About the Millennium Leadership Program

Since its inception, the Atlantic Council’s Millennium Leadership Program (MLP) has focused on building a vibrant community of leaders who transform bold ideas into action. Through its programming, the MLP equips global professionals across diverse industries with the tools to elevate their leadership and expand their impact. Participants gain access to a global network of exceptional peers, engage with world leaders through global study tours, participate in dynamic leadership development experiences, and lead the debate on key issues.

The Millennium Leadership Program is built on three core pillars: leadership, community, and impact. These pillars are woven into every aspect of programming, enabling participants to grow both personally and professionally while contributing to a larger global community. Together, they equip leaders to address today’s challenges and shape a more equitable, prosperous future. Through the MLP, leaders gain tools to enhance their leadership skills, amplify their ability to drive meaningful change, and build strong, supportive networks. The MLP boasts a robust and active alumni network, ensuring participants stay connected and engaged after completing the program.

“The Millennium Fellowship connects the internal to the interpersonal, and ultimately to the international. What binds us together as fellows is a commitment to lead from a place of hope.”

—Karim Farishta, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, Office of the Secretary of Defense

(Millennium Fellowship 2023)

Our Programs

Millennium Fellowship

The MLP’s flagship program brings together thirty-five exceptional rising leaders from diverse sectors for a transformative nine-month fellowship. Fellows both contribute to and benefit from the Atlantic Council’s expertise, participating in world-class leadership training, personalized coaching, and tailored growth assessments. The program features an in-person study tour, where fellows engage directly with senior decision-makers tackling today’s pressing global challenges.

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European Leadership Accelerator (ELA)

This five-month leadership accelerator brings together a select cohort of rising European leaders at the forefront of the digital and green transition. ELA provides unparalleled opportunities to collaborate, engage leading experts, and drive impact.

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Millennium Leadership Intensive (MLI)

MLI offers a dynamic, three-month program for leading professionals eager to connect and enhance their leadership capabilities. The program focuses on the complexities of the Middle East, combining in-depth leadership training, expert engagement, and an immersive study tour to the region. Participants will refine their ability to lead effectively in a rapidly evolving global landscape.

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Young Global Professionals Program (YGP)

The YGP Program is a paid internship that offers current students and recent graduates hands-on experience across the Atlantic Council’s sixteen programs and centers. Jointly facilitated by the MLP and HR teams, the program is designed to prepare the next generation of young global leaders. YGP participants benefit from tailored career development sessions and opportunities to network with leading professionals within the Council.

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In their own words

2024 ELI Participant Reflections from Israel and Palestinian territories Study Tour

The participants of the Executive Leadership Intensive explored the local and regional implications of the ongoing conflict in Gaza and gleaned lessons that they can apply in their home countries.

2023 Fellow Reflections from Taiwan Study Tour

Global leaders cannot sit idly by as the world order faces increasing threats; instead, they will need to be proactive to secure the future. The 2023 cohort of Millennium fellows traveled to Taiwan for their study tour, meeting with government officials, private sector innovators, and civil society groups to discuss the challenges leaders contend with today.

Climate Leadership Program: Lessons From Ghana

After successful action planning in Ghana, Climate Leadership Program participants are ready to take on a pressing issue in climate investment.

How our fellowship prepared us for a world of challenges

Members of the 2021 Millennium Fellowship came away with vast and diverse insights, but some lessons stood out above the rest.

Leadership

Staff

Jonah Fisher

Senior Director

Millennium Leadership Program

Arabic Central Europe

Staff

Aalaa Abuzaakouk

Deputy Director, Millennium Leadership Program

Millennium Leadership Program

Arabic Civil Society

Staff

Taylor Smith

Associate Director

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Europe Education

Staff

Tyler Lennon

Project Assistant

Millennium Leadership Program

Corruption Economic Sanctions

Staff

Camilla Reitherman

Project Assistant

Millennium Leadership Program

Caribbean Civil Society
support the Millennium Leadership Program

Content

Press Release

May 14, 2012

Heads of State, Ministers, and NATO, US Department of State, and Congressional Leaders to Headline 2012 Young Atlanticist Summit

