Introduction
The Global Leadership Challenge (GLC) is a joint initiative of the University of Oxford and the St. Gallen Symposium that helps emerging leaders develop the character, judgement and practical skills needed to contribute to society.
Its activities focus on responsible leadership, sustainability, character education, international collaboration, intergenerational dialogue and the development of projects addressing real-world challenges. The initiative provides leadership development opportunities and selected participation benefits rather than advertising a general research or NGO grant programme.
History and Background
Launch in 2020
The first Global Leadership Challenge took place from 1–4 December 2020. It brought together 90 participants, 15 senior advisors and 15 young mentors from more than 20 countries. The inaugural programme was organised by the Oxford Character Project at the University of Oxford, the St. Gallen Symposium and Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund.
Participants developed 15 action projects across five themes: environmental sustainability, gender equality, global mobility and migration, inclusive education, and resilient economies and businesses. These themes connected leadership learning with the Sustainable Development Goals.
Development of subsequent editions
Later editions explored themes including the “Power of Purpose” in 2021 and “A New Generational Contract” in 2022. The 2022 programme convened 100 young leaders from over 50 countries, demonstrating the initiative’s expanding international participation.
Mission and Purpose
GLC aims to help young leaders develop wisdom and character so that their leadership advances the common good. Its approach connects personal development with responsibility towards society and sustainable development.
The programme combines character education with design thinking. Participants learn from peers and experienced leaders while developing practical responses to complex challenges. This approach encourages reflection on leadership values alongside collaborative problem-solving.
Governance and Structure
Institutional organisation
GLC is organised through the University of Oxford, including its Social Sciences Division and Oxford Character Project, and the St. Gallen Symposium. Academic and industry partners contribute to the programme’s leadership learning and challenge activities.
The website’s privacy statement identifies the organising committee as a simple partnership under Swiss law, represented by the St. Gallen Foundation for International Studies and the University of Oxford. This describes the organising arrangement; the website does not present GLC as a standalone grantmaking foundation.
Advisors and project evaluation
Senior advisors contribute expertise and participate in dialogue with emerging leaders. For the 2026 programme, the official overview states that challenge partners will evaluate project ideas and select three outstanding teams for an additional international opportunity.
Funding and Grants
Partner-supported leadership development
The programme identifies support from partners including Templeton World Charity Foundation, Schwarz Group, Schwarzman Scholars and Swiss Re. The reviewed pages do not publish a programme budget, contribution amounts or a general cash grant available to participants.
Benefits for participants
Active participants receive a Certificate of Achievement from the University of Oxford and the St. Gallen Symposium. Following successful participation, members can apply for further leadership mentoring through the Oxford Character Project.
The three highest-performing teams in GLC 2026 will be offered attendance at the 56th St. Gallen Symposium in April 2027 as Leaders of Tomorrow, with travel and accommodation expenses covered. This benefit is conditional on team selection.
Major Programs and Initiatives
Global Leadership Challenge 2026
The 2026 edition takes place virtually from 10–14 December 2026, bringing together 100 young leaders to develop projects addressing partner-defined challenges. Applications opened on 29 September 2026 and close on 5 November 2026, with rolling assessment.
The application page welcomes postgraduate students and young professionals worldwide. It specifies completed undergraduate studies, demonstrated commitment to responsible leadership and availability for approximately five half-days. It lists an age range of 21–30 for young professionals. Active participation is required for certification.
Leadership learning and practical projects
Participants engage with academics and senior business and policy leaders, work in international teams and apply design thinking to action projects. These activities offer opportunities to practise collaboration, reflect on leadership purpose and learn across professional and cultural backgrounds.
Impact and Examples of Work Supported
International participation
The official homepage reports that GLC 2025 brought together 100 participants and 20 senior advisors from more than 80 countries. These figures demonstrate the programme’s international reach, although participation numbers alone do not measure its long-term social impact.
Tech-to-Teach
The winning project in 2022, Tech-to-Teach, proposed an offline education model using repurposed laptops to create learning centres in rural villages while reducing electronic waste. It illustrates how participants connect leadership development with education and environmental challenges. The published account describes the concept and competition result rather than verified implementation outcomes.
Women’s entrepreneurship
Another published project proposed a fellowship supporting female entrepreneurs in developing countries through practical learning, mentoring and financial support. The project page describes a proposed model; it does not establish an active fellowship or an open funding opportunity.
Conclusion
The Global Leadership Challenge combines academic learning, mentorship and collaborative project development to help emerging leaders address societal challenges. Its main opportunities involve skills, networks, certification and conditional support for international participation.
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