Empowering Youth Through Diplomacy: My Nasser Fellowship Experience in Egypt

In May 2025, I was privileged to be among 150 young leaders from around the world selected for the Nasser Fellowship for International Leadership. This diverse cohort comprising lawyers, activists, doctors, and artists, gathered in Egypt for two impactful weeks. What stood out from the beginning was not merely the scale of the program, but the intensity of purpose and shared passion. There was a clear understanding that our presence there extended beyond lectures and formal sessions. We were there to challenge perspectives and reflect on our individual and collective roles in shaping the future.

The Nasser Fellowship was founded by Hassan Ali Ghazaly, Director of the Global South Youth Bureau at Egypt’s Ministry of Youth and Sports. Under his direction, the program has grown to become a platform for engaging young leaders from the Global South in policy, diplomacy, and international cooperation.

Cross Section of Nasser Fellowship Delegates

The theme for this year’s fellowship was: “Egypt and the United Nations – 80 Years Representing the Issues of the Global South.” Egypt, a founding member of the UN, stands as a cornerstone of both African and Arab diplomacy. Through this, we explored how diplomacy, multilateralism, and youth engagement intersect to shape regional policy. The fellowship featured a wide range of discussions, including Egypt’s foreign policy, national dialogue experiences, Egypt’s role in global peacekeeping and peacebuilding, crisis response and management methods, the importance of multilateral cooperation and inclusivity, the Bandung Conference and the formation of the Global South, governance and anti-corruption, the image of the Global South in international journalism and media, youth and public diplomacy, climate, financial inclusion, and corporate social responsibility.

One of the most remarkable aspects of the fellowship was its immersive approach. We were not confined to boardrooms and lectures, instead, we were fully immersed in Egypt’s rich cultural, historical, and institutional landscape. From exploring ancient heritage to understanding modern governance, the program gave us a holistic view of the country. We visited iconic sites such as the Egyptian Opera House, the Correction and Rehabilitation Center in Tenth of Ramadan City, the Air Force Museum, ENS Gamal Abdel Nasser, Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the Police Academy, the Suez Canal, the Military Academy, and the Grand Egyptian Museum. We also experienced spiritual and culinary landmarks, including the Cathedral of Abbassiya, Al-Azhar Mosque, the Giza Pyramids, and the famous Abo Tarek Koshari. Each stop deepened our connection to Egypt’s story and its role on the global stage.

Diplomacy Presentation

As I engaged with fellow delegates from across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, Europe and North America, I began to appreciate how deeply connected we are. Despite our diverse languages, traditions, and histories, there was a powerful sense of shared purpose and cultural resonance. The experience deepened my appreciation for the threads that unite us, while also helping me recognize the beauty and strength found in our differences. It reminded me that global collaboration is not about erasing identities, but about embracing them in all their complexity. As an African, I was struck by the profound influence of African culture in Latin America, particularly through music and dance. It was also a meaningful opportunity to represent Kenya, and Africa more broadly, in a positive light, especially to those whose perceptions had been shaped by negative media portrayals.

As a Swahili speaker from Kenya, I was deeply honored to see the Nasser Fellowship recognize and promote Swahili, the most widely spoken language of African origin. A particularly memorable moment was meeting Dr. Sayed Farid and Dr. Shimaa Tarek from Ain Shams University, renowned scholars who teach and actively advocate for the growth of Swahili; and their students Malak Azhary and Ahmed Sayed. Their passion for the language was both inspiring and deeply validating.

In a global environment where African voices are often underrepresented or stereotyped, such gestures of cultural affirmation carry immense significance. The inclusion of African languages, perspectives, and intellectual contributions in international spaces is essential. It sends a powerful message: that African identity, thought, and culture are not just relevant, but central to global discourse. In that moment, I felt seen not just as an individual, but as part of a wider cultural legacy worth celebrating and protecting.

At the end of the fellowship, my worldview was expanded and I had developed a deep conviction that as a young African lawyer, I have a duty to use my expertise to make positive impact in the continent. I now see leadership and diplomacy as something I practice daily: when I speak up, when I build coalitions, and when I refuse to be silent. The Nasser Fellowship didn’t just teach me about leadership and diplomacy. It taught me how to live it.

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Author's bio

Shelley Jane Nyonje is an advocate of the High Court of Kenya, a legal writer, and a policy researcher with a keen interest in Law and Artificial Intelligence. She currently volunteers at the DPO Africa Network as a policy reviewer on data protection matters and serves as a Global Youth Network Member at UNICEF Innocenti. A Nasser Leadership Fellow, graduate of Strathmore University & the Kenya School of Law, Shelley is passionate about law and justice. This article honors the life and legacy of her father, a Kiswahili academic and author, who sadly passed away on April 03, 2025.