Through our Young African Leaders Initiative we are empowering and connecting young people. Connecting young people from across the continent, who are filled with energy and optimism and idealism and are going to take Africa to new heights, and these young people are not weighed down by the old ways; they are creating a new path, and these are the elements for success in the 21st Century. President Barack Obama Kasarani Speech, Nairobi, July 26, 2015
With more than 60% of its population made up of young people below the age of 35, Africa is quickly becoming the home to the world s largest population of young people. Who will empower and lead young Africans to shape the future of the continent? Will these young citizens be able to positively influence and impact business and entrepreneurship? Will they be able to offer expertise to sustain meaningful and relevant nongovernmental organizations? And who of these young people will be able to serve as functional and ethical administrators in public offices? The answers to these questions underscore the need for strong, passionate, and results-oriented young leaders. YALI offers three avenues for young leaders to develop their skills and to enhance their experience: (1) Mandela Washington Fellowships, (2) YALI Network, and (3) Regional Leadership Centers in Africa. Information on the other components can be found on the last page of this brochure. YALI RLC East Africa Countries Burundi, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda
Enhanced Leadership Skills Oriented to those who are or aspire to be civically engaged and serve the public through non-governmental organizations, community based organizations, or volunteerism. Tailored to those who work or aspire to work in any level of government (including elected positions), regional organizations such as the African Union or the East Africa Community, international organizations such as the United Nations, or other publicly-minded organizations or think tanks. Focused on the range of emerging or aspiring entrepreneurs who hope to take on leadership roles within the private sector or build their own business ventures on the continent. Parallel Learning Engagements In addition to the immersive curriculum over the 12-week program, participants will have parallel learning opportunities: (1) working with fellow participants and an advisor on a group project, and (2) an optional individual mentor engagement. These opportunities are explained on the following page.
Advisors are working or retired professionals who have experience in one of the three tracks of study (Business & Entrepreneurship, Civic Leadership, and Public Management) and will provide specific feedback and direct guidance about the group s project It was such an honor to meet with our Group Advisor Mr. Patrick...He already demonstrated a great exuberance in supporting us through the group project journey. It is our hope that this will not be just be a group course project, but the beginning of a new East African development bloc which will hopefully have an impact on the cancer of youth unemployment in the region. Eric Kimori Cohort One participant from Kenya Group Projects and Advisors Every participant will be placed in a diverse group of 5-6 participants from different countries and backgrounds based upon his or her track of study. The groups will identify a common challenge or theme that affects East and Central African countries, and will work together to propose a solution. Each group will be assigned an advisor who will provide feedback, offer guidance, and leverage his or her experiences in industry to help advise the group with their project. Throughout the 12 weeks, including the eight weeks of virtual study, the groups will work in conjunction with their advisor to produce a presentation that addresses solutions for their chosen topic. Advisors are recruited on an ongoing basis to ensure the most successful match is made between a group s project challenge and the advisor s background. Mentors Participants may apply to be matched with a mentor for the duration of the program and potentially to continue once the mentee has completed the program. Having a mentor allows a participant to engage in a one-to-one relationship with an experienced individual who can coach a participant s personal and professional development. Mentors are competitively awarded at the beginning of each cohort through a customized approach that considers specific experiences, skills, and goals of both mentors and mentees. Mentors are recruited on an ongoing basis for consideration for future cohorts. A participant and his mentor meet and discuss each other s goals, hopes, and plans for their relationship during a Mentor Meet & Greet session at the Center. Mentors and mentees will have the option to continue their relationship after the end of the 12- week program
Recruiting and Selecting the Best Leaders To place 80 qualified participants per cohort, and with a goal of seven cohorts in Year One (and an increasing number of cohorts beginning in Year Two), the YALI Regional Leadership Center East Africa has a rigorous recruitment and selection process. Admissions staff at the Center actively recruit young men and women, between the ages of 18 and 35 from 14 East and Central African countries, who are interested in enhancing their futures as a leaders in business, the public sector, or civic organizations. However, the intensive and rigorous program is not for everyone...it requires a significant commitment away from family, friends, and work and school obligations. In addition to age and citizenship/residence requirements, prospective participants must speak fluent English and be willing and able to commit to the intensive 12-week program. Successful applicants must describe their efforts to address a current challenge in their communities, organizations, or countries. This experience can be voluntary or work-related, but