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EDYN invites you to apply to the McCain Global Leaders Program to broaden your network and skills. Our EDYN North Macedonia Alumni, Elmas gives his recommendation below.
“As a participant of the McCain Global Leaders cohort 2022, I had the unique opportunity to participate and work hand-in-hand with my fellow-counterparts on a wide range of domestic and international issues threatening democracy. The changemakers tours, along with the practical training and discussions with world-renewed leaders, civil rights activists and politicians helped to broaden my knowledge on the threats and challenges towards democracy and how to defend our democratic societies from the attacks coming from internal and external malicious actors. This knowledge and skills acquired through the program will help me in day-to-day work and in strengthening the resilience of democracy in my country. I will always cherish the working relationships and personal friendships developed through this program and I plan to continue working in this area for many years to come.”
-Elmas Hasanovikj, EDYN North Macedonia, Alumni of the Cohort 2022
ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY
Preparing Today’s Leaders to Meet Tomorrow’s Challenges:
The McCain Global Leaders Program supports character-driven leaders from around the world who embody Senator John McCain’s legacy of serving a cause greater than oneself. Structured as a 10-month fellowship and experiential learning experience, each cohort will include 25 diverse leaders from around the world who are working “in the arena” to advance democracy, human rights and freedom. The program is designed to advance each Leader’s personal and professional leadership journey and impact by providing training, resources, and access to highly relevant regional and global networks with goal of preparing today’s leaders to meet tomorrow’s challenges.
A Regional and Global Approach:
To adapt to and meet the needs of an ever changing and complex global environment, the McCain Institute will determine a thematic focus area and recruit participants who work on relevant issues related to each theme. Throughout the 10-month program, the Leaders will participate in programming that is both regional and global with the goal of connecting them to a highly relevant and targeted professional peer group in their home region, as well as a broader and diverse network of global peers.
2023 Global Theme: Defending Democracy
In response to the growing threat that democracy, human rights, and freedom are under around the world, the 2023 McCain Global Leaders Cohort will focus on defending democracy. There are few greater challenges to the global community than the threats posed to democracy through the rise of authoritarianism, disinformation, polarization, violent extremism, and conflict. Throughout 2023, Leaders will explore the primary challenges to democracy, as well as analyze and learn about solutions related to ensuring the future stability of democracy around the world.
Following in the footsteps of Senator John McCain’s legacy of being on the front lines of defending and advocating for democracy, freedom and human rights, Leaders will embark on a journey that will help provide them the tools needed to be champions of democracy in their home country and region.
Connecting Leaders from Around the World:
Leaders are selected through a competitive, open recruitment process. There are 25 Leaders per annual cohort broken into 4 regional groupings. Though there is no age requirement, Leaders are typically between the ages of 25 and 40. Leaders should possess a strong track record of serving a cause greater than oneself as well as experience working directly on the global theme of defending democracy. The McCain Institute emphasizes diversity in the form of gender, ethnicity, persons with disabilities, political viewpoint, economic background and education.
