The INSPIRER The-INSPIRER-02 | Page 11

YOUNG AFRICAN LEADERS INITIATIVE This June, 1,000 of Africa’s most promising young leaders, representing all 49 sub-Saharan countries, arrive in the United States for the 2017 Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders. They are nonprofit directors, educators, healthcare experts, public officials, disability rights activists, lawyers, entrepreneurs, technology innovators, and specialists in many other sectors, poised to impact their communities and countries upon returning home. PAGE 11 The Mandela Washington Fellowship is the flagship initiative of YALI. The Young African Leaders Initiative, is ‘an initiative of the United States Department of State. It was begun in 2010 by President Barack Obama’ . YALI is a program aimed at educating and networking young African leaders for greater future success. Besides the Mandela Washington Fellowship, here are other ways you can benefit from YALI.   • The four YALI Regional Leadership Centers — in Kenya, South Africa, Senegal and Ghana  — which train young leaders in leadership, entrepreneurship and professional development..  • Through the YALI Network, young Africans can connect with other leaders in their community, access free online courses in topics ranging from climate change to entrepreneurship to human rights, and receive invitations to special events. Register to join the network here: https://yali.state.gov.  courtesy: https://yali.state.gov/