must show the applicant s desire to improve quality of life in their communities. Participant Criteria While there is no quota for the number of recruited applicants or selected participants from each country in each cohort, Admissions staff at the Center seek to ensure strong representation of men and women from each of the 14 countries. The Center s recruitment strategy includes an emphasis on: equal opportunity, that all eligible young leaders, regardless of ability or disability, race, gender, or socioeconomic status, feel welcome, and have a fair chance of selection. Between ages of 18 and 35 Center participants are chosen through a merit-based selection process that takes several weeks. It includes a double-blind application review (by two separate reviewers without access to demographic information), followed by a telephone interview for semi-finalists. From the semi-finalist pool, about 80 participants are invited to join the cohort. The care and consideration that goes into the recruitment and selection process ensures that the best and the most talented of East and Central Africa s young leaders are able to participate in this innovative and lifechanging program. Applications for each cohort are available online. For a complete listing of the cohort dates and upcoming application deadlines, please visit www.yalieastafrica.org. Citizen of one of 14 East & Central African countries Fluent in English Able to commit full-time to 12-week program Program Partnerships The Center serves as a leadership incubator for young East and Central Africans to convene, create, and encourage transformational learning. This requires significant support from our main partners USAID, the MasterCard Foundation, Deloitte, and Kenyatta University but also from a wide array of other contributors. Amrote Abdella, Microsoft East Africa To sustain this standard of excellence, the Center seeks to develop partnerships with companies and organizations interested in investing in a leaders initiative to transform Africa. For more information, please refer to the Center s Partnership Prospectus which can be found at www.yalieastafrica.org/partners.
Engagement After the Program One of the most important questions after the 12-week program is: What s Next? Alumni will have continued opportunities to connect, continue their learning, help to shape future cohorts of the program, and to apply the lessons, tools, and techniques learned to benefit their communities. Beginning the day after their commencement ceremony, participants will have a plethora of opportunities to ensure that their participation in the program results in meaningful benefits. Alumni Commitment Part of a participant s responsibility after the program is to take on a meaningful role in giving back to his/her community and fulfilling a commitment to pay it forward in a variety of ways. The goal is that all alumni become ambassadors of the program and share and apply what they have learned in order to transform their communities and countries. YALI Regional Leadership Center East Africa alumni will be offered exclusive opportunities to participate by: Alumni Chapters Developing a country-based Alumni Chapter to help coordinate activities, recruit prospective participants, serve as assessors in the selection process, broaden awareness, and oversee a bureau of speakers through various committees. Networking, Events & Continued Learning Taking advantage of specialized networking occasions (e.g., with local investors, public officials, etc.), social events, volunteer engagements, continued learning opportunities, and a platform to keep connected with other YALI program graduates. Internships Applying for competitive internships facilitated either by the Center s Alumni Relations team or directly with a Center partner. Internships can be customized in regards to length and format according to the sponsoring partner and individual learning goals, but are limited in number and placement. Career Placement Applying for consideration in an organization that has partnered with the Center. Only qualified and outstanding candidates will be considered for these limited opportunities. What are YALI s other components? YALI s other two components, the Mandela Washington Fellowship and YALI Network, provide opportunities throughout the continent by empowering and training tomorrow s leaders. The initiatives are different, yet have the common goal of creating a future filled with leadership among Africa s best and brightest youth. For more information about YALI, visit www.yali.state.gov. Mandela Washington Fellowship The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, begun in 2014, is the flagship program of President Obama s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) that empowers young people through academic coursework, leadership training, and networking. The Fellowship provides outstanding young leaders from Sub-Saharan Africa with the opportunity to hone their skills at a U.S. higher education institution with support for professional development after they return home. YALI Network The YALI Network provides virtual resources and vibrant physical spaces to equip young African leaders with the skills and connections they need to foster change in their communities and their countries. Established by the President in April 2014, the Network already includes almost 140,000 members. Using yali.state.gov and social media, the United States provides online courses and materials, and connects members with global leaders in their fields to help members develop leadership skills.
For more information about the YALI Regional Leadership Center East Africa s Admissions, Curriculum, Partnerships, Mentorship and Advisory Program, or Alumni Relations, please visit www.yalieastafrica.org, email info@yalieastafrica.org, or call +254 719 030 000. The YALI Regional Leadership Center East Africa is also generously supported by :