Northern Ireland’s emerging policy leaders selected for global leadership programme
Ten young leaders from Northern Ireland have been selected for the British Council’s prestigious global policy programme – Future Leaders Connect – it was announced at Hillsborough Castle recently.
They will be among 63 delegates from thirteen countries taking part in a six-week online policy and leadership programme where they will gain exclusive access to policy experts and training, discuss their policy ideas with UK Parliamentarians and Government and be mentored by UK think tanks and other senior leaders.
In partnership with the prestigious Møller Institute at Cambridge University, Future Leaders Connect aims to help the delegates develop their skills, expand their networks and ultimately, make policy change.
For this Centenary year, the programme has been expanded in Northern Ireland to ten places instead of the usual two, thanks to the support of the Northern Ireland Office – with Northern Ireland delegates joining emerging leaders from Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Poland, Ukraine, Vietnam and the rest of the UK on the programme.
This year’s participants were selected from over 9,000 applicants worldwide in a competitive process where they pitched their innovative policy ideas for global change. Policy ideas from the Northern Ireland delegates included changes to integrated education, climate action and mental health provision.
Congratulating the participants, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Brandon Lewis, said: “I was delighted to meet the young people taking part in this year’s Future Leaders Connect programme and to hear about their ambitions for the scheme and beyond.
“I’m proud that the Northern Ireland Office is supporting the expansion of the programme this Centenary year, meaning more young people from Northern Ireland will be taking part.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for them to hear from leaders around the world and learn how governments can work together to tackle the great global issues of the day.”
Also speaking about the programme at Hillsborough Castle, Jonathan Stewart, Director, British Council Northern Ireland said: “We’re delighted to be able to announce the ten exceptional individuals from Northern Ireland taking part in this year’s global programme. Future Leaders Connect is an opportunity for emerging leaders in Northern Ireland to collaborate with their counterparts from all over the world, and to benefit from the sharing of ideas and knowledge in tackling global issues and challenges.
“The application process was extremely competitive, and we are certain that our ten young leaders whose backgrounds range from law and politics to housing and the environment, will make positive changes in Northern Ireland. We wish them every success in the programme.”
This year’s Future Leaders Connect programme will officially kick off from 11 October and run for six weeks online until 19 November. For more information on Future Leaders Connect or British Council Northern Ireland, visit http://nireland.britishcouncil.org or www.britishcouncil.org/futureleadersconnect.
