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

New Atlanticist

Mar 12, 2012

Europe Must Find the Political Will to Stabilize its Economy

By Timothy Stafford

Europe’s economy needs swift and concerted attention. For months, increasing fears about the possibility of sovereign defaults have engulfed the continent and contaminated its economies. Only by addressing the fundamental design flaws within the Euro can any prospect of sustained prosperity be restored.

Economy & Business European Union

New Atlanticist

Mar 9, 2012

Mitigating NATO’s Invisible Risk

By Jordan Becker

As Europe becomes a modest producer rather than a consumer of security and the US engages in a “strategic pivot” toward the Asia Pacific, the most overlooked security challenge facing the transatlantic community is benign neglect.

Drones Technology & Innovation

Event Recap

Feb 6, 2012

Call for Applications: Young Atlanticist NATO Working Group and Young Leaders Summits

By Jason Harmala

The Atlantic Council is accepting applicants for the 2012 Young Atlanticist NATO Working Group and Young Leaders Summits until February 6, 2012.

Event Recap

Apr 5, 2008

Young Atlanticist Summit in Bucharest, Romania

As world leaders met this April for the largest NATO summit in Alliance history, future leaders from across the Euro-Atlantic region and Afghanistan convened in Bucharest to grapple with the major security issues facing the Atlantic Community today and to launch an innovative on-line community – the Young Atlanticist Network.  The Young Atlanticist Summit, held […]

Event Recap

Mar 20, 2006

NATO Secretary General engages young Atlanticists during DC visit

On Tuesday, March 21, 2006 the Atlantic Council organized an informal conversation between NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer and 24 students from 18 colleges and universities across the United States at American University in Washington DC. Participating students came from Burma, Germany, the Netherlands, and Ukraine, as well as the United States. Texas […]