Meridian Pan Africa Youth Leadership Program for Young African Leaders 2022

Funded by the U.S. Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and implemented by Meridian International Center, the Pan Africa Youth Leadership Program engages participants from over 38 African countries in a U.S.-based cultural exchange and civic engagement training program.

To bring together the top PAYLP alumni from across all cohorts (2013-2022) and countries, the Pan Africa Youth Leadership Program is offering a one-time All-Stars alumni program. This program is designed to provide talented, hard-working, and highly motivated African PAYLP Alumni an opportunity to spend three weeks in the United States for an intensive leadership training and development program between February and March of 2023.

The program consists of a short orientation conference in Atlanta, Georgia where participants will be welcomed and receive a program overview, followed by a two-week community leadership program held in one of three U.S. cities. During this portion of the program participants will receive leadership training, networking and volunteer opportunities, and cultural experiences. The program will culminate with a closing forum in Washington, DC where participant will present Community Action Plans. Upon completion of the program, participants will have the opportunity to apply for funding to implement their Community Action Plan. This year’s PAYLP All-Stars will focus on the following skills:

• Leadership Development
• Communications and Negotiation Skills
• Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolutions
• Community Activism

• Table of Content
• About Meridian International
• Meridian Pan Africa Youth Leadership Program
• Requirements for Meridian Pan Africa Youth Leadership Program Qualification
• Interview date, Process and Venue for Meridian Pan Africa Youth Leadership Program
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About Meridian International

Meridian is a nonpartisan, nonprofit diplomacy center that connects leaders through culture and collaboration to drive solutions for global challenges. Founded 60 years ago, we've equipped thousands of leaders with the networks, insights and cultural context essential for non-partisan work on shared issues. Meridian strengthens engagement between the United States and the world through diplomacy, leadership and culture to solve shared global challenges.Meridian believes the United States is stronger and the world is safer when leaders collaborate across countries and cultures.... continue reading

Meridian Pan Africa Youth Leadership Program

Requirements for Meridian Pan Africa Youth Leadership Program Qualification

APPLICANTS MUST :

• Be an adult mentor or youth participant alumni from any in-person or virtual PAYLP cohort 2013-2022.
• Be at least 18 years or older by the start of the program, on February 18, 2023.
• Be from one of the eligible countries including Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Rrepublic of Congo, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gambia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia.
• Demonstrate strong leadership qualities in his/her university or community;
• Demonstrate a commitment to community service and extracurricular activities;
• Be mature, responsible, independent, confident, open-minded, tolerant, thoughtful, and inquisitive;
• Be willing and able to fully participate in an in-person intensive program, community service, and active educational travel program during the exchange, as well as in follow-on activities afterward in their home countries, such as outreach to others in country cohort.
• Based in home country or show intent to return to support home community.
• Be in possession of a valid national passport or able to obtain one before January 1, 2023.
• Be willing and able to obtain a covid vaccination for travel.
• Strong candidates will be active in the PAYLP network, have completed a successful project supporting their community.
• Not be employed by the U.S. Embassy.
• *Participants with diverse backgrounds and skills are encouraged to apply, including individuals with disabilities.*

Interview date, Process and Venue for Meridian Pan Africa Youth Leadership Program

Timeline:

WHAT : 3-Week Advanced Leadership Exchange in the United States

WHEN : February – March 2023

WHO : PAYLP Alumni (See Eligibility Requirements Below)

HOW TO APPLY :

• Application Opens : September 1, 2022 at 10 :00 AM ET

• Application Closes : October 1, 2022 at 5 :00 PM ET

Application Deadline

How to Apply

For more details,visit Meridian website