African Leaders Learn to Write Constitutions at James Madison’s Montpelier

MEDIA ADVISORY

Orange, VA– Twenty-five young African leaders representing 17 countries will participate in a constitution writing workshop at the historic home of James Madison, “The Father of the Constitution,” Tuesday and Wednesday, July 12 and 13. The program is part of the 2016 Mandela Washington Fellowship, which includes six weeks of academic work at the Presidential Precinct as part of President Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI).

Led by constitutional scholars Heinz Klug (University of Wisconsin Law School) and Mila Versteeg (University of Virginia School of Law), the constitution writing workshop at James Madison’s Montpelier will engage some of Africa’s most promising lawyers, civil servants, media personalities, and social advocates in the practical and philosophical problems of creating written constitutions – a process deeply needed as emerging democracies continue to grow and make change across the African continent.

Members of the media are welcome to sit in as the 2016 Mandela Washington Fellows debate the strengths and weaknesses of constitutional principles in their own countries, engage James Madison’s legacy in creating the world’s first written constitution, and debate a range of political and philosophical issues including post-conflict reconciliation, enfranchisement, free speech, and minority rights.

Interviews with scholars and participants available by request.

About the Presidential Precinct and the 2016 Mandela Washington Fellows:
Comprised of two of America’s leading universities and three presidential sites in Virginia, the Presidential Precinct is 1 of 40 institutes, and the only consortium, to be selected for the 2016 Mandela Washington Fellowship, which will bring 1,000 emerging African leaders to the U.S. this year as part of President Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative.
The Fellows, who are between the ages of 21 and 35, have established records of accomplishment in promoting innovation and positive change in their organizations, institutions, communities, and countries. 2016 Fellows attending the civic leadership institute at the Presidential Precinct represent 17 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, and all 49 countries are represented in the Fellowship nationwide. To learn more, visit presidentialprecinct.org/mwf.

About the Robert H. Smith Center for the Constitution:
The Robert H. Smith Center for the Constitution at James Madison’s Montpelier is one of America’s premier constitutional training centers. Since 2003, the Center has worked with more than 43,000 people from every state of the Union and 87 countries. Through nonpartisan online and on-site programs, the Center inspires participation in civic dialogue, improves the public’s understanding of U.S. founding principles, and enables citizens to deepen their understanding of and participation in constitutional self-government. To learn more, visit montpelier.org/center.

Contact:
Giles Morris, VP for Marketing & Communications
James Madison’s Montpelier
540.308.2074
gmorris@montpelier.org

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

###