By Jason Harmala

CHICAGO – Top NATO, US, and foreign government leaders will join this year’s Young Atlanticist Summit in Chicago to discuss challenges and priorities for the future of the Alliance. Main issues to be discussed will mirror the official Summit agenda, including Afghanistan, security in times of economic austerity, missile defense, and strengthening partnerships across the […]

Event Recap

Apr 12, 2012

GLOBSEC 2012 Bratislava Security Forum

By Jason Harmala

As part of the Atlantic Council’s mission to foster the next generation of transatlantic leadership, the Council hosted its Young Atlanticist delegates from Europe and partner countries at the 2012 GLOBSEC conference. Organized by the Slovak Atlantic Commission, GLOBSEC is the largest NATO-related event in Central Europe, which brought together more than 500 key stakeholders […]

NATO Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Apr 10, 2012

Bringing Turkey and Russia Closer to the European Neighborhood Policy

By Kristina Mikulova

As NATO and the EU have shelved enlargement – the juiciest “carrot” motivating reform in aspirant countries – it is even more crucial for the transatlantic community to refine existing institutional frameworks for engagement in order to prevent reform inertia – or worse – backsliding.

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Apr 5, 2012

Who Will Bear the Cost of NATO’s Exit from Afghanistan? Ask Afghan Women

By Ahmad Waheed Andrea Barbara Baumann and Geety Samadi

In the run-up to NATO’s 2012 Chicago summit, Alliance members look ever more determined to leave Afghanistan sooner rather than later. In spite of the flurry of media reports, recent security incidents involving members of both the Afghan and the American security forces can be considered tragic exceptions. They nevertheless fuel the argument that little […]

Afghanistan NATO

New Atlanticist

Apr 4, 2012

The Ripple Effect of the Arab Spring and Weapon Proliferation

By Joanna Buckley

The Arab Awakening has advanced democracy through the Middle East and North Africa but the ripple effects created by the leak of military weaponry into surrounding unstable and conflict areas pose long-term national and regional security implications.  This should be a critical factor for the international community when weighing potential intervention.

Libya Syria

New Atlanticist

Mar 28, 2012

Seven Ideas to Boost the Arab Awakening

By Nickolay Mladenov and Hristiana Grozdanova

When a Tunisian fruit vendor set himself on fire in a small town’s public square, barely anyone expected this act to lead to a revolution in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, and the Arab world. The fall of the three dictatorships initiated a new phase in a worldwide democratic wave that has been remaking the world since […]

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Mar 20, 2012

The End of Putinism? Not So Fast

By Benjamin Bilski and Joanna Buckley

A great deal of the Western press coverage of Vladimir Putin’s re-election was optimistically devoted to proclaiming the end of Putin(ism) due to swelling protests, the rising middle class, demographic decline, and stagnation in Russia’s high-cash, low-growth, oil-dependent economy. Nonetheless, it is not a given that Putinism will recede to make way for greater democratization.

Russia

New Atlanticist

Mar 20, 2012

Ambassador James Warlick on US-Bulgaria Cooperation

By Iveta Cherneva

Young Atlanticist Network member Iveta Cherneva interviews James Warlick, US Ambassador to Bulgaria, on questions of partnership in security between the two countries and NATO.

Europe & Eurasia Southern & Southeastern Europe

New Atlanticist

Mar 16, 2012

To Help Syria, Apply a Mix of ‘Soft’ and ‘Hard’ Power

By Benedetta Berti

The debate over the role of the international community in Syria is disheartening, dominated by skepticism about the ability of outsiders to have a positive impact. This stems from the fact that two main options – continuing to refrain from direct intervention or waging a fully fledged military campaign – both have serious drawbacks. Is […]

International Organizations NATO

New Atlanticist

Mar 13, 2012

Mass Slaughter Shocking, but Not Surprising

By Joshua Foust

The shocking murder last weekend of 16 Afghan civilians — 9 of them children — by a US soldier is raising many questions about the war. Coming right after the accidental burning of several Qurans at a US base last month, which sparked mass protests across the country, it seems reasonable to ask: what is […]

Afghanistan
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