Washington DC, USA; August 4, 2016 -- The Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), an initiative launched by H.E. Barack Obama, President of the United States of America aims to support young African leaders as they pursue growth and prosperity, strengthen democratic governance and enhance peace and security in Africa.

This year’s Fellowship edition drew participation from a thousand young Africans across the African continent and of particular presence were a few Fellows that are currently serving under the African Union Commission in various capacities; these included Ms. Yaye Ramatoulaye Dieye from Women and Gender, Ms Chancelle Claudette Bilampassi from Human Resource, Science and Technology, Mr Mekbib Ayalew from Social Affairs, Mr. Martin Lompo from the Bureau of the Chairperson, and Ms Patience Kente from the Office of the Secretary General. Ms Kente, also a former African Union Youth Volunteer, was one of the keynote participants during a publicized Opening & Congressional Forum watched across the globe. She spoke of the importance of investing in young Africans and how that positively impacts the entire continent. She spoke of the need for young Africans to love Africa and most importantly spoke of Agenda 2063 and its aspirations.

On the second day of the Presidential Summit the AU Commission set up a pavilion during the expo where fellows and visitors had a chance to familiarize themselves with the African Union and particularly the work of each of the Citizens and Diaspora Directorate (CIDO), the AU Youth Volunteer Corps (AUYVC), Agenda 2063 and the Economic, Social, and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC). Soon after the expo, copies of Agenda 2063; one of the key elements that kept popping up during conversations at the summit, made its way to The Library of Congress in Washington, DC.

Following the presidential summit and in the spirit of this year’s YALI theme of “Investing in the next generation of Africa” and the AU 2017 theme “Harnessing the Demographic Dividend”, a signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between AU- ECOSOCC and IREX International took place. The MoU has among many objectives, a call to facilitate engagement with the African Diaspora and the development and integration agenda of the African Union through the participation of African youth in Agenda 2063.

The partnership in the MoU spans five years. This MoU aims to engage and empower the demographic dividend of Africa through the Mandela Washington fellowship and other avenues; also, IREX shall assist ECOSOCC in the development of policies, plans and standards related to the realization of the AU’s objectives falling within the agreed upon areas of cooperation.
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For more information, please contact:
Mr. Ernest Kaliza; EKaliza@africa-union.org
cido@africa-union.org