Convening
Pan Africa Youth Leadership Program (PAYLP) – Summer 2023 Cohort
Pan Africa Youth Leadership Program (PAYLP) – Summer 2023 Cohort In July 2023, Meridian welcomed 46 youth participants and 12 adult mentors from 12 African countries to the United States for the Pan Africa Youth Leadership Program (PAYLP), an annual three-week academic and cultural exchange on leadership development and civic engagement. Opening in Atlanta, Georgia, on July 16, 2023, the first week of the program consisted of a series of workshops and cultural visits that introduced participants to community action planning, leadership approaches, civic engagement, and key sights around Atlanta.
PAYLP Summer 2023 Closing Dinner at Copeland’s Georgia Aquarium World of Coca Cola Museum National Center for Civic and Human Rights After the Atlanta opening, participants split into three smaller cohorts, each one travelling to a different city across the United States: Burlington, Vermont: Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea, Madagascar Kansas City, Missouri: Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad Little Rock, Arkansas: Mauritania, Niger, Republic of Congo, Togo During their time in their host cities, participants lived in homestays, allowing them to gain insight into different facets of American culture, cuisine, and family life.
In addition, participants undertook a comprehensive program of leadership training, civic engagement, and cultural immersion through virtual action planning sessions, skills development workshops, and visits to historical, political, and cultural sites. Highlights included a visit to the Arkansas State Capitol, volunteering at a berry farm in Vermont, and learning about technology and coding education initiatives with WeCode KC in Kansas City.
Visit to Arkansas State Capitol Attending an American Baseball Game Dining with American Homestay Family Volunteering at Owl’s Head Berry Farm Working on Community Action Plan On July 31, the program culminated with participants’ Community Action Plan presentations and closing ceremonies in each cohort’s respective host city. Community Action Plans were detailed and wide-ranging. Upon returning to their home countries, participants will have the opportunity to apply for a PAYLP Mini-Grant of up to $500 to implement their fantastic Community Action Plans.
Participants from Niger with their PAYLP Certificates Participants from the Republic of Congo with their PAYLP Certificates Participants in Vermont with their PAYLP Certificates Project summary Pan Africa Youth Leadership Program (PAYLP) – Summer 2023 Cohort Regions: Africa Countries: Republic of Congo , Niger , Burkina Faso , Côte d’Ivoire , Guinea , Madagascar , Burundi , Cameroon , Central African Republic , Chad , Mauritania , Togo Impact Areas: Civic Engagement Program Areas: Global Leadership .