With the start of the new academic year, the second cohort of Young African Leaders Fellows will arrive at the School's Palazzo Buontalenti. Following a successful pilot phase in 2021-22, the number of incoming Fellows has increased from 17 to 26. For the next three months, from September to November, the fellows will participate in workshops, trainings and skills development activities. Also this year, the programme includes a study visit to International Institutions and Organisations in Brussels.
The Programme, supported by the European Commission's Directorate General for International Partnerships, is aimed at African policy makers, diplomats and professionals working in national and local authorities, regional and international organisations, civil society organisations, academia, media and the private sector in Africa. It is considered a milestone for the European University Institute (EUI). Earlier this summer, a high-level event jointly organised by the EUI and the Uganda Council on Foreign Relations (UCFR) was held in Kampala, marking the Institute's increased engagement with Africa. Alumni of the first YALP cohort were actively involved in the successful execution of the event.
"We are looking forward to welcoming our second cohort of Young African Leader Fellows," says STG Executive Director Fabrizio Tassinari. "We are very pleased with the first phase of the programme and look forward to continuing this journey to take YALP to the next level and deepen our engagement with and in Africa. We thank the Commission for their continued support."
During their time at the STG, the Fellows will focus on transnational governance in Africa, in the broader context of the continent's transformation. Against this background, the STG is organising a series of lectures by high-level leaders such as Boniface Mwangi, Francis Deng and Monica Juma, who will address Africa's specific challenges. Speakers will cover a wide range of topics, including governance, peace and security, democracy, gender, digital policy, economics, sustainability and migration.
“In our Africa Potential series, high-level leaders from Africa and elsewhere will engage, converse, and deliberate with our fellows - young leaders- on Africa's contemporary challenges, current policy debates and the role of leaders in the transformation of Africa”, emphasises Professor Mehari Taddele Maru, Academic Coordinator of the YALP Programme.
“Africa's Potential – Conversations with high level leaders” launched on Tuesday, 6 September with a lecture by Boniface Mwangi, a Kenyan activist, speaker and photographer who focuses on justice and human rights. He was nominated as one of the 100 Most Influential Young African Leaders 2017, as well as one of the 40 Most Influential Men Under 40 in Kenya. Mr Mwangi shared his personal story and talked about the role of civil society in the transformation of Africa.
The series is open to the EUI community, YALP alumni and the YALP network. If you are located in Florence, you are welcome to join the session in-person at Palazzo Buontalenti (Elinor Ostrom Room - BTC104). If you are tuning in from abroad, please use the Zoom link you will receive after registration.