Chapter nine THE FUTURE – THE LEAD FELLOWS NETWORK
1. THE GROWING COMMUNITY
OF LEAD FELLOWS
Each of the 13 LEAD
Member Programmes
has, by now, a significant
community of leaders who
are members of the LEAD
network and who occupy
important decision-making
positions in all sectors.
With the graduation of
Cohort 14 in Beijing in
November 2009, the LEAD
network has reached
more than 2,000 Fellows
globally, with over 400 in
LEAD Africa. At the end
of this Chapter you will find
some interesting statistics
about our network of LEAD
Fellows.
LEAD Fellows, as individuals
and as a part of a LEAD
group, are in a unique
position to make an impact
on local, national and regional
levels. LEAD is tracking their
activities and is also providing
them with new opportunities
to exercise their skills and
knowledge.
9.
Nurturing the LEAD network
The LEAD Africa Fellowship is a Pan-African
network of leaders, LEAD Fellows, who have
successfully completed the LEAD Africa Fellowship
Programme and are continuing to contribute to
their communities and societies as individuals and
through the LEAD Associations in their countries.
This Pan-African network is supported by the LEAD
Africa Member Programmes, the Associations, and
LEAD International. Each of these bodies devotes
resources to continuing to develop this powerful
regional network into an effective knowledge
community where skills, interests and information
are mapped and shared.
Mobilising the LEAD network
LEAD Fellows across Africa are actively encouraged
through the LEAD Africa Fellowship network to
work together to influence policy and practice
relevant to sustainable development at global,
regional and local level. At the Pan-African level,
and globally, LEAD seeks to engage the network
of Fellows in projects and activities contributing
to sustainable development. The intention in both
cases is to maximise the LEAD Network’s impact.
Many of the Member Programmes have National
Associations which hold a number of activities
including convening informal Inter-cohort meetings.
Vibrant National Associations now involve a
significant number of Fellows, and are increasingly
implementing activities attracting wide national
attention. These National Associations provide
networking opportunities around specific topics
of relevance to sustainable development and also
involve partner organizations that share LEAD’s
vision. See the section that follows on “Examples of
LEAD Association Activities in Africa.”
Since the inception of the LEAD Fellows Network,
a growing number of Fellows have been invited
to serve as consultants to various national and
9.2 Chapter nine THE FUTURE – THE LEAD FELLOWS NETWORK

international organizations and many of them have

received national or international recognition for their
work.

The LEAD Fellows Network provides Fellows

with opportunities to make a visible impact on
their communities, countries and beyond. The
Programme works further on building partnerships;
develops “virtual” learning opportunities; makes
attempts at distilling the knowledge and experience
embedded in the network, and focuses on working
together on international events (e.g. The 2002
World Summit on Sustainable Development).

The efforts at building the LEAD Fellows Network

and Associations in the LEAD countries/regions are
just beginning to have the expected cascading effect
on various aspects of LEAD’s activities: formation
of alliances for partnerships, selection of new
Associates, training, fundraising, Fellows’ continued
interest in LEAD and its activities, and visibility
for the Programme as a whole. Furthermore,
these efforts will bring LEAD closer to fulfilling its
aspiration of effecting changes that contribute to
sustainable development. Some of these activities
are explained further in this Chapter.

LEAD’s Database of Fellows

LEAD Fellows today are mayors, members of
parliament, heads of corporations, leaders of non-
governmental organisations, ministers, newspaper
editors and TV producers, scientists and global
citizens.

Search the LEAD Network (www.lead.org) for

practitioners in sustainable development from a
database of members in 90 countries worldwide.
Members include 2000 LEAD Fellows, trained in
leadership for sustainability, and the international and
national LEAD management staff.

