"Prison—far from breaking our spirits—made us more determined to continue with this battle until victory was won." -Nelson Mandela
Incarceration Nations Network announces the 2024 Global Freedom Fellowship for formerly incarcerated leaders from around the world: a program grounded in the border-crossing connection between social change, visionary leadership and legacies of incarceration. The fellowship will nurture changemakers, build transnational solidarity, foster a shared sense of struggle and success, combat stigma against people who have been in prison, promote border-crossing healing and, ultimately, instigate innovative justice work worldwide.
The Freedom Fellowship is housed at INN’s hub in Cape Town, South Africa, a place whose history was forged on movement-organizing behind bars. From Mandela’s long walk to freedom to Robert Sobukwe’s journey through solitary confinement, prisons of South Africa have been the unofficial universities of the civil rights struggle, where the genius of a nation’s legacy was honed and nurtured. The Global Freedom Fellowship, the first of its kind, thus leverages South Africa’s legacy as a global justice pioneer to impact and champion justice-involved leaders from across the world.
Fellows will spend 13 days together in Cape Town and Johannesburg, visiting iconic South African justice landmarks such as Robben Island and Soweto, and spending time with currently and formerly incarcerated communities. They will collaborate with the Ubuntu Learning Community, a Prison-to-College Pipeline-South Africa initiative and the country’s first in-person prison-university partnership. They will share about their justice work and visit the workplaces of South African Fellows.
The Fellowship' full curriculum was shaped by the 2023 inaugural cohort of the GFF, led by Project Leader Mthetheleli Ngxeke and INN Executive Director Dr. Baz. Critical themes of our work together include: nurturing leadership in a trauma-informed fashion; fostering transnational solidarity; combating stigma against people who have been in prison; impacting innovative justice worldwide via collaboration and shared learning; developing effective advocacy, strategic litigation and movement-building strategies; gender dynamics and leadership; legacies of structural inequality and racism; maintaining inspiration and self-care—and embracing joy—while working in emotionally charged, high-pressure environments that can trigger trauma and deplete energy.
Throughout the two weeks, Freedom Fellows will build and heal together, share learnings and narratives, engage in radical acts of joy, and be both inspired and hailed as leaders whose genius bends the global arc toward justice. They will join INN’s growing global family of directly impacted leaders who are experienced experts and paving the way toward a better world.
APPLYING FOR THE FELLOWSHIP
Who should apply for the Fellowship?
Inspired, inspiring men and women who are formerly incarcerated and currently paid or volunteer employees of nonprofit organizations with a focus on justice/prison reform or abolition, or community development work (this includes education and social work). They may also work for a government entity with a justice/prison/community development focus.
Do I need to be affiliated with an institution or organization to apply?
Yes. And your organization should support your taking paid leave for two weeks to attend the Fellowship in South Africa. A letter of support from them is required. If you are an independent organizer with a legacy of work, you are also eligible.
How many applicants will be accepted into the Fellowship, and from which countries?
Up to 15 Freedom Fellows will be selected, three from South Africa and approximately three from each of the following regions: The USA, Europe/UK, Latin America & the Caribbean, Africa (excluding South Africa). Leaders from the following countries will take priority in applying: Brazil, the UK, Portugal, Norway, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, the US, South Africa, Ghana, and Kenya. Other applicants will be considered from: Colombia, Mexico, El Salvador, Argentina, Canada, Chile, Italy, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Jamaica, Belgium, Trinidad. At least four selected leaders will be women.
What if I do not speak English?
Justice work transcends language barriers. On-site interpreters will be available during not all but all key activities of the Fellowship. Throughout the Fellowship, emphasis is also placed on communication that transcends language: music, visuals, meditations.
What are the key dates for the application process?
June 15: Applications open. September 4: Applications Due. October 1-15: Virtual interviews. October 31: Applicants notified.
How do I apply for the fellowship?
The following materials are required; please submit in English (those for whom English is a second language can submit in both languages if they choose):
- A cover sheet stating your name, country of residence, address, email, phone number, organization supporting your application
- A statement of interest (600-1000 words) answering the following: A. Explain the what, how and why of your work in your community. What do you do? How do you do it, and how does your personal history make you specially suited to do it? Why do you do this work? B. What is your vision of the Global Freedom Fellowship? What should it look like and why is it needed?
- A letter of support from the head of the organization you are affiliated with. If you are the head of the organization or you are applying as an independent organizer with a legacy of work, submit a letter of support from a colleague or mentor who knows your work well.
- A CV or resume
Is the Fellowship looking for leaders with a specific approach or strategy?
No. We are looking for leaders who are passionate, visionary lovers of justice, rife with experience yet radically open minded, deeply committed to building a better world. They can be at the start of their leadership career or seasoned in it.
What if I applied last year and was not selected. Can I reapply?
Absolutely. You can update your application by sending any additional/edited materials to the address below, or you can simply re-activate your application from the last cycle by emailing us with the request to reactivate it.
Who will make admissions selections?
A team of leaders with lived experience of the justice system in South Africa will serve as the admissions committee. They will be helmed by GFF Project Leader Mthetheleli Ngxeke.
Will I receive feedback on my application?
Unfortunately, due to the volume of applications expected, we will not be able to provide feedback on each one. As this will be an annual Fellowship, however, we encourage applicants who are not accepted in a given year to reapply in years following.
Do I need a Visa to travel to South Africa? Are there any other international travel concerns I should have?
All travelers to South Africa are required to have a passport issued by their home countries; Fellows will be responsible for obtaining these on their own. Travelers from some countries do require a Tourist Visa for travel to South Africa. INN can assist with the process and cover required fees but cannot guarantee the issuance of a Visa; to that end, all acceptances to the Global Freedom Fellowship are pending Visa approval, over which INN has no control.
Where do I submit my application materials?
Email them to Helene@inationsnetwork.com
FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM DETAILS
What are the key dates for the 2024 Global Freedom Fellowship?
January 30 & February 20, 2024: Introductory Online Meetings; March 13-26: Fellowship Dates; April 24: Follow-up Online Meeting I; July 3: Follow-up Online Meeting II.
What costs does the Global Freedom Fellowship cover?
Flights to and from South Africa, accommodations in South Africa, meals and transportation in South Africa, Visa costs required for travel (if applicable), travel medical insurance while in South Africa. Any travel itinerary changes due to unforeseen circumstances (including flight cancellations, immigration complications and/or Covid-19 disruptions) will not be covered by the GFF.
What is the required time commitment as a Fellow?
Two weeks of the Freedom Fellowship, plus four (4) 90-minute virtual meetings before and after the Fellowship dates.
Note that our time in South Africa is an extremely packed schedule, full of powerful activities. Be prepared to feel jetlagged and sometimes exhausted–even as you will be energized and fully renewed by the experience.