Gleehd Foundation launches spring exchange programs to empower emerging African leaders

As part of her ongoing efforts to provide a fillip to the Empowerment and Development of Emerging Leaders and Professionals across Africa, GLEEHD Foundation in partnership with Common Cause Africa Canada, NIDO Europe, Piety Inc., Amandla Consulting and the A.D King Foundation launched her Spring Exchange Program and Delegations to the United States, Spain and Canada for May, June, July 2014 respectively. Continue...

The Foundation’s exchange programs and delegation provides an opportunity for African’s Emerging Leaders and Professionals to interact with their counterparts in other developed nation, build new relationships, expand their network, synergise to achieve their dreams and learn best practises. The delegations mission usually includes interaction with government officials, political leaders, business leaders and representatives of social movements and NGOs, as well as visits to research institutes, leading global firms and places of historical interest.

According to Dayo Israel “Through a combination of workshops, site visits, and volunteer service, all in collaboration with grassroots NGOs, participants will learn and act on numerous key development and economic issues, including but not limited to: youth participation, tackling extreme poverty, social entrepreneurship, innovation, SME Development, Corporate Governance, Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Strategic Management, Trade and Investment, Social Media and Lean start-up.”

Started in 2002 when the Foundation’s first delegation visited the United Kingdom in partnership with Atlantic College South Wales, British Airways, and with the support of the British Council and KIND Nigeria; the Foundations exchange program alumni have continued to become successful leaders in field.

Recently, GLEEHD Foundation’s Africa Director Dayo Israel, Senator Babajide Omoworare and Valerie Agodo – Senior Trade Development Manager for UK Trade & Investment commissioned a 5 colour speed master Heidelberg Machine (Printer) purchase from the UK at a very discount rate by one of the GLEEHD/AFARA Delegation Alumnus Mr Segun Oladogba of Equal Promotion Ltd. 

Another Alumni Stephen Oguntoyinbo; a delegate to the Foundation’s Emerging Leaders Delegation to Atlanta in September 2013 received an all-expenses paid one month internship with BOP TV Atlanta as a result of his participation on the program and now heads the TV stations Africa operations from Nigeria. 

“While in Spain, Participants will meet with leading private sector organisations, government representatives, international institutions, youth and others from local communities to learn more about the political, economic and social challenges faced by Spanish today. Delegates will also acquire skills and capacity to achieve their goals and that of their organisations and will exchange experiences and strategies to empower their community and to implement local actions on return back to their home country.” Said Mr Iduh, NIDO Spain Coordinator.

While in Canada, the delegation is expected to meet with Public and Private Sector Leaders and development organizations, including African Diaspora Organisations; The Canadian Parliament, Canadian International Trade Vision, Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Apathy is Boring, AIESEC Canada, Global Vision, Global Youth Action Network, Canadian Council on Africa, Canadian Council of Chief Executives (CCCE), Canada-Nigeria Trade Council (CNTC), Bombardier (World’s largest manufacturer of planes), Me to We, Youth for Transparency International, Global Youth Coalition, the Nigerian High Commission Ottawa and other stakeholders, said Ambassador Babalola, Executive Director of CommonCauseAfricaCanada. 

Chief Executive of the A.D King Foundation Atlanta; Dr. Babs Onabanjo promised “During the Atlanta Delegation, participants would visit and interact with leaders at the Georgia State Capitol, World of Coca-Cola (Coca Cola Global HQ), Black on Purpose Studio, Ebenezer Baptist Church, the Martin Luther King Center and the CNN Global Headquarters. They would also participate in training programs with certificates from the Clark Atlanta University as well as interact with Government and Business Leaders in Atlanta. Delegates to Atlanta would also be hosted to a gala dinner with members of the Martin Luther King’s Family.”

 

In all cities, delegates would also be hosted to a reception by the Nigerian Embassy in the host city, during which participants would be issued their certificates of participation.

According to the program officer Dame Adekunle, “We are committed to providing high quality experiences to all participants.  We believe that our exchange program offers significantly greater benefits than independent travel so we have done everything possible to minimize the costs to participate in this program”.

In Canada, delegates would be based at Residence Inn by Marriott-Ottawa Airport while in Madrid and Atlanta; delegates would be based at the Crowne Plaza Hotel by Madrid and Atlanta airport respectively.

Dates are:

Spain: 1 – 7 June, 2014; application deadline: 14 May, 2014

Canada: 22 – 28 June 2014, application deadline: 16 May, 2014

Atlanta: 13 – 19 July 2014, application deadline: 13 June, 2014

The delegation is expected to include Entrepreneurs, Young Leaders, Inventors, Innovators, Authors, Emerging Leaders in Public Service and Foreign Policy, Emerging Leaders in the Private Sector, Young Civil Society Leaders, and Leaders from various parts of Africa, and open to everyone. Interested delegates are advised to register on the foundation’s website www.gleehdfoundation.org and www.gleehdfoundation.org.uk