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Ms. Waswa, an emerging lawyer from Kenya with a deep passion for advancing women and youth inclusion in government, is part of the inaugural cohort of fellows in the Generation Connect Young Leadership Programme (GCYLP). She recently completed her development week in Switzerland.

She is among 30 individuals who were selected out of 5249 applicants across 200 countries. Waswa has worked with various organizations  in various roles from youth activism to advocacy, focusing on peace and socio-economic development.

(GCYLP) the Generation Connect Young Leadership Programme is an innovation designed to engage, empower, and inspire emerging digital leaders and changemakers. The program seeks to support young visionaries globally who propose creative, impactful, and practical community-driven projects aimed at building a more inclusive and empowered digital future.

In partnership with Huawei, the International Telecommunication Union(ITU), a specialized agency of the United Nations, responsible for various issues related to information and communication technologies. They offer guidance, training, and financial support to 30 young fellows aged between 18-28 annually, helping them implement digital development projects in their communities worldwide. This program provides young leaders with a unique chance to bring new digital ideas to life or enhance the impact of their current initiatives.

This program was opened  in November 2023, with applications for the first cohort opening in February. IN the coming two years, two additional groups of nearly 100 young visionaries from across the globe will undertake a similar journey.

According to Dr. Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Director of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau “Seizing opportunities and creating new ones, being collaborative and resilient, as well as adopting a multi- disciplinary approach for a multi-sectoral world in which we find ourselves, will go a long way in helping you succeed and in impact people’s lives around the world,” he said’

Selina Wen, Chief Representative to the EU Institutions and Vice President of Public Affairs for Europe at Huawei, stated that young leaders “have played and will continue to play a crucial role in the digital era. Now, more than ever, the empowering potential of technology must be harnessed to tackle the most pressing social challenges.”

The week-long activities feature leadership fireside chats, an intergenerational panel discussion, and visits to Geneva University, the Palais des Nations, and Huawei Switzerland in Zurich.

Likewise, the program includes online mentoring sessions, virtual “fireside chats” with industry experts, collaborative group projects, and various other online activities.