Future leaders key to Britain's redefined role on world stage
The British Council is launching a new initiative to leverage the soft power of the UK’s institutions to help emerging policy leaders around the world to develop their skills.
If the UK is to step up its global relationships and profile post-Brexit, we will need to develop strong relationships with the next generation of leaders around the world.
As the UK begins to redefine its role on the world stage and develop new trading links, the British Council believes that we must invest in building stronger relationships with the next generation of young people who will progress into positions of future influence and decision-making in their countries and globally.
Our recent research across the G20 countries showed that last year’s EU referendum has led to a fall in the UK’s standing amongst young people in major European economies. However, the same research also showed improved views of the UK from young people in the Commonwealth and wider world. It is important that we seize this opportunity and as we leave the EU, look beyond Europe to the next generation of leaders in Asia, Africa, the Americas and the Middle East. These young people will play important roles in the future of their countries and wider global policymaking, and therefore in determining Britain’s future trade, prosperity and influence in international forums.
The British Council already works with millions of young people around the world, teaching English and providing connections to the UK through education and the arts. But we are now also launching a new initiative to leverage the soft power of the UK’s institutions, in particular the Houses of Parliament, which command great respect around the world. Our Future Leaders Connect network is a new forum for emerging policy leaders around the world to develop their skills, build global connections and give them an experience of UK policymaking. The programme will give thousands of young people an opportunity to digitally connect, as well as develop their leadership and policy skills online. Fifty of the most promising applicants globally will be given a life changing opportunity with a week of advanced policy and leadership development at the University of Cambridge, followed by a major conference in the Houses of Parliament where they will debate their vision for global change with parliamentarians.
The UK’s next generation of leaders can also benefit from better connections with their international peers. Access to the rich knowledge and experience of young leaders in different countries can provide valuable learning opportunities and enable them to experience different perspectives on how major policy issues are viewed around the world. As our recently published report Global Definitions of Leadership and Theories of Leadership Development indicates, a ‘global mind-set’ is among the most valued characteristics of leaders around the world today. Skills such as collaboration are essential in an increasingly globalised world, where solving challenges ranging from climate change to global terrorism all require joint action between countries and sectors.
International connections and experiences can also benefit the wider UK economy. Young people with international experience such as learning languages, participating in exchange programmes or connecting with their peers globally are more likely to work in sectors of the economy such as Research and Development that drive productivity. These experiences also help them to develop a wide range of skills valued by employers.
Applications to join Future Leaders Connect in 2017 are now open in the UK for young people aged 18-35. Those selected will join other emerging policy leaders from Egypt, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Tunisia and the USA. We are looking for the UK’s next generation of leaders, to build long term connections for the UK’s future. If you know someone who wants to make an impact through policy change and possesses the leadership skills to make it happen, then encourage them to apply by visiting the website – www.britishcouncil.org/future-leaders-connect. Applications close on 20 July 23.59 (BST).
