Politicians’ actions and decisions impact us all, yet the role of a political leader is often undefined and unsupported. Without attention, training and research, passionate, well-meaning political leaders may be set up to fail.
Identify the cross-cutting leadership competencies and attributes needed to respond to emerging challenges.
Help more young people gain effective political power through political leadership training that equips them with critical policy- and decision-making skills.
Bring together experts to answer the big questions surrounding 21st-century political leadership.
Increase healthier, constructive dialogue about expectations between politicians and citizens.
Help rebuild trust in political leadership.
“People will remember you not by your rise to leadership, but by the quality of your leadership.”
Kofi Annan
About the Leadership Excellence in Politics initiative (LEiP)
The Leadership Excellence in Politics (LEiP) initiative seeks to understand the gap between what citizens expect from their leaders and what their leaders actually deliver, and to identify solutions to bridge this gap. Together with our partners, we will run political leadership training, coordinate research and launch advocacy campaigns.
Political Leadership Training
LEiP holds multi-partisan political leadership training to equip a new generation of diverse leaders with the skills and knowledge they need to uphold ethical standards, reject authoritarianism and respond to the world’s increasingly complex challenges.
The one-week in-person programme involves a select group of 20 aspiring or newly elected political leaders between the ages of 20 and 35. Participants are from around the world and have the networks and creativity to influence other young people in their communities.
The LEiP Young Leaders training course will cover themes including:
Why democratic leadership must be anchored in ethics and values;
How democratic leaders engage with multilateral institutions;
What key challenges emerging technologies will present to democratic leadership;
How can leaders foster citizen engagement;
How to lead across social and political divides.
Participating leaders will become part of a global alumni network, within which they can continue exchanging ideas and practices. The network is a rare space within which leaders of different political leanings can safely interact, fostering cross-party cooperation and reducing polarization among the next generation of leaders.
Discover more about the Leadership Excellence in Politics Initiative in our LEiP Training video
Expert Research Council
Political leadership has an outsized impact on the world, yet little research exists on what skills and attributes politicians need to serve us well. The first-of-its-kind Leadership Excellence in Politics Expert Council brings together a select group of politicians, academics, researchers, practitioners, and media thought-leaders from around the world to share their expertise and help fill the knowledge gap on political leadership.
At a time when many, particularly women and young people, are being turned off politics as a viable career path, our vision is a Council that can help reignite trust and interest in political leadership through greater knowledge, insights and improved practice.
The LEiP Expert Council will:
Connect cross-sectoral leaders on political leadership from around the globe;
Share research or practical insights on political leadership;
Produce position statements and research questions to fill the knowledge gaps on political leadership;
Help reignite trust and interest in political leadership through improved knowledge, insights and practice;
Amplify the need for more evidence and training on political leadership.
This playlist features a selection of video interviews with our partners and some of our 2025 Young Leaders training cohort.
“Many leaders today no longer seem to know how to deliver, or even what is necessary. This crisis of political leadership goes a long way to explaining the crisis of democracy itself.”
Corinne Momal-Vanian
At a Glance
Leadership Excellence in Politics
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Organisations have joined forces to understand the gap between what citizens expect from their leaders and what their leaders do – and to find solutions to reduce it.
Young leaders from all five continents are invited to participate in an annual political training course on democratic leadership and multilateralism designed for aspiring political leaders.
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Research Council of academics and practitioners set up to identify cross-cutting leadership competencies needed to respond to the world’s biggest issues.
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The Geneva Centre for Security Policy’s (GCSP) mission is to advance peace, security and international cooperation by providing the knowledge, skills and network for effective and inclusive decision-making through executive education, diplomatic dialogue, research and policy advice.
The Better Politics Foundation is restoring hope in political leadership when we need it the most. Its mission is to update representative political leadership for the 21st century through a worldwide non-partisan movement.
NexusVesting creates and promotes new ideas for positive social change. We are working to strengthen responsible leadership, constructive dialogue, ethical investment approaches, and artful recycling solutions.
