Young African Leaders Initiative

Northwestern University’s Program of African Studies and Center for Leadership propose a program to bring together 25 fellows to participate in President Obama’s Young African Leadership Initiative (YALI) over the course of five summers, commencing 16 June to 30 July, 2014. The core of this program will consist of a six week professional leadership training program focusing on civic leadership. Our program will include extensive community service activities, based upon our institution’s long experience with community service activities in the US and in Africa. Our program includes frequent site visits to civic, government and business organizations. Participants will have opportunities to participate in cultural and civic activities. These visits will include activities inside and beyond Northwestern University. The management of this program will be based in the Program of African Studies. This staff will provide participants with clear codes of behavior and expectations for the duration of the program. They will be available on a continuous basis to provide participants with guidance though the course of the six week program and for follow up activities. Program managers will assist in team building and leadership techniques to help participants to work together outside of the classroom and to handle practical considerations related to housing and other aspects of fellows’ stay in the United States. The Program of African Studies and the Center for Leadership will ensure that all participants are able to gain access to all relevant Northwestern University programs and facilities, including libraries, electronic support (IT services and Blackboard) as well as recreational facilities. Northwestern University’s Program of African Studies and the Farley Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation propose a program to bring together 25 fellows to participate in President Obama’s Young African Leadership Initiative (YALI) over the course of five summers, commencing 16 June to 30 July, 2014. The core of this program will consist of a six week professional leadership training program focusing on entrepreneurship and innovation. Our program will include classroom instruction, combined with extensive community interaction in which fellows develop their own projects. Our program includes frequent site visits to civic, government and business organizations. Participants will have opportunities to participate in cultural and civic activities. These visits will include activities at Northwestern University and in the Chicago metropolitan area. Fellows will be provided with follow-up virtual exchanges to maintain and develop networks. This program will be based upon our institution’s long and intensive engagement with business communities and enterprise development in the US and in Africa. The management of this program will be based in the Program of African Studies. The staff at the Program of African Studies will provide participants with clear codes of behavior and expectations for the duration of the program. They will be available on a continuous basis to provide participants with guidance through the course of the six week program and for follow up activities. Program managers will assist in team building and leadership techniques to help participants to work together outside of the classroom and to handle practical considerations related to housing and other aspects of fellows’ stay in the United States. The Program of African Studies and the Farley Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation will ensure that all pa