To adapt to and meet the needs of an ever-changing and complex global environment, the McCain Institute will determine a global thematic focus area as well as technical areas of focus for each region and recruit participants who work on relevant issues related to each theme. Throughout the 12-month program, the Leaders will participate in programming that is both regional and global with the goal of connecting them to a highly relevant and targeted professional peer group in their home region, as well as a broader and diverse network of global peers.
2025 Global Theme: Advancing Democracy and Human Rights
2025 Regional Themes
- Western Hemisphere: Protecting the Human Rights of Migrants
- Europe and Eurasia: Countering the Spread of Authoritarianism
- Africa and the Middle East: Building the Foundations for Conflict Resolution
- Asia and Oceania: Managing the Great Power Competition in the Asia-Pacific
Leaders are selected through a competitive, open recruitment process. There are up to 25 Leaders per annual cohort broken into 4 regional groupings. Though there is no age requirement, Leaders are typically between the ages of 25 and 45. Leaders should possess a strong track record of serving a cause greater than oneself as well as experience working directly on the global theme of defending democracy and their respective regional theme. The McCain Institute emphasizes diversity in the form of gender, ethnicity, persons with disabilities, political viewpoint, economic background, and education.