USAID Launches the Donald M. Payne Fellowship Program
Friday, March 2, 2012 at 12:41PM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 2, 2012 USAID Press Office: 202-712-4320, USAID Public Information: 202-712-4810 www.usaid.gov
USAID Launches the Donald M. Payne Fellowship Program
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) today announced the launch of a new fellowship program designed to attract outstanding young people to careers in international development. The fellowship will encourage the application of members of minority groups who have historically been underrepresented in development careers, and is part of a larger Diversity Engagement Program being stood up by the Agency. The fellowship will be named in honor of longtime development champion, Congressman Donald M. Payne.
“This new fellowship will help USAID to attract and support a diverse group of talented young people who are dedicated to public service and international development,” said USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah. “It could not be more fitting that we are naming this fellowship after U.S. Representative Donald M. Payne who has led by example in dedicating his life to helping others around the globe. There have been few greater friends of USAID and Rep. Payne’s legacy of helping people and solving problems around the world will continue through this fellowship.”
The USAID Donald M. Payne Development Fellowship, which is modeled after the U.S. Department of State’s Rangel Fellowship program, will provide support for graduate school, professional development and entry in USAID’s Foreign Service.
The Payne Fellowship will seek to support individuals interested in creating a more secure, healthy and prosperous world through engagement in international development work.
Representative Donald M. Payne, who has served for almost 25 years in Congress, has been at the forefront of efforts to restore democracy and human rights in nations across the globe – from Sudan to Northern Ireland. He has met and supported thousands of USAID staff in his numerous travels around the world including visits to nearly every USAID mission on the continent of Africa. Rep. Payne serves as Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, whose mission is to advance the global black community by developing leaders through internship and fellowship programs, informing policy and educating the public.
Rep. Payne is a senior member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. He serves as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights and as a member of the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere and is the Co-Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus’ Foreign Policy and National Security Task Force.
USAID’s longtime commitment to diversity in the workforce continues in the recruitment and retention reforms launched in USAID Forward. The Forward initiatives reflect USAID’s longstanding goal to attract and retain the best people who reflect global diversity and who share one common trait: the ability to be innovative problem-solvers.
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