Between 2016-2018, Legacy International has facilitated the Emerging Young Leaders Award and Exchange Program on behalf of the U.S. Department of State. The Emerging Young Leaders Award Program recognizes youth around the world for their efforts to create positive social change. Thirty young people from around the world were nominated by the U.S. Embassy system with ten chosen each year by the State Department to receive this prestigious award. As part of winning the award, the Leaders travelled to the U.S. for two weeks and took part in job shadows, professional development workshops, cultural activities and exchange opportunities as well as one-on-one mentorship with professionals in their industry or working with their cause/issue of interest. By investing in and connecting emerging leaders with networks, organizations, and resources that can bolster their efforts to enact positive change, we’re supporting a brighter future.
The 2018 awardees:
Sara Abdullah Abdulrahman, Iraq
Zina Salim Hassan Hamu, Lithuania
Isasiphinkosi Mdingi, South Africa
Learn more about the award and exchange program.
Follow the conversation online with #EYLeaders and @ECAatState.
2017 Awardees
2016 Awardees
Blog Posts
- Creating Positive Social Change in Challenging Environments
- Democracy – Government by and for the People
- Zulfirman Rahyantel: Addressing Sectarian and Ethnic Conflict
- Using Mobile Technology to Address Global Problems
The Emerging Young Leaders Award is an initiative of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and organized by Legacy International