
Are you an African citizen aged between 25 and 35 years? Then you will be pleased to know that the application period for the 2016 Mandela Washington Fellowship, the flagship program of President Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative, is now open. Deadline for the application process is Wednesday the 11th of November 2015.
Applicants should be citizens and residents of one of the following countries: Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Republic of the Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
To qualify for the selection applicants should:
-not be U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the U.S.
-be eligible to receive a United States J-1 visa.
-be proficient in reading, writing, and speaking English.
Selection panels will use the following criteria to evaluate applications (not in order of importance):
-a proven record of leadership and accomplishment in public service, business and entrepreneurship, or civic engagement.
-a demonstrated commitment to public or community service, volunteerism, or mentorship.
-the ability to work cooperatively in diverse groups and respect the opinions of others.
-strong social and communication skills.
-an energetic, positive attitude.
-demonstrated knowledge, interest and professional experience in the sector/track selected.
-a commitment to return to Africa and apply leadership skills and training to benefit the applicant’s country and/or community after they return home.
To apply and for more information on the application process visit, yali.state.gov/apply .
Main image taken from www.yalitogo.org