Category Archives: News

Addressing Kenya-Somalia conflict and counter terrorism strategies

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Martin Namasaka, PfAL@LSE candidate

In the light of the controversial security bill recently passed in the Kenyan Parliament and an estimated death toll of at least 370 in terror attacks in Kenya since 2011, it is time to reflect on a strategy that will identify sustainable solutions for the chronic instability along the Kenya-Somalia border zone.

Currently characterised by state failure, callousness of absent politicians, corruption, worrying refugee flows, humanitarian crises, human rights violations, racial profiling, radicalisation of Kenyan youth, and inability of the Kenyan government to guarantee security to its citizens, the unconventional ebb and flow of armed conflict dynamics, implies future attacks will no doubt follow.

Read the full article on the Africa at LSE blog.

Dr. Mo Ibrahim talks to PfAL@LSE

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On Thursday 19th March, we had the pleasure of welcoming Dr Mo Ibrahim to speak to the PfAL@LSE group in a talk chaired by Professor Thandika Mkandawire, Professor of African Development at LSE. Dr Ibrahim gave the group a little of his own history in setting up his business and some of the challenges. Under the rapt attention of the group, Dr Ibrahim then spent time talking about good governance and the importance of celebrating good leaders.

Some of the PfAL@LSE group with Dr Mo Ibrahim after his talk
A group from PfAL@LSE with Dr Mo Ibrahim after his talk (Photo by Owen Billcliffe Photography http://owenbillcliffe.co.uk/)

Launch of PfAL@LSE

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PfAL welcomes students from across the London School of Economics and Political Science to join the network.
PfAL welcomes students from across the London School of Economics and Political Science to join the network.

Monday, December 15, 2014 saw the launch of PfAL@LSE, an additional component of PfAL that draws in graduate scholars from sub-Saharan Africa studying taught MSc programs from  across The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). The extension not only expands the current PfAL network, it also brings in diversity of subject background and nationality.

The first PfAL@LSE event had nearly 50 students in attendance and was officially launched with a welcome speech from Professor Paul Kelly, LSE Pro-Director of Teaching and Learning. Following the welcome, Dr Connson Locke from the Department of Management (LSE) led a session about Leadership Presence, during which she presented research about how effective, influential leaders are perceived based on several communication channels. Continue reading →

PfAL3 scholars graduate

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PfAL3 scholars with Firoz Lalji, Chairman of PfAL Foundation
PfAL3 scholars with Firoz Lalji, Chairman of PfAL Foundation (Photo by Owen Billcliffe Photography)

Congratulations to the PfAL3 scholars, now MSc graduates of LSE! On Wednesday, December 17, 2014, the Department of International Development at LSE held a graduation ceremony for the MSc class of 2013-14. Though not all of the PfAL3 scholars were able to be in London for the ceremony, ten of our scholars walked across the stage to the sound of their names being read aloud and the audience in applause. The ceremony was followed by a reception in LSE’s new Saw Swee Hock Student Centre, where the graduates celebrated their achievement with friends, family and department staff.

A ticket to Cumberland Lodge

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Written by Fiona Imbali, 2013-14, MSc Development Management

26.02.2014-cumberlandlodge-1-revisedSince arriving in bustling Heathrow Airport, I’ve been through one academic term, read through hundreds of pages of reading assignments and submitted three essays. Michaelmas Term has flown by, but the thought of Cumberland Lodge, the 17th century house to which a group of Development Management students visited in November, still kindles splendid memories.

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Scholars meet Firoz Lalji

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On Wednesday 23 October 2013, the PfAL cohort received a special visit from Firoz Lalji as they were adjusting to life in London and at LSE.  Their workload was demanding, but lectures and readings were deepening their knowledge and understanding about development issues at a rapid pace.  Only a few weeks into the first term, they were ready to share with Lalji how the program was already empowering them to become stronger, more effective leaders

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PfAL 2013: New Horizons for PfAL

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September 2013 heralds the beginning of a new chapter in the development of PfAL. Having begun life as a three-week intensive education program, PfAL has now grown to incorporate a demanding LSE Master’s degree as part of a transition to a full-length (12-month) scholarship program.

At the end of September, 26 participants from across Kenya, South Sudan and Uganda will arrive in London to begin what promises to be a challenging and exciting year. Students will study either the MSc Development Management or the MSc International Development and Humanitarian Emergencies (IDHE) as the core part of their program. In addition, a bespoke weekly seminar series focused on leadership issues and global debates will run concurrently across the first two terms. Continue reading →

PfAL Brings 36 African Leaders to London

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The success of the pilot program in March 2012 ensured a very high level of demand for places on the September 2012 program. Inevitably only a small percentage of applicants were successful; however, the level of interest and quality of applications resulted in the cohort doubling in size from 18 in March to 36 participants in September.

The second session took place between September 3-21, 2012, and welcomed leader-participants from 17 countries: Cote d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe. Once again, the group of leaders came from a cross-section of African society, with the private and public sectors represented along with civil society and the media. Continue reading →