The “InterAction Pan-African Leadership Programme”, a British Council initiative targeting 1,500 youths in 19 African countries, was launched at Domaine Les Pailles last Friday. This programme aims at “developing a transformational leadership programme designed for Africa, which would be built with the principle of partnership with African people as its constant inspiration.”

The participants all have a standard profile. The British Council has brought together those “with a desire to leave ‘positive footprints’ in the history of Africa and make a significant positive contribution to society. Those who are open to learning, open-minded, curious, willing to share their own experiences and at the same time actively seeking new perspectives.” They will be “coached” by African leadership professionals with the latest thinking from the UK and support of pan-African facilitators.

Fifteen contact days and interim activities will help participants share experiences at personal, regional and national level. The first two days will be devoted to a workshop to help them set their own goals. Then, a three-day pan-African event will welcome some 100 delegates from the 19 countries. Finally, there will be a ten-day in-country programme with modules on leadership skills, coaching and experiential learning. Moreover, a web-based electronic community will allow participants to stay in touch.