Mandela Washington Fellowship

“LEADERSHIP COMES WITH RESPONSIBILITY. IT IS IMPORTANT FOR YOU AS LEADERS TO HARNESS THOSE RESPONSIBILITIES AND ENSURE THAT YOU ALSO EMPOWER THOSE AROUND YOU WHO SCALE THE MOUNTAINS WITH YOU.”

-NELSON MANDELA

About the Mandela Fellowship

The Goldman School of Public Policy and the University of California, Berkeley are excited and energized by the Young African Leaders Initiative’s Mandela Fellowship Program and its focus on civic leadership.  Throughout UC Berkeley’s history civic leadership and engagement has played a significant role in the campus’ evolution.  From the peace strikes in the 1930s, to the Free Speech Movement of 1964, to today’s student body that is active in volunteerism and community service, civic participation and leadership are integral to the Berkeley experience. In summer, 2014 the Goldman School hosted 25 emerging leaders from sub-Saharan Africa. We are looking forward to welcoming our second cohort this year.

The Mandela Fellowship for Young African Leaders was announced on June 29, 2013 in South Africa by President Obama when he stated, “We’re launching a new program that’s going to give thousands of promising young Africans like you the opportunity to come to the United States and develop your skills at some of our best colleges and universities.”  The new Mandela Fellowship is personally supported by the President of the United States and the US Department of State.  We at the Goldman School believe strongly that President Obama’s vision and mission for this Fellowship and the mission of UC Berkeley for its students are exactly the same – Let there be Light.  Our domestic students are grappling with global issues and hunger for more intimate opportunities to understand and be change agents.  By hosting this program at the Goldman School, our students will get front row opportunities to interact with these future African leaders, understand the context of global issues, and take part in developing global solutions.

The Goldman School is developing a cohesive civic leadership program that will focus on the skills that young African leaders need to run better ministries and serve their communities.  The program will include developing the skills to identify, analyze, and solve crucial issues found within a community and allow these civically engaged leaders to empower and motivate others to become involved change agents.  The program will also include enrichment activities such as visiting the California State Capitol in Sacramento to view a legislative session, taking a trip to Muir Woods to see conservation in action, and a host of cultural and social activities taking advantage of the museums and sights the San Francisco-Bay Area has to offer.