In the sixth and final issue brief of our project on the intersection of multilateralism and democracy, we explore how migration governance and democratic principles are deeply intertwined. The Kofi Annan Foundation and Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy have published the sixth issue brief from our joint project on how democratic principles and multilateral…
In the sixth and final issue brief of our project on the intersection of multilateralism and democracy, we explore how migration governance and democratic principles are deeply intertwined. The Kofi Annan Foundation and Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy have published the sixth issue brief from our joint project on how democratic principles and multilateral cooperation intersect across major global challenges. Authored by Valerio Simoni of the Instituto de Ciências Sociais at the Universidade de Lisboa, the Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy, and the Global Migration Centre, this issue brief focuses on migration as a key site where both democracy and multilateralism are under pressure. The…
On 2 October 2025, the Kofi Annan Foundation and the Graduate Institute’s Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy, in partnership with the Centre for Trade and Economic Integration (CTEI), convened the fifth in a series of thematic roundtables exploring the intersections of democracy and multilateralism. The session was held as part of the…
On 2 October 2025, the Kofi Annan Foundation and the Graduate Institute’s Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy, in partnership with the Centre for Trade and Economic Integration (CTEI), convened the fifth in a series of thematic roundtables exploring the intersections of democracy and multilateralism. The session was held as part of the Athens Democracy Forum, an annual international conference that brings together global leaders, policymakers, scholars, and activists to discuss the state of democracy. The roundtable explored the upheaval in the current global trading system, seeking to understand why the old system has failed, and how a new one, centred…
The existing trade order is unravelling at a breathtaking pace. The World Trade Organization and the rule-based trade system that promoted economic integration and globalization for much of the last 80 years is under extreme pressure from trade wars and increasing geopolitical frictions. Yet, rising protectionism and isolationism are also symptoms of…
The existing trade order is unravelling at a breathtaking pace. The World Trade Organization and the rule-based trade system that promoted economic integration and globalization for much of the last 80 years is under extreme pressure from trade wars and increasing geopolitical frictions. Yet, rising protectionism and isolationism are also symptoms of a broader public backlash against globalization and international trade. Built on the promise to deliver prosperity for all, many of the existing trade and investment rules have also intensified inequalities and exposed countries to global shocks. Especially, the distributional effects of global trade have left many groups in…
In episode 9, podcast host Ahmad Fawzi welcomes special guest Mohamed Ibn Chambas. Together, they explore trends, challenges, and opportunities for democracy in Africa. What are noteworthy examples of democratic governance on the continent? How can we restore trust in democracy, as the system best able to ensure that the voices of…
In episode 9, podcast host Ahmad Fawzi welcomes special guest Mohamed Ibn Chambas. Together, they explore trends, challenges, and opportunities for democracy in Africa. What are noteworthy examples of democratic governance on the continent? How can we restore trust in democracy, as the system best able to ensure that the voices of the people are […]
In episode 5 of Kofi Time, host Ahmad Fawzi interviews diplomat Michael Møller on Kofi Annan’s special kind of leadership. A respected leader among his peers and the public, Kofi Annan served the people of the world with courage, vision and empathy. Embodying moral steadfastness and an acute political acumen, his leadership…
In episode 5 of Kofi Time, host Ahmad Fawzi interviews diplomat Michael Møller on Kofi Annan’s special kind of leadership. A respected leader among his peers and the public, Kofi Annan served the people of the world with courage, vision and empathy. Embodying moral steadfastness and an acute political acumen, his leadership was one of […]
The following is a transcript of the speech given by Corinne Momal-Vanian at the 16TH EISA ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM in Nairobi, 11 December 2024. Navigating political transitions in Africa It is an honour to be asked to deliver this opening speech on behalf of the Kofi Annan Foundation. For most of my career,…
The following is a transcript of the speech given by Corinne Momal-Vanian at the 16TH EISA ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM in Nairobi, 11 December 2024. Navigating political transitions in Africa It is an honour to be asked to deliver this opening speech on behalf of the Kofi Annan Foundation. For most of my career, the term “transition” has meant a transition from authoritarian rule to democracy. That is why it came as a bit of a shock to realize, when I read the conference’s excellent concept note, that is now means the exact opposite. Something has gone wrong, ladies and gentlemen, and…
