Who We Are Foundation for Leadership & Education Development is a knowledge-based Non-Governmental Organization established in April 1995. It was incorporated in Nigeria with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in 2006. The Foundation was established principally to address the observed low participation of women and youths in governance and public life due to poor leadership competence and low economic power. The foundation adopts gender transformative approach to build the economic and leadership capacities of women and youths to enable them participate in development processes at the political, economic, educational and social levels. We are committed to building the capacity of women and youths to participate in public life through enterprise and livelihood enhancement, leadership development, public education, advocacy and mass mobilization. We bring an entrepreneurial attitude to our social mission, while acting as capacity builder, educator and facilitator on development issues. How We Started The idea to establish the foundation was conceived by Joseph C. Ibekwe, a former journalist with the Daily Times of Nigeria, Lagos; on February 17, 1995 following an encounter he had with God, during which God commanded him to “go raise the foundations of many generations…” (Isaiah 58:12b). After consultations with friends and associates, the organization was formally inaugurated on April 17, 1995. The organization has a unique history in the sense that it started during the military regime in Nigeria when funding for NGOs involved in human capacity building were few, and most foreign funders were focused more on pro-democracy and human rights organizations. However, through the goodwill of associates, friends and indigenous partners, the Foundation has created visibly impacts around the country. Our Caproate Objective To promote leadership development among the citizens particularly women and youths through training, mentoring, conferences, retreats, awards, etc To promote positive youth development and lifelong learning among women and youths To promote entrepreneurship development and expand the pool of women and youth entrepreneurs through the teaching and support of entrepreneurship skills acquisition To use education as a tool to promote responsible citizenship and quality health among women and youths by acting as capacity builder, educator and facilitator on such issues To actively support Education for All Programme (EFA); particularly by providing educational support services to academic institutions through strengthening of Board Governance and facilitating professional skills development programmes for teachers, etc To work with other partner development institutions to promote United Nations Programmes relevant to our mandate and focus To carry out community projects such as advancement of education and learning, community development projects and other philanthropic activities in Nigeria and elsewhere. Our Partners & Networks The Foundation works in concert with government agencies, the private sector, and relevant institutions and individuals to deliver its programmes. FLED is a member of the World Association of Non-Governmental Organizations (WANGO) and Civil Society Coalition on Education for All (CSACEFA). It is officially associated with the United Nations Department of Public Information in New York. FLED is a member of Christian Rural and Urban Development Association of Nigeria (CRUDAN). FLED is also officially registered with the following Federal Government Ministries and Agencies: Federal Ministry of Education Federal Ministry of Youth Development Federal Ministry of Women Affairs Nigerian National Commission for UNESCO (NATCOM-UNESCO)