In Autumn 2022, the selected mid-career policy professionals from Africa will fine-tune their global leadership skills during a three-month fully-funded training programme in Florence, Italy.
The Young African Leadership Programme is aimed at mid-career African public servants, journalists, entrepreneurs and civil society leaders. The School of Transnational Governance (STG) is looking for applicants with a keen interest in pan-African issues, including peace, security and governance; gender and inclusiveness; migration and mobility; education, science, and skills development. Other issues on the programme’s agenda are climate change and resilience; the private sector, trade and investments; technology and digital transformation; and public health.
The African fellows will participate in applied policy and academic workshops, training and skills development sessions, high-level interactive lectures, study visits and field trips in Europe. Applications for the paid fellowships are open until 7 April 2022. Selected fellows are expected in Florence, Italy, in September 2022.
STG Professor Mehari Taddele Maru, academic coordinator of the programme, said: “The EUI’s School of Transnational Governance works on policy challenges that cannot be tackled by individual African countries alone. During their time in Florence, our African fellows focus on the leadership skills needed to bring transnational mechanisms of addressing these challenges and transform the African continent, while helping to strengthen the partnership between Africa and Europe as set out in the Joint AU-EU Vision for 2030.”
In the footsteps of the first cohort of African leaders
The first cohort of fellows joined the STG in September 2021. The 17 experts discussed governance issues with African, European and international policy leaders in a seminar series. The fellows also received skills training and took part in public events during their stay.
The first cohort of African fellows joined the STG in September 2021. The 17 experts discussed cross border/ governance issues with African, European and international policy leaders in a seminar series. The fellows also received leadership skills training and took part in public events during their stay.
In October 2021, a study visit took the fellows to the cities of Berlin and Brussels, where they met with both European Union and African Union representatives, and prominent experts on leadership, communications and federalism. Both the fellows and the stakeholders appreciated the frank exchanges on the relationships between Africa and Europe.
Eric Edem Agbana, Deputy National Youth Organiser of the National Democratic Congress in Ghana, said that “before I came [to Florence] I knew that EU and Africa relations were mainly about democracy and values…but the EU also invests in migration, in cybersecurity, in peace and security. I was surprised the EU even has civilian missions. For me one key thing was learning how much impact the EU has on my continent.”
For Tumaini Malenga, research and policy analyst at the African Institute for Development Policy in Malawi, being part of the first cohort of fellows was a mind-blowing experience: “The Young African Leadership Programme brings together minds that have an agenda of bettering the continent and redefining or exploring the relationship with the EU….apply immediately if you see a call for this programme, because it is mind-blowing.”
An upcoming short film, in première in Florence on 14 March 2022, will tell the story of the first cohort of African fellows at the STG.