Session Type: Panel Discussion Accepted by MIG(s): Development, Education Time Allotted: 60 Description: Through the Leadership Studies Program at North Carolina A&T State University and a service learning research study abroad program, university faculty and students have joined hands with change agent leaders in Malawi. This empowering collaboration now includes grant-seeking, a Literacy in the Mother Tongue initiative, and other larger efforts. Student and faculty panel members share lessons learned, outcomes, and challenges. Abstract: Through the Leadership Studies Program at North Carolina A&T State University, and a related summer leadership service learning research study abroad program, university faculty and students have joined hands with change agent leaders in the emerging African country of Malawi. While colonialism, poverty, and the HIV/AIDS pandemic have devastated Malawi across the last century, indigenous change agent leaders in its southern region's capital, Zomba, and nearby Domasi Province have emerged to lead the country to a new day.
Across the last four years A&T faculty and students have spent a month every summer working side-by-side with these change agent leaders in participatory action research projects designed to provide sustainable outcomes. From this humble beginning an empowering collaboration has been built that now includes grant-seeking, a Literacy in the Mother Tongue initiative, and other larger efforts.
In Winter 2010 former member of Malawian Parliament, entrepreneur and philanthropist, Annie Fletcher, visited the university campus and worked with students and faculty to create a trans-global "think tank" for the purpose of mutual learning and support. From Mrs. Fletcher's visit grew an Historical Black University USAID proposal for Sub-Saharan Africa, to include the Congo, Botswana and Malawi.
From working together we are learning the value of global models of leadership that may differ significantly from those valued in the developed West. We are learning ways to work together that strive to avoid the well-meaning but largely mis-guided efforts of many non-governmental organizations whose approached to the East are in essence colonizing. Our respect for indigenous knowledge has grown immeasurably.
The aim of our panel is to share the outcomes and challenges of this work to date, and to pose the A&T-Malawi collaboration as a new model for work in developing countries. Liz Barber, North Carolina A&T State University
Bio: Liz Barber is an associate professor of Leadership Studies at North Carolina A&T State University, and lead professor of the Malawi Leadership and Service Learning Research Summer Study Abroad Experience.
Tom Smith, North Carolina A&T State University
Bio: Tom Smith is an associate professor of Curriculum and Instruction at North Carolina A&T State University. He co-leads the Malawi Leadership and Service Learning Study Abroad Program with Liz Barber.
Alexander Erwin, Interdisciplinary Leadership Studies Doctoral Program, North Carolina A&T State University
Bio: Alexander Erwin is Director of the Interdisciplinary Leadership Studies Doctoral Program at North Carolina A&T State University. He is a recognized leader in the field of education.Forrest Toms, North Carolina A&T State University
Bio: Forrest Toms is an associate professor of Leadership Studies at North Carolina A&T State University. He is the lead faculty member for the university's partnership with the University of the Congo.Return to complete program |
