kindly complete the online application by 25th March 2019 11:59pm SAST. For any queries kindly contact us at svri.forums@mrc.ac.za.
Please note all applications must be made online. Applications via email will not be accepted.