The database also includes experts who are a part

of LEAD’s global training faculty. This is a unique
multi-sectoral and multicultural people network
active in business, government, media, NGOs and
academia.
 Chapter nine THE FUTURE – THE LEAD FELLOWS NETWORK
2. LEAD ASSOCIATION ACTIVITIES
IN AFRICA
LEAD is encouraging
Fellows in countries and
regions across the world to
create Associations, where
they can work together on
common LEAD projects and
activities around sustainable
development. Associations
already exist in many
countries, such as Benin,
Chad, Congo, Cote D’Ivoire
and Senegal. Below are
some examples of the kind
of activities these LEAD
Associations of Fellows
take on.
9.3
LEAD Benin
LEAD Benin has been very active at both the
community and the national level. On 1 June 2009,
LEAD Benin celebrated Tree Day. In partnership
with a primary school in Bohicon, 130 km from
Cotonou the capital city, they planted about 200
trees in and around the school as a contribution to
reforestation in that town.
LEAD Benin participated in a meeting organized by
the civil society in Benin on Negotiations on climate
change (FOCUS COP 15). During the debates
Fellows contributed to making the audience aware
of the importance of leadership on negotiating
agreements. All their reasoning was based on the
booklet published in September 2009 by LEAD
Africa “Leading the way: a role for regional
institutions” that emphasizes the way regional
institutions can begin to show leadership on climate
change, but also the opportunities to seize for a
successful intergovernmental meetings such as the
one in December 2009 in Copenhagen.
LEAD Benin took that opportunity to widely
distribute the booklet to the participants and to
establish some contacts with the Ministry for the
Environment, the National Committee on climate
change, and UNDP for joint activities on climate
change.
LEAD Benin also undertakes capacity building, such
as a training session on Gender it delivered for the
benefit of the rice farming community, where 20
participants attended.
LEAD Benin also acts as a sectoral convener, playing
the role of “middleman” between the Waterloo
Foundation and NGOs in Benin. In this role it helps
to select two NGOs that received grants for their
activities. Eden Benin and OSIDD was the winner.
Eden Benin received 45,000 US$ to promote rice
farming by 4 women’s associations in the city of
Glazoue, whereas the OSIDD project on public
health in North Benin was approved for 50,000 US$.
9.4 Chapter nine THE FUTURE – THE LEAD FELLOWS NETWORK

LEAD Côte d’Ivoire LEAD Republic of Congo

LEAD Côte d’Ivoire (CI) is active in the area of
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). LEAD
CI organized a national day to inform about and
promote CSR. The meeting gathered people
from various sectors including NGOs, private
sector, media and more. The day was organized
in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce of
Abidjan.
LEAD Francophone Africa initiated a project with
LEAD Côte D’Ivoire, LEAD Senegal and LEAD
Southern and Eastern Africa, which consisted
of holding live screenings in locations across the
continent (Dakar and Bakel in Senegal, Abidjan
in Côte d’Ivoire and Zomba in Malawi) and also
online, transmitting specific events and engaging
all in discussions throughout COP 15 (Copenhagen,
December 2009).
Facilitated presentations, questions and answer
sessions, and press conferences with LEAD staff,
negotiators and other representatives from the
continent present at COP 15 ensured a flow of
information to all participants on the continent,
whether online or onsite. Each country venue invited
participants from the press, civil society. LEAD
Senegal and LEAD Côte d’Ivoire fully participated
alongside partners and other interested parties.
On 5 June 2009, in cooperation with the United
Nations, LEAD Congo organized a drawing
competition in all the primary schools, 1st & 2nd
grades, in Brazzaville as part of World Environment
Day. The best artists drawings pointed out the
environment, mainly the climate change topics were
selected. A ceremony was organized to reward
them. At the end of the day a film on orbiting and
climate change, HOME, was shown in the French
Cultural Center in Brazzaville. That competition
aimed to familiarize pupils with environment issues.
After attending a seminar, LEAD Congo held a
range of debriefing workshops on various items:
Dakar Training of Trainers, “Forum on Lasting
Human Development” with REEDAC (Networking
on Environment Education in Central Africa),
International Seminar on “Environment education
strategies to fight against poaching” with The Actors
on Environment Education association in Central
Africa.

