PAYLP 2021 Mini-Grant Spotlight: The “Voninga” Project

The following post was written by Dário Macucule an Adult Mentor for the U.S. Department of State’s Pan Africa Leadership Program (PAYLP) implemented by Meridian. Macucle is from Mozambique. My name is Dário Macucule, and I am a teacher at Manhiça Secondary School, located in a village in southern Mozambique. This past March, I implemented The “Voninga” Project with the support of a PAYLP Alumni Mini-Grant to guide graduating high school students as they chart their futures. The word Voninga comes from Changanga (or Shangaan/ Tsonga), a native language is spoken in the south of Mozambique, and means “enlighten.”  From wishing for role models… When I was a student,...

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Celebrating Africa Day with PAYLP

On May 25, also known as Africa Day, Meridian celebrates our annual exchange experience, the Pan Africa Youth Leadership Program (PAYLP). Meridian is pleased to implement the U.S. Department of State’s Pan-Africa Youth Leadership Program (PAYLP) on behalf of the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Each year, this dynamic youth leadership program engages 150 high school students and adult mentors from over 38 countries in Africa for a three-week U.S.-based cultural exchange and civic engagement training program. When we think of youth, we think of idealism, hopes, and dreams for the future. The Pan Africa Youth...

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A Personal Reflection on The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women Growth Fellowship

The following post was written by Eng. Oluremi Hamid, Founder of Hyrden Energy Ltd. and alumni of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women Growth Fellowship implemented by The University of Leeds and Meridian International Center. The Fellowship provides women entrepreneurs from around the world with business and management education, mentoring and networking, and access to capital. The creation of 10,000 Women was informed by research showing that investing in education for women could close a range of gender gaps. The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women Growth Fellowship was the icing on the delicious cake that I call the 10,000 Women Course....

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Creating opportunities for women and girls to advance in the workforce post-pandemic

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, workplaces have been turned upside down and employees have struggled with new challenges presented. Research shows that women, especially women of color, have felt adverse effects in comparison to their male counterparts including experiencing furlough at higher rates – putting their careers and financial security at risk. The U.S. Department of Labor shows that the adult women employment rate reached 54.3% during the pandemic, the lowest it’s been since September 1988. In addition, there were 7.2% fewer adult Black women, 5.9% fewer adult Hispanic women, and 4.8% fewer adult white women employed in June...

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Top Takeaways from the 2022 Global Ties U.S. National Meeting

On March 16-19, 2022, Meridian joined fellow peers and organization members at the 2022 Global Ties U.S. National Meeting: Moving Exchange Forward. Over 400 attendees gathered to discuss strategies and resources to navigate programming, to learn about current events and trends affecting the United States and its foreign policy and to strengthen connections among those involved in international exchanges. As one of eight National Programming Agencies for the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), Meridian maintains a vital role both leading and participating in these conversations. Several staff attended the meeting both in-person and virtually, while also curating two panels focused...

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