Phase I: The Africa Fellowship
In short, this program will to form a new generation of Americans committed to the continent's future: the next generation of political leaders who will influence levels of American aid to Africa, and the next generation of business leaders who might not otherwise consider investing in Africa.GOALS
• To
create a new generation of American leaders personally interested in
the future of the African continent, by exposing America’s future
politicians, business investors, and opinion leaders to the needs of
and opportunities in Africa.
• To expose these young adults not only
to the desperate problems in Africa, but equally importantly, to the
incredible progress and “shining city on the hill” example of Cape
Town.
• In so doing, to encourage these young trendsetters and
thought leaders to share the lessons of their experience with their
friends and colleagues their whole lives through, and to encourage them
to devote more aid to Africa when they gain positions of political
power, or to invest in Africa when they become business leaders.
INSPIRATION
Founder David Murphy writes, "I was fortunate to travel abroad frequently because of my father's work for the US Agency for International Development, living in Kenya and traveling extensively in Africa. Visiting the slums of Soweto, or seeing rotting trash and human waste on the streets of Nairobi, I found the experience profoundly moving, as it opened my eyes to the shocking conditions and the impact of poverty and AIDS. It truly transformed my perspective on life, at my core, and made me want to do everything I could during my life to help improve the quality of life for our African brothers and sisters. (After all, the Western world has a debt of responsibility, having wreaked havoc through the evils of slavery and colonialism.) Realizing that Africa is off of the “radar screen” for many young, ambitious Americans, this proposed program seeks to open up the continent to a new generation of Americans, to expose them to conditions there so that they, like me, will be moved by compassion, and to foster the sort of transatlantic collaboration Cecil Rhodes envisioned between Britain and the US when he created the Rhodes Scholarship.
CAN A TRIP TO AFRICA LIKE THIS REALLY CHANGE SOMEONE’S LIFE?Yes – it did for me, and it did so for several famous names, as well:
• Bono was inspired to create a life of advocacy for Africa based upon his visit to Ethiopia in the 1980s.
• Even actor Chris Tucker (“Rush Hour”) traveled to Africa in 2001 and 2002, with then-Treasury Secretary Paul H. O'Neill. Tucker’s sister told The Los Angeles Times that "the visits were life-changing” for Tucker, who since established a foundation to give back.."
Phase II: An African Version of the Rhodes Scholars Program
We seek to start a prestigious, worldwide program bringing top students to South Africa for post-graduate study, just as the Rhodes Scholars program currently brings prominent young leaders to the U.K. to foster life-long ties with Britain. (N.B.: this is independent of the Rhodes program, and no endorsement is implied; the Rhodes merely serves as an inspiration.) Discussions have begun with a prominent former head of state (himself a former Rhodes Scholar, interested in Africa) and further discussions will be explored about naming opportunities.