About the program
Future Leaders Connect is where exceptional individuals (aged 18-35) from around the world join a long-term network of emerging policy leaders. You will develop your policy making expertise, make valuable connections and gain the skills to have real impact. Together you will discuss major global policy issues in the Houses of Parliament, engage with inspiring leaders, visit some of the UK’s leading global institutions and collaborate to produce innovative policy recommendations. The skills, experience and connections you will make through Future Leaders Connect will support you to seize your leadership potential.
We are now accepting applications from individuals living in Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Tunisia, and the UK.
Complete your online application by Sunday 14th May 2017, 23.59pm (GMT).
BECOMING A MEMBER OF FUTURE LEADERS CONNECT
Why should you apply to become a member of the British Council’s Future Leaders Connect?
- Become a member of a long-term network, connecting with other future leaders from across the world
- Access to a nine day programme of leadership and policy skill development
- Enhance your professional development
- Opportunity to have your voice and ideas heard in the UK Houses of Parliament
- Attend private meetings with some of the UK’s most senior leaders
- Visit world famous leadership institutions
- Learn from senior policy experts and campaigners
- Access to future opportunities from the British Council
Each year we will recruit more members for Future Leaders Connect. In 2017 there are 50 spaces available. This year we will welcome applicants from the following countries; Egypt, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Tunisia, and the UK.
Although India and Egypt are taking part in the programme they are not taking part in the open call. Applications from these two countries may have a different eligibility criteria and application process.
The place where the future leaders connect
Through Future Leaders Connect we aim to identify exceptional individuals (aged 18-35) who have the potential to be future leaders of their countries in the fields of politics and policy, and who will be amongst the shapers of global policy making in the years ahead. If you believe you are an emerging leader with an understanding of global issues and policy making then this could be the opportunity for you.
More about the types of people we are looking for:
- We are looking for people who can passionately articulate their vision for global change and explain the role of policy making in helping them to achieve this.
- 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 14th May 2017) and already have examples of when you have demonstrated leadership.
- You will need to live in one of our participating countries (Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Tunisia, and the UK) and be eligible to access a visa to come to the UK.
- 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 contextual knowledge and strong networks in the country they are based in.
- We are looking to recruit a diverse group of people with different experiences, ideas and backgrounds.
- Be able to speak English at IELTS level 6 or equivalent (this means you generally you 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 cannot be currently employed by the British Council or be an immediate family member of a British Council employee. (In this case immediate family member is defined as one's spouse, parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren, siblings and immediate in-laws (mother-in-law, father-in-law, brother-in-law and sister-in-law). Adopted children and stepchildren are also counted as immediate family members.)
You must be able to travel to the UK for the programme of leadership and policy skill development (including a one day conference in Houses of Parliament) between the dates 18th and 27th October 2017 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 you submit an application, as the British Council is unable to facilitate or guarantee that you will receive a visa.
In the interests of equal access, the costs of participating in Future Leaders Connect will be covered by the British Council. 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
Application
There are three stages to the application process
1) Online application
Complete your online application by Sunday 14th May 2017, 23.59pm (GMT).
If you are applying from Morocco or Tunisia the applications will close for these countries on Sunday 30th April 2017, 23.59pm (GMT) and if shortlisted from one of these countries you must be able to attend an event on Wednesday 17th May 2017.
India and Egypt are taking part in the programme but not in the open call. Applications from these countries may have a different eligibility criteria and application process.
You cannot save the application once you start it, therefore we suggest that you allocate enough time to complete the application all at once, or you work on your application outside of the system and when you are happy with it submit it online. Your online application must be completed in English.
The main questions we will ask you as part of the applications are:
- Please tell us about one significant success you achieved while demonstrating leadership. Please tell us in no more than 250 words.
- Please tell us about one major global change you would like to see over the next 5 years. How will this impact your country? Please tell us in no more than 500 words.
- How would you use policy making or influencing to achieve this change? Please tell us in no more than 500 words.
- Please tell us how you might be able to cascade or share what you learn as part of this programme. What networks or groups might you share this with? Please tell us in no more than 250 words.
Deadline for online applications is Sunday 14th May 2017, 23.59 (GMT). If you are applying from Morocco or Tunisia the applications will close for these countries on Sunday 30th April 2017, 23.59pm (GMT).
If you have been unsuccessful at this stage you will be notified by us via email, we would encourage you to reapply next year should you still meet the eligibility requirements. We also recommend that you apply to other British Council programmes.
You will be notified if you have been placed on the reserves list.
2) Finalists take part in events 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 event in your country (dates to be shared with those shortlisted). You will be invited to attend a local event or interview where you will have the opportunity to present your policy ideas 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 country events we will make our final decision on who will be accepted to join Future Leaders Connect in the UK. The successful applicants will be notified and informed of all the information they need to know. Successful applicants will be asked to sign an agreement outlining their involvement and commitment to Future Leaders Connect. You will be expected to prepare to take part in conversations at the Conference in Parliament, as well as for the development sessions beforehand, where participants will share their experiences and expertise with each other. Before traveling to the UK, you will also have to apply for visas for travel 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 in that country will be contacted and invited to take up the place.
For more information click "Further official information" below.
This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:
https://www.britishcouncil.org/future-leaders-connect