Why Leadership Matters?

There has never been time in modern African history when the issue of leaders and quality of leadership have been so important. The need for an African leadership that has the competence to comprehend the threats, challenges and opportunities of globalization, the imperatives of democratization and good governance, the vision of a preferred future and the capacity and commitment to realize it, is clearly crucial.

More importantly, Africa needs leaders who believe in democracy not simply as an electoral mechanism of gaining power, but as a means by which legitimate power is achieved and responsibly and accountably exercised on behalf of the people.

Indeed, a leadership that is in tune with the changing world, competent and committed to respond to the challenges and opportunities of globalization. Clearly, that leadership is likely to emerge from the generation of young Africans.

Phelps Stokes’ Programs for Africa looks at the changing world and its challenges and opportunities for the young generation of African leaders. What is needed is the creation of the appropriate leadership that is capable of nurturing and promoting the African Renaissance and steering Africa through the transition to the knowledge and information based societies of the 21st Century.

Phelps Stokes’ Programs for Africa also aims to develop a new generation of young Africans, well educated, competent and committed with great potentials for leadership. What is required is the creation of an environment that will facilitate the identification of those with the talents for leadership, nurture and promote the qualities of honesty, integrity, loyalty, respect for knowledge and justified pride in strivings, achievements and successes.

Vision

A prosperous Africa effectively connected to the global web-based economy, where people’s and communities’ leadership potential is developed, and individuals collaborated on, find and deliver sustainable solutions throughout the African Diaspora.
 

Mission

To inspire leadership and change, and strengthen communities and institutions for a sustainable and prosperous Africa by identifying underserved Africans across sectors and cultures, developing their leadership potential and understanding of sustainable development, connecting them to the web-based economy, and mobilizing and supporting them as a network to achieve the positive changes they seek.
 

Objectives

1. Identify talented young people, and provide them with leadership skills to become agents of positive
2. Create and develop community-led centers of excellence in education, leadership development and citizenship in 6 African countries.
3. Train African medical doctors in creating a hybrid health system that combines the best health approaches from both the Western world and African countries.
4. Provide African journalists, writers, media staff, and other opinion-makers with a global platform to provide and relay information about Africa from a unique African perspective.
5. Engage students and young professionals in activities that promote global leadership, international service learning, citizenship and ethics, exchanges, networking and capacity and community building.