The Mandela Washington Fellowship, the flagship program of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), empowers young African leaders through academic coursework, leadership training, mentoring, networking, professional opportunities, and local community engagement. YALI was created in 2010 and is celebrating its 10th anniversary supporting young Africans as they spur economic growth and prosperity, strengthen democratic governance, and enhance peace and security across Africa. Since 2014, through the Mandela Washington Fellowship, the U.S. Department of State has supported nearly 4,400 young leaders from across Sub-Saharan Africa to develop their leadership skills and foster connections and collaboration with U.S. professionals. The cohort of Fellows hosted by UW-Madison will be part of a group of 700 Mandela Washington Fellows hosted at 27 educational institutions across the United States. This summer, all Fellows will receive a letter from President Trump welcoming them to the United States for their program.
At the conclusion of their Leadership Institutes, these exceptional young leaders will convene in Washington, D.C., for the Mandela Washington Fellowship Summit, where they will take part in networking and panel discussions with each other and with U.S. leaders from the public, private, and non-profit sectors. Following the Summit, up to 70 competitively-selected Fellows will participate in four weeks of professional development at U.S. non-governmental organizations, private companies, and government agencies.
Funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and implemented by IREX, Leadership Institutes will offer programs that will challenge, motivate, and empower young leaders from Africa.
Some highlights of the UW-Madison program will include:
- Fellows will give back to the community through service opportunities at Lussier Community Education Center, Goodman Community Center, Gigi’s Playhouse – Madison, The Bubbler, and the UW-Madison Arboretum.
- You can meet the Fellows at Expert Exchange Roundtables, Our Africa event, networking events and dinners.
- Fellows will connect with organizations and communities in site visits throughout Wisconsin, including the Bad River Lapointe Band of the Lake Superior Trip of Chippewa Indians, Columbus City Hall and Community Hospital, and the Badger Army Ammunition Plant in Baraboo, Wisconsin.
For additional information about the Mandela Washington Fellowship Leadership Institute at UW-Madison, please Dorothy Mayne at dmayne@wisc.edu or visit our website at https://africa.wisc.edu/mandela-washington-fellowship/.
The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is a program of the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and administered by IREX. For more information about the Mandela Washington Fellowship, visit mandelawashingtonfellowship.org and join the conversation at #YALI2020.
2018 Mandela Washington Fellows pause for a photo following public event titled “Our Africa” at the Pyle Center. (Photo by UW-Madison / Meagan Doll)
2019
2018
2017
2016
New! HOST A FELLOW AT YOUR WORKPLACE OR ORGANIZATION
Interested in hosting 1-2 Fellows at your local business, organization, or center? Mandela Fellows are eager to engage with American professionals and often enthusiastic about presenting on their personal or professional experience. If this opportunity is of interest, please complete this brief interest survey or contact Meagan Doll at medoll@wisc.edu.
COMMUNITY HOST DINNERS
The African Studies Program seeks families or individuals interested in hosting 1-2 Fellows for family host dinners throughout the six-week institute. If interested, please indicate your availability here and our staff will follow-up to confirm.
LOCAL RESOURCE GUIDE
The African Studies Program seeks a Local Resource Guide to provide cultural adaptation guidance to Fellows for the duration of the six-week Institute. This work may include guidance mediating cross-cultural challenges, navigating the American medical system and accessing various other local resources.
LOCAL RESOURCE GUIDE POSITION DESCRIPTION (pdf) Deadline: Applications are currently closed.
COMMUNITY PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS
Community partners include local organizations who are willing to share their work with the Fellows, both through education and discussion, as well as experiential learning and service. The purpose of these visits is not only to serve and network, but also to expose Fellows to the inner-workings of American organizations and workplaces.
COMMUNITY PARTNER EXPECTATION GUIDE (pdf)
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
The African Studies Program is seeking volunteers to help the Fellows with small trips such as shopping for personal needs, attending religious services, or exploring Madison and surrounding areas.
The Mandela Washington Fellowship is made possible only by the support of many partners, both on and off-campus.
Campus Partners
- Global Health Institute
- The Institute for Regional and International Studies (IRIS)
- The International Division
- La Follette School of Public Affairs
- Law School, UW-Madison
- Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies
- Provost’s Office
- School of Education, UW-Madison
Community Partners
Mandela Fellows at UW-Madison periodically share their experiences on campus and in the community, as well as what they are working on or have learned since returning home. Check out the latest blog posts here.
