[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 965 Reported in Senate (RS)]
<DOC>
Calendar No. 161
117th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 965
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
April 22, 2021
Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations
October 28, 2021
Reported by Mr. Menendez, with an amendment
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed
in italic]
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To establish a comprehensive United States Government initiative to
build the capacity of young leaders and entrepreneurs in Africa, and
for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
<DELETED>SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.</DELETED>
<DELETED> This Act may be cited as the ``Young African Leaders
Initiative Act of 2021'' or ``YALI Act of 2021''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 2. SENSE OF CONGRESS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> It is the sense of Congress that--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) the Young African Leaders Initiative, launched
in 2010, is a signature effort to invest in the next generation
of African leaders;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Africa is a continent of strategic importance
and it is vital for the United States to support strong and
enduring partnerships with the next generation of African
leaders; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) the United States Government should prioritize
investments to build the capacity of emerging young African
leaders in sub-Saharan Africa, including through efforts to
enhance leadership skills, encourage entrepreneurship,
strengthen public administration and the role of civil society,
and connect young African leaders continentally and globally
across the private, civic, and public sectors.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 3. YOUNG AFRICAN LEADERS INITIATIVE PROGRAM.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--There is established in the Department of
State the Young African Leaders Initiative (``YALI'')
program.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Purpose.--The YALI program shall seek to build the
capacity of young African leaders in sub-Saharan Africa in the areas of
business, civic engagement, or public administration, including through
efforts to--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) support young African leaders by offering
professional development, training, and networking
opportunities, particularly in the areas of leadership,
innovation, civic engagement, elections, human rights,
entrepreneurship, good governance, and public administration;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) provide increased economic and technical
assistance to young African leaders to promote economic growth
and strengthen ties between United States and African
businesses.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Fellowships.--The YALI program shall award fellowships
under the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders
program to young African leaders ages 18 to 35 who have demonstrated
strong capabilities in entrepreneurship, innovation, public service,
and leadership, and who have had a positive impact in their
communities, organizations, or institutions.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Regional Leadership Centers.--The YALI program shall
seek to establish regional leadership centers in sub-Saharan Africa to
offer training to young African leaders ages 18 to 35 who have
demonstrated strong capabilities in entrepreneurship, innovation,
public service and leadership, and who have had a positive impact in
their communities, organizations, or institutions.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (e) Activities.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) United states-based activities.--The Secretary
of State, in coordination with the Administrator for the United
States Agency for International Development and the heads of
other relevant Federal departments and agencies, shall oversee
all United States-based activities carried out under the YALI
program, including the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) The participation of Mandela
Washington fellows in a six-week Leadership Institute
at a United States university or college in business,
civic engagement, or public management, including
academic sessions, site visits, professional networking
opportunities, leadership training, community service,
and organized cultural activities.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) The participation by Mandela
Washington fellows in an annual Mandela Washington
Fellowship Summit, to provide such Fellows the
opportunity to meet with United States leaders from the
private, public, and non-profit sectors.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Africa-based activities.--The Secretary of
State, in coordination with the Administrator for the United
States Agency for International Development and the heads of
other relevant Federal departments and agencies, should
continue to support YALI programs in sub-Saharan Africa,
including the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) Access to continued leadership
training and other professional development
opportunities for Mandela Washington Fellowship for
Young African Leaders alumni upon their return to their
home countries, including online courses, technical
assistance, and access to funding.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Training for young African leaders at
regional leadership centers established in accordance
with subsection (d), and through online and in-person
courses offered by such centers.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) Opportunities for networking and
engagement with--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) other alumni of the Mandela
Washington Fellowship for Young African
Leaders;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) alumni of programs at
regional leadership centers established in
accordance with subsection (d); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) United States and like-
minded diplomatic missions, business leaders,
and others as appropriate.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Implementation.--To carry out this subsection,
the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Administrator
of the United States Agency for International Development and
the heads of other relevant Federal departments and agencies
shall seek to partner with the private sector to pursue public-
private partnerships, leverage private sector expertise, expand
networking opportunities, and identify funding opportunities as
well as fellowship and employment opportunities for
participants in the YALI program.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (f) Implementation Plan.--Not later than 180 days after
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in
coordination with the Administrator of the United States Agency for
International Development and the heads of other relevant Federal
departments and agencies, shall submit to the appropriate congressional
committees a plan for implementing the YALI program, including the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) A description of clearly defined program
goals, targets, and planned outcomes for each year and for the
duration of implementation of the program.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) A strategy to monitor and evaluate the program
and progress made toward achieving such goals, targets, and
planned outcomes.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) A strategy to ensure the program is promoting
United States foreign policy goals in Africa, including
ensuring that the program is clearly branded and paired with
robust public diplomacy efforts.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (g) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for 5 years, the
Secretary of State, in coordination with the Administrator of the
United States Agency for International Development, shall submit to the
appropriate congressional committees and publish in a publicly
accessible, internet-based form, a report on the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) The progress made toward achieving the goals,
targets, and planned outcomes described in subsection (f)(1),
including an overview of the program implemented in the
previous year and an estimated number of
beneficiaries.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) An assessment of how the YALI program is
contributing to and promoting United States-Africa relations,
particularly in areas of increased private sector investment,
trade promotion, support to civil society, improved public
administration, and fostering entrepreneurship and youth
empowerment.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Recommendations for improvements or changes to
the program and implementation plan, if any, that would improve
their effectiveness during subsequent years of implementation
of the program.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (h) Appropriate Congressional Committees Defined.--In this
section, the term ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the
Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the
Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) Sunset.--The requirements of this section shall
terminate on the date that is 5 years after the date of the enactment
of this Act.</DELETED>
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Young African Leaders Initiative Act
of 2021'' or ``YALI Act of 2021''.
