The Washington Fellowship will invest in a new generation of young African leaders who are shaping the continent’s future. It will also respond to the strong demand by young African leaders for practical skills that can help take them to the next level in their work. The programme will also strengthen partnerships and connections between Africa and the US while building a prestigious network of young African leaders who are at the forefront of change and innovation.
Leaders will attend institutions in the US for training in one of three areas, namely:
• public management and administration
• business and entrepreneurship
• civic leadership.
Training will focus on the skills young leaders need to run better ministries, start and grow businesses and serve their communities. 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.
The Obama Administration’s YALI is a signature effort to invest in the next generation of African leaders, by connecting them with one another as well as with Americans. President Obama launched it in 2010 to support young African leaders as they grow and prosper, strengthen democratic governance, and enhance peace and security across Africa.
In its goal to elevate its international profile when it comes to teaching, learning, and research collaborations, UJ believes in building networks that can provide support for young leaders who can help develop and move South Africa and the African continent forward, and thus aligns itself with YALI’s commitment to develop young talent for the advancement of the African continent.
Applications for the Washington Fellowship programme open in December 2013. More information regarding selection criteria is available on the
Young African Leaders Initiative website.
