Obama Foundation announces New Program to Train Emerging Leaders Across Africa
The Obama Foundation has announced a new addition to its international programs: the Obama Foundation Leaders: Africa.
This
one-year leadership development and civic engagement program will train
and support 200 promising young leaders across Africa working in
government, civil society, and the private sector. The Foundation
received nearly 10,000 applications for 200 slots.
The Obama
Foundation Leaders: Africa program will launch in Johannesburg, South
Africa with a five-day convening. The convening will run from July 14
through July 18 and include plenary sessions, problem-solving workshops,
and technical trainings that will help these young emerging leaders
drive positive change throughout Africa. The convening will also include
a town hall meeting with Barack Obama where he will hear about their experiences and the work they’re doing.
Following
the South Africa convening, leaders will remain connected to the
Foundation and one another via an online platform where they will engage
in topical discussions, access leadership and training resources, and
participate in trainings and webinars led by experts and industry
leaders.
The individuals selected to participate in the Obama
Foundation Leaders: Africa program will ultimately serve as the backbone
of a larger ecosystem of Foundation changemakers across the continent
and, eventually, the world, as the Foundation launches similar
leadership programs in regions around the world.
The Foundation also announced that Bernadette Meehan,
previously Executive Director of International Programs at the
Foundation, will now serve as Chief International Officer. In addition
to overseeing the Obama Foundation Leaders: Africa program, Bernadette
will develop and oversee all international programs for the Obama
Foundation. Prior to joining the Obama Foundation, Bernadette served in a
variety of assignments in Washington and abroad during her 13-year
career as a Foreign Service Officer.
“These remarkable individuals
will be a part of our largest and most ambitious leadership group to
date: the Obama Foundation Leaders: Africa,” said Bernadette Meehan. “In
bringing together 200 young leaders from across Africa, we hope to
begin a conversation about how each of us can create positive change in
our communities. In addition, I am honored to continue my work with the
Obama Foundation as Chief International Officer as we develop a robust
international programming slate that helps the Foundation achieve its
mission of inspiring and empowering the next generation of civic
leaders.”
“The Obama Foundation Leaders: Africa program is a
remarkable opportunity to connect with 200 exceptional young leaders
across the continent,” said David Simas, CEO of the
Obama Foundation. “Over the last year, Bernadette and her team have met
with hundreds of emerging leaders around the world to identify ways for
the Obama Foundation to amplify the outstanding work being done in these
leaders’ communities. As our Chief International Officer, she will play
an integral role developing the strategic vision that will guide our
international programming and continue to be a key part of our team.”
Photo Credit: Scott Olson/Getty Images
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