Archbishop Tutu Leadership Fellows debate Africa's future
Eighteen Archbishop Tutu Leadership Fellows from 11 African countries met at Rhodes House today to debate the future of Africa, and to discuss scenarios for the next two decades with Rhodes Scholars from Africa.
Acknowledging both political and economic progress in many countries, the Fellows highlighted the importance for Africa of such issues as transparent and accountable governance, peace and security, economic diversification, regional integration, strategies for engaging appropriately with China, India and other emerging economic giants with strong interests in Africa, development of physical and technological infrastructure, much greater focus on education (including higher education), and gender equality.
The Warden, Dr Donald Markwell, welcomed the Tutu Fellows to Rhodes House, and on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, to Oxford. Dr Markwell highlighted that the Rhodes Scholarships, like the Archbishop Tutu Leadership Programme, aim to nurture leaders for the future of Africa and the world. He was delighted that current Rhodes Scholars from Africa were able to participate in the lively discussions of Africa’s future. Click here for the Warden’s speech discussing the meaning today of Cecil Rhodes’s phrase ‘instincts to lead’, an attribute he sought in Rhodes Scholars.
The Archbishop Tutu Fellows are high-potential, mid-career leaders from across sub-Saharan Africa, and this year’s Fellows include two Rhodes Scholars, Mwangi Githiru (Kenya & St John’s 1999) and Constantin von der Heyden (South African College School & Brasenose 1999). The programme is an initiative of the African Leadership Institute, and its development owes much to the work of three Rhodes Scholars – Peter Wilson (Rhodesia & St Edmund Hall 1967), Michael Stone (Rhodesia & St Edmund Hall 1966), and the late Norman Swanepoel (Rhodesia & St Edmund Hall 1970).
