IBRAHIM LEADERSHIP FELLOWSHIPS

The Mo Ibrahim Foundation, in partnership with three of the world’s most influential multilateral organisations, announces the launch of the Ibrahim Leadership Fellowships programme. Working with the African Development Bank (AfDB), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), and the World Trade Organization (WTO) the Fellowships Programme will help to prepare the next generation of outstanding African leaders by providing them with unique mentoring opportunities.

Having identified a lack of opportunities for aspiring leaders across Africa to gain critical experience at the highest levels of multilateral organisations, the Mo Ibrahim Foundation has worked with these partners to create the Fellowships. The AfDB, UNECA, and WTO will each host an Ibrahim Fellow in their executive offices. The expectation is that Ibrahim Fellows will go on to play a major role in the governance and development of the African continent.

In announcing the programme, Mo Ibrahim, Founder and Chair of the Foundation said, “Anyone travelling around Africa today will be impressed by the rising generation of new talent across business and politics that is shaping the continent’s future. The Fellowships will give a select group the experience and training they need to play a leading role in furthering our continent.”

Ibrahim Fellows will be selected by the institutions in conjunction with the Mo Ibrahim Foundation and will take part in a 12 month fellowship with one of the participating organisations. They will be young professionals, mid-career and new executives under the age of forty, or forty-five for women with children. The Fellows will be nationals of an African country with 7-10 years of relevant work experience and a Master’s Degree. They will support the work of the institution to further promote the economic development of the continent.

Speaking on behalf of the AfDB, President Donald Kaberuka said, “The Ibrahim Fellowships Programme will ensure there is a growing pipeline of future African leaders who have the experience and ability to build strong African economies. The African Development Bank is delighted to host one of the first Ibrahim Fellows.”

Expressing his support for the new programme, Abdoulie Janneh, Executive Secretary of UNECA said, “We are proud to be an inaugural partner of the new Ibrahim Fellowships Programme. We share Mo Ibrahim’s determination to inspire outstanding leaders in Africa and expose them to the challenges of African integration. This programme is another step towards a better future for our people.”

More information on eligibility and the application process for the Ibrahim Fellowships Programme will be available on the Foundation’s website: www.moibrahimfoundation.org.

AfDB Reviews Youth Employment in Fragile States

Youth unemployment situation in Africa in general and the challenges it poses in fragile states in particular was the subject of a brainstorming session organized by the Bank’s Fragile State Unit (OSFU) on Thursday, 7 April 2010. Discussions on the theme: “Job Creation in Fragile and Conflict-Affected Situations,” helped to enrich the Bank’s knowledge base, and other participants on generating and sustaining gainful and productive employment for youth in fragile and conflict-affected countries. Apart from experts from the Bank’s Chief Economist’s Office, (ECON), the Private Sector (OPSM) and Human Development Department (OSHD), other participants came from the World Bank, International Labor Organization (ILO) and OECD.

While highlighting country specific characteristics which should be taken into consideration when developing youth employment programs in fragile states and member countries, participants underscored the need to generate sustainable and meaningful jobs. They also emphasized the need to address security and rule of law problems in post-conflict states. In this regard, some participants suggested that the youth were not always involved in conflict and violence just because they were idle and unemployed.

The participants noted that the main drivers of youth unemployment in Africa include:

• Lack of employment opportunities due to the level of underdevelopment of the economies propelled into a vicious cycle of higher rates of unemployment and underemployment and limited growth;
• High rates of population growth;
• Sluggish or stagnant economies
• Small formal private sector ;
• Low literacy and numeracy rates;
• Poor quality education and an education sector that increasingly equips young people with limited industrial skills.

The seminar further looked at the role of the private sector in fragile states, particularly in view of the high risk business environment that exists in these countries. In conclusion, participants emphasized the need for public sector accountability and effective management mechanisms. Insufficient good governance mechanisms in Africa should therefore be addressed, the participants concluded.

Read more here http://www.afdb.org