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Applying for the 2020 Mandela Washington Fellowship

Applying for the 2020 Mandela Washington Fellowship. Individuals with disabilities are leaders across the globe.  Identifying leaders with disabilities is important for the Fellowship. Agenda. Program Introduction & Overview Fellowship Administration Leadership Institute Overview

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Applying for the 2020 Mandela Washington Fellowship

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  1. Applying for the 2020 Mandela Washington Fellowship • Individuals with disabilities are leaders across the globe.  • Identifying leaders with disabilities is important for the Fellowship

  2. Agenda • Program Introduction & Overview • Fellowship Administration • Leadership Institute Overview • Program Provisions • Visa Regulations • Eligibility & Selection Criteria • Fellow Accommodations & Pre-Institute Program • How to Apply & Application Timeline • Impact and Alumni Stories

  3. Young African Leaders Initiative Overview

  4. Fellowship Administration

  5. Local U.S. Embassy Point of Contact Name Email Phone

  6. Program Introduction • The Mandela Washington Fellowship: • Started in 2014 • Empowers young people (age 25-35) through academic coursework, leadership training, and networking • Will select 700 young leaders for its seventh cohort of Mandela Washington Fellows • Will launch the application for its seventh cohort of Fellows on September 12 • Values diversity and inclusion in every sense of the word • Has an Alumni network of nearly 4,400 former Fellows • There is no fee to apply for or participate in the Mandela Washington Fellowship

  7. Fellowship Components

  8. Leadership Institutes • 700 Fellows selected • Six-week, intensive program • Placed at 28 Leadership Institutes across the United States • Three tracks: Business, Civic Engagement, or Public Management

  9. Leadership Institute Tracks Overview

  10. Leadership Institutes Each Institute features several core components: • Academic Coursework • Leadership Training • Ignite Talks • Site Visits • Cultural Visits • Collaborative Relationships • Community Service • Unscheduled Networking Time Each Institute is unique and will feature different topics and activities!

  11. Mandela Washington Fellowship Summit • Three-day event • All 700 Fellows visit Washington D.C. • Networking and panel discussions with U.S. leaders from public, private, and non-profit sectors.

  12. Professional Development Experience (PDE) • Submit supplemental application essay to apply • Four-week placement at U.S. NGO, business, or government agency • Gain practical training, learn transferable skills, expand networks, apply concepts  • Up to 70 Fellows selected

  13. Alumni Opportunities & Resources • New Alumni opportunities to be announced in Fall 2019 • Reciprocal Exchange is a great opportunity to keep in mind while networking in the United States • The U.S. Department of State’s International Exchange Alumni community is a valuable grant and networking resource

  14. Fellowship Provisions

  15. Fellowship Provisions • J-1 visa support; • Round-trip travel from Fellow’s home city to the United States; • Domestic U.S. travel as required by the program; • A six-week Leadership Institute; • A concluding Summit in Washington, D.C.; • A limited accident and sickness benefit plan; • Housing and meals during the program; and • An optional four-week Professional Development Experience (for up to 70 Fellows)

  16. The Fellowship Does Not Include: • Funds to supplement Fellow income • Baggage fees in excess of the standard amount • Medical co-payments and expenses not covered by ASPE • High-tech devices such as full-feature smartphones, tablets, or laptops

  17. Visa Regulations • All program participants receive a J-1 visa • 30-day grace period for return travel after program ends • Program participants must return to their home countries for at least two years upon program completion • No paid employment during the program • Dependents may not join participants on program • No visa transfers or extensions will be given

  18. Eligibility The Mandela Washington Fellowship is open to young African leaders who are: • Between the ages of 25 and 35 • Not U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the United States • Eligible to receive a United States J-1 visa • Not employees or immediate family members of employees of the U.S. Government • Proficient in reading, writing, and speaking English • Are citizens and residents of an eligible country • Are not Alumni of the Mandela Washington Fellowship

