11 Malagasy young leaders were selected to participate in the highly competitive Mandela Washington Fellowship this year. After having completed the program last summer, they share their experience during the six-week fellowship.

Alexandre MANAMAMONJY (Civic Engagement, University of Delaware)

It has been an honor to be part of the Mandela Washington Fellowship.  I had the chance to meet the finest young leaders from all over Africa.  Those encounters helped me extend my international network and I am confident it will enrich my professional life.  I learned so much, especially about women in Africa.  Through the many exchanges between Fellows and institute staff, I have gained incredible insights into the perception of women's rights through the lenses of intersectionality and cross-culturalism.  It was an opportunity to talk to the best of the best, and I was inspired by their words to improve my leadership skills.  I will continue fighting for girls' rights and wish to collaborate with others advocating for women’s rights.  I would like to be a role model for our youth namely for girls' access to education.

Heriniaina Zhita Irène ANDRIAMALALA (Public Management, Georgia State University)

The Mandela Washington Fellowship was a unique and enriching experience.  As a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to develop experiences in a country like the United States, it allowed me to deepen my knowledge and skills.  There I could grow as a leader.  It was also a great opportunity to connect with African and American leaders.  I got expert training on improving my self-confidence, having values, and directing actions towards sustainable goals and ethical behaviors.  These new skills will help strengthen my fight for land rights for vulnerable people in Madagascar.  As a civil servant, my principal role is to “serve” my country and my people.  So, I plan to be one of the key actors in the reform of Land Administration through policies of good governance in an inclusive framework for the benefit of the local population.

Henintsoa Daniel RAKOTOARISON (Public Management, Wayne State University)

Through the Mandela Washington Fellowship, I have had the life-changing chance to be ONE with other exceptional youths from across Africa.  The knowledge we received from each other was incommensurate both in terms of technical knowledge but also in terms of essential life skills such as adaptability, resilience, and the ability to capitalize on diversity.  If one theme emerged from our sharing, it was the principle of “Leading through Strength.”  Not only were we encouraged to find and explore our strengths, but also to see strengths first in others.  As a Child and Youth Care (CYC) worker, this Fellowship has created so many ambitions in me.  I would like to partner with influential Childcare institutions and Government bodies to rethink childcare and design services that are inclusive and centered on child development through awareness-raising, advocacy, and advisory work.

 James Michael Stuart RAKOTOMALALA (Business, Clark Atlanta University)

Thanks to the Mandela Washington Fellowship, I have learned skills that have increased my capacity in leadership and business significantly.  Through the Common Leadership Curriculum (CLC), I have had a chance to explore my top five strengths (Ideation, Futuristic, Learner, Focus, Individualization) and enhance my relationship-building skills, especially in a multicultural context.  The business track was insightful for me, especially the themes of critical thinking, business plans, and social entrepreneurship.  I had the opportunities to learn more about agribusiness with Clark Atlanta University and Purdue University during the community of Practice.  Through my professional development experience with Agricycle Global, I am training on food drying, circular economy, and food security.  I am planning to implement a fish farming and an artisanal processing facility in Vakinankaratra to tackle food insecurity through fruits processing.

 Tojosoa RAMARLINA (Business, Lehigh University)

The Mandela Washington Fellowship is the ideal opportunity to meet giants and pioneers in your industry.  If you’re an entrepreneur and a problem-solver at heart, it is the place to be.  The content provided by my institute was top-notch and helped reframe my business approach.  In one month, my focus project went from an idea to a realized project with more than five figures in monthly recurring revenue.  Above all, I’m now connected to a vast network of leaders and change-makers around the globe.  I’m currently working on expanding access to opportunities in the virtual economy through Harato Capital and Rahona Labs.  We provide training and resources to 150 people from unprivileged areas in 3 different countries: Madagascar, the Philippines, and Venezuela. Our objective is to onboard 10,000 people in the next few months.

 Lova Andrianina RANDRIANASOLO (Public Management, Wayne State University)

My motivation to pursue the Mandela Washington Fellowship came from my participation in the YALI Regional Leadership Program.  I was fortunate to be selected for the 2021 cohort and to become part of the network of young leaders.  The program offered me academic courses, leadership training, mentoring, networking, professional opportunities, and community involvement.  But above all, it was a valuable opportunity to improve my leadership skills by becoming aware of my strengths.  The public management track helped me understand and harness strategies for developing and influencing policy toward implementing change.  Most importantly, I have been equipped with the tools and knowledge to better understand organizational, political, and cultural systems to strategically engage and mobilize support on the ground and to build ownership and commitment of the people I work with and for.

Tsiry Nantenaina RANDRIANAVELO (Civic Engagement, University of Georgia)

Professional skills and experiences were part of the assets gained from the Mandela Washington Fellowship, but an extended network and deeper relationships are the most important things I’m taking away.  I have been integrated into an active African-wide community.  Thanks to the mentorship offered by my focus project coach, my vision of my organization's sustainability is getting clearer.  I was even able to elaborate a strategic action plan.  Sharing knowledge is among my priorities.  By keeping in contact with Fellows and alumni, I am planning to respond to a diverse call for projects and to mobilize volunteers for a community service activity.

