The McCain Institute at Arizona State University (ASU) led a delegation of its 2024 Africa and Middle East McCain Global Leaders (MGL) to Nairobi, Kenya, February 17-22 as the second stop of the Changemaker Tour. The visit centered around exploring Kenya’s relatively young democracy and recent threats to human rights and free speech. It also focused on regional challenges related to security and economic development.
The six participating Africa and Middle East MGLs, who are part of the 22 total members of this year’s cohort, have expertise in human and civil rights, media literacy education, and political leadership. They include Media Literacy Development Foundation Executive Director Ismail Akwei from Ghana, Chemtronics United Kingdom Grants Funds and Partnerships Manager Sameera Al-Hussein from Jordan, It’s All About You Queens Founder and Director Hager Eissa from Sudan, IDinsight International Development Consultant Daniel N’guessan from Côte d’Ivoire, Member of Zimbabwean Parliament Takudzwa Ngadziore, and International Youth Parliament Secretary General Thokozile Nhlumayo from South Africa.
During the trip, the delegation met with government officials in the Office of the President of the Republic of Kenya, members of parliament from the Kenya Young Parliamentarians Association, Kenya Women Parliamentary Association, and the State Department for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development. The delegation also visited Maasai Mara to conduct a leadership retreat and reflect on the week’s meetings. They were joined by Global Advisory Council Member Elisa Massimino.
“Kenya serves as a model for democracy within the continent of Africa, and this visit served as an opportunity to learn from not only Kenya’s success but also the challenges they have overcome and continue to face,” said Scott Nemeth, assistant director for global leadership programs at the McCain Institute. “Last year saw a forceful reaction to valid protests, and it was a critical time to visit and reinforce the need to respect human rights and free speech. Our meetings with activists and politicians generated many new ideas for the members of the delegation.”
Members of the 2024 cohort will visit Argentina in March as the next stop on the Changemaker Tour. Follow along on the McCain Institute’s Instagram and Twitter/X.
Learn more about the McCain Institute’s McCain Global Leaders Program HERE.
