Ministerial Exchange Fellows Program


Women World Leaders: Building Global Alliances andEmpowering the Next Generation

Goals and Objectives

• To support and encourage the leadership capabilities of women

• To promote women’s active participation in decision-making roles

• To explore the intersection of gender and government leadership

• To provide cross-cultural learning and leadership experiences for women

• To increase understanding of North/South gendered needs and priorities

The Council of Women World Leaders Ministerial Fellows Exchange Program (MFEP) has been developed to promote and support women’s governmental leadership and gender aware policy development through cross-cultural exchange. The program provides current and rising women government leaders from Africa and the United States with the opportunity to enhance and support each other’s work through sharing expertise and best practices, while enabling participants to develop a greater understanding of foreign needs, priorities and policy development, particularly as they impact women and women’s lives.

In these times the challenges to leadership are profound. Participation in the Ministerial Fellows Exchange Program gives ministries/cabinet offices the opportunity to further develop the leadership capabilities of rising women in their staff. The cross-cultural exchange of women leaders exposes participating Fellows and ministries/cabinet offices to new insights for problem solving and effective leadership, as well as the opportunity to expand understanding of gender and policy development within the remit of cabinet/ministry goals.

The Council of Women World Leaders is uniquely situated to provide a truly international and cross-cultural learning opportunity for participating Fellows. The existing networks of women ministers associated with the Council include women from 10 countries in Africa within various ministries, including women Ministers of Finance and Development, women

Ministers of the Environment, women Ministers of Women’s Affairs, and women Ministers of Culture. This broad array of governmental expertise allows for a stimulating and expansive cultural and professional experience for participating Fellows.

The Ministerial Fellows Exchange Program is generously funded by the United States Department of State.

2007 Ministerial Exchange Fellows:

Elizabeth M. Duke, Ph.D.
Administrator
Health Resources and Services Administration
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Mwantumu Saidi Bakari Mahiza

Joyce G. Mapunjo
Deputy Permanent Secretary
Ministry of Planning and Economic Empowerment
United Republic of Tanzania

Stephanie J. Monroe,

Assistant Secretary

Office for Civil Rights

U.S. Department of Education

Deborah Parham Hopson, Ph.D., M.S.P.H., R.N.
Associate Administrator for HIV/AIDS
Health Resources and Services Administration
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

2006 Ministerial Exchange Fellows:

Shinae Chun

Director

Women’s Bureau

U.S. Department of Labor 

Salome Joseph Mbatia,

Deputy Minister / Member of Parliament

Ministry of Community Development, Gender and Children

United Republic of Tanzania 

Mamie Parker

Assistant Director

Fisheries and Habitat Conservation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Nthabiseng Majara

Principal Environment Officer

Department of Environment

Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Culture

Kingdom of Lesotho