AWIU Passport to the Future Program

The Passport to the Future is a program for young women who are working or planning to work in the field of international relations or related fields and who would benefit by membership, mentorship and association with AWIU. To qualify, you must have an undergraduate degree from an accredited university and be under 32 years of age when applying to the program.

Passport membership is based on the qualifications of the person applying as well as the availability of an appropriate AWIU mentor who can partner with the Passport member for the first year of their membership. The Passport member should be available in the region to work closely with a mentor. The application period is open.

After the committee has reviewed the applications, selected candidates will be contacted for an initial telephone interview with the AWIU director. Those selected will participate in a personal interview with prospective mentors and/or appropriate chairs. Successful candidates will be invited to be an AWIU Passport member for two years from the date of acceptance.  During that time members do not pay AWIU dues but are required to work a number of hours per month by arrangement with a mentor.

In the first year, Passport members select from a menu of projects, listed below, which allows them to become familiar with AWIU by supporting important activities and events. In the second year, Passport members may continue on the initial project, take on new projects, or create a new project, subject to the approval of a mentor and the Executive Board.  These projects may be in an area of interest of the Passport member, but must directly support the mission of AWIU.

To apply for the Passport to the Future Program, please email a letter of interest and your resume to AWIU Director, Pauletta Walsh, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   Before approval as a Passport member you will be required to show proof of the completion of a degree. 

Passport Projects Menu for the First Year

Delegations: Working with the Delegation Chairs in supporting the planning and coordination of the delegation, working to fund a Passport to the Future participant to the delegation. This delegation participant would be responsible for blogging, recording and documenting the delegation.

Current planned delegations to date are:

The Balkans: June 2012  Learn more here

Brazil/Paraguay: September, 2012  Seen Virtual Chapter 2 for details

International Women of Courage: Working under the direction of the IWOC Chair, joining a committee of 2012 IWOC with the purpose of supporting the event and increasing visibility of the IWOC.  Attending and staffing the 2012 IWOC events, creating databases, updating the website and writing features based on IWOC news.

Grants, Fundraising and Operations: Under the direction of the Grants Chair, assist in vetting and researching grantees. Assist in the management of grantees during the period of a visit, surveying and creating a post grant record.

Assistant to the Director: Support the director with all aspects and operations of a non-profit, including grant applications, fundraising and publicity and media strategies. Working with the director in administering the Passport Members Program and University Chapters, as well as writing talking points, letters and speeches for outreach for AWIU.

Membership: Under the direction of the Membership Chair, assist in organizing a database of interested people and organizations for outreach activities.

Technology and Website: Working with the director, updating the Facebook, YouTube and AWIU sites with timely postings of related partnerships and press related to IWOC and AWIU members, managing Google alerts, supervise Passport and University pages, produce video clips in support of AWIU activities.

Event Planning: Work on AWIU outreach events, helping to staff, coordinate and plan chapter, regional, and annual meetings. Involvement with all aspects of AWIU event planning and coordination.