Preparing Today’s Leaders to Meet Tomorrow’s Challenges:

The McCain Global Leaders Program supports character-driven leaders from around the world who embody Senator John McCain’s legacy of serving a cause greater than oneself.  Structured as a 12-month fellowship and immersive learning experience, each cohort will include a diverse group of 25 leaders from around the world who are working “in the arena” to advance democracy, human rights, and freedom. The program is designed to advance each Leader’s personal and professional leadership journey and impact by providing training, resources, and access to highly relevant regional and global networks with the goal of preparing today’s leaders to meet tomorrow’s challenges.

A Regional and Global Approach:

To adapt to and meet the needs of an ever-changing and complex global environment, the McCain Institute will determine a thematic focus area and recruit participants who work on relevant issues related to each theme.  Throughout the 12-month program, the Leaders will participate in programming that is both regional and global with the goal of connecting them to a highly relevant and targeted professional peer group in their home region, as well as a broader and diverse network of global peers.

In response to the growing threat that democracy, human rights, and freedom are under around the world, the 2024 McCain Global Leaders Cohort will focus on defending democracy. There are few greater challenges to the global community than the threats posed to democracy through the rise of authoritarianism, disinformation, polarization, violent extremism, and conflict. Throughout 2024, Leaders will explore the primary challenges to democracy, as well as analyze and learn about solutions related to ensuring the future stability of democracy around the world.

Following in the footsteps of Senator John McCain’s legacy of being on the front lines of defending and advocating for democracy, freedom, and human rights, Leaders will embark on a journey that will help provide them with the tools needed to be champions of democracy in their home country and region.

Connecting Leaders from Around the World:

Leaders are selected through a competitive, open recruitment process.  There are 25 Leaders per annual cohort broken into 4 regional groupings.  Though there is no age requirement, Leaders are typically between the ages of 25 and 40.  Leaders should possess a strong track record of serving a cause greater than oneself as well as experience working directly on the global theme of defending democracy.  The McCain Institute emphasizes diversity in the form of gender, ethnicity, persons with disabilities, political viewpoint, economic background, and education.

Gender: Male/ Female

Duration: 12 month

Funding type: Fully Funded

Application link: https://www.mccaininstitute.org/programs/leadership-programs/mccain-global-leaders/