An essential part of the 3A-STEP project is the formation of the Regional Southern and Eastern African Young Leaders Team, with the goal to build capacity among sustainable tourism development researchers in the area of nature conservation and poverty alleviation.

The Young Leaders Team will be comprised of 12 young and excellent staff members and/or post graduate students from six of the African Universities, who are partners in this project (Makerere University, Moi University, School of Finance and Banking of the University of Rwanda, University of Botswana, University of Dar es Salaam and University of Namibia). Eligible candidates have to posses a MSc/MA degree and have to show their engagement with innovative ideas, abstract concepts as well as their ability to transfer academic knowledge inot the everyday practice of tourism.

Interested candidates have to send their application to the contact person of their university no later than April 30, 2009. The applications will than be reviewed – first within the university, then among the international experts of this project – and the final Young Leaders Team members will be informed about their selection in August 2009.

Membership of the Regional Southern and Eastern African Young Leaders Team will result in:

  • the development of an extended network in the field of sustainable tourism development
  • research preparation support through small field-work grants
  • international guidance and supervision of PhD or research projects
  • participation in 3 regional seminars in 3 different African countries (South Africa, Rwanda, Kenya) for 3-5 days
  • participation in 2 research-oriented educational tours
  • qualification certificates for participating in seminars, educational tours and internships
  • for half of the Young Leaders Team members:  facilitation and supervision of an internship at the African Wildlife Foundation, SNV Netherlands Development Organisation or other environmental/developmental NGOs, public or private sector organisations in Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Botswana, Tanzania or Namibia 

For more information on the  Young Leaders Team, the application procedure and details about the application process, please consult the Call for Southern and Eastern African Young Leaders