Enhancing Professional Development Through Virtual Collaboration
Following the completion of their in-person Professional Development Experiences (PDEs) in September 2023, Mandela Washington Fellows had the option to continue collaborating with their Host Organizations after returning home through the new PDE Virtual Extension, which ran through the end of November. This extension allowed Fellows and Hosts to finish ongoing projects, work on Reciprocal Exchange applications, or pilot Host Organization programs in the Fellow’s home country. Fellows reported completing extension projects on various topics, including sustainable agriculture, STEM education, and transitional justice. Learn more below about some of these extension projects implemented by the 2023 PDE Fellows.
Improving Agriculture Outcomes for Farmers in Benin
As CEO of AgroLogistik Services, a Beninese company that supports cereal producers by transporting agricultural products in rural areas, Maya Dohou found her placement with Globalstratos to be a perfect fit for her PDE. She learned farmer registration processes and contributed to a seed-distribution program. After returning to Benin, Maya actively collaborated with her PDE Host on ‘Feed Farmers and Families for the Future,’ a project that promotes regenerative agriculture practices—particularly agroforestry of cashew and other trees, along with crop diversification. The project improves nutrition and health, restores degraded lands, supports sustainable biodiversity, and creates other positive outcomes across Benin.
Collaborating with Globalstratos provided firsthand exposure to regenerative agroforestry practices and the integration of self-sufficient farming techniques. This experience has reinforced the importance of holistic approaches to agricultural development, emphasizing the interconnectedness of environmental sustainability, food security, and community resilience.
Maya Dohou, 2023 Fellowship PDE Alumna
Expanding STEM Opportunities for Nigerian Students
Julius Ilori, founder of Learners Corner Education Tech Hub and lead consultant for the Lagos State Government, is passionate about improving education in his country. For his PDE, he partnered with Learning Undefeated to better understand the U.S. education sector, explore new curriculum strategies, and develop practices that inspire students to pursue STEM opportunities. After four productive weeks in Gaithersburg, Maryland, Julius used the extension to organize a “Fostering a STEM Mindset” workshop for 30 university professors in Lagos. Seeing the potential of their collaboration, Julius and Learning Undefeated now plan to establish an MOU with the Nigerian government to bring mobile STEM labs to the country for the first time.
“Ongoing discussions with the Lagos State Ministry of Education signal exciting opportunities for both Lagos state and Learning Undefeated, as we aspire to extend my PDE Host’s impact beyond the United States.”
Julius Ilori, 2023 Fellowship PDE Alumnus
Strengthening Transitional Justice Efforts in The Gambia
Civil-society activist Cherno Gaye found the PDE to be one of his favorite parts of the Fellowship, enjoying his time in Washington, DC contributing to the West Africa Team at the National Endowment for Democracy (NED). His main project involved researching accountability mechanisms to support The Gambia’s transitional justice process, a field he hopes to continue working in as a program manager at a non-profit focused on good governance. To expand their partnership, Cherno and NED used the extension to complete this research and explore ways to support The Gambia’s transitional justice efforts through Cherno’s non-profit.
“Transitional justice processes, including accountability, are not universal; they must be tailored to the specific context and experiences of each country. While international standards should be observed, local realities must guide the process. In The Gambia, reconciliation is crucial, but we cannot allow perpetrators to walk free without consequences. Many victims also need reparations and support to rebuild their lives.”
Cherno Gaye, 2023 Fellowship PDE Alumnus
The 2023 Virtual Extensions introduced an exciting new feature of the Professional Development Experience, allowing Fellows and Hosts to sustain their partnerships and work together on impactful projects supporting communities in both the United States and Africa.
Written by Reilly Walsh.