Go to the profile of Esther Ngumbi
Esther Ngumbi
Post Doc Auburn University, PhD Entomology, hunger activist, AAUW Alumnae, Aspen Food Security Fellow, Founder Young Thinkers& Spring Break Kenya &OYESKA GREENS

4 Reasons to Apply for Aspen’s Institute New Voices Fellowship

Important conversations and commentaries of our day appear in print, online and multi-media every day. These conversations drive policy, public opinion, resources and talent, and determine which ideas and individuals will become influential across industries. Yet, all too often what we hear or read comes from the same handful of sources: western academics and journalists, international aid workers, global philanthropists and donor government officials.

That’s where the Aspen Institute New Voices Fellowship steps in. Up to 20 people from African, Asian, and Latin American countries are selected through an application process for a year-long fellowship to learn how to elevate their voice and have their knowledge inserted into and informing the public conversation.

I am a 2015 Food Security fellow from Kenya and I can attest that the Aspen New Voices Fellowship changes lives and conversations.

When I joined the program, I had never written an opinion piece. Two years later, I have written over 25 pieces that have been published in several prestigious outlets including CNN, Scientific American, The Hill, Conversation, NPR, The Christian Science Monitor and TIME. Through these pieces, I have shared my perspectives and opinions on issues I care about and contributed on the discourse on climate change, degraded soils, food security and agriculture.

That’s not all. During the fellowship and now as an alumni, my network has broadened. For example, being a fellow opened the doors for me to meet one of my sheroes, former Secretary of State, Madeline Albright, and be on a panel in the Prestigious Aspen Ideas Festival that was moderated by former US Secretary of Agriculture, Dan Glickman.

I have also been able to tell my story to a global audience both in Aspen, and Washington DC. Other opportunities that continue to remain special is when I was invited to present to Aspen’s Institute Board Of Directors, a presentation that led to an invitation for me to be part of Aspen’s Institute Food Strategy Group and attend a meeting in Milan, Italy. Above all, the Aspen family is just special and remains special.

So here are my four reasons as to why you should apply?

1. You will be trained my experts about media skills and communications and how you can write to change the world by writing opinion pieces. You will learn the art of telling your stories and how to effectively put your thoughts and opinions in writing. In doing so, you will have the unique opportunity to shape conversations and commentaries of our age. You will be trained on how to present your stories on TV and Radio. This training happens in S. Africa and takes a week.

2. You will have all of the support you need to be a thought leader and an author. At the beginning of the program, you will be paired with a mentor. Mentors are experienced, seasoned professionals that will work with you throughout your fellowship year. They will help you refine your story, thoughts, opinion pieces or any other media appearances.

3. You will also be trained about the art of story- telling. This happens either in Aspen, Colorado, or at other destinations. This training is done through The Moth. Once you go through this training, I can promise you will be a seasoned expert and you will be able to better tell your stories. If you do well in this training, you get the opportunity to present your story to a global audience during The Aspen Ideas Festival and to present to other global audiences.

4. Finally, you will have access to some of the BEST networks in our world. The fellowship is heavily invested in its fellows and so it goes an extra mile to ensure that you get connected to the networks that will help you reach your goals. YES, they will open the networks for you and will continue opening the networks long after your fellowship year is over.

Ultimately, tackling the global problems of today must draw from the best frontline talent around the world, especially from underrepresented thinkers. No one can better tell about development issues than those who have experienced their challenges firsthand. So, if you are still on the fence sitting and wondering if you should apply or not, I encourage you to go for it. Find someone to nominate you! You will never REGRET it. This fellowship is one of the BEST things that happened in my life.