SZCC aspires to find new group of Muslim women for innovative program

The search has begun for a new group of exceptional young Muslim women to participate in the Sir Zelman Cowen Centre’s highly regarded Aspire professional development and training program.

The Aspire program will take place from March to September 2018. Applications for this innovative professional development program close on Sunday 25 February.

The first group of participants graduated from the program in December 2017 and were presented with their graduation certificates by academic, author and commentator, Dr Susan Carland.

The program in 2017 was so successful that the Islamic Council of Victoria asked the Centre to run a second program in 2018. We are now seeking applications from high-achieving young women, aged 18 to 24, particularly from newly arrived communities who have leadership/office bearer roles in their community organisations.

Aspire 2.0 is a 7-month professional development program which hones participants’ skills to prepare them for future leadership roles in their communities.

“This project develops the leadership capacity of high-achieving Muslim youth, in line with research suggesting that Muslim youth are the most powerful influencers on their peers”.

– Aspire coordinator Sophie Moore said.

Highlights of the program include a:

• three-day offsite camp-based program, focusing on expanding participant’s governance knowledge and leadership skills
• major project to produce a governance toolkit for their respective community organisations
• mentor who will provide guidance during their governance project and three project touch-points with mentors including an intensive project workshop in the Melbourne CBD to finalise projects.

The 2017 graduates showcased the governance resources they had created at the SZCC’s Faith-based Governance & Dispute Resolution Conference in December.

Aspire is supported by the Islamic Council of Victoria, with funding from the Department of Social Services.

Apply for Aspire

Applications for the Aspire Young Muslim Women's Governance & Leadership program close on Sunday 25 February.