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
support the Millennium Leadership Program

Content

New Atlanticist

Jul 6, 2018

NATO Needs More Unmanned Aerial Systems

By Nicola Johnson and Jessie Ilkson

NATO faces an array of security threats from the Arctic in the north, Russia in the east, and migrant flows from the south, all of which demand a dynamic and flexible defense force. Although members of the Alliance have increased investment in defense, their focus has been on expensive technology for a potential high-end conflict. […]

NATO Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Jul 3, 2018

NATO Must Meet Russia’s Hybrid Warfare Challenge

By Rihards Kols

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s use of military force and hybrid warfare tactics in his country’s immediate neighborhood and beyond has brought into question NATO’s ability to defend its eastern border. Russian hybrid warfare, with an increased focus on asymmetric and nontraditional military capabilities, has made it considerably more difficult for NATO to counter destabilization efforts, […]

NATO Security & Defense

Press Release

Jun 19, 2018

Atlantic Council Announces 2018 Millennium Fellows, NATO Summit Program, and Partnership with US Department of State Mission to NATO

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Atlantic Council is pleased to announce today the 2018 Millennium Fellows. With a 3.2 percent acceptance rate, the program is among the most competitive professional development opportunities in the international affairs and policy fields. In 2018, over 655 people from 100 countries applied to become a Millennium Fellow and only 21 […]

Event Recap

May 25, 2018

Sanctions in the Trump Era: One Year In

By Global Business & Economics Program

On May 25th, the Atlantic Council’s Global Business and Economics Program together with the Millennium Leadership Program hosted a panel discussion with a delegation of high executives from Santander Bank. The discussion centered around how economic sanctions affect the banking sector and the priorities of the current administration in this area.

Economic Sanctions Economy & Business

Event Recap

May 25, 2018

Future of Banking: Blockchain Technology

By Global Business & Economics Program

On May 25th, the Atlantic Council’s Global Business and Economics Program together with the Millennium Leadership Program hosted a lunch discussion on blockchain technology and its impact on the banking sector with a delegation of high executives of Santander Bank.

Economy & Business Financial Regulation

Event Recap

May 25, 2018

Remaining Competitive in the Digital Era

By Global Business & Economics Program

On May 25th, the Atlantic Council’s Global Business and Economics Program, together with the Millennium Leadership Program hosted a roundtable discussion with a high-level delegation from Santander Bank.

Cybersecurity Economy & Business

Report

Dec 21, 2017

Flood Management Infrastructure in a Changing Climate

By Salem Afeworki, Kate Judson, Sadya Ndoko, and Axum Teferra

Read the Publication (PDF) As climate change increases the vulnerability of communities to major natural disasters, cities are taking on leadership roles in climate adaptation planning and implementation. This requires deep coordination between leaders across jurisdictions and significant infrastructure investment. Many cities have already begun planning for current and future climate threats, often with the […]

Issue Brief

Dec 12, 2017

Water innovation in the face of a changing climate

By Fidan Karimova

Fidan Karimova examines the creative methods employed by London, Rotterdam, and the state of California as they navigate different water-related challenges and provides successful models to be used by other local governments in their own water management strategies.

Issue Brief

Dec 12, 2017

Water innovation in the face of a changing climate

By Fidan Karimova

One of the most fundamental challenges created by climate change is managing the developing global water crisis. Whether it is controlling floodwaters and rising sea levels, or maintaining potable water access during a drought, governments and individuals worldwide are forced to find new ways to mitigate the impact of this crisis. In “Water Innovation in […]

Issue Brief

Sep 21, 2017

Using citizen-based observations to plan for climate change

By Sarah Abdelrahim

As a global challenge with profound implications at the local level, climate change provides new opportunities for individual engagement.

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