An open letter by the international Leadership Excellence in Politics (LEiP) Initiative We, the undersigned, unite with a shared commitment to restore trust in political leadership and enhance its practice to meet the unique demands of the 21st-century. In an era where trust in political institutions is waning, now is the time…
An open letter by the international Leadership Excellence in Politics (LEiP) Initiative We, the undersigned, unite with a shared commitment to restore trust in political leadership and enhance its practice to meet the unique demands of the 21st-century. In an era where trust in political institutions is waning, now is the time for leaders across all sectors to come together and bridge the gap between public expectations and the actions of political leaders. At this pivotal moment, we—18 representatives from academia, politics, civil society, and leadership development—invite our colleagues, peers, and funders to join us in this mission. Expectations or…
Mary Robinson, Chair of The Elders, delivered the Kofi Annan Peace Address during Geneva Peace Week 2024. Reflecting on Kofi Annan’s legacy and the current global leadership crisis in peace efforts, she called for greater respect for humanitarian law, and advocated for gender parity in leadership, emphasising the need for women’s inclusion in peacebuilding. Full Remarks…
Mary Robinson, Chair of The Elders, delivered the Kofi Annan Peace Address during Geneva Peace Week 2024. Reflecting on Kofi Annan’s legacy and the current global leadership crisis in peace efforts, she called for greater respect for humanitarian law, and advocated for gender parity in leadership, emphasising the need for women’s inclusion in peacebuilding. Full Remarks from Mary Robinson Kofi Annan Geneva Peace Address, 15 October 2024. These remarks were first published by The Elders. Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen It is an honour and a pleasure to be with you here tonight in my capacity as Chair of The Elders to deliver the Kofi…
In the sixth and final issue brief of our project on the intersection of multilateralism and democracy, we explore how migration governance and democratic principles are deeply intertwined. The Kofi Annan Foundation and Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy have published the sixth issue brief from our joint project on how democratic principles and multilateral…
In the sixth and final issue brief of our project on the intersection of multilateralism and democracy, we explore how migration governance and democratic principles are deeply intertwined. The Kofi Annan Foundation and Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy have published the sixth issue brief from our joint project on how democratic principles and multilateral cooperation intersect across major global challenges. Authored by Valerio Simoni of the Instituto de Ciências Sociais at the Universidade de Lisboa, the Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy, and the Global Migration Centre, this issue brief focuses on migration as a key site where both democracy and multilateralism are under pressure. The…
On 2 October 2025, the Kofi Annan Foundation and the Graduate Institute’s Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy, in partnership with the Centre for Trade and Economic Integration (CTEI), convened the fifth in a series of thematic roundtables exploring the intersections of democracy and multilateralism. The session was held as part of the…
On 2 October 2025, the Kofi Annan Foundation and the Graduate Institute’s Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy, in partnership with the Centre for Trade and Economic Integration (CTEI), convened the fifth in a series of thematic roundtables exploring the intersections of democracy and multilateralism. The session was held as part of the Athens Democracy Forum, an annual international conference that brings together global leaders, policymakers, scholars, and activists to discuss the state of democracy. The roundtable explored the upheaval in the current global trading system, seeking to understand why the old system has failed, and how a new one, centred…
The existing trade order is unravelling at a breathtaking pace. The World Trade Organization and the rule-based trade system that promoted economic integration and globalization for much of the last 80 years is under extreme pressure from trade wars and increasing geopolitical frictions. Yet, rising protectionism and isolationism are also symptoms of…
The existing trade order is unravelling at a breathtaking pace. The World Trade Organization and the rule-based trade system that promoted economic integration and globalization for much of the last 80 years is under extreme pressure from trade wars and increasing geopolitical frictions. Yet, rising protectionism and isolationism are also symptoms of a broader public backlash against globalization and international trade. Built on the promise to deliver prosperity for all, many of the existing trade and investment rules have also intensified inequalities and exposed countries to global shocks. Especially, the distributional effects of global trade have left many groups in…
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is expected to hold elections in December this year – a vote many see as pivotal for the country’s future. It follows a series of troubled elections which raised questions about the integrity of electoral processes and highlighted the need for various reforms. “The Catholic…
