The Global Leadership Challenge 2025
APPLY NOW
The Global Leadership Challenge 2025 will convene 100 young leaders selected through an open application process. Applicants will be evaluated on their passion for engaging with complex global challenges. We are looking for a diverse group of postgraduate students and young professionals who are ready to rise to the challenges of our time and develop themselves as the responsible leaders our world desperately needs now.
GLC Members can participate virtually from around the world.
What’s in it for you?
Become part of a diverse global community of young, responsible leaders
Engage with world-renowned academics and senior business and policy leaders
Develop action projects that address some of the most pressing global challenges using design thinking principles
Learn to lead in a way that not only advances personal ambition but actively seeks the wider good of society
Earn an official Certificate of Achievement
Receive bespoke leadership training and mentorship offered by the Oxford Character Project
Win an invitation to attend the 55th St Gallen Symposium in May 2026 as Leaders of Tomorrow, if your team is one of the top performing teams.
Earn a Certificate of Achievement
All active participants will receive an official Certificate of Achievement from the University of Oxford and the St. Gallen Symposium.
Attend the 55th St. Gallen Symposium
The winning team will be offered to join the 54th St. Gallen Symposium in May 2025 as Leaders of Tomorrow and engage in cross-generational dialogue with senior leaders.
As Leaders of Tomorrow, their expenses for travel and accommodation will be fully covered. After the conference, they will join a global network of emerging thinkers and changemakers.
Receive exclusive mentorship after GLC
After successful participation, GLC Members can apply for further mentoring in “leadership development” (with the Oxford Character Project at the University of Oxford) to reflect on their own purpose and grow as a future leader.
Eligibility criteria
You are a student (currently enrolled in a Masters or a PhD programme) or a young professional (aged between 21-30 years).
You have finished your undergraduate studies.
You have already demonstrated your commitment to responsible leadership through extra-curricular activities and/or work experience.
You are committed to investing around five half-days from 11-15 December 2025 for the GLC.
Active participation in GLC sessions is mandatory to receive a Certificate of Achievement.
We welcome applications from around the world and from all academic disciplines.
Timeline
Application open: 26 September 2025
Deadline: 2 November 2025 – 16:00/4:00pm CET
Announcement of the GLC 2025 Members: 11 November 2025
Preparation – What You Need
- Personal Information
Please be ready to provide your personal information, including your address, email, and other contact details.
- Documents
CV (PDF)
Recent Portrait Picture (JPEG or PNG)
Proof of enrollment (students only) – PDF
- Questions
Keynote choice: Suggest a keynote speaker who could inspire global leaders to act responsibly.
Your message: Record a video (max. 40 seconds, in English) inspiring global leaders to practice Responsible Leadership.
Your action: Share one concrete example (max. 50 words) of how you personally put Responsible
Leadership into practice.
How to submit your Video
- Upload your 40-second video (MP4 or MOV) to one of these platforms:
- Copy the shareable link.
- Make sure the settings allow anyone with the link to view (no login, no password, no organization account required).
- Paste the link in the designated field of your application form.
