05/08/2025
The of , hosted from July 22-27 in , , brought together 36 and from across Africa. Prior to gathering in person, alumni spent six weeks honing their experiential facilitation through asynchronous and coaching calls.
In Dakar, each alumnus/a delivered an engaging and informative session on a topic within their area of expertise, including , , , problem solving, , strategic partnerships, pitching one’s ideas and much more. YES staff and facilitators, including lead facilitator Simon Norton and four co-facilitators selected from among YES field staff in Africa, gave feedback and coached participants on how they might use what they learned and these skills in their home . Alumni attendees walked away with new , , skills and approaches for experiential facilitation, and new contacts for future .
At the program opening, Cultural Attaché from the US Embassy in Dakar, Vanessa Arness spoke and pertinently stated that "verified change begins when ideas are shared, explored and materialized together."