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is expected to hold elections in December this year – a vote many see as pivotal for the country’s future. It follows a series of troubled elections which raised questions about the integrity of electoral processes and highlighted the need for various reforms. “The Catholic and Protestant churches conducted a major study of the state of election preparations in May, which revealed serious problems, some technical, and some deliberate, which call into question the integrity of the process. The people of the DRC will not brook another fraudulent election.” – Jean Bosco Lalo,…
Dakar, 8 September 2022 – The United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Open Society Initiative – West Africa (OSIWA), the Kofi Annan Foundation (KAF), and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) organized, on 6 and 7 September 2022, a colloquium on the…
Dakar, 8 September 2022 – The United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Open Society Initiative – West Africa (OSIWA), the Kofi Annan Foundation (KAF), and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) organized, on 6 and 7 September 2022, a colloquium on the enhancement of democracy and good governance in West Africa. The colloquium brought together around sixty participants, including experts and practitioners in governance and peacebuilding, and representatives of think tanks and research organizations. The colloquium was enhanced by the presence of Mr Kabiné Komara, former Prime Minister of the…
Sadly, principled statesmen and women who can forge bold, morally consistent responses to today’s global problems are in short supply. We must therefore safeguard and promote the virtues that the former UN secretary-general embodied. This article originally appeared in Project Syndicate on May 13, 2022. GENEVA – The world is facing a…
Sadly, principled statesmen and women who can forge bold, morally consistent responses to today’s global problems are in short supply. We must therefore safeguard and promote the virtues that the former UN secretary-general embodied. This article originally appeared in Project Syndicate on May 13, 2022. GENEVA – The world is facing a set of acute crises without recent parallel: a war in Europe that could escalate into a nuclear conflict, skyrocketing food prices that are hitting the poor the hardest, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the climate emergency. We need principled statesmen and women to forge bold, morally consistent responses to…
A global network that convenes election stakeholders around a shared vision: to inspire and inform action to advance electoral integrity in the face of critical threats to democracy. During a time when democratic elections around the world face an evolving and increasingly complex set of threats and challenges, sustained cooperation among global…
A global network that convenes election stakeholders around a shared vision: to inspire and inform action to advance electoral integrity in the face of critical threats to democracy. During a time when democratic elections around the world face an evolving and increasingly complex set of threats and challenges, sustained cooperation among global electoral integrity stakeholders is urgently needed. The Global Network for Securing Electoral Integrity (GNSEI or Network) convenes election stakeholders around a shared vision: to inspire and inform action to advance electoral integrity in the face of critical threats to democracy. Specifically, GNSEI brings together leading international electoral integrity…
We are delighted to join the European Partnership for Democracy (EPD) and excited to work with its members to reinforce the impact of European actions to promote and defend democracy worldwide. These are trying times for supporters of democracy. Still, the Foundation and the EPD share the conviction that democracy is the…
We are delighted to join the European Partnership for Democracy (EPD) and excited to work with its members to reinforce the impact of European actions to promote and defend democracy worldwide. These are trying times for supporters of democracy. Still, the Foundation and the EPD share the conviction that democracy is the system best suited to deliver human rights, human security, and development, and while it can appear chaotic, at its heart, democracy is far more resilient and more capable of delivering positive change, than any alternative. “The Foundation and the European Partnership for Democracy share the conviction that democracy…
The Kofi Annan Foundation is delighted to announce the launch of a new project entitled Securing the Digital Environment for the 2022 Election in Kenya, funded by the United Nations Democracy Fund. Building on the findings of the Kofi Annan Commission on Elections and Democracy in the Digital Age, the project will…
The Kofi Annan Foundation is delighted to announce the launch of a new project entitled Securing the Digital Environment for the 2022 Election in Kenya, funded by the United Nations Democracy Fund. Building on the findings of the Kofi Annan Commission on Elections and Democracy in the Digital Age, the project will address the potential impact of the internet, social media and digital technologies, both positive and negative, on electoral integrity and confidence in the electoral process in Kenya for the 2022 elections. The project will convene and facilitate a dialogue with key stakeholders to work for conditions of trust.…
