Scripps Blogs

YALI Connect Camps 1 & 2 a Success in Tanzania

by Hiller Kate

The purpose of YALI is to invest in the next generation of African leaders through training in innovation and technology, mentorship, networking, and professional development opportunities for social change. The core Ohio University team for this project has designed a program for the Connect Camps in sub-Saharan African consultation with The Collaboratory in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State to pursue the following goals:

1) To give up to 160 young African leaders and future leaders in eight YALI Connect Camps the opportunity to collaborate, learn, experience, and interact with U.S. and African resource experts and with each other; to develop innovation strategies and to build on their professional skills, hands-on experience with low-bandwidth technology, community outreach, and capacity building through mentoring, networking, and channeling strategic civic leadership for social change.

2) To use a stimulating canvas model of leadership for social change and entrepreneurship to encapsulate the YALI objectives listed above in 1, in five-days of facilitated exchange of ideas, interactive sub-group workshops, and in mentoring relationships, between the Mandela Washington Fellow alumni, and their chosen partners for the Camp.

3) To demonstrate some community-oriented enterprises that use applied technology supporting innovation and collaboration in community development and entrepreneurship, civic leadership and public management.

4) To develop leadership skills among delegates through mentoring relationships, and deliberation, and with the facilitators.

5) To provide participants opportunities for face-to-face networking and to facilitate a collaborative, innovative project or projects furthering the YALI goals.

The U.S. Embassy in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania was instrumental in the selection and coordination of hosting the two Connect Camps in Tanzania. The YALI Connect Camps are funded by a grant from the Bureau of Educational & Cultural Affairs, in the U.S. Department of State, and administered by the Institute for International Journalism (IIJ) at Ohio University.

Director of the YALI Connect Camps is Dr. Yusuf Kalyango, professor at Ohio University. Facilitators of the camps, Dr. Judith Millesen and Ms. Faith Knutsen, are affiliated with the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs at Ohio University; Mr. Kofi Essien affiliated with the Open Learning Exchange, Inc., and Mr. Mikel Maron, Mr. Benson Wilder and Mr. Douglas Sebaggala are affiliated with the Humanitarian OpenStreet Map and Community Mapping.

posted in: iij, Ohio University, Scripps, YALI

April 18, 2015