Vony RANDRIANONENANA (Civic Engagement, University of Nebraska-Lincoln)

What an amazing experience I gained from the Mandela Washington Fellowship in several domains including partnerships, networking, and diversity.  In addition to a deeper knowledge of American cultures, I have learned how to explore my strengths to lead and to empower my community through the Leadership Development Action Plan and Common Leadership Curriculum.  My current plans are to apply this valuable knowledge to my current work at Clair de Lune Madagascar, developing community projects for women, children, and youth in Madagascar, expanding professional networks with local, African and American people, encouraging team spirit toward the common goal of social inclusion, and being a role model in effective and resilient leadership.

Misa RASOLOFOARISON (Public Management, Arizona State University)

The Mandela Washington Fellowship gave me better knowledge of myself and my biases.  I was able to identify my talents, which I will develop into strengths for better leadership.  I also networked with other fellows, Americans, and other professionals in international trade.  I will do my best to maintain that networking, even expand it, to help share best practices and provide mutual support.  YALI has also been an opportunity for me to develop a project that is close to my heart and that serves my community.  I plan to implement my focus project DIO, a Malagasy word stating « clean » and an acronym for “Dirt Is Over”. It will consist of educating the consumer society for a waste-free environment.

Nadia RATSIMBA (Business, University of Notre Dame)

Through the Mandela Washington Fellowship, I learned about American culture, I learned about myself, and I learned how to adopt a strengths-based approach to leadership.  I also gained the friendship of my Malagasy Fellows, with the Fellows from other countries, with the university’s team, and during the cultural connection activity.  Related to my business track, the fellowship taught me about social entrepreneurship and helped me strengthen my business plan and my leadership skills.  I also received advice, guidance, and support from my coach. My plan now is to grow my business to bring it to the next level.  I will also use my leadership skills in the associations I lead, and I will continue to bring positive changes to my community.

Patricia Nabeza RAZAFINDRAKALA (Public Management, Georgia State University)

The Mandela Washington Fellowship was a very rich program.  I gained a lot from it, like knowing my strengths and how to maximize them.  As we are living in a particular and uncertain period, the Fellowship taught me the importance of being resilient, flexible, and open minded as a leader.  As I have a strong interest in policy, the various sessions on public management, social justice, the UBUNTU philosophy, and public speaking really stood out to me.  My next plan is to work with the political party that I belong to in an effort to increase the number of elected members from our party in the next election.

The 2021 fellows with U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Amy J. Hyatt, Vice Minister in charge of Youth and YALI Regional Center alumna Tahina Juliana Ratovoson, Minister of Economy and Finance Rindra Hasimbelo Rabarinirinarison and Minister in charge of Fishing and Blue Economy Paubert Tsimanaoraty Mahatante – both alumni of the Mandela Washington Fellowship (Photo by U.S. Embassy Madagascar)

U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Amy J. Hyatt: “Perseverance, resilience, and adaptability are exactly the leadership traits we need right now”

Last September, the U.S. Embassy to Madagascar and Comoros celebrated 11 young Malagasy leaders for completing a six-week intensive U.S. leadership training known as the Mandela Washington Fellowship in an official ceremony on September 14. Here are the remarks from U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Amy J. Hyatt

“It is a pleasure to celebrate the hard work and determination of Madagascar’s young people. I had the chance to speak with some of you at our last networking event, and I can tell you, I was inspired.

It was clear to me why each of you had been chosen for the Mandela Washington Fellowship.  Your stories demonstrated leadership, innovation, and a commitment to giving back to Madagascar.

But I am also impressed at well you’ve responded to the unexpected changes that this program has dealt you.

You applied to the Mandela Washington Fellowship thinking you would go to the United States in 2020 for a six-week exchange program. Instead, a global pandemic halted the program for an entire year, forcing you to postpone your plans – only for it ultimately to move online this year.

Confronted with these changes, you demonstrated perseverance. You displayed resilience, recovering quickly from each challenge. You remained adaptable, embracing the new virtual format and the opportunities that came with it.

These are exactly the leadership traits we need right now.

Like the rest of the world, Madagascar is facing choices as it contemplates how to build back better after COVID-19. How will the country manage its natural resources in a sustainable way that benefits all its people? How will the country develop long-term solutions to food insecurity in the south?  How will it address the global challenge of climate change?

These are tough questions. But I am confident in Madagascar’s ability to respond because I have met you.  I have heard your stories. And I have seen your potential.

I know that you will employ the perseverance, resilience, and adaptability you have displayed throughout this program. I believe in you and your ability to find solutions to tough questions.

And I also know that, like “Mpirahalahy Mianala,” the United States will be alongside you, rooting for your success.

So, on behalf of the U.S. government, let me say thank you for choosing this program and congratulations on completing it!”