MISSION:

The mission of the ABO African Youth Leadership Program is to develop a diverse group of African youth leaders who will actively participate in and experience a multitude of challenging and thoiught provoking activities that will enable them to become change agents in their communities.

OBJECTIVES:

As a result of participation, each youth leader will…..

* understand and apply leadership model

* build a network with other youth leaders

* become confident agent of change

* be prepared to complete and direct a self-directed project that will address a critical social issue

* commit to sharing his or her experince with other youth leaders in the community

ASSUMPTIONS DRIVING THE ABO AFRICAN YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM DESIGN:

* The potential of leadership is in everyone

* Youth-athletes are well positioned to be leaders

* Leadership is a process that often takes place in a very complex environment

* Leadership is collaborative and transforming

* Leadership and service are inextricably linked

* An effective leadership development program must be offered in an environment that encourages and supports diversity

* The most effective leadership development programs are hands-on and interactive

* The opportunity to explore issues and test ideas in small groups can be a powerful learning opportunity

* Opportunities for reflection are essential to the processing and integration of new information and experiences (e.g. Traveling and visiting communities with best practices and learning by observation, strategic, and purposeful interaction)

* Youth leaders involved in sports are in a position to effect change

PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOME

AS a result of participation, youth leaders will enhance their…

* Communication skills

* Planning and priority setting skills

* Decision-making and problem-solving skills

* Ability to reflect

* Critical-thinking skills

* Collaborative skills

* Political skills (e.g., how to make a difference)

* Understanding of and the appreciation for the value of working in a group

ACTION OUTCOMES:

As a result of participation, youth leaders will….

* Build a long-lasting network with future leaders

* Be confident agents of change

* Be better able to address issues that are critical to youth leaders and their communities

* Complete a self-directed project to address a critical issue facing their community

* Share their experience with other youth leaders in the community

***some of the assumptions and outcomes were identified by Eyo Effiong, an NCAA Foundation Leadership Conference Alumni, and Winthrop University Ambassador, during the 2000 NCAA Foundation Leadership Conference in Orlando, Florida.