WASHINGTON D.C., United States of America, June 7, 2018/APO Group/ --

The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, the flagship program of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), is hosting the first Continental Conference for Mandela Washington Fellows in Johannesburg, South Africa June 12 – 13, 2018. Over 400 promising young leaders from 49 countries in sub-Saharan Africa will gather to debate and collaborate on issues affecting the region. They will be joined by some of Africa’s most notable leaders in the private sector, representatives of the United States Government, and international and local organizations.

WHO: 400 Mandela Washington Fellows; notable African private sector leaders; representatives of U.S. government

WHAT: Young African Leaders Initiative –  Continental Conference

THEME: Energizing African youth to drive development through innovation and collaboration

WHEN: Credentialed journalists are invited to the following open press sessions:

Tuesday, June 12, 2018

8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Opening Session

• Remarks by Ambassador Matthew T. Harrington, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of African Affairs, U.S. Department of State

• Conversation with Dr. Mamphela Ramphele, Co-founder and Global Ambassador, ReimagineSA 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

• Workshop:   AB InBev company representative: Sustainability Goals & Investments  

4:00 a.m. — 5:15 p.m.

• Conversation with Dr. William Tsuma, Peace and Development Advisor, UN: Promoting peace and building inclusive communities across the continent.
• Day 1 Closing Remarks by Carell Laurent, Deputy Mission Director, USAID West Africa Regional Mission

6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.: Opening of the Fellows Expo - The Market Place and Cocktail Reception

• Remarks by John Groarke, Mission Director, USAID Southern Africa Regional Mission
• Remarks by MEC for Economic Development, Lebogang Maile

Wednesday, June 13^th, 2018

8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

• Remarks by Kitty Andang, Deputy Mission Director at USAID/Senegal

3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

• Conversation with entrepreneur and Executive Chair of the Mbekani Group Dr. Judith Dlamini: Transforming education to prepare Africa’s youth for the future
• Remarks by Christopher Runyan, USAID’s  Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Africa

                WHERE: Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Center

• Address: 14 View Point Rd, Bardene, Boksburg, 1456
• Phone: 011 897 0000

RSVP: Journalists please register in advance by contacting Jackie Jena at jjena@irex.org or +27610284822. Please bring journalist credentials.