John Baron MP highlights British Council’s ‘Future Leaders Connect’ Programme

John supporting the Future Leaders Connect Programme

MP encourages constituents aged 18- 35 to apply to the scheme

‘Future Leaders Connect’ is a programme run by the British Council, the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. The nine-day workshop is open to all young people aged 18-35, and will see ten representatives from the UK join 40 others from eleven different countries.

The successful applicants will be invited to take part in public events, pitching the policy ideas they feel could change the world for the better and discussing today’s biggest global challenges. Last year participants in the Future Leaders Connect programme debated with former UN leaders Ban Ki-Moon and Kofi Annan, presented policy ideas at 10 Downing Street, and had meetings at the BBC and the Houses of Parliament.

Sir Ciarán Devane, Chief Executive of the British Council, said,

“We are looking for high achieving, motivated candidates to join our growing network of future leaders.”

“Through Future Leaders Connect we hope to gather the next generation of world leaders and help them understand the practical nature of policy-making, unravel the mysteries of leadership and develop friendships and contacts with counterparts around the world.”

John said,

“This programme is a fantastic opportunity for young people to meet similar high-achievers from around the world, and is open to anybody who has an idea they think could make the world a better place. The programme will also give them the practical skills and networks to help pursue it, and I strongly encourage everyone aged 18 – 35 to put in an application via the website [below].”

Notes to Editors:

• Applications must be submitted online before 23.59 on Sunday, 13th May 2018 (UK time) via www.britishcouncil.org/future-leaders-connect.

• Thirty candidates will be shortlisted from across the UK, and two finalists from each region will be awarded a place as a Future Leaders Connect member.

• Candidates will also be chosen to represent Canada, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Tunisia, USA, plus England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

• Future Leaders Connect is a long-term project to create a community of emerging leaders from around the world who have spent time in the UK developing their capacity to be effective policy leaders, and have a connection with the UK’s culture and institutions. British Council research (Trust Pays) has found that: “Those who have had involvement in cultural relations – arts, education and English language activities – with the UK have great trust in people from the UK.”

• Further research by the British Council’s Higher Education Policy Unit found 55 current world leaders, covering one in four countries, were educated in the UK.