- Program type: International leadership fellowship.
- Organizer: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
- Official working language: English.
- The programme consists of three interconnected phases:
- Phase 1: An interactive online leadership training programme covering intercultural leadership, strategic communication, mediation, conflict transformation, adaptive leadership, ethical AI, and designing dialogue-based initiatives.
- Phase 2: Participants design and implement an intercultural dialogue initiative addressing the 2026 theme.
- Phase 3: Participation in the UNESCO Global Youth Dialogue for Peace and membership in the global alumni network.
- Approved initiatives must be implemented within six months at the local or national level.
- Participants receive continuous mentorship, peer support, and learning opportunities throughout the programme.
- 50 young leaders will be selected.
- The use of AI tools is permitted to support the preparation of applications (e.g., organizing ideas or improving language), but applicants must ensure that all submitted content genuinely reflects their own experiences, perspectives, and motivations.
Publish Date
7/10/2026
Application Deadline
7/19/2026
Opportunity Type
Fellowships
Publisher
Foras Khadra
Available Countries
All World, The Arab World, Palestine, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Yemen, Egypt, Sudan, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Mauritania, Djibouti, Somalia, Comoros
Description
The Youth for Peace: UNESCO Intercultural Leadership Programme is UNESCO’s flagship leadership initiative for emerging leaders committed to advancing social cohesion, inclusion, and peace through intercultural dialogue. The 2026 edition focuses on the theme "Human Connection and Dialogue in the Age of Artificial Intelligence," exploring how AI is transforming communication, education, and intercultural relationships while addressing challenges such as misinformation, algorithmic bias, digital inequality, and online polarization. Participants will develop dialogue-based initiatives that place human connection and intercultural understanding at the center of technological change. Through leadership development, mentorship, community action, and global engagement, the programme empowers participants to create meaningful social impact in their communities and beyond.
Details
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must be 25–45 years old as of October 22, 2026.
- Demonstrated leadership experience in their field.
- Strong commitment to intercultural dialogue and positive social impact.
- Openness to self-reflection, dialogue across differences, and collaborative learning.
- Potential to influence and create positive change within their communities.
- Availability to fully participate in all programme components.
- Applications must be submitted in English.
- Applicants are expected to take full ownership of their application content and ensure it authentically reflects their own experiences and motivations.
Opportunity Benefits
- USD 10,000 in seed funding to implement an approved intercultural dialogue initiative.
- Comprehensive leadership development programme.
- Mentorship and guidance from international experts.
- Participation in the UNESCO Global Youth Dialogue for Peace.
- Opportunity to present project outcomes to policymakers and global leaders.
- Membership in the Youth for Peace Global Alumni Network.
- Access to UNESCO tools, methodologies, and knowledge resources.
- Opportunities to contribute to international policy discussions on peace, inclusion, and intercultural dialogue.
- Long-term networking, collaboration, and leadership development opportunities within UNESCO’s global community.