What is the Ambassadors Program?

The Ambassadors Program will train a select group of students from diverse backgrounds about tolerance, justice and human rights. Using the ideas they learn in the sessions, participants will then educate others on campus and in their community by planning programs about the ideas they have learned. To conclude the program, each cohort of Ambassadors will travel to Los Angeles to visit the Simon Wiesenthal Center Museum of Tolerance.

Who Should Apply?

• College or university student
• Interested in learning about different issues with people from various backgrounds and ethnicities and then teaching what they have learned to other people

Education/Training

Ambassadors participate in seminars throughout the year about a variety of different topics. These seminars allows the Ambassadors the opportunity to learn about new topics, learn more about each other, and provide a chance for them to present their work while receiving and providing feedback on their colleagues' work.

These seminars will be held in the new Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center Resource and Leadership Training Centre, which includes a library, classroom, and exhibit area and cutting edge materials and quality.

Ambassadors learn together on topics such as modern day heroes, the Holocaust, hate on the internet, community outreach and justice, world religions, and genocides in the 20th century. These seminars are led by facilitators who are experts in their field and the seminars are interactive in their methodology.

Community Outreach

Once the participants have completed the program, one of the expectations of them is to plan and execute programs on their campuses and in their own communities. Each participant should plan two programs to educate others about what they learned in the program. The participant should try to educate others about a topic they may not have as been as knowledgeable about at the beginning of the program, or bring to their
community a topic that is not discussed on a regular basis.

Trip to Museum of Tolerance

The only museum of its kind in the world, the Museum of Tolerance (MOT) is dedicated to promoting mutual respect and social justice through educational outreach, community partnerships, and social action. The Museum exposes the dynamics of prejudice and discrimination in both historical and contemporary contexts. Through the use of technologically advanced interactive exhibits, the Museum engages visitors' hearts and minds, while challenging them to assume personal responsibility for positive community change. Established in 1993, the MOT has welcomed almost four million visitors.

All programs include:

• Museum experience that exposes the dynamics of prejudice and discrimination, past and present, through state-of-the-art exhibits
• Presentations of personal testimony from history-makers, including survivors and former perpetrators of organized hatred and intolerance; and opportunities for discussion and reflection led by experienced facilitators
• Customized workshops designed to enhance skills and cultivate 'tools' for antibias decision-making

What are the Follow-up Requirements?

The Ambassadors program is designed to enhance the participants' ongoing commitment to tolerance, justice, and human rights. Participants will stay connected with program after the seminars through the community outreach work that they must complete and for periodic reviews of their progress. The resources of the Simon Wiesenthal Center and Museum of Tolerance provide continuing support.

What is the Cost?

The program is subsidized by Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center, including the cost of tuition, airfare (from Toronto or equivalent) lunches at the Museum of Tolerance and accommodation in Los Angeles. Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center requires each participant to purchase All-Inclusive cancellation insurance organized by FSWC and a $30 registration fee payable to the travel agent.

Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center requires each participant to purchase All-Inclusive cancellation insurance obtained via the Center.

All applications will be reviewed and those accepted will be sent an Acceptance Letter Return Form.

For an application please click on the following link: Ambassadors application

The MOT is an independent, not-for-profit organization affiliated with the Simon Wiesenthal Center on Los Angeles, California.