The Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS) recently held a significant capacity-building workshop in Dakar on May 10th and 11th for members of its Adenauer Academy.
This five-year-old youth development program is designed to empower young Senegalese individuals to “take greater ownership of their roles in decision-making spaces.”
The workshop, hosted at the Foundation’s newly inaugurated premises, focused on honing leadership skills and fostering in-depth reflection on pressing contemporary challenges. The program utilized participatory methods, including engaging group discussions, insightful case studies, and interactive debates. The participants represented a diverse range of professional backgrounds, including journalists, project coordinators, counselling psychologists, administrators, human rights advocates, and gender experts.
To date, the Adenauer Academy program has provided training to over 150 young “academicians” from various regions across Senegal. These individuals have benefited from structured modules led by experienced experts, covering crucial areas such as communication, leadership development, and governance within the context of the country’s new political administration.
KAS Resident Representative Caroline Hauptmann expressed her profound pride in the achievements of the program’s participants, stating that she was “very impressed” and “deeply proud” of their progress through the Academy.
“It is crucial to maintain the bonds forged between the academicians,” she urged, emphasizing the program’s goal of building a strong and influential network of young leaders who are equipped to actively contribute to Senegal’s ongoing economic and social development.
Discussions during the workshop also addressed key national priorities, including the critical aspects of sustainable development, democratic governance, Senegal’s digital strategy under the new tech-driven “New Deal,” and the vital role of youth in achieving the objectives of “Vision Senegal 2050,” the nation’s latest long-term policy framework.
The Konrad Adenauer Foundation, active in Senegal since 1978 and affiliated with Germany’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU), operates on the foundational principles of freedom, justice, and solidarity. The organization is deeply committed to promoting democratic values, equality, and human dignity within a society grounded in social justice.
As her five-year tenure in Dakar draws to a close this July, Ms. Hauptmann, who also spent her teenage years in Senegal, expressed her deep personal connection to the country, describing her experience as “deeply enriching” and commending the renowned openness of the Senegalese people. Her team paid tribute to her with heartfelt messages, acknowledging her significant contributions and lasting impact during her time in Senegal.
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