31 Grads from African Wildlife Program
The call for 2024 applications closed Feb. 3 with over 2,700 applicants, a 92% increase from 2023, demonstrating growing commitment to conservation across Africa.
NAIROBI, Kenya— The African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) celebrated the graduation of 31 fellows from the 2023 class of the AWF Charles R. Wall Leadership Program on Feb. 20, writes Winston Mwale.
The program includes the Charles R. Wall Young African Policy Fellows and the Charles R. Wall Conservation Leadership and Management Fellowship.
It aims to develop young African professionals to drive transformation in conservation across Africa.
Sixteen fellows from 12 African countries completed the inaugural cohort of the revamped leadership fellowship, which focuses on skills for conservation professionals.
Fifteen other young fellows graduated from the policy program, implemented with the U.N. Environment Programme.
It trains professionals in international environmental policy and governance.
The fellows represented 14 countries across West, Central, Eastern, Southern and Northern Africa.
In his keynote address, AWF CEO Kaddu Sebunya emphasized the shift toward locally-led, community-centered conservation in Africa.
“Africa must take charge of its conservation efforts now, harnessing the potential of its youth to safeguard its natural heritage,” he said.
The graduation recognized outstanding achievements with awards for Fellow of the Year, Best Innovation Project and Best Policy Brief.
The call for 2024 applications closed Feb. 3 with over 2,700 applicants, a 92% increase from 2023, demonstrating growing commitment to conservation across Africa.
The leadership program provides continuous learning and networking opportunities for fellows to influence environmental decisions and drive solutions.
AWF, founded in 1961, works to protect Africa's wildlife and wild lands through conservation programs led by Africans.