LEAD Chad
Since 2005, Lead Chad has been working on a
project aimed at promoting children’s rights and girl’s
schooling (boys also, since 2008). A total of 6,800
scholarships have been approved since the start of
the project, and has been funded with an estimate
of 350,000 US$.

In 2005, LEAD Chad developed a program named

PDEV (Peace through Development). This initiative
was based on conflicts prevention through local
activities with grassroots communities.

In 2009 the partnership between LEAD Chad

and UNICEF was extended to training activities.
Lead Chad has in charge the training of Mayors
association on “Good Governance” thanks to the
collaboration with MINURTCA (United Nations
Missions in Chad and the Central African Republic.)
 Chapter nine THE FUTURE – THE LEAD FELLOWS NETWORK
3. LEAD AFRICA FELLOWSHIP
ANNUAL AWARDS
Overview
Purpose – There are two purposes for the LEAD
Africa Fellowship Annual Awards:
1) To recognise and reward effective leadership, and
2) To maintain and stimulate interactions among
Fellows.
This will as a consequence help raise the profile of
the programme and support the efforts to attract
new supporters and partners. Below is a description
of the rationale and the process for these awards.
Convening – The awards process will serve as
the catalyst for convening the annual Pan-African
event, connecting the most active and impactful
members of the fellowship network, mentors,
sponsors and other interested parties. The purpose
of the annual event will be to award the prizes, but
also stimulate the Fellows with new input and offer
them the opportunity to connect with like-minded
colleagues for impact. With an overall ambition
to include 500+ in each annual cohort, an annual
event for all becomes logistically challenging. The
benefit of structuring the annual event around the
awards connects the most active members of the
Fellowship, and also establishes useful connections
across different cohorts (intercohort, national,
regional and pan-African level), as well as externally.
Categories – There will be multiple categories of
awards, each with its own identified and named
sponsor. In 2010 the existing Fellows from previous
years are the candidates for the awards, whereas
Cohort 15 would participate from 2011 onwards.
Detailed description
Award Categories
The number of categories will include a few
prestigious awards and a diverse reflection of
performance. Initially in 2010 there will be 2 from
the Shell Foundation:
9.5
LEADER of the year – to recognise the individual
judged to have best demonstrated leadership for
practical sustainable development
Networker of the year – to recognise the
individual judged to have best contributed to
enhancing the impact of the alumni network.
Selection Criteria
Applications will need to satisfy two sets of criteria:
Core criteria will include practicing LEAD/SF
“core values” (e.g. honesty, integrity, respect for
people, openness, teamwork, professionalism and
commitment to sustainable development).
Specific criteria will be defined for each category.
LEADER of the year:
• Living the core values and successfully applying
leadership skills.
• Having led transformational and innovative
change for the benefit of others.
• Reputation among participants/Fellows for
developing a compelling and shared vision of
leadership, investing in implementing leadership
skills and successfully tackling any issue that
obstructs progress.
• Being regarded as a role model.
Lead Fellows
NETWORKER of the year:
• Has played an active role in growing effectiveness
of the LEAD Fellows network.
• Strong on-line presence inspiring others to
participate.
• Both moderator and contributor to on-line
discussions and platforms.
• Acts as a catalyst for the commitment of others.
• Has shown clear continued commitment to the
development of others.
9.6 Chapter nine THE FUTURE – THE LEAD FELLOWS NETWORK

Application process Award ceremony

The application process is administered by LEAD The Award ceremony will be held during a dinner on
Africa, as follows: the opening day of the Pan-African session, so as
for the winners to be identified and be able to share
• Call for nominations by LEAD Africa.
their learning and approaches with other during the
• Only participants and Fellows associated with the rest of the conference.
LEAD Africa Fellowship are eligible to apply for
any award category.
• Nominations can be from any LEAD Fellows –
online, with appropriate documentation explaining
the reason for nominating. Application forms will
be short and will focus on securing verifiable
evidence of meeting the core/specific criteria.
• LEAD Africa produces a short-list of 3 candidates
per prize, using a consultative approach across
the various programmes in Africa.
• The shortlist is published on the LEAD Africa
website and forwarded to the jury.
• The jury decides the winner.
• All shortlisted candidates are invited to join
the pan-African session where the awards are
announced.

