This is a program of AFS International and is not administered by AFS-USA. AFS-USA is a separate legal entity from AFS Intercultural Programs/AFS International and is not a legal affiliate thereof.
Virtual Global Leadership Program: International Affairs in a Transforming World
March 13-16, 2025 | Online
Applications are now closed: Join our mailing list to learn about future opportunities
An Immersive Certificate Program for Dynamic Young Leaders
The Virtual Global Leadership Program: International Affairs in a Transforming World is designed to empower emerging leaders with the skills and knowledge to drive meaningful impact.
Engage in interactive virtual sessions experts from the United Nations, NGOs and corporations focused on cultivating leadership skills, enhancing decision-making abilities, and strengthening emotional intelligence. Through a blend of expert-led discussions, workshops, and personal reflection, you will explore innovative strategies to lead effectively in any environment.
This virtual program inspires confidence to drive impactful change. It will provide you with the tools and insights necessary to unlock full leadership potential, in preparation to tackle the challenges of the future with purpose and vision.
Applications are now closed: Join our mailing list to learn about future opportunities
Empowering emerging leaders to achieve maximum impact
The Global Leadership Program is a dynamic, exclusive and interactive four-day program tailored for young leaders from around the world. The program includes:
✔️ International Affairs Seminar
Hear from expert speakers working in leading global organizations and learn about international topics. Share your viewpoints and ask questions on pertinent global issues in an interactive setting.
✔️ Dare to Lead: Unlock Your Leadership Potential Workshop
Discover your strengths and grow as a young leader.
✔️ Global Debate
Work in teams to represent a country in addressing a global challenge. Create briefs on a global issue and debate with your peers. Get evaluated by expert judges who will select a winning team.
✔️ Skills for Effective Negotiations Workshop
Learn skills for negotiating as young leaders.
✔️ Virtual Permanent Mission Visit & Briefing
Learn first hand the work of a Country’s Permanent Mission to the UN towards achieving the SDGs together with diplomats.
Explore the detailed Agenda
Thursday, March 13 from 8 am to 1 pm ET:
- Welcome and Meet & Greet
- International Affairs Seminar
- Dare to Lead: Unlock Your Leadership Potential Workshop
Friday, March 14 from 8 am to 1 pm ET:
- Leadership in a Transforming World: A Talk with a Global Leader
- UN Mission Briefing: previous briefings included briefings the Permanent Mission of the United Nations, Permanent Mission of Canada, Permanent Mission of Japan, Permanent Mission of Brazil, Permanent Mission of Costa Rica, Permanent Mission of Germany, Permanent Mission of the United Kingdom to the United Nations among others.
- Preparation for Debate Group Work
Saturday, March 15 from 8 am to 1 pm ET:
- Skills for Effective Negotiations Workshop with Certification from the United Nations established, University for Peace, Centre for Executive Education
- Preparation for Debate Group Work
Sunday, March 16 from 8 am to 1 pm ET:
- Debate Group Work
- Dare to Lead: Unlock Your Leadership Potential Workshop – Final Day
Meet the Speakers
Michael Sheldrick
Co-Founder and Chief Policy, Impact, and Government Affairs Officer, Global Citizen
Michael Sheldrick is a co-founder of Global Citizen and a leading advocate for ending extreme poverty and building climate resilience. He has worked with numerous international artists and political leaders to produce impactful social campaigns and events. He is a respected speaker and author on policy advocacy, sustainable development, and corporate responsibility. His personal journey and commitment to policy change have driven his career, leading him to secure significant commitments from governments and businesses to address global challenges.
Dr. Amr Abdalla
Professor Emeritus, United Nations-mandated University for Peace (UPEACE)
Dr. Amr Abdalla is a Professor Emeritus at the United Nations-mandated University for Peace (UPEACE). He has held positions at the Institute for Peace and Security Studies (IPSS), SALAM Institute for Peace and Justice, and George Mason University. He has extensive experience in conflict analysis and resolution, having taught graduate classes and conducted training, research, and evaluations of peacebuilding programs globally. He has also been a prominent figure in promoting inter-faith dialogue and cross-cultural understanding.
