The Australian Rural Leadership Program (ARLP) aims to produce a network of informed, capable and ethical leaders who are able to work collaboratively to advance the interests of their industries, communities and rural Australia in general. The program works to improve the capacity of rural leaders to engage wherever a challenge is best addressed and wherever they can contribute most effectively. This may be within communities and industries, in the political arena or in team-based roles.
The ARLP Curriculum is designed to expose developing leaders to learning opportunities in three key areas which are critical to capability and effectiveness in a leader. They are:
- personal effectiveness;
- ethics, values, social responsibility and an appreciation of diversity; and
- thinking, conceptual and analytical skills.
There are no prior education requirements that applicants need to meet to undertake the program. Rather, the ARLP is for men and women already active in leadership roles in rural communities, primary industries, and/or related infrastructure, service, research or support areas who:
- want to help shape the future of remote, rural and regional Australia;
- have the capacity, prospects and commitment to lead at regional, state or national levels;
- are committed to developing and advancing a positive future for remote, rural and regional Australia;
- will attend all sessions of the Program and complete all requirements; and
- will contribute to and draw upon the Foundation’s Network of Fellows.
Selection is competitive. Following the short-listing of applicants based on this application, the Foundation will conduct interviews for short-listed applicants in regional locations during Sep/Oct/Nov, and make selections for Course 18 in December 2010.
Participants must commit to engage with sponsors, industry and community about the lessons gained from participating in the Australian Rural Leadership Program and continue to use these learnings for the advancement of rural and regional Australia. To balance the requirements of leadership experience and long term return on investment. In the past, the Foundation has received around 150 applications and interviewed some 70 applicants for the 35 or so positions on each course.
The Foundation will conduct interviews in Sep/Oct 2010, and make the final selections for Course 18 in December 2010.
