Monmouth MP David Davies is urging young people who are interested in policy-making and leadership opportunities to join a global programme and connect with emerging leaders from around the world.
Future Leaders Connect, run by the British Council, is open to all young people aged 18-35 and will see ten UK representatives join 40 emerging policy leaders from eleven other countries.
All applicants, whether successful or not, will this year have the opportunity to take part in a free online version of the Future Leaders Connect course in a specially-designed British Council MOOC (massive open online course) which will launch in June.
Future Leaders Connect was founded in 2017 by the British Council, the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. It has received support from figures such as former UN Secretary Generals Ban-Ki Moon and the late Kofi Annan.
David Davies MP said: “This is an invaluable opportunity for a motivated young person to meet similar high-achievers from around the world who are all united by their desire to make things better in their societies and beyond.
“It’s open to anybody who has an idea they think could make the world a better place – and it will give them the practical skills and networks to help pursue it.”
Applicants will be asked what their unique policy ideas are and why they have what it takes to be a global leader.
Applications must be submitted online before Monday 6 May 2019 at 11:59pm via www.britishcouncil.org/future-leaders-connect
Candidates will be shortlisted from across the UK and finalists will be chosen from England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
They will join finalists from eleven other countries for a ten-day programme in October which will include training in public speaking, policy development expertise and leadership skills. This will culminate with several meetings in the Houses of Parliament alongside MPs and lawmakers.
Candidates will also be chosen to represent Canada, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Tunisia and the USA.
British Council chief executive Sir Ciarán Devane said: "I've been amazed by the calibre, energy and attitudes of the future leaders that I've met from across the world.
“The participants learn so much from the programme itself, but in addition they learn from each other and about the lives of people in other countries.
"It’s a fantastic collective experience that encourages future leaders to have a global outlook to the challenges they face.”
Future Leaders Connect is the British Council’s long-term global network of emerging policy leaders. It identifies exceptional young leaders through a vigorous application process, where they demonstrate their potential to make substantial change in their countries and beyond.