THE United States Embassy’s public diplomacy section recently partnered with the Zimbabwe Exchange Alumni Association (ZEAA) to host the first ever Zimbabwe Exchange Alumni Summit.
The purpose of this event was to foster networks and connections among exchange alumni from Zimbabwe, who have had the opportunity to experience the United States through cultural, educational, or professional exchange programmes.
Alumnus earn through programmes, such as the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, the Fulbright Teacher Exchange, One Beat, Women in Technology, the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs, the Fulbright Visiting Scholar, the Community Solutions Programme, and the African Civic Engagement Academy.
Valuable skills to improve their organisational programme activities, pragmatic practice, professional skills and develop critical thinking.
The acting deputy chief of mission, Benjamin Pierce said “over 4 000 individuals have participated in these exchange programmes” with the majority of them having had a positive impact on their communities.
The Zimbabwe exchange alumni 2023 summit in Harare was a two-day event that featured a variety of discussion forums on topics such as entrepreneurship, human rights, climate change, gender and Artificial Intelligence.
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The Association also presented the Alumni Impact Awards to recognise outstanding members, who are making a positive impact in their communities.
This convergence zone of ideas and innovators has the potential to create a shift that could put communities on transformative trajectory.
Coupled with the entrepreneurial spirit, if harnessed can quickly be transferred to the community.
From these pioneering roots, we have seen the emergence of vibrant initiatives that are working on innovative solutions to age-old challenges.
Traditional boundaries between businesses have been broken down, and the results of the association are likely to surpass and lead to new innovative solutions for communities.
The ZEAA is composed of a diverse group of talented young people, who are drawn from different expertise and backgrounds, hence this collective will bring together an energetic and talented group of individuals, who are passionate about advancing new ideas and bringing them to the forefront
The association has the potential to transform communities, influence young people to become active citizens and create sustainable impact.
Nyawo is a development practitioner.