Botswana Chess Federation Public Relations Director attends United Nations Youth Leadership Summit for Sport for Development and Peace in the USA

Botswana Chess Federation Public Relations Director and Member of the FIDE Women in Chess Commission Ms Keenese Katisenge made history when she became the first female administrator from Botswana to attend the United Nations Office for Sport for Development and Peace International Youth Leadership Programme for Sport for Development and Social Impact.

The programme ran from 07-19 June 2015 at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, USA.

It consisted of a total of 47 young leaders selected from around the world for a 2 weeks mentorship programme.

According to Wilfried Lemke, the Special Adviser to the United Nations Secretary General on Sport for Development and Peace, the young leaders were selected because they had already shown in their own communities that sport can be a powerful tool for development and also because of the leadership qualities they possess.

The programme is an initiative of the United Nations together with their partner Global Action Initiatives aimed at providing future leaders and role models in different communities with practical training of best practices in order to better use the power of sport to make positive global changes.

The programme also provided the participants with useful tools and information on how to provide a conducive environment for participation on women and girls in sport. Ms Katisenge says she is now even more inspired and motivated to make a great impact as far as women and girls’ participation in sport is concerned. FIDE WOM is proud to have played a part in ensuring that she attends the international programme as part of the commission’s female empowerment initiative.