Nathan Collett wins New Leaders Group Award

Award-winning filmmaker Nathan Collett has been awarded the Institute of International Education's 2008 New Leaders Group Award for Mutual Understanding. The intent of the IIE’s New Leaders Group Award is to recognize young professionals and to encourage them to contribute and further promote their innovative ideas and dedication to the cause of mutual understanding.

Nathan received the award for the Call and Response program, which is a global first - an ongoing video exchange between the youth of the urban slums of Nairobi and youth in the USA. Call and Response was described by IIE as a project that "strongly supports the mission and goals of the New Leaders Group and holds much promise for the future of US-Kenya relations.”

Speaking about the award, Nathan said “This is a great honor for me and for Kibera. The IIE’s New Leaders Group award confirms the importance of building links of mutual understanding between the youth in Africa and America.”

Commenting on the post-election crisis in Kenya, Nathan said “The current crisis presents an opportunity to look beyond the headlines and at root causes for the disturbances in Kenya, in particular, the disaffected youth in the slums. The youth lack economic opportunities and feel isolated, disconnected and without hope. Through our work in the urban slums, we have the opportunity to create meaningful connections and new possibilities.”