Via: IREX
Launched in 2014, the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is the flagship program of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) and embodies the United States’ commitment to invest in the future of Africa. YALI was created in 2010 to support young Africans as they spur growth and prosperity, strengthen democratic governance, and enhance peace and security across Africa. Since its inception, nearly 3,700 young leaders have participated as Mandela Washington Fellows and had a positive impact on more than 45 million people across Africa.
Twenty-seven U.S. educational institutions in 20 states will host Leadership Institutes for 700 Mandela Washington Fellows. This summer, all Fellows will receive a letter from President Trump welcoming them to the United States for their program. The six-week Institutes, held on college and university campuses, will support the development of Fellows’ leadership skills through academic study, workshops, mentoring, networking with U.S. leaders, and collaboration with Americans. Each Institute will also offer insights into American society through site visits and cultural exchange. The Institutes strengthen connections between the United States and Africa and establish enduring partnerships between Fellows, local communities, and private businesses.
In addition to the knowledge and skills they bring back to Africa, Fellows enrich their American host communities through public service, cultural exchange, and the lasting ties they create between the United States and Africa. During the 2016-18 Institutes, Fellows contributed more than 30,000 service hours to their host communities, and since 2014, Fellows have connected with more than 30,000 Americans across the country. Americans also have the opportunity to apply to travel to Africa and collaborate on projects with Fellows through the Reciprocal Exchange.