Emerging Public Leaders hosts international alumni event celebrating good governance across Africa

Nairobi, Kenya - Emerging Public Leaders was honored to celebrate the contributions of our Alumni to good governance across Africa during the inaugural Alumni Network Gathering hosted with our partners in Nairobi last week.

The three-day gathering began with an opening ceremony on Monday, 4 March 2024 at Sportsview Hotel, Kasarani. Young public leaders from Liberia, Ghana, and Kenya, in person and online, heard from high-profile guests, including the Keynote Speaker, Rose Wachuka Macharia, MBS, Chief of Staff, Office of the Chief Justice and President, Supreme Court of Kenya, who gave the keynote address:

“Every day you will hold yourself accountable, and that is a radical act of leadership. Anything you are entrusted with...that is the call to public service.”

keynote speaker, Rose Wachuka Macharia addressed the alumni about the importance of leadership and the values they hold as public servants.

dr.Sylvester Obong’o shared his experience with the public service emerging leaders fellowship program and noted the importance of mentors and networks.

Also speaking at the event, Dr. Sylvester Obong’o, Director of Performance and Service Delivery Transformation, for our partners, the Public Service Commission of Kenya commented:

“Coaching and networking works. So many great leaders have been products of coaching. We are here today because we believe that young people, properly coached and allowed to network globally, can make Africa great.”

Sharmi Surianarain, Chief Impact Officer, Harambee Youth Accelerator, Emerging Public Leaders Board Member, and PSELF Steering Committee Member reminded Alumni about the importance of their work saying:

“If you are too big to do the little things, you are too little to do the big things. Being in the public service is not doing big things but doing small things with integrity, and purpose. Don't get tired of doing the little things because that’s how you achieve big things.”

Sharmi Surianarain remarks during the opening ceremony reminded the alumni about the importance of their work, even the ordinary and small tasks.

Ivy Mwai reminded alumni about the importance of women in public sector leadership and the partnership with mastercard foundation and epl investment in inclusivity.

Ivy Mwai, Education and Skills Lead, Mastercard Foundation noted the partnership with Emerging Public Leaders and the work it supported to drive gender inclusivity in the public sector saying:

“We have an ambitious target of 70 percent women in everything we do. This week for International Women’s Day, that's really what I see in this room, diverse, inclusive - young leaders at the center of the public sector. You are the future.”

Executive Director of Emerging Public Leaders, Abigail Kajumba, spoke about the incredible benefits of this  pan-African Alumni Network:

“We often hear from our Alumni, that some of the greatest support they get beyond the fellowship is knowing each other… is being able to walk into the ministry down the hall to follow up on an important matter. So, as we look for that prosperous and equitable Africa, I am delighted to see us now meeting together...today marks the beginning of a moment where we go hand in hand to increase our impact not just in our countries - but across Africa .”

abigail kajumba and richard okai welcomed alumni to the inaugural alumni network gathering and thanked the partners present for their continued support of the emerging leaders in africa’s public service.

After the opening ceremony, the young leaders participated in sessions to immerse themselves in the stories of their peers working in the public sector across Africa and help develop pathways to strengthen program development and shape the growth of the Alumni Network. The three-day agenda also included engagements with guests from the Government of Malawi, AAPAM, the African Leadership Academy, and the People First Community.

alumni from liberia, ghana, and kenya discussed in groups the best practices learned from their fellowship experience.

alumni presented program blueprints to use as emerging public leaders expands to new countries and support emerging leaders from across africa on their career JOURNEYS.

Emerging Public Leaders’ pan-African Alumni Network is committed to the mission of Emerging Public Leaders, to provide the next generation of young African leaders with training and experience that focuses on citizen-centric service delivery, public service leadership and ethos, and public sector systems and methods. Together our Alumni across Africa will continue to drive youth-led impact on good governance. 

Notes:

About Emerging Public Leaders

Emerging Public Leaders is a public service leadership organization that is preparing the next generation of competent and effective public sector leaders in Africa. EPL partners with governments and local organizations to rigorously identify public service professionals who are committed to practicing and promoting good governance throughout Africa. With our support throughout their career journeys, this diverse network of leaders influence and strengthen their country’s institutions for delivering democracy with excellence, care, innovation, and integrity. Learn more about EPL on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.

About Emerging Leaders Foundation

The Emerging Leaders Foundation Africa (ELF-Africa) exists to empower, support, and accompany young women and men to achieve meaningful, dignified, and impactful participation in governance, economy, and public affairs at all levels of society. Anchored on our foundational values-based approach to leadership as service. ELF’s vision is pursued through three program pillars namely the Governance & Civic Engagement, Economic Empowerment, Livelihoods & Opportunity, and Leadership Development Program. Together with Emerging Public Leaders and the Public Service Commission of Kenya, ELF identifies and trains the next generation of excellent public service professionals committed to good governance through the Public Service Emerging Leaders Fellowship program. Learn more about ELF-Africa on Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn.

About President’s Young Professionals Program 

The President’s Young Professionals Program is a prestigious and competitive two-year program that recruits and places recent Liberian university graduates in important government roles and provides them with training and mentorship as they support the government’s top priorities. The PYPP was launched in 2009 by a consortium of visionary funders and with the support of the Government of Liberia. It has become one of Africa’s most competitive programs for leadership in public service. Learn more about PYPP on Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn.

About Emerging Public Leaders of Ghana

Emerging Public Leaders of Ghana exist to build youth capacity and strengthen institutions. The EPL Ghana program is crafted to identify, recruit, and enable the brightest and most promising future leaders that Ghana has to offer. These exceptional individuals are placed in impactful public sector roles, where they become agents of positive change. Learn more about EPL Ghana on Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn.

For more information, please contact Amanda at amanda@emergingpublicleaders.org and/or Penelope at penelope@emergingpublicleaders.org.