Ten years ago, in 2016, we launched the Danida Fellows Network. It came in response to a strong and consistent request from the more than 1,000 fellows that annually attend our learning courses supporting the development programmes under Danida and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark.
The request was echoed by the hundreds of Master’s and PhD students, and researchers from Danida partner countries working alongside their Danish colleagues in long-standing research collaborations.
The closure of this year’s Danida Fellows Network Leaders Convening was celebrated with a song composed especially for the occasion by Danida fellow Prateek Kumawat from India. It is entitled ‘We are the Danida fellows’ and it is a fitting tribute to a network built on collaboration, creativity, and a shared ambition to make a positive and long-lasting difference.
By Prateek Kumawat
Seven days beneath the Tanzanian sky,
Strangers met, but it’s hard to say goodbye,
From morning walks to laughter in the sun,
Fifteen nations, but we felt like one,
Because we are the Danida Fellows.
Because we are the Danida Fellows.
Hand in hand, we learned & we grew,
Different worlds, yet something true,
In every smile, a story shared,
In every moment, someone cared,
Because we are the Danida Fellows.
Because we are the Danida Fellows.
Oh, these memories will stay,
after we’ve gone our way,
From every session, every dream we drew,
A part of me will stay with you,
Because we are the Danida Fellows.
Because we are the Danida Fellows.
Circle talks and ideas taking flight,
Building futures, making visions bright,
Exercises, hands raised high,
Turning “what if” into “we will try,”
Because we are the Danida Fellows.
Because we are the Danida Fellows.
Different voices, one same call,
To rise together, not to fall,
Through every plan and every start,
We built a network, heart to heart,
Because we are the Danida Fellows.
Because we are the Danida Fellows.
And this is not the end, just a bend in the road,
We’ll carry forward every lesson been showed,
In every country, every land,
We’ll build together, hand in hand,
Because we are the Danida Fellows.
Because we are the Danida Fellows.
Yes, memories will stay,
Guiding along the way,
today we say goodbye,
Our purpose never die,
Across the borders, near or far,
We’ll shine together, like one star,
Because we are the Danida Fellows.
Because we are the Danida Fellows.
