Doha: A cohort of 78 emerging leaders from around the globe has been selected to participate in the latest cohort of the Ambassador Programme offered by Qatar Foundation’s Doha Debates.
Working with facilitation and systems-thinking experts, the ambassadors develop intercultural communication skills, discuss complex global issues and collaborate to envision their ideal future.
Furthering Doha Debates’ mission to empower young people to bridge differences and build consensus through debate, the programme hones participants’ critical thinking and dialogue skills as they discuss pressing issues like climate change, global governance and ethical AI with peers who hold diverse worldviews.
At the start of the twelve-week programme, ambassadors engage in an online community of practice guided by facilitation and intercultural communication expert Dr. Brandon Ferderer and systems-thinking specialist Jennifer Geist, along with various international guest speakers.
They explore majlis-style debate, systems thinking and consensus building with their global peers, honing critical skills for the second half of the programme, where they work in small teams to produce a ‘Virtual Majlis’ that inspires, educates and promotes positive social change.
The ambassadors form lifelong connections with one another. Ambassadors in the newest cohort represent 37 countries across five continents, including Afghanistan, Nigeria, Egypt, India, Palestine, Canada, the US, Sudan, Kenya, Syria and Pakistan. Many are students or alumni of Education City partner universities, including Georgetown University in Qatar, Northwestern University in Qatar, Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar and Hamad Bin Khalifa University.