  19. List of Participating Countries • Angola • Benin • Botswana • Burkina Faso • Burundi • Cameroon • Cabo Verde • Central African Republic • Chad • Comoros • Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) • Republic of the Congo • Côte d’Ivoire • Djibouti • Equatorial Guinea • Eritrea • Eswatini • Ethiopia • Gabon • The Gambia • Ghana • Guinea • Guinea-Bissau • Kenya • Lesotho • Liberia • Madagascar • Malawi • Mali • Mauritania • Mauritius • Mozambique • Namibia • Niger • Nigeria • Rwanda • Sao Tome and Principe • Senegal • Seychelles • Sierra Leone • Somalia • South Africa • South Sudan • Sudan • Tanzania • Togo • Uganda • Zambia • Zimbabwe

  20. What Makes an Ideal Mandela Washington Fellow? • A proven record of leadership and accomplishment in business, civic engagement, or public service; • A demonstrated commitment to public or community service, volunteerism, or mentorship; • The ability to work cooperatively in diverse groups and to respect the opinions of others; • Strong social and communication skills; • An energetic, positive attitude; • Demonstrated knowledge of, interest in, and professional experience in the preferred sector/track; and • A commitment to return to Africa and apply leadership skills and training to benefit the applicant’s country and/or community after returning home.

  21. Fellowship Accommodations The Mandela Washington Fellowship: • Is committed to ensuring that Africa’s young leaders with disabilities are able to fully participate • Will provide reasonable accommodations that will allow for a full and engaging experience • Provides disability support that complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

  22. During the Application Process • You will be asked to self-identify as having a disability. • Disclosing a disability does not hurt your chances of being selected for the Fellowship.  • All Fellows who self-identify as having a disability will receive a survey from IREX requesting detailed information about their disability-related health conditions.  • The Fellowship is a fully-inclusive program. Disclosing your disability will only improve our accommodation of your individual needs.

  23. Mobility

  24. Vision

  25. Hearing

  26. Pre-Institute at Gallaudet University • Coordinated since 2017 in partnership with Gallaudet University • Purpose: • Improve American Sign Language (ASL) skills  • Understand role of ASL interpreters  • Determine preferred accommodation(s)

  27. Fellowship Accommodations: Pregnancy Support • Applicants who are pregnant or who may become pregnant are encouraged to apply. • Pre-natal support available during Fellowship • Fellows who are less than 20 weeks pregnant by the start of the Fellowship can expect to be able to fully participate in the program • More Info: mwfellows.info/apply

  28. How to Apply • The application for the 2020 Mandela Washington Fellowship is open from September 12 – October 9, 2019. • The application will request your: • Basic information (name, address, phone, email, and country of citizenship); • Professional and academic experience; • Educational background; • Honors and awards received; • Previous U.S. experience; • Extracurricular and volunteer activities; and • English language proficiency. • You will also be asked to attach your: • Personal Statements (Four short-response and two long-response); • CV/Résumé; and • Letters of recommendation and university transcripts (OPTIONAL).

  29. Note on Plagiarism • Plagiarism means taking someone else’s work or ideas and presenting them as your own. • Plagiarism is strictly forbidden, and those who plagiarize their application materials will be disqualified. • To avoid disqualification: • Use your own words and ideas • Avoid cut and paste • Do not use wording from other applicants or Alumni • Credit your sources The U.S. Department of State and IREX will be checking all applications for plagiarism. For more information, please visit Plagiarism.org.

  30. Application Timeline September 12: Application opens October 9: Application closes January – February 2020: Semifinalists interviewed by local U.S. embassies Late March 2020: Applicants notified of their status May 2020: Visa processing and pre-departure orientations for Finalists June 2020: Fellowship begins in the United States

  31. Impact and Alumni Stories

  32. Next Steps Visit the Fellowship website to learn more: • Mandela Washington Fellowship: mwfellows.info/apply Follow the Mandela Washington Fellowship on social media: • Facebook: www.facebook.com/MandelaWashingtonFellowship • Twitter: @WashFellowship • Instagram: @MandelaWashFellowship Mark your calendars with key application dates: • Application Opens: September 12, 2019 • Application Closes: October 9, 2019 U.S. Embassy Point of Contact: • Name, Email, Phone

  33. Questions?

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