Judging
In 2010 the jury will consist of the Steering
Committee of LEAD Africa.

In a later phase, when the number of prizes has

grown, an independent jury of recognised African
leaders will be assembled to ensure consistency
and fairness in the judging process as well as
enhance reputation and profile of the LEAD Africa
Fellowship. The judging panel will be organized and
supported by a member of LEAD Africa. The judges
should obviously be independent from any of the
applicants.

Awards
Each award winner will receive a small “trophy”,
a certificate as well as the relevant cash prize
associated with award, to be spent on a new
project. The “trophy” will be selected to represent
an image associated with leadership in sustainable
development. Runners-up will receive a certificate.
 Chapter nine THE FUTURE – THE LEAD FELLOWS NETWORK
4. THE INTERNATIONAL LEAD
NETWORK OF FELLOWS
LEAD Fellows have vastly
different backgrounds and
cultural experiences, and
they work in a wide variety of
sectors in over 90 countries
around the globe. However,
they are all leaders, united
by a shared determination
to address sustainability
challenges in the particular
circumstances and region
where they operate.
LEAD training is just the
start of their journey. Once
over, their task is to use the
skills and knowledge they
have acquired to achieve
change towards a sustainable
world. The LEAD network
is there to support them –
2,000 other global leaders
who have information and
experience to share and help
them in their efforts.
What have they achieved?
Here a just a few stories from
the global LEAD network...
9.7
LEAD Fellows in action
Dorothee Batiga, campaigning for disabled
people in Burkina Faso
Dorothee, who is physically disabled herself, found
great difficulties finding a job. She decided to set
up an association for the promotion of disabled
women in Burkina Faso. She has become a key
speaker for disabled people in Burkina Faso and
around the world, lobbying for the adoption of laws
furthering access to employment opportunities for
the disabled.
Tri Mumpuni Wiyatno, social entrepreneur
from Indonesia
“Puni”, as she is widely known, is a remarkable
LEAD Fellow from Indonesia. She runs an NGO
called IBEKA which has helped numerous remote
rural villages in Indonesia gain access to electicity
from totally renewable resources – and generate
income – through micro-hydro schemes. Puni has
been labelled a “Climate Hero” by WWF for her
efforts.
Li Liyan, climate negotiator from China
Li Liyan, a LEAD China Fellow, is Deputy Director
of the Department of Climate Change within the
National Development and Reform Commission of
the Government of China. She is a key member of
China’s climate negotiating team.
Samuel Adenekan, corporate responsibility
champion in Nigeria
Sam Adenekan credits his LEAD training for giving
him the skills and confidence to take on the role of
Corporate Relations manager for Nestle Nigeria,
where he is responsible for corporate social
responsibility within the company.
Deepak Apte, protecting marine life in the
Lakshadweeps
Deepak Apte, a LEAD India Fellow, is working with
local communities in the Lakshadweep Islands to
protect the rare giant clams and other marine life in
9.8 Chapter nine THE FUTURE – THE LEAD FELLOWS NETWORK

the reefs and atolls of the Lakshadweep archipelago,

and to enhance human livelihoods through better
conservation of fish stocks. In 2008 Deepak won
a Whitley Award, one of the world’s top prizes for
grassroots nature conservation.

Thais Corral and Daniele Cesano collaborate

to promote sustainability in Brazil
In 2003, these two LEAD Fellows from Brazil and
Europe, respectively, started work on the Pintadas
Solar project. The project promotes the use of solar
energy for sustainable irrigation and water pumping.
Its objective is to strengthen small-scale farming,
improve local food security and create income for
poor communities in North-East Brazil. In 2008
the Pinta-das Solar project was selected from 400
projects in over 100 countries to become one of five
winners of the prestigious SEED Award.

