(Image source from: NewsGram)

The American India Foundation (AIF) today felicitated 27 young leaders from the United States and India on the completion of their 10-month service under AIF's William J Clinton Fellowship for Service in India.

"These young fellows contributed their skills and resources to NGOs in the field of livelihoods, education, and public health across 15 states in India," Mark A White, Mission Director of USAID-India, said at the event.

The event brought together philanthropists, Certified Sustainability (CSR) practitioners, leading businessmen, Non-Governmental Organization founders and fellows, who shared testimonials and glimpses into their journeys of service in India, along with an art exhibition portraying the impact of their work on the ground.

"The William J Clinton Fellowship for Service in India helps shape the next generation of leaders committed to impactful change while also strengthening civil society to be more efficient and effective," White added.

A select figure extremely proficient young professionals are paired by fellowship with major NGOs and social undertakings in India in order to intensify impact and create effectual projects that are recreational, scalable, and sustainable

While congratulating the Clinton Fellows, Mathew Joseph, Country Director-AIF, said, "Through values like teamwork, perseverance, and humility they address the challenges they face in their service and ultimately succeed in making positive and lasting impacts in their host organizations."

Since the first batch of fellows who assisted in the post-earthquake rehabilitation of Gujarat in 2001, the AIF Clinton Fellowship Program has successfully paired 452 fellows in service with 202 NGOs and social enterprises across 23 states, thus representing a collective force and organized network dedicated to social change in India.

AIF was founded in 2001 at the initiative of President Clinton following a suggestion from then Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

AIF partners with NGOs to develop and test innovative solutions working closely with local communities, and with authorities to make and scale sustainable outcome.

By Sowmya Sangam