Launched in 2001 by the International Youth Foundation, YouthActionNet strengthens, supports and celebrates the role of young people in leading positive change in their communities. Each year, 20 exceptional young social entrepreneurs are selected as YouthActionNet Global Fellows following a competitive application process. The year-long Fellowship program includes:

Skill-building:

• A seven-day leadership retreat for twenty selected Fellows which offers dynamic peer-to-peer learning, collaboration, and sharing among young visionaries
• Focus on the personal growth and leadership abilities of Fellows, in addition to providing instruction in specific skills required to manage innovative, world-changing organizations
• Year-round learning opportunities based on Fellows' individual needs and the six dimensions of leadership highlighted in the YouthActionNet® Global Curriculum: Personal, Visionary, Political, Collaborative, Organizational and Societal.

Networking and Resources:

• Access to potential resources to support Fellows and their projects, including volunteers, mentors, and grant opportunities
• Opportunities to network and collaborate with IYF projects and partners
• Membership in the YouthActionNet® global network of fellows and alumni 

Advocacy:

• Training in areas such as communications planning, media outreach, message development, presentation skills and innovative uses of new media technologies
• Access to global advocacy platforms and media coverage

Eligibility:

• Open to all young people, ages 18-29 as of October 1, 2013
• Applicants must be the acting founder/co-founder of an existing organization, or a project within an organization, with a demonstrated one year track record of leading societal change
• Proficiency in English is required; applications must be submitted in English
• Applicants must attend the full retreat (all expenses paid) to take place in early October 2013 

Key Dates:

March 17: Applications for the 2013 Fellowship program are due by March 17, 2013 at 11:59 PM EST

May 22: Finalists will be notified by May 22, 2013.

October 2013: The 2013 retreat will take place within in early October in Brazil.

While online submissions are strongly preferred, applicants may email completed

Obama and the republicans are showing signs of willingness to talk on the issue of immigration reform. Some in congress are talking about finally doing something about the problems we have in the immigration system. This sudden push to get things done may have some slight connection to the GOP having lost the Hispanic vote in the last election. While both democratic and many republican lawmakers have come behind this move to change these policies, the right wing is still against it. Texas Rep. Lamar Smith says he won't support any form of amnesty. Speaker Boehner is not committing one way or another.

There are many proposed changes that probably will not be passed and new items may be proposed. Some of the main points are: allowing a pathway to citizenship if one admits to breaking the law and pays all taxes and some penalties, cracking down on companies that hire illegal immigrants, Strengthening border security, and creating a new way to register if someone is allowed to work. They also want to add visa/green card programs for people with advanced science and tech degrees and farm workers.                                                                                                                                                                  

There is also a change that has been enacted that applies to people who were 16 or under when they came here and who are now 30 or under to help get them jobs. However, it gives no citizenship or immunity and could be revoked by future presidents. There are an estimated 11.5 million undocumented workers in the US. Of the 391,953 people deported during fiscal year 2011 203,953 of them had not committed any crime what so ever.                                                                                                                                        

President Obama's plan aims to provide a more direct path to citizenship than the Senate's version of the reform. He also wants to extend the green card marriage right to same-sex couples. He refuses to tie a path to citizenship and border security. Senator Rubio of Florida says that he won't support a bill without border security and punishments for those who break the law.                                                           

Another bill with popular support is the dream act. This bill would allow some people who came to the country when they were 15 or under and have graduated high school or gotten a GED, to apply for citizenship on the condition that they must first complete two years of college or two years in the military. However, you have only six years to complete this and if you fail you will be disqualified. In addition, you can only spend 365 days outside of the United States.