The McCain Institute for International Leadership is an American center for research and action in US security and foreign policy. It seeks to promote leadership and decision-making, in the best American tradition of open inquiry, spirited discussion and practical action. Through its policy research, events, fellows programs, and other activities, the Institute aims to inform, convene, train and assist current and future leaders from the United States and abroad.
Each year, the McCain Institute selects up to 20 emerging leaders to be a part of its Next Generation Leaders Program (NGL). They are individuals from around the world, from every walk of life, who even in their early-to mid-careers have demonstrated extraordinary character, commitment to core human values, and capacity for future leadership. These are professionals who are ready to rise to the next level of leadership and change their world.
Senior leaders and experts from around the world (like me) are part of the NGL program. Those selected will be offered a unique program that blends professional development, exposure to top level policy makers, formal training in leadership and communications, and they will build reserves of personal capital and support networks that will last a lifetime.
Twelve Week Update
by Soraya Aziz on Tue, December 10, 2013
My name is Soraya, I am a Congolese Citizen (Herein after DRC) and I am a fellow in the Next Generation Leaders program. I am placed at Freeport McMoran’s headquarter in Phoenix, Arizona. I want to share a few updates about what has kept me busy during the last twelve weeks.
First, the city of Phoenix: When I told my American friends that I will be spending a year in Phoenix, most of them (especially those who have never been here) were sorry for me. I am happy to tell them that I am enjoying being in this city very much. Phoenix is a very dynamic area with many emerging neighbor cities competing to thrive. I had the opportunity to attend a conference on sustainable urban development where I realized that the greater Phoenix area faced challenges quite similar to those of big cities created in the 50's in Africa: transport infrastructures, expanding population, resources like water and electricity, job creation, community infrastructures, etc. Another similarity is the relatively young age average of the population and the great diversity that facilitates integration. The State of Arizona is also one of the states that face the challenge of border control, something familiar to the DRC (with our nine neighbors, we are one of the most neighbored country in the world!). In Phoenix there are so many seasonal activities that help me and my daughter enjoy the city, no matter the weather.
Second, the placement at Freeport McMoran: I couldn’t have imagined a better placement for me. I am a development specialist and for the last 7 years I have exclusively focused on the sustainable development of communities impacted by large industrial projects. Freeport McMoran being one of the top ten extractive companies in the world has several positive experiences from which I am learning, but they also face challenges that I can try to solve with their Sustainable Development team. They have a very young project in my Country (the project is called TFM) and my knowledge of the local context comes in very handy. I am currently preparing a 5 year sustainability plan for the TFM Social fund, a great charity organization that could change the life of at least a hundred thousand people.
Third, the NGL program: This is the best leadership program I have ever been to. The exposure in terms of professional connection is just amazing. Last week I met a group of 30 young potential leaders from Africa, on a four year scholarship at the Arizona State University through the MasterCard Foundation, and discussed about justice systems in our countries. I will have an inspirational talking session with them on African Leadership and citizen participation in a few days. Two weeks ago I had the honor to meet Mrs. McCain and Gov. Christie and hear them discuss about human trafficking, a problem that affects the DRC in particular. Earlier last month I met the Coordinator of “Mending the Soul," an NGO involved in the economic integration as well as psychological and spiritual healing of gender based violence in the US and in my country. All these people share my vision of a better world and can play a role in the materialization of my vision for the DRC. I also spend a lot of time with two other fellow of this program, Luciano Aimar and Norvic Chicchon, working respectively on food security and renewable energies, two problems faced by many countries today.
The last three months have passed very fast, and I have learned so much. Of course my presence in the DRC is missed by the team and the people I used to work with, but joining this program has been an opportunity for me to raise a little bit above the day to day activities of bringing change at a very local level and reflecting more strategically, connecting the problems faced by my country with other global parameters, and developing a network of like-minded leaders who could help make a difference.
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