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We take pride in sharing the incredible journey and accomplishments of our Citizen Diplomat Society pilot program in Nigeria. We had more than 400 applicants to the program, with nearly 300 engaged participants and 40 group projects. This democratic approach allowed our graduates to play an active role in shaping the future of sustainable development in Nigeria.
When asked for feedback on the pilot program, 97% of respondents reported that the program had a positive impact on their life. This post will review the outcomes of this transformative initiative and how we plan to move forward with our programs and opportunities for the Citizen Diplomat Society.
Table 1: the distribution of 257 participants around the country.
A Resounding Response:
Our pilot program garnered an overwhelming response, with over 400 passionate individuals applying from all corners of Nigeria. This immense interest showcases the growing recognition of citizen diplomacy and its potential to drive sustainable development.
A Comprehensive Program for Empowerment:
The Spring 2023 Cohort of the Citizen Diplomat Society featured a comprehensive curriculum designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills needed to become effective citizen diplomats.
The cohort was divided into 40 groups of 5-10 according to their expressed interests (table 2). The groups were tasked with working together to plan a project and present it to the rest of the cohort in the final workshop.
Over the course of three weeks, our participants actively engaged in weekly workshops (like the one featured on the right), assignments, quizzes, and collaborative group projects. Learning materials were also sourced from the Harvard Kennedy School, the Emirates Diplomatic Academy, and the United Nations national sustainable development report for Nigeria.
Table 2: gives an overview of the distribution of interest and focus areas of the group projects.
Commitment and Achievement: We measure the success of our program by the commitment and achievements of our participants. To successfully complete the program, participants were required to attend a minimum of two out of three weekly workshops, submit at least two out of three assignments, and pass one out of two quizzes. This evaluation method ensured that only the most engaged and dedicated participants would become graduates with the power to vote on which projects will receive funding. Our aim is to ensure that graduates are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to drive sustainable change.
Elevating our Graduates: All of the group projects are now displayed in the project portfolio section of our website (here).
At the completion of the program, we celebrated the remarkable accomplishments of our participants. Everyone who engaged in this pilot program received a certificate of completion with his or her name on it.
For the nearly 80 successful graduates who received the Citizen Diplomat NFT were granted voting rights to determine which projects would receive funding. Voting took place, and three projects were selected.
Funding the Most Promising Projects: In an exciting twist, the top-voted project was disqualified due to safety concerns in the region, making it impractical to implement the project. So, a tiebreaker round was required to determine the new recipients of the first and third-place funding.
Selected Projects
Selected Projects
UPcycling business in Abuja (Group 26) - view proposal
Wash program & water filter distribution (Group 4) - view proposal
Feminine hygiene support for adolescent girls (Group 35) - view proposal
Citizen Diplomat Society Member Alamin Lawal Ajibola speaking about water filtration to WASH Project participants.
A Promising Future: The successful conclusion of our pilot program marks the beginning of an exciting journey for the People's Accords Citizen Diplomat Society in Nigeria. As we expand our reach and refine our approach, we are confident that our decentralized model will continue to drive sustainable development and foster meaningful connections among citizens of many countries around the world.
Group 4's project for water filter distribution has already been completed (pictured left). The group did an excellent job of planning their project and seeing it all the way to completion. Group members worked hand in hand with the project advisors and staff at The People's Accords to provide a clear budget and maximize the impact of their grant.
Feedback from Citizen Diplomats:
"the opportunity to work with a diversity of individuals which I am sure I wouldn't have worked with if not for this program. It afforded me the opportunity to learn about diplomacy with is an important asset in interaction with individuals, groups, or Nations. Overall, the program really changed my perspective on people and the outside community. " - Mr. Alamin Lawal Ajibola
Conclusion: We are thrilled to showcase the achievements of our Citizen Diplomat Society pilot program in Nigeria. With an overwhelming response, active participation, and impactful group projects, we have witnessed the transformative power of citizen diplomacy in action. All our participants helped to expand the Peopl'es Accords story library - building a foundation of empathy and commonality for the Citizen Diplomat Society. Successful graduates, who received the Citizen Diplomat NFT, played a vital role in determining which projects would receive funding. As we move forward, we remain committed to empowering communities through individuals - and fostering sustainable development through citizen diplomacy. Together, we can create a model for citizen diplomacy that brings a brighter and more prosperous future for Nigeria and countries around the world.
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