Maternal Health Task Force and Ashoka to create international fellowship program for young professionals

Sep 28 2009

The Maternal Health Task Force at EngenderHealth and Ashoka will partner to create the first international fellowship program that links committed young professionals with seasoned social entrepreneurs to improve maternal health in developing countries. The Maternal Health Task Force and Ashoka will be featuring the Young Champions for Maternal Health Program as a commitment to action at the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting in New York City, where it will be announced by President Clinton on September 25.

"This is the first fellowship program to focus exclusively on global maternal health and comes at a moment when the need is more urgent than ever. By supporting a new generation of passionate and committed innovators, we grow one step closer to saving women's lives and eliminating the gross disparity between developed and developing countries when it comes to maternal health," said Ana Langer, M.D., president of EngenderHealth.

The Young Champions will be selected through Ashoka's Changemakers online competition platform, and each will spend nine months working with -- and being mentored by -- an Ashoka Fellow. At the end of their work-study, each Young Champion will design a concrete solution addressing a maternal health challenge that the Maternal Health Task Force and Ashoka will jointly promote to the global maternal health community.

Bill Drayton, Founder and CEO of Ashoka, observes that "the focus on the entrepreneur in this partnership is consistent with emerging global trends and Ashoka's vision of change. By nurturing the professional growth of Young Champions, the Maternal Health Task Force and Ashoka will identify new leaders with solutions to improve the health of women during pregnancy, childbirth, and beyond."

Following a competitive selection process, the Maternal Health Task Force chose Ashoka as its Young Champions partner for its established success in identifying social entrepreneurs. The fellowship program will link the Young Champions to leading global experts and provide the community with fresh perspectives and ideas, while opening growth and mentorship opportunities for the Young Champions.