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ICA Youth “LEAD” Program

Important Announcement: Youth Lead program - 2024 Kashmir trip Cancellation

We regret to inform you that Indians for Collective Action (ICA) has canceled this year’s Youth LEAD program.

This decision follows the U.S. State Department’s Level 4, Do Not Travel Advisory for Jammu and Kashmir (detailed below).

The decision to cancel the program was made reluctantly, prioritizing the safety and well-being of our participants, which is of utmost importance to ICA. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

We will resume the Youth LEAD program next year and will share more information with you in early 2025. We look forward to having you join us then.

U.S. State Department Travel Advisory

Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir – Level 4: Do Not Travel

Terrorist attacks and violent civil unrest are possible in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Avoid all travel to this state (with the exception of visits to the eastern Ladakh region and its capital, Leh). Sporadic violence occurs, particularly along the Line of Control (LOC) separating India and Pakistan, as well as in tourist destinations in the Kashmir Valley: Srinagar, Gulmarg, and Pahalgam.

Stay safe. For more information, please contact Manju Mishra at [email protected]

Youth “LEAD” Program Through ICA (Indians for Collective Action)

Each year the program will help youth experience work and life in an NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) in India for a 2-3 week period. The program will be chaperoned by adults familiar with ICA. ICA will continue to modify and adjust the number of students and participating NGOs as we build on the program. We will share details of expectations of students as well as benefits to students.

The program will be designed and planned to align NGOs and students based on interests, expectations,
and other criteria. The process will involve:

Meetings to understand about the program, ICA and mutual interests
Application process through the ICA website
Fundraising
Getting the necessary insurances and medical information in order
Getting the international ticket and other needed items like vaccines and visas

The plan is to do a 2-3 week (inclusive of travel) program, with a few days of travel through India and minimal sightseeing. The majority of the time will be spent in the NGO working with, helping at and learning from the students and staff at the NGO. There will be a well outlined daily agenda with enough time to think through the day, for introspection and to interact with the locals.