SEC. 2. SENSE OF CONGRESS.
It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) the Young African Leaders Initiative, launched in 2010,
is a signature effort to invest in the next generation of
African leaders;
(2) Africa is a continent of strategic importance and it is
vital for the United States to support strong and enduring
partnerships with the next generation of African leaders;
(3) the United States Government should prioritize
investments to build the capacity of emerging young African
leaders in sub-Saharan Africa, including through efforts to--
(A) enhance leadership skills;
(B) encourage entrepreneurship;
(C) strengthen public administration and the role
of civil society;
(D) enhance peace and security in their respective
countries of origin and across Africa; and
(E) connect young African leaders continentally and
globally across the private, civic, and public sectors;
(4) youth in Africa have a positive impact on efforts to
foster economic growth, improve public sector transparency and
governance, and counter extremism, and should be an area of
focus for United States outreach on the African continent; and
(5) the Secretary of State should--
(A) increase the number of fellows from Africa
participating in the Mandela Washington Fellowship
above the estimated 700 fellows who participated during
fiscal year 2021; and
(B) identify additional ways to connect YALI alumni
to United States public and private resources and
institutions.
SEC. 3. YOUNG AFRICAN LEADERS INITIATIVE PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--There is established the Young African Leaders
Initiative (``YALI''), which shall be carried out by the Secretary of
State.
(b) Purpose.--YALI shall seek to build the capacity of young
African leaders in sub-Saharan Africa in the areas of business, civic
engagement, or public administration, including through efforts to--
(1) support young African leaders by offering professional
development, training, and networking opportunities,
particularly in the areas of leadership, innovation, civic
engagement, elections, human rights, entrepreneurship, good
governance, peace and security, and public administration; and
(2) provide increased economic and technical assistance to
young African leaders to promote economic growth, strengthen
ties between United States and African businesses, build
resilience to predatory lending practices, and improve capacity
in key economic areas such as tendering, bidding, and contract
negotiations, budget management and oversight, anti-corruption,
and establishment of clear policy and regulatory practices.
(c) Fellowships.--
(1) In general.--YALI shall support the participation in
the United States in the Mandela Washington Fellowship for
Young African Leaders of fellows from Africa who--
(A) are between25 and 35 years of age;
(B) have demonstrated strong capabilities in
entrepreneurship, innovation, public service, and
leadership; and
(C) have had a positive impact in their
communities, organizations, or institutions.
(2) Oversight.--The fellowships described in paragraph (1)
shall be overseen by the Secretary of State through the Bureau
of Education and Cultural Affairs.
(3) Eligibility.--The Secretary of State shall establish
and publish--
(A) eligibility criteria for participation as a
fellow under paragraph (1); and
(B) criteria for determining which eligible
applicants will be selected.
(d) Reciprocal Exchanges.--Subject to the approval of the Secretary
of State, United States citizens may--
(1) engage in reciprocal exchanges in connection with
alumni of the fellowship described in subsection (c); and
(2) collaborate on projects with such fellowship alumni.
(e) Regional Leadership Centers and Networks.--The Administrator of
the United States Agency for International Development shall
establish--
(1) not fewer than 4 regional leadership centers in sub-
Saharan Africa to offer in-person and online training
throughout the year on business and entrepreneurship, civic
leadership, and public management to young African leaders
between 18 and 35 years of age who have demonstrated strong
capabilities in entrepreneurship, innovation, public service
and leadership, and peace-building and conflict resolution, and
who have had a positive impact in their communities,
organizations, or institutions; and
(2) an online network that provides information and courses
on, and connections with leaders in, the private and public
sectors of Africa.
