University of Oxford x St. Gallen Symposium Global Leadership Challenge 2026

Applications are open for the University of Oxford x St. Gallen Symposium Global Leadership Challenge 2026, an international leadership programme designed to help emerging leaders develop the wisdom, character and practical skills needed to address complex global challenges responsibly.

The Global Leadership Challenge is a joint initiative of the University of Oxford and the St. Gallen Symposium, supported by partner organisations. The programme brings together 100 young leaders from around the world to engage with real world challenges, senior leaders and peers from diverse academic and professional backgrounds.

The 2026 Global Leadership Challenge will take place from December 10 to 14, 2026. Participants will work virtually from around the world and collaborate in teams to develop practical impact projects addressing challenges defined by the programme's partners. The programme combines character education, cross generational dialogue, leadership development and design thinking.

About the Global Leadership Challenge

The Global Leadership Challenge aims to develop emerging leaders who are interested in creating positive change beyond personal achievement. The programme encourages participants to consider how personal values, professional ambitions and responsibility to society can work together in addressing major global issues.

During the five day programme, participants engage with academics, business leaders, policy experts and senior advisors. They work collaboratively on partner defined challenges and develop action projects using design thinking principles.

The 2026 programme will bring together 100 young leaders for a fully virtual experience. Participants will explore challenges related to responsible leadership, sustainability, technology, education and other complex issues identified by programme partners.

Current challenge partners include Swiss Re and Schwarzman Scholars, with an additional partner challenge to be announced. Participants will work in groups to explore these challenges and develop practical ideas.

Programme Benefits

• Join a diverse international community of young responsible leaders

• Engage with academics and senior business and policy leaders

• Participate in cross generational dialogues and leadership discussions

• Develop practical action projects addressing global challenges

• Gain experience using design thinking principles

• Receive bespoke leadership training and mentorship through the Oxford Character Project

• Develop a deeper understanding of responsible leadership and personal values

• Receive an official Certificate of Achievement from the University of Oxford and the St. Gallen Symposium

• Become eligible to apply for further leadership development mentoring after successful participation

• Compete for an invitation to the 56th St. Gallen Symposium in April 2027

• The three top performing teams will have travel and accommodation expenses covered for participation in the St. Gallen Symposium as Leaders of Tomorrow

Programme Areas

The Global Leadership Challenge focuses on responsible leadership and practical responses to complex global issues. Participants may work on areas including:

• Responsible leadership

• Sustainability

• Technology and artificial intelligence

• Future of work

• Critical thinking and human expertise

• Leadership education

• Global challenges and social impact

• Design thinking and collaborative problem solving

The specific challenges are defined by programme partners and may change from one edition to another.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must be students currently enrolled in a Masters or PhD programme, or young professionals aged between 21 and 30 years

• Applicants must have completed their undergraduate studies

• Applicants should have demonstrated commitment to responsible leadership through extracurricular activities or work experience

• Applicants must be available to participate for approximately five half days from December 10 to 14, 2026

• Applicants must be willing to participate actively in all Global Leadership Challenge sessions

• Applicants can come from any country

• Applicants from all academic disciplines are welcome

Required Application Materials

Applicants should prepare the following information and materials:

• Personal information including address, email and contact details

• CV in PDF format

• Recent portrait photograph in JPEG or PNG format

• Proof of enrolment in PDF format for students

• Suggested keynote speaker who could inspire global leaders to act responsibly

• A video of no more than 40 seconds in English encouraging global leaders to practise responsible leadership

• A concrete example of no more than 50 words explaining how the applicant personally puts responsible leadership into practice

The application video should be uploaded to an accessible platform such as Google Drive, OneDrive, YouTube with an unlisted setting, iCloud, Swisstransfer or Dropbox. Applicants must provide a shareable link that can be viewed without requiring a login or password.

How to Apply

1. Review the eligibility requirements and confirm that you can participate from December 10 to 14, 2026.
2. Prepare your CV, recent portrait photograph and proof of enrolment if you are currently a student.
3. Consider a keynote speaker who could inspire global leaders to act responsibly.
4. Prepare your 40 second video message in English about responsible leadership.
5. Prepare your example of no more than 50 words showing how you personally practise responsible leadership.
6. Upload your video to an approved file sharing or video platform and make sure the link can be accessed without a login or password.
7. Complete the online Global Leadership Challenge application form.
8. Submit your application before November 5, 2026.