Empowering the Future of Public Policy Leadership in Europe: Impacts from the Policy New Voices Fellowship

Since its inception in 2021, the Fellowship has provided support to 60 emerging leaders from diverse backgrounds, offering them invaluable opportunities for growth, mentorship, and expanding their networks. The Fellows are based in 16 different countries across Europe, connected by the ambition to shape the future of public policy in a European context. While rooted in Europe, the program is representative of global perspectives, with Fellows representing 23 different citizenships, from Afghanistan to Australia, Chile to Croatia, Greece to Guinea, India to Italy, Nigeria to Norway, The Philippines to Portugal, Spain to Syria, and Zambia to Zimbabwe.

Fellows encompass a spectrum of lived experiences, including those with refugee and migrant backgrounds, ethnic minorities, people of color, LGBTQI and non-binary individuals, and people with disabilities. One Fellow, deeply impacted by the program, shared, "Post-pandemic, this program re-awakened great purpose in me not only as someone who currently works in Europe but also as an Asian and global policy actor. I feel energized, valued, and empowered to move forward with my personal goals and social advocacies."

The Fellowship recognizes that many talented individuals face structural barriers and lack access to the networks that they need to pursue a career in public policy. The Fellowship aims to support Fellows to recognize themselves as leaders and to build their public profile. One Fellow commented, "The program made me feel very seen, I was treated as though I wasn't someone to be trained but actually someone who was already doing great things and just needed the networks and resources to amplify and build on my work. It helped me rethink what is possible right now and prompted me to set some ambitious goals for growth to be the change I want to see in the world."

Through connections made during the Fellowship, two exceptional Fellows, Mariam Dawood and Nadia Hafedh, were invited to participate in the W.K. Kellogg Foundation's Global Leadership Forum in Johannesburg, South Africa, in June 2023. Anchored around the theme, "Connect, Collaborate, and Act: Advancing Transformative Leadership Throughout the Globe," they were invited to share their perspectives as future leaders to more than 200 global delegates, on how global racial and ethnic inequities can be addressed through collective leadership. 

One of the goals of the Public Policy New Voices Fellowship is to propel forward the careers of its Fellows. Hannelore Pourier was enrolled in the double-degree Master's program in Public Policy and Human Development while she was part of Cohort 1 of the Fellowship. Hannelore's path led her to a prestigious position as a Rijkstrainee at the Dutch government's Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy. She reflected: “I would like to take this opportunity to once again express my gratitude for having been part of the Public Policy New Voices Fellowship! The knowledge, expertise and support that I got have been of invaluable value in the selection process for this role.”

Another component of this career development takes place through a one-on-one mentoring relationship which supports Fellows with their career planning and personal development. Rakhi Mehra, a mentor since the start of the program commented “It has been a meaningful journey to take part and see the professional and personal growth - my mentee is reflective and self-aware and brings back many of the Salzburg program opportunities and insights to our mentoring sessions.”

The Public Policy New Voices Fellowship recognizes the significance of promoting its Fellows' ideas and voices. Through strategic communications partnerships, materials, and products, the program aims to elevate these emerging leaders' profiles while disseminating their innovative ideas to a broader audience.

One example of this impact is Jessica Antonisse, who harnessed her experiences and new connections made in Salzburg, to amplify her voice through articles published on the global media platform Diplomatic Courier. Collaborating with other young European leaders, these articles presented unique perspectives on climate action, effectively challenging the conventional notion of a single "youth perspective" while illuminating diverse solutions to combat climate change. Through these articles, their voices resonated across the globe, catalyzing vital public policy conversations.

The influence of the New Voices Fellows extended far beyond the confines of the Fellowship itself, with Salzburg Global actively seeking out external events and conferences where Fellows can share their thinking. One example is a partnership with the Creative Bureaucracy Festival in Berlin, where in 2023 Fellows took the lead in two engaging sessions. One session explored the engagement of cultural institutions with civil society, while the other centred on inclusivity. These sessions not only enriched the festival but also showcased the Fellows as emerging leaders shaping a more creative and inclusive future for policymaking.

The influence of the Public Policy New Voices Fellowship extends well beyond its initial one-year duration. Fellows remain closely connected to each other and to Salzburg Global, creating a lasting support system. This enduring network continues to provide Fellows with valuable opportunities, such as participation in other Salzburg Global programs and external events. For instance, in September 2023, Salzburg Global supported five Cohort 1 Fellows to take part in the Diversify Nordics Summit, a prestigious international conference dedicated to championing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB). 

Beyond these specific opportunities, Fellows become lifelong members of the Salzburg Global Fellowship network, an alumni community that spans over 40,000 members across more than 170 different countries. As one Fellow reflected, "Public Policy New Voices Europe connected me with a diverse cohort of early-career policy professionals, each with a wealth of international experiences and diverse interests. It also introduced me to Salzburg Global Seminar's remarkable international and intergenerational network of Fellows." This enduring support network empowers emerging leaders to continue shaping positive change throughout their careers.

In just a short span, the Salzburg Global Public Policy New Voices Europe Fellowship has transcended its initial vision, impacting not only the careers of its Fellows but also the landscape of public policy in Europe and beyond. Through a commitment to nurturing diverse voices, fostering global collaboration, influencing policy discussions, and providing a lifelong global network, this program illuminates a path to a more inclusive, progressive future.

Salzburg Global is grateful to The Walt Disney Company, the founding partner of this program, and to the program supporters, the LEGO Group, and Squire Patton Boggs. We are looking for new partners to help us expand the reach of the program. If you are interested in getting involved, please contact Nancy Smith, Director of Development and Philanthropy at nsmith@salzburgglobal.org.