Eleven individuals who are making positive changes in their communities across the globe have been chosen to be a part of the latest cohort of Obama Foundation Scholars.
The scholars will also have the opportunity to contribute to Columbia World Projects, an initiative that mobilizes the university’s researchers and scholars to work with governments, organizations, businesses and communities to create tangible solutions to real-world issues.
The Brazilian Researcher and Practitioner in Urban Planning, Flavia Neves Maia, is amongst these professionals. Flavia was also one of the participants of our program Columbia Women's Leadership Network 2018 in partnership with Fundação Lemann , Instituto Humanize and República.org.
“Witnessing, over the past two years, the powerful impact of this program on the remarkable individuals participating as Obama Scholars, and the communities they are dedicated to changing, has left Columbia even more deeply invested in this special endeavor and all that it can accomplish,” said Columbia President Lee C. Bollinger. “This year we welcome 11 new scholars at a moment that starkly underscores the importance of civic leadership. We are looking forward to supporting them in further developing the skills needed to meet the many urgent challenges proliferating around the globe."
The Obama Foundation Scholars program, which launched in 2018, is designed to inspire, empower and connect emerging leaders with the tools they need to make their efforts more effective and impactful upon their return home. As part of the foundation’s ongoing efforts to pass the baton to the next generation of global leaders, the scholars program partners with Columbia to combine academic learning with one-of-a-kind experiences led by the foundation.
“This pandemic has changed all of our lives and it has revealed some of the deep-rooted inequities that the 2018 and 2019 Scholars have committed their lives to solving. Over the past several months, the Scholars have found innovative ways to pivot their work to meet the needs of people in their communities,” said Obama Foundation CEO David Simas. “The world needs more leaders like this, now more than ever, and we look forward to supporting our third cohort of Scholars on their leadership journeys.”
Congratulations, Flavia!
>>> To learn more about the Obama Foundation Scholars program and the rest of the 2020-2021 cohort, please visit obama.org/scholars.
