Applications are currently being accepted for the Global Leadership Challenge 2025. This program will bring together 100 emerging leaders from across the globe for a transformative experience of learning, dialogue, and collaboration, organized in partnership with the University of Oxford and the St. Gallen Symposium. The team that performs best will be invited to the 55th St. Gallen Symposium in May 2026. The initiative is supported by Swiss Re and Schwarz Gruppe, who are committed to empowering the next generation of responsible changemakers. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply by 2 November 2025 and take part in shaping a more sustainable and inclusive future.

The Global Leadership Challenge 2025 is designed to unite young people with outstanding potential through an open application process. A total of 100 participants will be selected based on their passion for engaging with the pressing issues of our time. The program seeks diversity in both background and perspective, welcoming postgraduate students and early-career professionals who are ready to grow into the kind of responsible leaders the world urgently needs.

Those who join this journey will gain access to a global network of peers committed to ethical leadership. They will have opportunities to exchange ideas with leading academics as well as experienced figures from business and policy. Participants will work in teams to develop innovative action projects addressing complex global challenges, making use of design thinking methods. The experience is intended not only to advance their personal and professional ambitions but also to equip them to lead in ways that serve the broader good of society.

Everyone who actively completes the program will receive an official Certificate of Achievement jointly issued by the University of Oxford and the St. Gallen Symposium. In addition, tailored training and mentorship provided by the Oxford Character Project will support participants in building practical leadership skills. The highest-performing teams will also secure a place at the 55th St. Gallen Symposium in May 2026, where they will be welcomed as “Leaders of Tomorrow.” Their travel and accommodation expenses will be fully covered, and they will have the chance to join cross-generational discussions with senior decision-makers. Beyond the event itself, they will enter a long-standing global community of emerging thinkers and leaders.

Following the Global Leadership Challenge, participants will be able to apply for extended mentorship opportunities through the Oxford Character Project. These sessions will focus on leadership development and purpose, helping them to reflect on their personal growth and future trajectory.

To be considered for the program, applicants must be between 21 and 30 years old and either enrolled in a master’s or doctoral program or working as young professionals. A completed undergraduate degree is required, and candidates should already have demonstrated a strong commitment to responsible leadership through professional roles or extracurricular initiatives. They must also be willing to commit to five half-days of intensive sessions, taking place from 11–15 December 2025. Active engagement throughout the program is essential for receiving the certificate.

The Global Leadership Challenge welcomes applications from all disciplines and regions of the world. Applications opened on 26 September 2025 and will close on 2 November 2025.

Scroll down for more details and click on the official link attached below to apply for this opportunity