Virtual Global Leadership Program: International Affairs in a Transforming World

In collaboration with the UN-established University for Peace | December 4-6, 2026 | Online

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08_08_25 Office & Opening Ceremony 2Y1A3950

December 4-6, 2026 / Online

An Immersive Certificate Program for Dynamic Young Leaders

The Virtual Global Leadership Program: International Affairs in a Transforming World is a three-day immersive experience designed to equip young leaders with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to engage in international affairs and lead in an increasingly complex world.

Through interactive conversations with global leaders, a virtual visit to a UN Permanent Mission, and hands-on workshops, you will gain insight into how international issues are shaped, negotiated, and addressed. You will strengthen practical skills in leadership, negotiation, communication, critical thinking, and global debate while working collaboratively with peers from around the world.

You will also have the opportunity to step into the role of diplomats through a Global Debate, representing a country, researching a global challenge, developing a position, and negotiating with other teams. The experience encourages you to look beyond your own perspectives, navigate competing interests, and develop solutions to complex global issues.

By the end of the program, you will have expanded your understanding of international affairs, strengthened your leadership toolkit, and built connections with a global community of emerging changemakers, preparing them to turn your ideas into meaningful impact in your community and beyond.

Registrations will close on November 20, 2027.

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Program Overview

Meet the Speakers

Dr. Amr Abdalla CIRCLE

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.

Marina Kumskova CIRCLE

Marina Kumskova

Peacebuilding Policy Advisor, Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation

Marina Kumskova is an experienced policy expert in peacebuilding and human rights with a theoretical and practical background in criminal justice, counter-terrorism, peace and security. Skilled in Gender Analysis and International Advocacy. Legal experience in the US immigration, landlord/tenant, elderly law, and international criminal and human rights law. Strong professional with a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Human Rights Studies from Columbia University in the City of New York, a JD from CUNY School of Law. 

Brian Mateo CIRCLE

Brian Mateo

Director of education and special projects, carnegie council

Brian Mateo is the Director of Education and Special Projects at Carnegie Council, where he oversees key educational initiatives, curriculum design, and strategic organizational partnerships. He previously served as Associate Dean of Civic Engagement at Bard College, managing global higher education programs through the Open Society University Network. With over 14 years of leadership in higher education, Brian is a Term Member of the Council on Foreign Relations, a Truman National Security Fellow, and a Climate Reality Leader.

Markie Morrison CIRCLE

Markie Morrison

Program Manager, GivingTuesday

Markie Morrison serves as a Program Manager at GivingTuesday, a global generosity movement active in more than 110 countries. In her role, she leads initiatives that engage and empower young people in generosity and philanthropy, with a focus on supporting youth leaders through the GivingTuesday Spark program. She is dedicated to equipping young people with the skills, confidence, and resources to become changemakers in their communities, and is passionate about creating inclusive, youth-centered programs, especially for historically underrepresented groups. Markie has a background in nonprofit and education, with extensive experience in youth development and leadership.

Dave Snowden CIRCLE

Dave Snowden

Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Cognitive Edge and Director of the Centre for Applied Complexity at the University of Wales

Dave Snowden is the Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Cognitive Edge and Director of the Centre for Applied Complexity at the University of Wales. A former IBM Director and visiting professor at several international universities, he pioneered a science-based approach to strategy, organizational decision-making, and complex adaptive systems. Snowden is the principal designer of the Cynefin framework and SenseMaker® software suite, as well as an award-winning Harvard Business Review author and global keynote speaker. 

Thank you to our Program Partners!

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December 4-6, 2026 / Online

Who can attend this Virtual Program?

The Virtual Global Leadership Program is right for you if you…
  • Are between 16-38 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.

🚩 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.

What’s included in the fee?

Spots for this exclusive program are competitive and limited.

✅ The registration fee of $95 USD 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.

Read through the Terms and Conditions here

Why we launched this Virtual Program

Following two devastating world wars, the United Nations was established in 1945 with a commitment to “save succeeding generations from the scourge of war,” uphold human rights and justice, promote social progress, and foster peaceful cooperation among nations. Over the decades, the international community has made significant progress toward these goals. In 2015, all 193 UN Member States adopted the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, establishing a shared framework for addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges by 2030. More recently, through the Summit of the Future in 2024, Member States adopted the Pact for the Future, reaffirming the need for stronger international cooperation and a more effective multilateral system.

Yet the world is undergoing profound and rapid transformation. Persistent poverty and inequality, gaps in access to education and opportunity, climate and environmental challenges, technological disruption, and ongoing conflicts continue to affect communities around the world. At the same time, emerging issues such as artificial intelligence, changing global power dynamics, and evolving approaches to international cooperation are reshaping how global challenges are understood and addressed.

These challenges cannot be addressed by governments and institutions alone. They require informed, collaborative, and globally minded leaders who can understand different perspectives, navigate competing interests, communicate across cultures, and work together to develop solutions.

The Virtual Global Leadership Program: International Affairs in a Transforming World was created to help equip young leaders with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to engage meaningfully in international affairs. Through conversations with global leaders, a virtual visit to a UN Permanent Mission, practical workshops, and a hands-on Global Debate, participants explore how international issues are shaped, negotiated, and addressed.

The program creates a space for young people from around the world to look beyond their own perspectives, engage with complex global issues, and develop the leadership, negotiation, communication, critical-thinking, and global debate skills needed to contribute to a changing world. Ultimately, the goal is not simply to understand global challenges, but to prepare the next generation to engage with them and turn ideas into meaningful impact in their communities and beyond.

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