YALI Act of 2021
Bill: H.R.965 | Sponsor: Rep. Bass, Karen (D-CA)
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
Young African Leaders Initiative Act of 2021 or the YALI Act of 2021
This bill provides statutory authority for the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), which seeks to build the capacity of young African leaders in sub-Saharan Africa in the areas of business, civic engagement, or public administration.
The YALI program must support the participation of fellows from Africa in the Mandela Washington Fellowships for Young African Leaders and offer training through regional leadership centers in sub-Saharan Africa to individuals who have demonstrated strong capabilities in entrepreneurship, innovation, public service and leadership, and peace building and conflict resolution.
The Department of State must oversee all U.S.-based activities carried out under the program, and the United States should continue to support program initiatives in sub-Saharan Africa. The State Department must also submit a plan for implementing the program and annual reports on program progress and recommendations for improvements or changes to the program.

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

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