The Franco-British Young Leaders Programme

The programme was first announced at the 2016 Franco-British Summit by former President, François Hollande, and former Prime Minister, David Cameron.

The Franco-British Young Leaders Programme aims to deepen understanding and collaboration between France and the UK and create lasting bilateral dialogue at the highest level. Its objective is to build a generation of 21st century leaders who will keep the Franco-British relations at heart and shape its future across all sectors of our societies and economies.

It is delivered by the Franco-British Council with the support of the French Foreign Ministry and the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, as well as a number of private sponsors.

Franco-British Young Leaders

Our Young Leaders network now includes 176 personalities who come from distinguished careers across a diversity of sectors ranging from politicians, journalists, scientists, the military and academics to business entrepeneurs, a chef, a pianist, an art critic and an explorer.

Twenty new Young Leaders were selected in 2024.

Young Leaders are required to accept the Franco-British Young Leaders Charter as part of membership on the programme.

ENGAGEMENT WITH SPEAKERS

When the seminars organized for the Franco-British Young Leaders are held under the Chatham House Rule, Young Leaders are expected to abide by it. The rule states that participants are free to use the information received but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speakers or any other participants may be revealed. In cases where the Chatham House Rule is not considered sufficiently strict, an event may be held 'off the record'.

The strict implementation of the rule is crucial to its effectiveness. It ensures that the Young Leaders’ programme is able to invite senior public figures who are confident they can engage in an open and free discussion with the Young Leaders. Disciplinary action against a participant who breaks such rules may be taken. This is likely to mean future exclusion from the programme.

We ask Young Leaders to be respectful of guests and speakers, and mindful that our speakers dedicate time in their busy schedules to participating and engaging with them.

ENGAGEMENT WITH OTHER YOUNG LEADERS

Young Leaders will ensure a culture of respect, collaboration and professionalism inside and outside the seminars. The framework of the programme, with its regular gatherings, will help Young Leaders establish mutual relations of trust through a spirit of friendship.

Young Leaders may include their affiliation with the programme on their CVs and online platforms.

ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION

Presence and active participation are required during the seminars. Young Leaders are therefore expected to arrive on time. They will be expected to engage actively with speakers and other participants. In order to get the most out of the seminars, they are expected to limit the personal use of their mobile phones.

Arranging events and seminars requires considerable time and cost. The organizing team understands that unexpected events can prevent Young Leaders from attending. However, Young Leaders have to inform the organisers in good time of any cancellations in order to avoid unnecessary costs and to allow someone else to attend.

The organizing team would be grateful to Young Leaders if they could facilitate their work by replying quickly to emails regarding seminars and by regularly updating their biographies and contact details.

ALUMNI PROGRAMME

Once Young Leaders have completed their two residential seminars, they will join the Young Leaders Alumni Programme. We hope that they will continue to participate in events in order to promote the Franco-British relationship and that they will remain active within the Young Leaders network. Alumni accept, however, that some events may be limited in numbers and that priority will be given to the current cohort of Young Leaders.

ONLINE PRESENCE

Young Leaders are encouraged to promote their affiliation with the programme on all forms of online platforms and social media. Occasionally, Young Leaders may be asked to refrain from taking photographs or sharing information but such cases will always be made clear ahead of the event.