Africa’s future belongs to its young people…we need young Africans who are standing up and making things happen not only in their own countries but around the world. “ President Barack Hussein Obama.
Are you a citizen of and a resident in a sub-Saharan African country? Are you between the ages of 25 and 35? Do you have a proven record of leadership and accomplishment in public service, business and entrepreneurship, or civic engagement or a demonstrated commitment to public or community service, volunteerism, or mentorship? Are you willing to apply leadership skills and training to benefit your country or community?
President Obama announces The 2014 Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), a new flagship program of the President’s Young African Leaders Initiative and President Obama’s vision to engage the continent’s next cadre of leaders and strengthen partnerships between the United States and Africa.
The Washington Fellowship is the new flagship program of the President’s Young African Leaders Initiative. This program will bring over 500 young leaders to the United States each year, beginning in 2014, for leadership training and mentoring, and will create unique opportunities in Africa to put those new skills to practical use in propelling economic growth and prosperity, and strengthening democratic institutions.
You will get an opportunity to:-
1. Interact with President Obama at a Presidential Summit in Washington, D.C., along with other senior U.S. government, business, and civic leaders.
2. Participate in a 6 week leadership and mentoring program at a U.S. institution.
3. Meet with U.S. government, civic, and business leaders.
4. Access exceptional internship and apprenticeship opportunities;Expand your business or project through access to millions of dollars for small grant funding.
5. Join a continent-wide and global alumni network to help you seek innovative solutions to common challenges.
The Washington Fellowship will:
1.Invest in a new generation of young African leaders who are shaping the continent’s future.
2.Respond to the strong demand by young African leaders for practical skills that can help them take their work to the next level in the fields of public service and business.
3. Deepen partnerships and connections between the United States and Africa.
4. Build a prestigious network of young African leaders who are at the forefront of change and innovation in their respective sectors.
Leaders will attend U.S. universities for training in one of three areas: public management and administration; business and entrepreneurship; and civic leadership. Training in each of these sectors will focus on the skills young African leaders need to run better ministries, start and grow businesses, and serve their communities. The initiative will grow to 1000 young leaders each year. Washington Fellows will spend six weeks at top American universities and colleges that will provide tailored training in the sectors above, leveraging top faculty, cutting-edge curricula, and local opportunities to impart practical professional and leadership training.
Formal university training will be augmented by workshops, mentoring, and networking opportunities with leaders in each field, as well as internships across the United States. For example, U.S. agencies such as the Overseas Private Investment Corporation and the Export-Import Bank will host Washington Fellows as interns to expose them to the U.S. workplace and practices, and build their technical skills.
Washington Fellows will also benefit from partnerships with American companies like Boeing, which will provide leadership training at the Boeing Leadership Center in St. Louis to extend Fellows’ campus-based training.
Applications for the the program will be available beginning early December 2013.
Wairimu Gathogo is a Lawyer, Administrative Consultant and a Legal & Career writer. She is also a Humanitarian enthusiast. Wairimu plays tennis, loves to travel and enjoys desserts.
Source: niaje
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