Dr. PL de Silva
Adjunct Professor, Seton Hall University
Dr. Purnaka L. de Silva is an Adjunct Professor at Seton Hall University, Director of the Institute for Strategic Studies and Democracy (ISSD) Malta, and Senior Policy Advisor at Lead Integrity. He has over 30 years of experience in diplomacy, mediation, and negotiation, specializing in complex emergencies and civil wars. His expertise includes political violence, counterterrorism, and transnational security. He has taught at universities in the US and Northern Ireland, and his current research focuses on human trafficking, forced migration, and terrorism in Libya, sub-Saharan Africa, and Europe.
Marina Kumskova
Senior UN Policy and Advocacy Adviser, The Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC)
Marina has worked in human rights since 2013, focusing on enforced disappearances in Chechnya and global human rights issues. In 2016, she joined the Women, Peace, and Security Programme at WILPF, promoting gender-sensitive conflict analysis and women’s participation in peacebuilding, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa. Passionate about conflict prevention and bridging local and global efforts, she joined GPPAC in 2019 as a UN Advocacy Officer to advance members’ global priorities.
Dr. Lucas Welter
Chief Organization Development & Strategy Officer, AFS Intercultural Programs
Lucas is a seasoned executive business leader with over 20 years of experience in developing and managing global programs that promote positive social impact through intercultural education and exchange. He directs global organization strategy, organization development, and network alignment for 60 AFS organizations worldwide. Lucas has a strong academic background in organizational behavior, learning, leadership, innovation, and social psychology. He holds the title of Doctor of Education (EdD) from New York University (NYU), in Organizational Behavior and Learning, Leadership and Innovation.
Thank you to our Program Partners!
Who can attend this Virtual Program?
The Virtual Global Leadership Program is right for you if you…
- Are between 18-35 years old, from anywhere in the world
- Have a proven track record of leadership experience, school, or community involvement
- Are proficient in written and spoken English (Intermediate Level)
- Are interested in active global citizenship, global affairs, youth leadership, international careers, sustainable development, and youth issues
- Want to cultivate your leadership skills, explore innovative strategies and get the tools to drive impactful change.
All attendees who complete the program will receive an official certificate from AFS Intercultural Programs, as well as a certificate from the UN-mandated University of Peace.
Applications are now closed: Join our mailing list to learn about future opportunities
🚩 This is a standalone certificate program. The AFS Youth Assembly will not be part of this program, although participants will be eligible to receive expedited application review and a discount if they choose to attend future sessions of the AFS Youth Assembly.
To join the AFS Youth Assembly in August 2025, please submit your application here.
What’s included in the fee?
Spots for this exclusive program are competitive and limited.
✅ The registration fee includes:
- Participation in the full leadership program online
- Networking opportunities
- Official certificate issued by the UN-mandated University of Peace
- Official certificate issued by AFS Intercultural Programs
Applications are now closed: Join our mailing list to learn about future opportunities
Why we launched this Virtual Program
Following two destructive world wars, the United Nations was established in 1945 to “save succeeding generations from the scourge of war,” safeguard justice and freedoms, promote social progress and build harmony between all nations. Since then, immense progress has been made in achieving these goals, and in 2015 all 193 U.N. member states agreed on 17 Sustainable Development Goals, which delineate the targets for international development up to 2030 leading up to today, where the Pact for the Future has been adopted during the Summit of the Future by member states of the UN, grounded in the Secretary General’s Our Common Agenda.
Amidst this progress towards a more resilient and effective global system, there remains significant work, with 800 million people still living in extreme poverty, 40% of children in Africa without access to primary education, in particular the pandemic has created a generational catastrophe as millions of children have fallen behind in their learning. One in five young women still married in childhood globally, a growing environmental crisis, and catastrophic wars and conflicts persisting. These issues, long in the making, now require visionary and capable leaders to address and mitigate their impact.