PRESS RELEASES
2019
- “UW-Madison to host fourth cohort of young African leaders in summer 2019,” African Studies Program, 02/07/2019.
2018
- “2018 Mandela Washington Fellows bring global expertise to UW campus,” African Studies Program, 06/21/2018.
- “UW-Madison to host third cohort of young African leaders in summer 2018,” African Studies Program, 02/19/2018.
2017
- “African professionals, activists among 2017 Mandela Washington Fellows at UW-Madison,” University of Wisconsin-Madison News, 06/12/2017.
- “UW-Madison selected to host young African leaders in summer 2017,” UW-Madison International Division News, 02/17/2016.
2016
- “UW Campus Hosts 25 Young African Leaders,” UW-Madison International Division News, 6/17/2016.
MEDIA COVERAGE
2020
- “Fola and Haley: A Friendship Story,” Wisconsin Life, 1/22/2020
2019
- “‘It was absolutely powerful and riveting.’ Meeting Between Nehemiah, Young African Leaders a Transformational Experience,” Madison365, 7/12/2019.
- “Young African leaders arrive in Madison for 2019 Mandela Washington Fellowship,” UW-Madison African Studies Program, 6/20/2019.
2018
- “Young African Leaders’ Intitiative – Making Justice Summer 2018,” Madison Public Library.
- “A multicultural experience at Gigi’s Playhouse Madison,” Gigi’s Playhouse-Madison, 8/01/2018.
- “Mandela Fellows Reflect on Partnering with Madison’s Community Organizations,” UW-Madison African Studies Program, 8/01/2018.
- “UW-Madison Mandela Washington Fellows Learn While Giving Back To The Community,” Wisconsin Public Radio, 7/26/2018.
- “Introducing Wisconsin To Some Of Africa’s Brightest Young Individuals,” Wisconsin Public Radio, 7/26/2018
- “First Impressions,” UW-Madison African Studies Program, 7/09/2018.
- “Young leaders from Africa visit Columbus through UW-Madison African Studies Program,” Columbus Journal, 7/06/2018.
- “IIP, Mandela Washington Fellowship Collaboration Provides Students Professional Experiences in Africa,” UW-Madison African Studies Program, 2/12/2018.
- “Young African Leaders Speak Out,” Global Health Institute, 6/1/2018.
2017
- “Presidential Visit Sparks Conservation Discussions,” UW-Madison International Division, 8/3/2017.
- “Botswana president receives Global Citizen Award,” UW-Madison News, 7/31/2017.
- “One Health idea gives Young African fellows new ways to promote health,” Global Health Institute, 7/26/2017.
- “Mandela Fellows visit Columbus,” Columbus Journal, 7/13/2017.
- “Ambassador Linda-Thomas Greenfield Calls Mandela Washington Fellows ‘Africa’s Future,'” UW-Madison International Division, 6/29/2017.
- “UW Health nurse receives first-ever Nelson Mandela Fellowship (Reciprocol Exchange Award),” WISC-TV News3, 03/13/2017.
- “From Wisconsin to Africa, UW nurse changes classrooms, but not curriculum,” The Badger Herald, 02/10/2017.
2016
- “2016 Mandela Washington Fellowship, UW collaboration continues through Reciprocal Exchange Award,” Global Health Institute News, 12/22/2016.
- “‘Tech will take over,’ giving rural Africans access to health care,” Global Health Institute News, 12/5/2016.
- “World shrinks as UW, African colleagues find common ground in HIV/AIDS,” Global Health Institute News, 10/5/2016
- “Research, rankings and recognition highlight UW-Madison’s summer break,” UW-Madison News, 9/6/2016.
- “Mandela Washington Fellows learn leadership during visit to UW,” UW-Madison News, 8/12/2016.
- “Mandela Washington Fellows: The Future Face of Africa, Part 2,” Capital City Hues, 8/18/2016.
- “Mandela Washington Fellows: The Future Face of Africa,” Capital City Hues, 8/4/2016.
- “2016 African Association of Madison/African Women’s Association Annual Picnic: Extended Family Gathering,” Capital City Hues, 7/21/2016.
INQUIRIES
If interested in featuring the UW-Madison Mandela Washington Fellowship in your print or online news source, contact Meagan Doll at yali@africa.wisc.edu.
The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is a program of the U.S. government and is
supported in its implementation by IREX. The University of Wisconsin-Madison is a sub-grantee of IREX and is supporting the U.S.-based academic program of the Fellowship.
Videos courtesy of Emily Julka.