Geneva, Switzerland, July 23, 2024 – Valarie Neema Waswa from Kenya has been selected as a fellow for the inaugural cohort of the Generation Connect Young Leadership Programme (GCYLP), an initiative by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in partnership with Huawei. Waswa, alongside other young leaders from 28 countries, completed a development week in Switzerland as part of the program.
The GCYLP supports 30 fellows each year, aged 18-28, providing them with mentorship and financial backing for their projects aimed at leveraging digital technology for community development. The program spans one year and includes both in-person and virtual activities, such as leadership fireside chats, an intergenerational panel discussion, and visits to significant locations like Geneva University, Palais de Nations, and Huawei Switzerland in Zurich. The fellows also engage in online mentoring sessions, virtual “fireside chats” with industry experts, group projects, and other online initiatives.
Valarie Waswa, a budding lawyer passionate about women’s and youth inclusion in governance and decision-making, was selected from a pool of 5,249 applicants representing over 200 countries. Her dedication to promoting peace and socio-economic development for women and youth has seen her collaborate with various organizations in different capacities, including youth activism and advocacy.
During the program’s development week, Dr. Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Director of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau, emphasized the importance of seizing opportunities, collaboration, and adopting a multidisciplinary approach to succeed and make a global impact. Selina Wen, Chief Representative to the EU Institutions and Vice President of Public Affairs for Europe at Huawei, praised the young leaders for their pivotal role in the digital era and the relevance of their projects in addressing pressing social challenges.
The fellows’ project ideas span diverse fields, including inclusive healthcare, innovative digital skills training, efficient energy storage, and circular economy initiatives. The GCYLP, announced in November 2023, opened applications for its inaugural cohort in February. Over the next two years, nearly 100 young visionaries worldwide will embark on similar journeys as part of this program.