Judge Marlene Malahoo Forte, Jamaican judge selected as Yale World Fellow from over 100 countries. - Contributed

Judge Marlene Malahoo Forte has been selected as one of only 18 persons worldwide to participate in the Yale World Fellows Programme at Yale University in the United States. She was selected from a group of 500 emerging leaders from over 100 countries.

The Yale World Fellows Programme is one of a kind. In a yearly worldwide competition highly accomplished men and women are selected to participate in a four-month leadership programme at Yale, where they explore critical world issues, sharpen skills and build relationships with other leaders. As a network of emerging global leaders, the World Fellows are selected at early to mid-career point and come from a range of fields including business, government, media and international organisations. To identify these dynamic, up-and-coming leaders, Yale relies on a growing network of in-country nominators who are aware of the principal players in their regions. While the group they seek is diverse, the World Fellows are uniformly of star quality with established records of accomplishment and upward trajectory.

Quiet determination

The office of public affairs at the United States Embassy noted, "Her Honour Judge Marlene Malahoo Forte exhibits a quiet determination and an unshakeable confidence in Jamaica. To that end she has embarked on a life of public service and the Yale Fellowship should only enhance her leadership capability and capacity to contribute to Jamaica."

Judge Malahoo Forte is a judge at the Corporate Area civil courts in Kingston and lecturer of Criminal Practice and Procedure at the Norman Manley Law School, Mona campus, Jamaica. She is a Commonwealth Scholar who holds a Master of Law Degree, with merit, from the University of London, King's College; a Bachelor of Laws degree, with honours, from the University of the West Indies, Barbados and a Certificate of Legal Education from the Norman Manley Law School, Jamaica.

Holder of the highest offices

She is now serving as president of the Association of Resident Magistrates for a third term. She was also president of the Legal Officers Staff Association (LOSA). Her position as the holder of the highest offices in these two associations is a clear recognition of her ability to lead and a manifestation of the confidence reposed in her by her own peers.

The 2007 Yale World Fellows Programme, which begins in August, is an intensive four-month full-time leadership programme consisting of five critical elements including academic study tailored to meet the individual Fellow's needs and interests.

"I am extremely delighted, honoured and blessed to be selected to participate in this most prestigious programme," said Judge Malahoo Forte. "I thank the U.S. Embassy for their nomination, which opened this wonderful window of opportunity for me," she said.