Virtual Global Leadership Program: International Affairs in a Transforming World

In collaboration with the UN-established University for Peace | November 20-22, 2026 | Online

Registrations will open soon!
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November 20-22, 2026 / Online

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 International Organizations, 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.

Empowering emerging leaders to achieve maximum impact

The Global Leadership Program is a dynamic, exclusive and interactive three-day program tailored for young leaders from around the world. The program includes:

✔️ Leadership in a Transforming World: A Talk with a Global Leader

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 and learn from the journey of an established global leader. 

✔️ Positive Leadership: Flourishing in Times of Disruption

This workshop unpacks cutting-edge concepts in positive psychology to give you a powerful framework to lead authentically in times of change. By the end of this session, you will understand the five pillars of well-being and how it connects to leading oneself, working with others, and positively impacting our world.

✔️ 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 your stance on a global issue and debate amongst your peers. Judges will evaluate teams’ statements and select a winning team.

✔️ Skills for Effective Negotiations Workshop

Learn skills for negotiating as young leaders.

✔️ Networking

You will get to know your peers through fun and interactive activities, build connections and bonds around the world.

Explore the detailed Agenda

Friday, November 20 from 8 am to 1 pm ET: 
  • Welcome and Meet & Greet
  • Leadership in a Transforming World: A Talk with a Global Leader
  • Positive Leadership: Flourishing in Times of Disruption
  • Intro to Global Debate and Group Work
Saturday, November 21 from 8 am to 1 pm ET: 
  • Dare to Lead: Unlock Your Leadership Potential Workshop
  • Skills for Effective Negotiation Workshop
Sunday, November 22 from 8 am to 1 pm ET:
  • Networking – The Global Challenge
  • Global Debate
  • Closing Ceremony

Thank you to our Program Partners!

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November 20-22, 2026 / Online

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.

🚩 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 2026, please submit your application here.

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

Submit Your Application

Full Name (as in official goverment-issued ID)(Required)
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Please note this program will be held from Morning to afternoon Eastern Standard Time every day virtually. Please make sure you are able to join at those times. Check your time zone code at: https://www.timeanddate.com/time/zones/
Entry should be written in English.
Are you ready to complete payment of the registration fee?(Required)
The registration fee for the Virtual Global Leadership Program is $95 USD. Spots for this program are limited. No scholarships are available.
Your privacy is very important to AFS Intercultural Programs (AFS) and before you complete this form please carefully read and accept the terms of the AFS Privacy Policy. This policy informs you about the personal data that we collect, how we use it and keep it safe, and the choices you can make about your personal information. If you have any question or you want to access or rectify or erase your personal information please contact us at [email protected]. Accept if you agree that AFS processes your data for you participation in this AFS program as described above.(Required)
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I want to receive AFS newsletters to stay updated about AFS and Youth Assembly activities. Read the AFS Privacy Policy here: https://afs.org/global-privacy-policy.

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 and upcoming World Summit for Social Development.

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.

Contact us

Would you like to talk to someone about the Virtual Global Leadership Program?
Get in touch with our team

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.