AAUN Launches Emerging Leaders in Australia-Africa Diplomacy (ELAAD) Program 2 in Nairobi
AAUN was delighted to launch the second Emerging Leaders in Australia-Africa Diplomacy (ELAAD) Program on 2 July 2025 at the University of Nairobi, Kenya. ELAAD is a flagship professional development and networking program convened virtually by four AAUN member universities on behalf of the Network: University of Nairobi, Curtin University, University of Pretoria, and Australian National University.
H.E. Jenny Da Rin, Australian High Commissioner to Kenya, and Prof. John Demesi Mande, Deputy Vice-Chancellor University of Nairobi (representing the Vice-Chancellor) performed the official launch, alongside Associate Professor David Mickler, AAUN Co-Chair (Australia) (and ELAAD Program Co-Convenor), Prof. Patrick Maluki, Head, Department of Diplomacy and International Studies, University of Nairobi (and ELAAD Program Co-Convenor), as well as senior members of the diplomatic and academic communities in Nairobi, students and aspiring diplomats.
Other speakers included Hon. Francis Mwangangi (Deputy Governor, Machakos County), Prof. Jack Anselm Odhiambo (Dean, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, University of Nairobi), Prof. Christopher Isike (Head, Department of Political Sciences, University of Pretoria, and ELAAD Program Co-Convenor), and both Grace Musolo and Lehlogonolo Phaahla (Inaugural ELAAD Fellows from the Program 1 cohort). Special thanks to our amazing local ELAAD Program Ambassadors Peter Kathukya and Fridah Njoki for their incredible work behind the scenes to support the launch event, and to the truly wonderful UoN Choir!
Under ELAAD Program 2, each AAUN Member University will nominate one master’s student to participate in the program, while Australian Heads of Mission resident in Africa and African Heads of Mission resident in Australia will also each nominate one junior/mid-career diplomat, creating a total cohort of 50 ELAAD Fellows (aged 20-35 years).
The deadline for nominations is 15 August 2025. ELAAD Program 2 Fellows will be publicly announced at the AAUN Australia Forum in Perth on 1-2 September 2025. The virtual program will then commence in October 2025 and run for six months, and AAUN is seeking external funding to bring all of the Fellows together for a final workshop as part of the AAUN Africa Forum 2026.
Please find below the launch presentation, which provides further details, as well as remarks by speakers, a video recording of the event, and event photos.