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Stanford Summer
Fellows on Democracy and Development 2006
The Center for Democracy, Development, and the Rule of Law (CDDRL) at the
Stanford Institute for International Studies, Stanford University,
California is inviting policy makers and activists from countries
undergoing political, economic and social transitions to participate in
its second annual summer fellows programme on democracy, development, and
the rule of law to be held July 31 - August 18, 2006 at Stanford
University on its California campus.
The programme offers a unique approach to studying the ways in which
democratic institutions and institutions that foster economic development
can be established and strengthened in varying country contexts.
In contrast to other programmes of democracy promotion that seek to
transfer ready made models to countries in transition, the Stanford Summer
Fellows on Democracy and Development programme provides a comparative
perspective on the evolution of established democratic practices as well
as a conceptual background into issues of democracy and good governance.
The curriculum draws on the combined expertise of Stanford scholars and
practitioners in the fields of political science, economics, law,
sociology, and business and emphasizes the links between theory and
practice.
While traditional programmes focus either on democratization, economic
development, or the rule of law, the Stanford Summer Fellows on Democracy
and Development programme endeavors to locate the points of interaction
among these areas. Ideas and learning flow two ways. Participants are
exposed to the knowledge of Stanford faculty and, in turn, they bring
their country and professional experiences into the seminars to help
faculty and one another develop case-specific methodologies for addressing
actual problems of democratic and economic development.
In 2005, the programme's inaugural year, 32 policy-makers from 28
countries participated as Fellows. Each week, instructors and fellows
focused on a different theme - democracy, development, and rule of law,
respectively - and studied the policy implications of the interrelations
between the workings of political, economic, and legal institutions in
theory and practice.
Discussions were led by Stanford faculty and scholars at the forefront of
research at the junction of democratic advancement, economic growth, and
issues surrounding the establishment of rule of law and human rights.
Prominent leaders of research and development institutions and social
movements, such as the National Endowment for Democracy, enhanced the
weekly agenda. The daily seminars were complemented with field trips to
local government institutions, NGOs, and business organizations.
Eligibility Criteria
This programme is aimed at early to mid-career policy-makers, academics,
and leaders of civil society organizations (such as representatives of
trade unions, non-governmental organizations, the media, business and
professional associations) who will play important roles in their
country's democratic, economic, and social development.
The Center anticipates recruiting a group of 25-30 individuals dedicated
to democracy and development promotion within their home countries
(particularly in, but not limited to, the regions of the Middle East,
Northern and Sub-Saharan Africa, Central Asia, and other parts of the
former Soviet Union).
Successful applicants will be proficient in spoken and written English and
will have academic and practical credentials necessary to benefit fully
from the course and actively contribute to programmatic discussions. The
ideal course participant will have extraordinary motivation, at least
three to five years of experience in a relevant field of democratic
development, and a keen interest in learning and sharing knowledge and
experiences in transforming their respective countries.
CDDRL hopes that over time the participants in the annual programme will
form the core of a global network of public intellectuals and activists
who are working on issues of democracy, development, and the rule of law.
Stanford will pay travel, accommodation, living expenses, and visa costs
for the duration of the three-week programme for a certain portion of
applicants. Where possible, applicants are encouraged to supply some or
all of their own funding from their current employers, international
non-governmental organizations, etc.
Application procedures
Applicants should complete an application from. In addition, they must
provide at least two but no more than three letters of recommendation from
people who know them in the capacity of a development worker.
The deadline for applications is January 6, 2006
Applications sent by e-mail or fax are due on January 6, 2006. Request for
information may be addressed to Ganka Hadjipetrova, SSFDD Programme
Coordinator, via e-mail at ssfddadmin@stanford.edu or via phone at (650)
736-4277.
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