Deadline: April 5, 2021 (23:59, Paris time)
French-African Foundation Young Leaders Program 2021
The devastation caused by the pandemic is impossible to express in words. Whilst lockdowns keep us isolated at a time when we need each other the most, the challenges facing Africa and France have never been more complex.
Now more than ever, the French-African Foundation wishes to identify, assemble and nurture the most promising high-potential talents within the France and African economic, political, academic, social and cultural ecosystem. How can we speed the recovery? What solutions remain unexplored, for inclusive growth to become the fabric of our societies? Where to next? Millions of people are counting on the next generation of African and French leaders to be the answers to the region’s most pressing questions.
The RESILIENCE of our eco-system will be deeply probed, challenged and analyzed by the two groups of young leaders.
French-African Foundation Young Leaders Program 2021 SELECTION CRITERIA
(English only)
- Selectees must be between 28 and 40 years old.
- They need to be French nationals or the nationals of an African country.
- Fluency in English is required. Fluency in French or a demonstrated interest to learn.
- Selectees should demonstrate engagement and inclusive leadership across public and private sectors, and across geographical borders.
- The selectee must also demonstrate applied skills and experiences in any domain.
Will the sessions be the same in France and Senegal?
Yes.
What are some of the big questions the young leader will answer?
Exactly how tough are France and Africa’s economies? How are our health systems coping in response to Covid-19? How have companies and civil societies responded to the pandemic?
What “real-time” signature project will the selectees work on this year?
The 100 young leaders must deliver a report, outlining operational recommendations for the region’s sports industries.
How will the program conclude?
The two groups will unite as one at an annual gala event. Here they’ll present their reports organized around the same big questions of the France and Africa’s state of resilience.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE 2021 YOUNG LEADERS PROGRAM
The 100 young leaders will take part in an induction and wrap-up seminars, where they’ll have the opportunity to express their expectations. In France, these sessions will be led by Egon Zehnder, the world’s largest privately held executive search firm. In addition, the 100 young leaders will meet with major stakeholders from corporations, SMEs, mid-level business, start-ups, and members of key associations and institutions.
This year, the program pays special attention to the development of France and Africa’s sports industries. Young leaders will be taken on tours, exposing them to grassroots cultural realities. They will receive hands-on workshops dealing with media training, war school type decision-making sequences, and much more. In addition, the young leaders will be trained in the art of diplomacy, under the leadership of leading PR agencies in France and Senegal, with a focus on resilience, 2021s rallying theme.
THE BIG QUESTION PROJECT
What is it?
Every year, the Young Leaders Program offers young leaders the chance to work on a “real-time” signature project, with an immediate impact on our eco-system.
How is the project structured?
The project consists of 2 seminars, attended by young leaders in both France and Senegal.
What’s expected of the 100 young leaders?
After the seminars, the 100 young leaders will deliver a report and case-study based on the resilience of companies and civil society in response to Covid-19.
In particular, the report must outline operational recommendations for France and Africa’s sports industries.
Will their findings make an instant impact?
We’ve committed to making operational deliverables to AFD, the French development agency that implements policy defined by the French government in response to fighting poverty and sustainable development.
For more Information: Visit the website for French-African Foundation Young Leaders Program 2021
