Five Partners for Africa
There are so many paths to help Africa. All we can do is leverage our circle of experience to figure out potential paths we can affect. Within my circle of influence, I have relationships with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its Church Education System (CES) as a faculty member at BYU-Idaho and a member of the BYU Management Society. In addition, I have spent the last 20 years as a government researcher and data science consultant. This short post highlights my, and only mine, thoughts about how five areas can be leveraged together to make an impact.1
5. Non-Profits
The organizations that work with a mission focused on building employment, education, and industry.
The non-profits provide the agile and responsive focus that weaves the learning, skill development, and employability into a cohesive whole. Each non-profit brings its philanthropic mission and team with no intent but to build individuals.
4. Ensign College & BYU - Idaho
The curriculum builders that develop incremental learning to certificates and degrees.
The faculty and designers at both institutions need to understand the needs and market of those who experience their curriculum. We must see the African students as clearly as we see the US students. We need a curriculum that understands where the learners start and where they need to be to be quality providers in their community.
3. Government and Industry
The fabric of the economy where our learners and members partner and earn a living wage.
The global network of companies and customers must have a leading voice, second only to Jesus Christ, in driving how the other partners support Africa. We are focused on skilling a continent to be providers in their country, community, and family. The companies and customers are the consumers of those skills.
2. BYU Management Society & BYU Pathway Worldwide
The international institutions with the mandate to empower and build vision.
BYU Management Society and BYU Pathway Worldwide have international mandates, connections, and teams to support the interaction of the five groups. They don’t have to take the lead on every idea, but they can be a great sponsor and motivators of the partnership.
BYU Pathway Worldwide
The growth of Pathway Worldwide is fantastic. They have created an international network for sharing curricula that is respected. They are a critical element that links The Church, Ensign College, and BYU-Idaho in this global mandate.
BYU Management Society
Growing Moral and Ethical Leadership Around the World
The BYU Management Society provides a loosely affiliated organization where all the partners can volunteer their time. Additionally, their mission focus on moral and ethical leadership is foundational for any trusting partnership.
1. Jesus Christ
This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. (John 15:12)
We understand that the many make up the body of this work (1 Corinthians 12) and that we all have unique roles in this partnership. The teachings of Jesus Christ and His apostles motivate and integrate our teamwork. We seek to build an international community where all can thrive in their home communities.
Footnotes
I don’t officially represent any of these entities. The thoughts and comments are only mine.↩︎