The Young Political Leader Summer Internship Live Online

Live Online • Ages 15-18 • Timezone: GMT+0

31st July - 4th August 2021

Starts at 11.00am

Internship Overview

The Young Political Leader Summer Internship Live Online gives students aged 15-18 a 360-degree work experience in International Politics, from the comfort of their own home. Over the course of 5 days, you will be working with key figures from the world of Politics - including representatives of the UN, the House of Commons, the Foreign Office and high-profile NGOs - ‘Live Online’ via our interactive platform.

Throughout the Internship, you will follow a rapidly-escalating international conflict simulation which will culminate in you representing a country at a ‘Model UN’ Security Council meeting and then conducting peace talks. Our experts will coach you on the key aspects of diplomacy and conflict-resolution; your task will be to deliver the best possible outcome for your country by advising your country's leader, negotiating with other countries, and representing your nation at the UN. You will also become an MP, asking ministers tough questions at Parliamentary Question time and debating a new bill in the House of Commons.

You will also have the opportunity to network with our Politics experts and ask them all your burning questions, just as you would in-person.

Join us for a truly unique experience that will serve as an outstanding differentiator on your university and job applications and set you up for a successful future in Politics.

Internship Highlights

Immersive Political Experiences:

Represent a country in a rapidly-escalating international conflict
Compose and present a speech to persuade your government to follow your proposed strategy
Develop strategies that provide for both domestic security and international development
Represent your national government at a UN Security Council meeting
Hold the Government to account at Parliamentary Question time
Debate a new Electoral Reform Bill in a virtual House of Commons
Public speaking coaching by a speech-writer for Cabinet Ministers

Senior Figures from International Politics:

Be coached through these immersive experiences by people with experience working at the UN, the Foreign Office, the Department for International Development, high-profile NGOs and more
Private virtual networking/panel Q&A sessions with these professionals, who can become vital connections for your future career

Comprehensive Career Coaching:

Training on how you can get one of the most desirable jobs in politics, starting now: A-level/IB, university and degree choices; extra-curricular activities; work experience; application and interview techniques
Experience real-life recruitment methods used by the political institutions and NGOs
Personalised development plan: create a personalised development plan based on the advice you are given, which identifies your strengths and weaknesses and shows you which areas you need to develop further

Competitive Advantage In Your University Applications:

Attending the Internship demonstrates that you’ve gained key skills such as teamwork, attention-to-detail, public speaking and problem-solving, which are highly-valued by top universities
Complete the online assessment after the programme and receive a personalised certificate to include in your UCAS/College applications

Programme Fee, Format & Options

The programme involves a mixture of interactive simulations, exercises and Q&A sessions delivered via our state-of-the-art, interactive online platform. The internship is delivered LIVE by experienced professionals.

Internship Fee:

£595/student. Places are limited. If 2 or more places are booked students receive a 10% discount. Enter code GROUP10 at checkout to benefit from this.

For a full list of terms and conditions, please click here.

Timetable

DAY 1: INTERNATIONAL CRISIS – FOREIGN POLICY AND DIPLOMACY

DAY 2: CRISIS RESPONSE – INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT & BILATERAL AID

DAY 3: CONFLICT RESOLUTION – UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL

DAY 4: NATIONAL POLITICS

DAY 5: PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT DAY

11.00amGlobal Politics and Diplomacy

- Diplomacy on the international stage
- Resolving international conflicts
- International alliances, power blocs, and alignments

11.30amInternational Conflict Breaks Out

- A rapidly-escalating international conflict has broken out!
- International stability, economic cooperation, trade supply lines, long-standing alliances and thousands of lives are at stake
- You and your teammates will represent a country for the next three days. Your task is to deliver the best possible outcome for your country in this ongoing crisis

12.00pmNational Security

- Develop a plan to defend your national interests and security
- Strategise your next moves: do you rely on allies, escalate tensions, or act as peacemaker?
- Identify where you stand among global power blocs

1.00pmLunch Break

1.45pmBilateral Diplomacy

- Use your political influence to negotiate with other countries
- Balance national security vs. international peace
- Interact with foreign affairs representatives and other players on the world stage
- Build a case for action, without damaging your national interests

2.45pmUN General Assembly: Make Your Case

- Work as an advisor to your Foreign Affairs Minister
- Prepare and present a speech outlining your country's planned course of action
- Put your persuasion and communication skills to the test in a speech at a Model UN General Assembly

4.00pmClose

*exact programme subject to change without notice

11.00amThe World of International Development

- Follow yesterday’s conflict scenario as it continues to develop, this time from the perspective of International Development organisations
- Discover career options in International Development
- Debate the core issues
- Consider the role of bilateral aid, NGOs and charities in responding to conflicts
- Explore what makes a successful development intervention

11.30amCrisis Response: Bilateral Aid

- As the conflict escalates, you must consider not only your national priorities, but the impact on the global community. As a country team, you must develop your international development strategy
- How has this crisis affected your spending priorities? How can your aid budget have the greatest impact in helping those affected? Is there any tension with your country’s political goals?
- Explore ethical questions in International Development
- Balance your priorities and present your national aid budget

