Institute Report2009 MILEAD Leadership Institute Report
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Executive Summary
The Moremi Initiative for Women�s Leadership in Africa in collaboration with the WISE-Ghana, GIMPA and the University of Ghana, and with support from the Global Fund for Women and The OSI- International Women�s Program, hosted the maiden edition of the MILEAD Leadership Institute in Accra Ghana. The institute, held from July 17 to August 5, 2009 is a three-week intensive residential training component of the year-long MILEAD Fellows Program - a uniquely designed initiative committed to long-term developmental of African women�s leadership. The cadre of 25 extraordinary young African women selected each year as Fellows, participate in this rigorous training, designed to equip them with the skills, knowledge and values they need to succeed as women leaders.
The historic 2009 institute was co-hosted by the University of Ghana, Legon and Ghana Institute for Management and Public Administration- (GIMPA). The event brought together a pan-African class of 25 dynamic and emerging young African women leaders, ranging from 19 to 25 years old. They were identified and selected as 2009/2010 MILEAD Fellows from throughout Africa and the Diaspora through a highly competitive process and criteria, including demonstrative leadership potential and promise, along with service to their community. They represent a regional diversity of multi-cultural and social backgrounds, actively leading change on critical issues, including women�s health and safety, community development, girl-child education, economic and environmental justice among others.
Through lectures, skills training workshops, plenaries, seminars and a range of interactive and mentoring activities, the 2009 institute enabled the fellows to cross-examine concepts of leadership in a broad African context; cultivate the skills and experiences women need to occupy and excel in leadership positions; and gain knowledge on cutting-edge issues critical to African women and their communities. It also enabled them to established a new level of cross-cultural and pan- African solidarity network. Additionally, it connected them with experienced women leaders who are committed to nurturing the next generation of African women leaders.
This historic institute succeeded in producing some remarkable outcomes such as the launching of the MILEAD Fellows Network- a dynamic community of exceptional young leaders with a shared commitment to shaping Africa�s future; Launching of 25 MiCHANGE Projects: 25 community projects initiated by Fellows on critical issues of importance to their community or African women as a whole; Launching of the MiVoice Newsletter on women�s leadership in Africa; a Young African Women�s Charter on the rights of women in Africa (in progress); combined with national and international exposure for selected fellows and their emergence as a new cadre of highly motivated catalyst force for change.
Our remarkable fellows, who are already playing greater leadership roles in their communities, will be joined by 25 new fellows each year, to build a truly pan-African platform that will help make our communities a more thriving and peaceful place for African women.
The promise exhibited through this year�s fellows, affirms the program�s premise that- �the equal and active participation of women in decision making, is a prerequisite for peace and development in Africa�. Together, their combined energy, knowledge and skills will continue to yield tremendous impact for Africa and future generations, through the shared pursuit of positive change for women in Africa.