“Atlantic Dialogues Emerging Leaders” strengthens its ranks. 43 new young leaders, including 15 Africans, are joining this community.
As part of the Atlantic Dialogues conference, which brings together prominent figures from the Atlantic basin, the Policy Center for the New South (PCNS) announces the launch of the 2023 edition of its program: Atlantic Dialogues Emerging Leaders (ADEL).
In addition to being a think tank that works to cultivate ideas and bring forth the most innovative ones, the Policy Center for the New South is also a hub for young leaders. This year, 15 Africans, 10 Europeans, 9 North Americans, 8 South Americans and Caribbeans, and 1 Asian, totaling 43 individuals, including 29 women and 14 men, are joining the "Atlantic Dialogues Emerging Leaders" community created by the Policy Center for the New South.
Among these emerging leaders, 30% come from civil society or non-governmental organizations (NGOs), 15% from the private sector, 15% from governments, 12.5% from international organizations, 7.5% from the public sector, and 5% from the academic world.
As a reference, among the selected individuals are Tony Bishop (United States), Senior Advisor at the White House who worked at the National Cybersecurity Director's Office; Geospatial Consultant Stella Chelangat Mutai (Kenya), contributing expertise to the United Nations World Food Programme; Belgian Khadija Hamouchi, Innovation Project Coordinator at the International Telecommunication Union; David Lawless (Canada), Senior Policy Advisor, Government of Canada; Bitania Lulu Berhanu (Ethiopia), Program Director at Amref Health Africa; and Thiago Elert Soares (Brazil), Partnerships Manager at the United Nations World Food Programme.
Hailing from 26 countries, the 43 new emerging leaders, all under 35 years old, will join the existing community of 380 former participants. They will participate in leadership seminars and workshops scheduled from December 11 to 13, alongside the 12th "Atlantic Dialogues" conference organized by the Policy Center for the New South. Throughout the event, this new cohort will engage in the main debate and interact with the entire Atlantic Dialogues community, emphasizing the voice of the future of the Atlantic basin, as customary.
"This year's ADEL program promises a stimulating diversity with various sessions. Participants will have the opportunity to explore current opportunities around the Atlantic basin, hone their storytelling skills, discuss sustainability in public policies, and maximize the power of networking. As a comprehensive educational experience, the ADEL program aims to train emerging leaders in an engaging and relevant manner," the think tank announces in a statement from which these excerpts are taken.
ADEL: An innovative vision of leadership focused on the Atlantic and Africa
The ADEL program stands out for its commitment to the Atlantic and African regions, providing participants with a specific and relevant perspective for these geographical areas. Its uniqueness lies in its inclusive approach, actively integrating former participants into its ongoing programming, thus creating a dynamic and collaborative community. The program builds connections between young professionals from the North and the South, fostering rich cultural exchange and increased mutual understanding.
Furthermore, the program integrates participants into the prestigious Atlantic Dialogues conference, offering a unique platform to actively contribute to international discussions and cross-generational perspectives with decision-makers from the region (current and former). Thus, the combination of focus on the Atlantic and Africa, inclusion of former participants, and connection between youth from the North and the South make the ADEL program an exceptional leadership experience, transcending borders and strengthening the social and professional fabric of the participants.
Development of a resilient community
The ADEL program aims to create a community that extends beyond the framework of the Atlantic Dialogues conference, offering various opportunities throughout the year: contributing to Policy Center publications or taking on speaking roles in think tank events and conferences. In 2022, former ADEL program participants published numerous opinion articles on the Policy Center's website and participated in the African Peace and Security Annual Conference (APSACO) in Rabat. Additionally, ADEL 2018 alumni Ahmed Rachid El-Khattabi and Hamza Rkha Chaham both contributed to the Atlantic Currents report, which was presented at the inauguration of the 11th edition of the Atlantic Dialogues. In 2023, ADELs published 8 opinions on the Policy Center's platform.