Jestina Mukoko, promotes and protects

human rights in Zimbabwe
Jestina Mukoko, a LEAD Fellow from Zimbabwe,
was arrested and held without trial in Zimbabwe in
late 2008 for her work as Director of the Zimbabwe
Peace Project which seeks to protect human rights
in Zimbabwe.

Yin Chuntao coordinates earthquake

response in China
After the devastating earthquake that killed tens of
thousands of people in western China in May 2008,
LEAD Fellow, Yin Chuntao responded quickly and
coordinated the Chengdu 512 Earthquake Relief
Service Centre.
 Chapter nine THE FUTURE – THE LEAD FELLOWS NETWORK
5. ENGAGING THE NETWORK
By providing a platform for
members to meet, learn,
and act, the LEAD Network
creates an environment
where change can happen
A core objective for LEAD is
to encourage Fellows to keep
in touch with each other,
share their knowledge and
experience, learn from each
other and work together on
projects, activities and policy
influence that will help shape
a sustainable world. We want
the “whole” of the LEAD
network to be much more
than the “sum of the parts”.
In 2008 LEAD put in place a new model to
encourage greater collaboration among LEAD
Fellows. The model is based on thematic focal
areas, so that Fellows can select themes in which
they have a particular interest or expertise, each
of which will be facilitated by a LEAD Member
Programme with a special interest in that theme.
The initial focal areas are: Climate Change; Business
and Sustainability; Environment and Livelihoods; and
Sustainable Cities. Others will be added over time.
Each thematic focus area will be responsible for
defining its own agenda, way of working and
programme of work. Communication will be aided
through virtual platforms and, if resources allow,
through thematic meetings.
9.9
In addition, we will continue to encourage the
development of LEAD Associations – national or
regional groups of LEAD Fellows operating within
the geographic region of a Member Programme.
In many parts of the world, these local groups of
Fellows have proved extremely effective.
LEAD Pakistan brings Fellows together on
climate change
For participation in an intensive five-day workshop
on ‘Climate Change: Adaptation Challenges in
Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) Countries’,
LEAD Pakistan was able to offer 12 full scholarships
to Fellows from other Member Programmes in order
to strengthen Fellow-to-Fellow knowledge sharing,
interaction and networking.
The workshop addressed climate change challenges
and adaptation strategies. Participants stressed the
need for collaborative initiatives at local, regional
and global level. It also led to the establishment of
a network of experts across the OIC countries for
future collaboration on climate change and related
issues.
LEAD Francophone Africa embraces CSR
LEAD Associations in Francophone Africa have
been particularly active and effective on a range of
issues from increasing girl’s attendance at school
to sustainable water projects. In 2008 LEAD
Associations in Mali, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire and
Algeria organised conferences on Corporate Social
Responsibility, aimed at addressing key future
challenges facing African countries.
The conferences helped to raise awareness
and share information about corporate social
responsibility and also contributed to improved
dialogue between stakeholders such as business,
government and trade unions on this issue. A
second programme of workshops is planned for
2009.
9.10 Chapter eight INTERNATIONAL SESSION

6. THE LEAD NETWORK

IN NUMBERS

LEAD Fellows by regional representation

6% Africa
Asia*
23% Europe
19%
Eurasia
Latin America
North America
* Includes India and Pakistan

9%

5%
38%

LEAD Fellows by Age Groups

3% 18-30
13%
31-40
41-50
Over 50
27%

57%
 Chapter nine THE FUTURE – THE LEAD FELLOWS NETWORK 9.11

LEAD Fellows by Gender

Female
Male

42%

58%

LEAD Fellows by sectoral representation

Academia
Government
19% 22%
Media
Ngo
Other
5% Business

25%
23%

5%
9.12 Chapter nine THE FUTURE – THE LEAD FELLOWS NETWORK

Notes
 Chapter nine THE FUTURE – THE LEAD FELLOWS NETWORK 9.13

Notes
9.14 Chapter nine THE FUTURE – THE LEAD FELLOWS NETWORK

Notes