(f) Activities.--
(1) United states-based activities.--The Secretary of
State, in coordination with the heads of relevant Federal
departments and agencies, shall oversee all United States-based
activities carried out under YALI, including--
(A) the participation of Mandela Washington Fellows
in a six-week Leadership Institute at a United States
educational institution in business, civic engagement,
or public management, including academic sessions, site
visits, professional networking opportunities,
leadership training, community service, and organized
cultural activities; and
(B) the participation by Mandela Washington fellows
in an annual Mandela Washington Fellowship Summit, to
provide such Fellows the opportunity to meet with
United States leaders from the private, public, and
non-profit sectors.
(2) Africa-based activities.--The Secretary of State, in
coordination with the Administrator for the United States
Agency for International Development and the heads of other
relevant Federal departments and agencies, should continue to
support YALI activities in sub-Saharan Africa, including--
(A) continued leadership training and other
professional development opportunities for Mandela
Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders alumni
upon their return to their home countries, including
online courses, technical assistance, and access to
funding;
(B) training for young African leaders at regional
leadership centers established in accordance with
subsection (e), and through online and in-person
courses offered by such centers; and
(C) opportunities for networking and engagement
with--
(i) alumni of the Mandela Washington
Fellowship for Young African Leaders;
(ii) alumni of programs at regional
leadership centers established in accordance
with subsection (e);
(iii) United States and like-minded
diplomatic missions, business leaders, and
others as appropriate; and
(iv) where practicable and appropriate,
other United States-funded regional leadership
programs, including the Young Southeast Asian
Leaders Initiative (YSEALI), the Young Leaders
of the Americas Initiative (YLAI), the Young
Pacific Leaders (YPL), and the Young
Transatlantic Innovation Leaders Initiative
(YTILI), and through Department of State
programs such as the Community Engagement
Exchange Program and other initiatives.
(3) Implementation.--To carry out this subsection, the
Secretary of State, in coordination with the Administrator of
the United States Agency for International Development and the
heads of other relevant Federal departments and agencies shall
seek to partner with the private sector to pursue public-
private partnerships, leverage private sector expertise, expand
networking opportunities, and identify funding opportunities as
well as fellowship and employment opportunities for YALI.
(g) Implementation Plan.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in coordination with
the Administrator of the United States Agency for International
Development and the heads of other relevant Federal departments and
agencies, shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a
plan for implementing YALI, including--
(1) a description of clearly defined program goals,
targets, and planned outcomes for each year and for the
duration of implementation of the program;
(2) a strategy to monitor and evaluate the program and
progress made toward achieving such goals, targets, and planned
outcomes; and
(3) a strategy to ensure the program is promoting United
States foreign policy goals in Africa, including ensuring that
the program is clearly branded, paired with robust public
diplomacy efforts, and incorporates diversity among
participants as practicable, including countries and
communities in Africa facing economic distress, civil conflict,
marginalization, and other challenges.
(h) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment
of this Act, and annually thereafter for 5 years, the Secretary of
State, in coordination with the Administrator of the United States
Agency for International Development, shall submit to the appropriate
congressional committees and publish in a publicly accessible,
internet-based form, a report that includes--
(1) a description of the progress made toward achieving the
goals, targets, and planned outcomes described in subsection
(g)(1), including an overview of the program implemented in the
previous year and an estimated number of beneficiaries;
(2) an assessment of how YALI is contributing to and
promoting United States-Africa relations, particularly in areas
of increased private sector investment, trade promotion,
support to civil society, improved public administration,
promoting peace and security, and fostering entrepreneurship
and youth empowerment;
(3) recommendations for improvements or changes to YALI and
the implementation plan, if any, that would improve their
effectiveness during subsequent years of YALI's implementation;
and
(4) for the first report submitted under this subsection,
an assessment of the feasibility of expanding YALI to Morocco,
Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt.
(i) Appropriate Congressional Committees Defined.--In this section,
the term ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
(1) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
(2) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
(3) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives; and
(4) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives.
(j) Sunset.--The requirements of this section shall terminate on
the date that is 5 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.
Calendar No. 161
117th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 965
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To establish a comprehensive United States Government initiative to
build the capacity of young leaders and entrepreneurs in Africa, and
for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
October 28, 2021
Reported with an amendment