At the British Council, we are committed to developing future leaders. To prepare for the world ahead of us, the next generation of leaders must be skilled, innovative and globally connected people, able to make and respond to change with effective policy making.
Your chance to connect to a long-term network of emerging leaders from around the globe, who want to change the world through policy making.
As a member of Future Leaders Connect, you will travel to the UK for nine days of advanced policy and leadership development at the University of Cambridge. You will discuss today’s biggest global challenges in the UK Houses of Parliament, meet inspirational leaders and visit world renowned institutions. Following your time in the UK you will have worldwide connections, a policy action plan for change and the skills, knowledge and networks needed to be an influential leader in your country and beyond.
To take part you must be aged 18-35 and be based in one of our participating countries – Canada, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Tunisia, UK and USA. You should be able to demonstrate your policy knowledge and senior leadership potential in your application. Applications from Egypt, India and USA are by invitation only.
Applications are now open and will close on Sunday 13 May at 23.59 UK time.
The costs of travel, accommodation and meals are covered by the British Council and the programme is fully accessible. For those who do not gain one of the exclusive places on the programme, you will be invited to be part of the Future Leaders Connect Community where you can access a range of free online professional development policy and leadership resources.
More about the types of people we are looking for:
- You should be able to passionately explain how you want to make change in your country and how this links to your vision for global change.
- You should have an understanding of policy and are interested in learning more about policy making.
- You should be willing to engage in this long-term opportunity with the British Council to become a member of Future Leaders Connect and be committed to the network.
- You are likely to be in your early to mid-career, aged between 18 and 35 (on Sunday 13 May 2018) and already have examples of when you have demonstrated leadership.
- You will need to be based in one of our participating countries (Canada, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Tunisia, UK and USA) and be eligible to access a visa to come to the UK. Please be aware some of these countries have varying eligibility criteria. Applications from Egypt, India and USA are by invitation only.
- We are looking for emerging leaders who are committed to support the development of their country through policy change, and so encourage those to apply who have good knowledge and strong networks in the country they are based in.
- We are looking to find a diverse group of people with different experiences, ideas and backgrounds. The programme is fully accessible for those with disabilities.
- Be able to speak English at IELTS level 6 or equivalent (this means you would need to generally have an effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriate usage and misunderstandings. You can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations). You do not need the official qualification.
- You cannot be currently employed by, or an immediate family member of, the British Council, Gradcore or the Møller Centre.
You must be able to travel to the UK, arriving on the 22 October 2018 and departing on the 1 November 2018 with a valid passport. If you believe there is any reason you may be denied a visa you may want to consider whether to submit an application, as the British Council is unable to facilitate or guarantee that you will receive a visa. Check if you need a visa .
The costs of travel, accommodation and meals are covered by the British Council and the programme is fully accessible. We are looking for exceptional individuals with the ideas, energy and commitment to work collaboratively with all members of Future Leaders Connect and senior leaders. The programme aims to be representative of the countries in which it operates. We encourage applications from all sections of society.
There are three stages to the application process
1) Online application
It will take you approximately one hour to complete your online application. You cannot save your application and come back to it at a later date, the whole application must be done at once.
All applications must be submitted by Sunday 13 May 2018 23.59 (UK Time). Included in the online application is a series of simple general personal information questions, so we can confirm you meet the criteria and so that we will be able to contact you. There are four main questions that will require you to think about your policy vision and demonstrate your senior leadership potential. We recommend that you work on your responses to these questions offline before making your application, as you cannot save your application and come back to it at a later date, the whole application must be done at once.
1. Tell us about a time that you used leadership skills which led to a successful outcome. (100 – 350 words)
Remember, we are looking for people who are making change and have demonstrated leadership by making something happen. You can use examples from your personal or professional experience.
2. Tell us about one major global change you would like to see over the next five years. How will this impact your country? (100 – 350 words)
Remember to ensure your vision is wide reaching, with global and local significance. Is your idea addressing a real need?
3. How would you use policy making or influencing to achieve this change? (100 – 350 words)
Remember to use this answer to demonstrate your understanding of how policy change happens. How would you personally be involved in making or influencing the policy change? What evidence, analysis, contacts and other things you would you need to make it happen?
4. How would you share what you learn from this programme with others if your application was successful? (100 – 300 words)
We are looking for individuals who will make change in their countries and globally. How will you share what you have learned by informing others?
2) Finalists take part in events/interviews in their country
At this stage we will let you know if your application has been shortlisted or not.
If you are shortlisted, you will be invited to interviews and/or local events in your country (dates to be shared with those shortlisted). At the interviews/local event you may be asked to present your global policy vision and the impact it will have to your country, to a panel of experts. Unfortunately if you are unable to attend this event your application cannot be progressed.
3) Future Leaders Connect members travel to the UK, nine days of development opportunities
At the interviews/local events we will make our final decision on who will become members of Future Leaders Connect and travel to the UK. You will be expected to prepare to take part in private senior meetings, training and development sessions and visit to UK global institutions. Before travelling to the UK, you will also have to apply for visas for travel, complete some pre-work and be in contact with the British Council on an on-going basis regarding logistics.
There will be a number of spaces available on the reserves list, this means that if any person is no longer able to participate in the UK programme then the reserve persons will be contacted and invited to take up the place.
You must be able to travel to the UK for the programme of leadership and policy skill development in arriving on 22 October 2018 and departing on 1 November 2018 and have a valid passport to do so. If you believe there is any reason you may be denied a visa you may want to consider whether to submit an application, as the British Council is unable to facilitate or guarantee that you will receive a visa. Check if you need a visa.
The costs of travel, accommodation and meals are covered by the British Council and the programme is fully accessible. We are looking for exceptional individuals with the ideas, energy and commitment to work collaboratively with all members of Future Leaders Connect and senior leaders. The programme aims to be representative of the countries in which it operates. We encourage applications from all sections of society.
For more information, visit https://www.britishcouncil.org/future-leaders-connect
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