Nairobi, Kenya (PANA) – The U.S. Embassy in Nairobi has named 46 Kenyans to participate in the first ever Young African Leadership Initiative (YALI) Washington Fellowship.
The Embassy said that the young Kenyan leaders will travel to the United States in June with over 450 other young African leaders for a six-week programme at one of 20 prestigious U.S. universities, and will participate in a conference in Washington, D.C., hosted by President Obama.
The 46 Kenyan YALI participants were selected from a candidate pool of over 5,000 Kenyan applicants. They represent a diverse group of leaders already making important contributions to Kenya in business and entrepreneurship, public management, and civic leadership.
“I would like to congratulate our first group of 46 young Kenyan leaders, who will represent the extraordinary talent of Kenya’s youth,” said U.S. Ambassador to Kenya, Robert F. Godec.
“We are excited to bring these young leaders to the United States, but more importantly are excited about the energy, creativity, and drive they will bring back to Kenya after the Fellowship.”
Participants will depart for Washington in mid-June and return in August.
“This is only the first year of this important initiative for our government in Africa. I encourage all unsuccessful applicants to reapply next year and also to consider other U.S. educational and professional exchange programmes, which can be found on our website: nairobi.usembassy.gov,” said Ambassador Godec.
President Obama unveiled the Washington Fellowship at a Town Hall meeting with young African leaders on 29 June, 2013, in Soweto, South Africa.
The 500 Washington Fellows will arrive on June 14, for six weeks of academic coursework and training at 20 of America’s top universities.
On July 28-30, they will participate in a Presidential Summit for the Fellows convened by President Obama in Washington, D.C.
One hundred of the Fellows will stay on to participate in internships in the United States.
Africa-based professional development, networking, and community engagement opportunities will be made available for all of the Fellows upon their return to their home countries.
In addition to announcing those selected for the Washington Fellowship this year, President Obama also announced this week the Young African Leaders Initiative Network – or YALI Network, a virtual community that connects young African leaders with resources from the U.S. government and to one another.
Anyone can sign up to receive updates and other opportunities available for young African leaders from the U.S. government by going to the link Join the YALI Network.
