The Mandela Washington Fellowship is the flagship program of President Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) and embodies the President’s commitment to invest in the future of Africa. The first class of Mandela Washington Fellows arrived in June 2014 for six weeks of intensive executive leadership training, networking, and skills building, followed by a Presidential Summit in Washington, DC. Through this initiative, young African leaders are gaining the skills and connections they need to accelerate their own career trajectories and contribute more robustly to strengthening democratic institutions, spurring economic growth, and enhancing peace and security in Africa.
The application for the 2015 Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders will be available from October 7th to November 5th, 2014. The Mandela Washington Fellowship is open to young African leaders who meet the following criteria:
- Are between the ages of 25 and 35 at the time of application submission, although exceptional applicants younger than 25 will be considered.
- Are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the U.S.
- Are eligible to receive a United States J-1 visa.
- Are proficient in reading, writing, and speaking English.
Mandela Washington Fellows will be selected based on a number of criteria, including: leadership and accomplishment in public service, business and entrepreneurship, or civic engagement, a demonstrated commitment to public or community service, volunteerism, or mentorship, strong social and communication skills, an energetic, positive attitude, and more.
To learn more about the application process for the 2015 Mandela Washington Fellowship, including all the criteria and requirements for selection, please visit:
https://yali.state.gov/washington-fellowship/apply/
Or, contact the U.S. Embassy Libreville Public Affairs Section.
