African Leaders Headed to Virginia to Discuss Democracy, Rule of Law, and Peace-Building at Area’s Top Institutions

PRESS RELEASE

Charlottesville, VA – The African continent represents six of the ten fastest growing economies in the world. Its youth population, already over 200 million, is predicted to grow by 42% before the year 2030, leaving many to look towards Africa’s youth as leaders not only within their continent, but also throughout the global economy.

Twenty-five young African leaders representing 17 countries will participate in a six-week dialogue on democracy, rule of law, and civic leadership at the Presidential Precinct’s historic sites and universities where modern democracy was born. The Fellows represent one cohort of the 1,000 2017 Mandela Washington Fellows coming to the U.S. this summer.

Members of the media are welcomed to sit in as the 2017 Mandela Washington Fellows discuss and debate the strengths and weaknesses of various leadership tactics, constitutional principles, and communication skills. Interviews with scholars and participants are available by request.

Principal media opportunities throughout the program include:

2017 Mandela Washington Fellowship Opening Ceremonies (Charlottesville)
June 19 reception and luncheon at the University of Virginia Rotunda
Featuring:
• The Honorable Tim Kaine, U.S. Senator
• Teresa Sullivan, President, The University of Virginia

2017 Africa Ideas Summit & Closing Ceremonies (Williamsburg)
July 26 summit featuring ignite talks from each of the 25 Fellows, followed by a closing ceremony at William & Mary’s historic Wren Building

2017 Africa Business Forum (Washington D.C.)
July 28 forum at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce that convenes global business executives, government officials, and academic leaders for panel discussions, lightning roundtables, and an informal networking lunch

Following their six-week curriculum, all 1,000 nation-wide Fellows will come together in Washington, D.C. for a three-day Presidential Summit.  A select group of 100 Fellows will remain in the United States after the Presidential Summit for an eight-week internship experience at a relevant U.S. business, NGO, or government agency. Further, the Mandela Washington Fellowship includes robust programming in Africa, including networking opportunities, continued professional development, and access to seed funding.

About the Presidential Precinct:
The Presidential Precinct is a Virginia-based nonprofit organization that empowers and inspires emerging global leaders by providing leadership tools, training, and a virtual network for continuing education and collaboration. Since 2012, over 450 leaders from 115 countries have joined Presidential Precinct programs that facilitate dialogue, generate solutions to pressing governance and development challenges, and create lasting professional relationships.

The Precinct’s consortium is made up of six prestigious institutions – the University of Virginia, William & Mary, William Short’s Morven, Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, James Monroe’s Highland, and James Madison’s Montpelier. For the fourth year, the Presidential Precinct has been selected as 1 of 40 institutes, and the only consortium, to host the 2017 Mandela Washington Fellowship, which will bring 1,000 emerging African leaders to the U.S. this year as part of the Young African Leaders Initiative.

For a complete list of fellow biographies and sectors, visit presidentialprecinct.org/mwf or contact:

Drew Precious, Marketing & Communications Manager
The Presidential Precinct
434.841.6259
dprecious@presidentialprecinct.org

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