The Global Leaders for Young Children program at the World Forum Foundation seeks to identify and develop the next generation of early childhood leaders throughout the world. This program serves as a model of expanding capacity at the country and regional levels, while building a cohesive community of international leadership to impact policy and practice worldwide.
Purpose
The World Forum Foundation believes that children need effective grassroots advocates. Accordingly, the Global Leader project mission statement asserts:
“Global Leaders for Young Children is a World Forum Foundation project with the goal of improving life chances for young children by developing early childhood leaders who can become effective change agents and advocates for quality early childhood development in their home countries and regions.”


Launching the Next Generation of Early Childhood Leaders in the World
The World Forum Foundation believes that children need effective grassroots advocates. Since its inception in 2004, nearly 250 emerging leaders from 72 countries have participated in the Global Leaders training/mentoring program. Global Leaders are selected from a range of backgrounds, including early childhood associations, government, academia, and NGOs. Many graduates currently play major roles in shaping the early childhood policies and practices in their countries and regions.
For more information, check out the informational document for your location by clicking one of the buttons below. Questions? Contact Sarah Breen.
Are you interested in becoming a Global Leader? Apply HERE today. Priority consideration will be given to applications received by October 16, 2023.
Sponsor Benefits Include:
- Influencing which countries are targeted in the 2024-2025 Global Leader cohort.
- Being recognized as a Global Leader sponsor on the World Forum website and at World Forum events.
- Having the opportunity to participate as an observer at Global Leader face-to-face meetings and view Global Leader webinars.
- Receiving regular Global Leader program updates, news, and information on progress of advocacy projects.
2022-2023 Global Leader Sponsors:
Bainum Foundation
Children in Crossfire
Conrad N. Hilton Foundation
INPEACE
One Sky
SIL International
Tribal Child Care Association of California
2019-2020 Global Leader Sponsors:
ANDI Communication and Rights
Evergreen Learning
Joan Lombardi, Early Opportunities
Balnarring Preschool
Goodstart Early Learning
Karuk Tribe
Catholic Relief Services
Hualapai Tribe
Learning Synapses Education Solutions
Child Protection Society
Indus Action Initiatives
Prefeitua Municipal de Araripina
Children in Crossfire
INPEACE, Hawaii
Roger Federer Foundation
Collegio Erik Erikson
International Child Resource Institute
McCain Foundation and National
Delaware Child Development
Inter-Tribal Council of Nevada
Collaborating Center for Aboriginal Health
Global Cohorts
Each cohort is a selected group of professionals who engage in an 18 month program, including face-to-face meetings at the World Forum and smaller regional gatherings. Global Leaders develop and implement action-oriented projects in their own communities with the objective of raising awareness on key issues and promoting quality early childhood services. A carefully designed curriculum helps participants develop leadership capacity and effective advocacy skills, and gain a deeper understanding of early childhood research and practice.