1.00pmLunch Break

2.00pmCareer Coaching

- How to break into careers in international politics
- Coaching on choosing the right university, A-levels and degree subject, and how to get the right work experience
- Q&A panel and networking session with the political professionals you've met on the Internship

4.00pmClose

*exact programme subject to change without notice

11.00amCrisis Resolution: Negotiation Tactics

- How do international actors resolve dangerous conflicts?
- Factors that promote or impede peace
- Seeking peace: the techniques used when bringing an end to international suffering
- Tactics used by diplomats use to defuse tensions and build constructive relationships
- Role-play exercises on diplomatic negotiation in conflict scenarios

1.00pmLunch Break

1.45pmUN Security Council Session: Peace Agreement

- Conflict has reached breaking point and the UN must act!
- Represent members of the UN Security Council and work towards a collective resolution to the crisis
- Protect your national interests on the international stage
- NGOs transform into UN Agencies, presenting evidence and compelling arguments as to how peace can be achieved
- Produce a plan for action: can the UNSC collectively pursue peace?
- Defuse tensions, put your international alliances to the test, and pursue cooperation
- Resolve the conflict scenario and vote on your negotiated resolution

4.00pmWrap-up and Reflection

- Consolidate learning from the past three days
- Evaluate the strategies used to resolve the international crisis
- Ask any remaining questions

4.30pmClose

*exact programme subject to change without notice

11.00amThe World of National Politics

- The key players
- The balance of power
- The pressure and expectations

11.15amYou Become the MP

- Represent your constituency in Parliament
- Live election: run and vote for the day's 'Speaker of the House' and Secretary of State positions
- Coaching on how to excel during Parliamentary Question Time

11.45amParliamentary Question Time

- A live simulation of Parliamentary Question Time
- Ask the minister pressing questions on behalf of your constituency
- Hold the Government to account
- Balance the competing views of your party, your constituency and yourself

12.45pmThe Public Speaker

- Public speaking coaching by a speech writer for Cabinet ministers
- Understanding your audience
- The perfect delivery
- Clarity of message
- Using these techniques for the afternoon Parliamentary Debate

1.15pmLunch Break

2.15pmEnter the Cabinet

- Step into the shoes of a Cabinet Minister in a hung parliament
- Battle with the Cabinet to pass a new electoral reform bill through Parliament
- Propose amendments to the bill that align with your party's values
- Whip votes from across the Cabinet to gain support for your amendment
- Vote on amendments to pass the bill

3.30pmThe Parliamentary Debate

- Debate the new Electoral Reform Bill with former MPs in a House of Commons simulation
- Explore gripping issues in domestic politics
- Participate in a live parliamentary vote

4.00pmClose

*exact programme subject to change without notice

11.00amApplying for Top Political Jobs

- CVs, cover letters and application forms for top political institutions and NGOs
- Ensuring you have both the style and substance to make it to the interview stage

12.00pmInterviews

- Coaching on how to excel at the interview stage
- Preparation; style; body language; understanding what you are really being asked; answering difficult questions and more
- Interactive interview exercises for you to participate in

1.00pmLunch Break

2.00pmAssessment Centres

- How to impress during assessment centres
- Experience mock assessment centre activities used by programmes like the Civil Service Fast Stream and receive feedback on your performance

3.00pmWork Experience and Networking

- Learn how to approach different professionals in the world of Politics and NGOs and how to market yourself
- Coaching on how to get the work experience that political institutions and NGOs are looking for – find out how you can get involved locally and build on that experience over your early career
- How to make the most of work experience once you get it – impressing employers and using this as a gold star on your CV

4.00pmClose

*In advance of the Internship you will be asked to create a CV and cover letter for a job as a political leader. You will also do some personal reflection on your achievements and ambitions. You will then edit this throughout the day based on the advice you are given, to create your own personal development plan – highlighting your strengths and areas for improvement.

Venue & Dates

Live Online

31st July - 4th August 2021

Live Online:

31st July - 4th August 2021

You can attend this programme via our state-of-the-art, interactive online platform from anywhere in the world. All the content will be delivered in a live, interactive manner and you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions of our experienced professionals. All you need is an internet connection; we will send you full details of how to access the programme well in advance.

Who Can Attend

The Internship is for students aged 15-18 who have the passion and ambition to both learn about this career and start boosting their university/college applications & CVs. If you are a student who is slightly older or younger than our guidelines, then please do get in touch with us to discuss your specific situation.

You can secure your place simply by clicking “Register Now”.

There is no application process. We operate on a first-come first-served basis and programme places are highly limited. We expect to be fully-booked for our Autumn Internships several months in advance so advise you to register as soon as possible.

No prior knowledge or experience is required to join this programme as we build your knowledge from the basics up to more advanced concepts.

COVID-19

This programme will be delivered ‘Live Online’, so is not affected at all by any Covid-19 restrictions.

Testimonials

We exist to give students a life-changing experience. We are proud to report that we have an overall rating of 4.8 out of 5 on Google Reviews. Our Google reviews can be read in full here, and some highlights are below.

Support

If you are trying to register and the registration box is not appearing it is likely because of firewall restrictions on your desktop device. You may wish to try on your mobile device instead. Alternatively, please email info@investin.org with details of the programme you want to register for. We will reserve your place immediately and send you a link to pay by card online.

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