The Aspen Global Innovators Group Launches Two Transformative Advocacy and Leadership Programs
Elevating Global Health and Development Expert Voices with Two Innovative Initiatives
Washington, DC, September 6, 2023 – The Aspen Global Innovators (AGI) Group is proud to unveil two transformative fellowship programs: the New Voices Fellowship Advanced Advocacy Program and the Impact West Africa Program. These programs underscore our commitment to amplifying the voices, expertise, and solutions of locally-rooted global health and development experts.
Amplifying Global Experts’ Voices
Supported by the critical investment of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the New Voices Fellowship was launched in 2013 with a mission to elevate the voices of dedicated locally-rooted development champions from across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and Latin America. After ten years, the New Voices Fellowship is a vibrant community of nearly 200 Fellows and partner organizations across 55 countries. These changemakers are effectively advocating for transformations in global health and development programs and policy change on a local, regional, and global scale. To date, New Voices Fellows have authored over 2,000 Op-Eds, raised more than $48 million in post-fellowship funding for their organizations, and positively impacted the lives of over 400 million people through development policy.
“Experts who live and work closest to development challenges have the clearest picture of what needs to happen next. They reflect community priorities, and leverage local strengths to craft sustainable solutions that truly make lives better,” said Andrew Quinn, Senior Communications Advisor to the Aspen Global Innovators Group at the Aspen Institute.
Deepening our investment in New Voices Senior Fellows: Advanced Advocacy Program
An innovative extension of the New Voices Fellowship model, the Advanced Advocacy Program focuses on supporting emerging leaders who have previously participated in the New Voices Fellowship training. The program seeks to cultivate the next generation of global sector leaders who can drive change and address pressing global challenges.
The fellowship not only aims to build on the successes of five selected Senior Fellows, but also to provide them with further support and resources, enabling them to advance more strategic advocacy efforts in sectors such as health, education, and economic empowerment. By channeling their expertise into driving forward targeted advocacy initiatives, they will have the ability to make a profound impact on a global scale. Fellows will engage in targeted activities designed to enhance their advocacy skills, broaden their networks, and contribute to a shared agenda for change. The launch of the program marks an exciting milestone for the New Voices Fellowship and its commitment to empowering the next generation of global leaders.
Charting a Bold Regional Course: Impact West Africa Fellowship
In a groundbreaking collaboration with the international advocacy, public affairs, and campaigns firm, Niyel, the Aspen Global Innovators Group is thrilled to respond to this growing demand for local global health leaders and innovators. The Impact West Africa Fellowship will spotlight 10 advocates, from both French-speaking and English-speaking West African countries, unifying West Africa’s Francophone and Anglophone development priorities. These advocates will forge new cross-border alliances to tackle common challenges that affect close to half a billion people across the region’s 17 countries. Fellows will be individuals with a demonstrated passion for advocacy and a strong track record of activities related to improving lives and influencing policy change across the West African region.
“The global health and development community is in dire need of bold new solutions and leaders,” said Lola Adedokun, Executive Director of the Aspen Global Innovators Group and Co-chair of the Aspen Forum on Women and Girls. “It is a privilege to partner with Niyel to champion local experts and innovators who are reimagining and rebuilding communities to ensure that current and future generations thrive.”
“At Niyel, we believe that empowering African advocates is key to unlocking the continent’s boundless potential. By equipping advocates with the necessary tools, training, mentorship, and access to decision-makers, we are fostering a network of change-makers who can collaborate, share knowledge, and drive collective action. This fellowship will serve as a catalyst for systemic change, enabling advocates to tackle pressing issues, promote social justice, and drive sustainable development. Our vision is simple yet profound: Together, we can transform challenges into opportunities. As a united force of change-makers, fellows will forge a path towards a stronger, more equitable Africa, where their collective voices resonate, driving the change we envision one day at a time, one impactful action after another,” said Laetitia Badolo, Director of Advocacy & Impact of Niyel.
As we stand on the threshold of a new era for testing, replicating, and scaling equitable health solutions, these programs underscore our commitment to fostering a more diverse, inclusive, and impactful global health landscape. We look forward to announcing the fellows selected to participate in the Impact West Africa Fellowship and the New Voices Fellowship Advanced Advocacy Program in Fall 2023.
For more about the Impact West Africa Fellowship and the New Voices Advance Advocacy Program, please visit www.aspenglobalinnovators.org. Follow all the Fellows on the Aspen Global Innovators Group’s social media platforms.
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The Aspen Global Innovators Group: For over 30 years, the Aspen Global Innovators Group has empowered health and development leaders and innovators from 55 countries across Africa, the Americas, Asia, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Island States to design, champion, and advocate for innovative programs, policies and partnerships that result in a safer, more equitable, and healthier future for all people and communities. Our network of 5000+ individuals and organizations has served 200 million people, improving health, well-being, and equity. We identify and amplify the voices of visionary, proven, and impactful local leaders, advocates, and practitioners. Join us in building a healthier, more equitable future at https://www.aspenglobalinnovators.org/.
The Aspen Institute: The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization committed to realizing a free, just, and equitable society. Founded in 1949, the Institute drives change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve the most important challenges facing the United States and the world. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the Institute has a campus in Aspen, Colorado, and an international network of partners. For more information, please visit aspeninstitute.org.
Niyel: Founded in 2008, Niyel is a private, impact-driven campaign, advocacy, and public affairs firm based in Dakar, Senegal. We partner with clients to co-create change in policy and practice across various sectors and human rights issues because we understand how important it is to build a better world through community outreach and transformation. We have a diverse and energetic team of change-makers from around the world. All our experts bring a creative approach to strategies and tactics, thinking outside the box to solve problems, offer guidance, and find new ways to drive impact. In the past 15 years, Niyel has partnered with NGOs, social movements, foundations, and everything in between on over 120+ projects to date. Today, Niyel stands as a competitive global firm on its way to leading change in the progressive development and advocacy sector. For more information, please visit www.niyel.net
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