In mid-June, the University of Delaware Institute for Global Studies (IGS) will host 25 of Africa's brightest emerging civic leaders for a six-week academic and civic leadership institute, marking UD's fourth year as a partner with the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders.

The Mandela Washington Fellowship, the flagship program of former President Barack Obama's Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), empowers young African leaders through academic coursework, leadership training, mentoring, networking, professional opportunities and support for activities in their communities.

This year, UD’s 25 fellows hail from Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, South Sudan, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe, 20 countries in all.

Fellows have established records of accomplishment in promoting innovation and positive change in their organizations, institutions, communities and countries.

“The UD institute provides a unique, cross-cultural experience for members of our campus community that also reinforces links with partners in Wilmington through our program’s community engagement efforts,” said UD President Dennis Assanis. “Government leaders from all levels from Delaware -- municipal, state and federal -- are very pleased with our participation in YALI and continue to be strong advocates for the fellowship.”

The cohort hosted by UD will be part of a larger group of 1,000 Mandela Washington Fellows hosted at universities across the United States this summer.

Working closely with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and its implementing partner, IREX, host institutions have designed academic programs that will challenge, inspire and empower these aspiring young leaders from Africa.

Some highlights of the UD program will include visits with U.S. Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester, Sen. Chris Coons, and Gov. John Carney, as well as day trips to Philadelphia, New York City and Baltimore, touring local heritage sites.

Fellows will connect with representatives from units across campus while also taking the opportunity to volunteer and network with organizations and agencies in Wilmington and surrounding areas.

University participation includes Academic Technology Services, the Black Graduate Student Association, Career Services, Center for Disability Studies, the College of Engineering, Department of Art and Design, Department of Physical Therapy, Department of Political Science and International Relations, Horn Venture Development Center, Office of Communications and Marketing, Office of Equity and Inclusion, Office of Graduate and Professional Education, School of Education, Public Safety and more.

UD has hosted the Mandela Washington Fellowship Civic Leadership Institute each year since the program’s inception in 2014. Visit the 2016 Storify page to see some moments from last year's program.

To learn more about the UD Mandela Washington Fellowship, visit the IGS website and contact Kim Bothi, community engagement director, or Gretchen Bauer, academic director.

Follow along and engage before, during and after the Institute at @UDGlobal on Instagram and Twitter and by using the hashtag #UDMWF and #YALI2017.

U.S. Department of State Programs at UD

The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is one of four U.S. Department of State programs hosted by the University of Delaware and facilitated by the Institute for Global Studies this summer. Additional programs include the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) Student Leaders Institute, the Study of the U.S. Institutes-Women's Leadership (SUSIWL) and Fulbright Gateway Orientation. Program participants will be highlighted in a special #udglobalsummer social media campaign beginning in June.