Global Leadership Challenge

Our week-long leadership challenge to develop a new understanding of responsible leadership through practical actions.

100 young leaders

Join a diverse group of leaders in a week-long leadership challenge, delivered in a hybrid format

4 challenges

Design action projects in one of our four challenge areas, contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals

1 vision

Align your personal values and professional aspirations to fulfil your leadership potential

Programme overview

The Global Leadership Challenge is a joint initiative of the University of Oxford (Social Sciences Division and the Oxford Character Project) and the St. Gallen Symposium. Together, we aim to connect young leaders across boundaries to address sustainable development goals and enable them to become responsible leaders in their local contexts. GLC 2022 will take place from 8 - 12 December 2022 in Oxford, St. Gallen, and around the world.

GLC 2022 will focus on “A New Generational Contract” as its core theme. The idea of a generational contract captures the principle that different generations depend on each other to provide mutual support across different stages of their lives. It can be most simply described as “what generations owe each other” – in areas such as education, environmental protection, and health – and reminds us we have a responsibility to be good descendants and ancestors, and to consider the impacts of our actions on all generations. Learn more about our four challenges for this year and the application process on the challenge website.

Application launch: 18 August 2022

Check out the challenge website and our four themes for this year.

Application deadline: 24 October 2022

Answer a few short questions and submit your application.

Decision announcement: In the week of 7th November

Applicants will hear from us about the outcome of their application.

Notification of acceptance (TBD)

Successful applicants need to accept the offer to secure a spot in GLC 2022.

GLC week: 8 - 12 December 2022

Join us in Oxford, St Gallen, or virtually to tackle the challenges.

GLC 2022 themes

Francisco venancio M4 Xloxsg0 Gw unsplash

SDG 3: Good health and well-being

Kuanish reymbaev o l Lsd V Txak unsplash

SDG 4: Quality education

Alice donovan rouse Lj AU2mwdm X0 unsplash

SDG 5: Gender equality

Chris boese sa9 z Ga4e I unsplash

SDG 13: Climate action

Office working

How it works

During the GLC week, participants will engage with leading academics, industry experts, and practitioners in a series of dialogues, masterclasses, and workshops. To put the learnings into practice, they will collaborate in small groups to develop impact projects that address at least one of the four challenge areas, directly contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Evaluated by our Award Jury, the group with the most outstanding project idea will be able to attend the 52nd St. Gallen Symposium as Leaders of Tomorrow.

​After GLC, participants can apply for further mentoring to reflect on their own purpose and grow as future leaders. All active participants will receive a Certificate of Achievement from the University of Oxford and the St. Gallen Symposium.

The GLC is a joint initiative of the University of Oxford (Social Sciences Division and the Oxford Character Project) and the St. Gallen Symposium, supported by the Templeton World Charity Foundation, the Lemann Foundation, and HCL Technologies.