State Department To Host Young African Leadership Summit

Office of the Spokesperson
Department of State
Washington, DC

June 8, 2012

On June 13, Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton will welcome more than sixty young African leaders to the Innovation Summit and Mentoring Partnership, a three-week professional development program by the U.S. government in collaboration with the Meridian International Center to the Marshall Center at the Department of State.

Additionally, on June 14, Under Secretary of Political Affairs Wendy Sherman will open the program at the Palomar Hotel, the site of the two-day Summit. On the evening of June 14, Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, Tara Sonenshine will keynote a reception. Assistant Secretary Johnnie Carson will provide the Summit’s closing remarks on June 15. During the three-week program, participants will travel to nine U.S. cities for mentoring partnerships at American businesses and reunite in Chicago June 29 for closing ceremonies.

This is the latest program of the President’s Young African Leaders Initiative, the Obama Administration’s long-term commitment to engage Africa’s young leaders.

The schedule of events is as follows:
Wednesday, June 13, 9:00 a.m.: Launch in Marshall Center, Secretary Hillary Clinton
Thursday, June 14, 9:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m.: Summit Opening at the Palomar Hotel, Under Secretary Wendy Sherman
Thursday, June 14, 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.: Reception at the Meridian International Center, Under Secretary Tara Sonenshine
Friday, June 15, 4:00 p.m. -5:00 p.m.: Closing at the Palomar Hotel, Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Johnnie Carson

The Palomar Hotel is located at 2121 P Street, NW Washington DC. Meridian International Center is located at 1630 Crescent Place, NW, Washington, DC.

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