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Frequently Asked Questions

What is FiL?
What does FiL do?
Is FiL a leadership programme?
Why leadership?
Who is FiL for?
Who supports FiL financially?
Who is behind FiL?
Why leadership?
What's on the FiL residential curriculum?
Who will be delivering the FiL curriculum?
When are Modules 1, 2 and 3 going to be?
What if I can't make a Module?
How do I apply?
What will the programme cost?
Will I have to pay for my accommodation, food and travel expenses?
Will I need a Police check?
What do you mean by 'emerging leaders'?
What do you mean by 'lay or clergy'?

What is FiL?

FiL is an educational programme that recognises the importance of religious leadership in today's world. It is a training and development resource that works with all different faith communities.

FiL is a partnership of acknowledged thinkers, practitioners and other professionals from both secular and faith based backgrounds.

What does FiL do?

FiL provides a unique educational experience that develops the leadership qualities, aptitudes and skills of its participants. While FiL programmes are specifically intended for people of faith, the contents of much of its programme are suitable for the development of effective leadership everywhere.

Is FiL a leadership programme?

FiL is a leadership programme. It is intended for people of all major faiths. Every effort will be made to create a space where the dietary, religious and reasonable cultural needs of all participants are respected. Above all, FiL will create a training environment where participants are able to discuss faith-based perspectives and concerns, should they wish to do so.

Why leadership?

Because it's needed... and we're passionate about it!

Faith leaders can, and do, change the world in which they live for the better. People of faith and their leaders play a vital role in challenging behaviours, comforting and leading themselves and others in a constantly evolving world.

That's why it makes sense to 'talent spot' within faith communities, in a similar way to progressive organisations all over the world. FiL believes that it is in society's interest to identify and develop the leadership qualities of emerging faith-based leaders with a programme designed to develop their understanding of their own role, potential and interdependence.

Who is FiL for?

FiL is for emerging leaders in their mid twenties and thirties from the different faith traditions in Britain.

Who supports FiL financially?

Our funds come from the donations and grants from various individuals, organisations and foundations both within and outside of the major faiths.

Who is behind FiL?

FiL benefits from the input and inspiration of its patrons who represent the leadership of some of Britain's major faith communities.

Its programmes are specially prepared by Learn to Lead (L2L), an independent training organisation, that runs respected leadership and change-management programmes for well-known companies around the world along with a number of recognised leadership and mentoring programmes for young people in clubs, schools, colleges and universities.

What's on the FiL residential curriculum?

During the residential aspect of the course, the FiL curriculum covers the following inter-related subject areas:

Group Dynamics
Personal Leadership
Leadership Coaching
Public Relations and the Media

The programme is highly experiential with a focus on leadership 'from the inside out', i.e. enabling participants to discover what their tendencies are like in groups situations and in leadership roles.

Who will be delivering the FiL curriculum?

Module 1 will be delivered by world-class consultants and other professionals within the fields of human relations, psychology, business and the arts.

Module 2 will run in partnership with leading youth workers and educational staff.

Module 3 will be delivered by authorities in the fields of leadership and management, faith based diplomacy and civic action, governance and community cohesion.

When are Modules 1, 2 and 3 going to be?

The provisional dates of this year's programme are as follows:

Module 1: 9th, 10th & 11th July 2012
Module 2: 2 days, September 2012 (optional) (timings to be given)
Module 3: 1 day, September 2012 (timings to be given)

The venues will be at the following places:

Module 1: Liverpool (venue will be given upon selection)
Module 2: Sheffield (venue will be given upon selection)
Module 3: City of London (venue will be given upon selection)

What if I can't make a Module?

Participants will be selected on the understanding that they are able to commit to attending at least Modules 1 and 3 of the programme.

Module 2 is optional.

How do I apply?

Given the degree of investment in terms of time and energy involved, we need to ensure that the right people attend FiL programmes. Accordingly, there are three phases to FiL's application process:

Phase 1

Complete the application form (details available here) by deadline.

Phases 2 & 3

If your phase 1 application meets our criteria you will be notified and asked to attend an interview plus an informal discussion event at one of the following cities:

London
Sheffield

For information about How to Apply click here

What will the programme cost?

As a result of fundraising efforts, we seek to ensure that no genuinely suitable candidate is deterred from participating in FiL because of a lack of funds. Therefore, full and partial bursaries are available upon request for places on the FiL programme.

All participants should know however that the estimated fee for a place on FiL is in excess of £3500 in commercial terms. Participants who are able to pay this fee are encouraged to do so.

Will I have to pay for my accommodation, food and travel expenses?

FiL will pay for the accommodation and catering costs of all residential programmes whenever it has the funds to do so.

This will mean that as Module 1 is a residential programme, FiL will attempt to cover the costs of your accommodation including meals and board.

As Modules 2 and 3 are non-residential, FiL will not cover the costs of any overnight accommodation.

FiL does not cover transportation costs and participants will need to fund the costs of their travel to and from the different venues, which will be in Liverpool in Module 1, Sheffield in Module 2 (optional) and London in Module 3.

Will I need a Police check?

Because Module 2 (optional) will involve working with under-18 year olds, it is necessary for all those who will take part in this module to have completed a full police check first.

FiL will explain this requirement prior to the start of Module 2.

What do you mean by 'emerging leaders'?

We define emerging leaders as young people of faith who have demonstrated a commitment to bringing about some kind of change in their communities or beyond. We are looking for people with a desire to serve as lay or clerical members of their faith communities as well as people who wish to play a part in improving the way society works as a result of their religious convictions.

What do you mean by 'lay or clergy'?

FiL is a programme for committed people who intend to play a part in changing the way society works based on their religious convictions. In the case of some faith communities, this will be as lay or clerical personnel, ie as formal or informal religious figures. In other contexts this will be as friends, colleagues or as followers of a particular faith.