His Excellency President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço
Higher Education, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation Program.
OVERVIEW OF THE PRESIDENT JOÃO MANUEL GONÇALVES LOURENÇO HIGHER EDUCATION, ENTREPRENEURSHIP, AND INNOVATION PROGRAMS
The President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço Higher Education, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation Program aims to enhance educational and entrepreneurial collaboration between the United States and African institutions, particularly those in the African Great Lakes Region and the African Union's eight Regional Economic Communities. Here’s a summary of its key components:
Post Secondary Scholarship Education Exchange Program: This program facilitates educational exchanges between colleges and universities in the United States (specifically Historically Black Colleges and Universities - HBCUs, and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People - NASPA) and African institutions.The goal is to promote academic collaboration and cultural exchange, enriching the educational experiences of students from both regions
Sabbatical Research Visiting Scholarship Exchange Program: This initiative allows faculty members from U.S. colleges and universities to conduct research in African institutions and vice versa. It aims to foster academic partnerships, enhance research capabilities, and share knowledge between the two regions.
Diplomat Sabbatical Scholarship Program: This program focuses on diplomatic professionals, enabling them to engage in academic exchanges with African universities. It seeks to strengthen diplomatic ties and enhance understanding of educational policies and practices across borders.
HBCU Student Summer Internship in African Ministries and Government: This internship program provides HBCU students with opportunities to work within African government ministries. The objective is to build relationships with future leaders and foster goodwill between the U.S. and African governments.
President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço African Diaspora Goodwill Ambassador Program This program aims to engage the African diaspora in promoting goodwill and collaboration between Africa and the global community. It focuses on leveraging the skills and networks of the diaspora to support development initiatives in Africa. This is the Angola Legacy Program that can continue from 2026 onward. African Diaspora cultural heritage, recognizing its significance in shaping global culture and fostering development. This program focuses on higher education, entrepreneurship, and innovation to empower African Diaspora communities.
Key Objectives:
Cultural Preservation and Promotion: Preserve and promote African Diasporic history, music, art, and historical archaeology, highlighting linkages between diaspora communities and African origins.
Recognition and Impact: Acknowledge the global impact and contributions of African Diaspora communities, proclaiming their existence and linkage under the African Union Diaspora program.
Empowerment through Education and Entrepreneurship: Provide opportunities for higher education and entrepreneurship training, enabling African Diaspora communities to drive innovation and economic growth.
Implementation:
The program will be implemented in collaboration with the ICCOUNCIL with CIMPAD, the African Union's Diaspora Division, CIDO (Citizens and Diaspora Organizations) Directorate, and other relevant stakeholders.
Key activities include.
Cultural Exchange Programs: Develop cultural exchange programs to promote African Diasporic heritage and foster connections between African Diaspora communities and their African origins.
Capacity Building: Provide training and capacity-building opportunities for African Diaspora communities to enhance their skills in entrepreneurship, innovation, and cultural preservation.
Research and Documentation: Conduct research and documentation on African Diasporic history, music, art, and historical archaeology to promote a deeper understanding of the African experience globally.
Expected Outcomes:
Increased Recognition: Greater recognition of African Diasporic cultural heritage and contributions globally.
Empowered Communities: African Diaspora communities empowered to drive innovation, economic growth, and cultural preservation.
Strengthened Linkages: Enhanced connections between African Diaspora communities and their African origins, promoting a sense of shared identity and heritage.
Resources:
-ICCOUNCIL https://iccouncil.com/angola-icglr-reconciliation-peace-human-capital
African Union Diaspora Division: https://au.int/en/diaspora-division
- African Union CIDO: https://au.int/en/cido
- African Union 6th Region: https://au6rg.org/about/
