Who we are
An opportunity to reimagine leadership
Programme outline
24 public leaders
from political, business, public sector and civic society
Duration
7 months
(September – March)
Undertake a Design Thinking project
Symposium days
Residentials
in Oxford and Dublin
Graduation
at Hillsborough Castle
Time for self-refection and self-development
Registration fee: £1500
The registration fee includes accommodation in Oxford and Dublin, meals during the residentials, programme materials, and access to the Good Friday Agreement Online Course. You will need to cover the cost of travel to/from Oxford and Dublin.
Scholarships and financial support available on request by application.
Programme outcomes
The Fellowship Programme seeks to support the peace process, foster innovation and capacity building, and encourage collaborative decision-making so that leaders across society are strengthened and equipped to navigate through complexity and deliver real change for the benefit of all.
Gain knowledge and skills
Gain knowledge and skills from leading academics and practitioners to increase your confidence and ability to address political, economic and social challenges facing Northern Ireland.
Improve your ability to deliver
Improve your ability to deliver better outcomes that matter to the people you serve, advance the public interest and build a culture of integrity in your organisation and sector.
Communicate effectively and develop vital relationships
Communicate effectively within your own organisation and different sectors and develop vital relationships with leaders across society.
Enhance your leadership capacity
Enhance your leadership capacity and performance at an individual and collective level.
Obtain professional accreditation
Receive continued professional development certification through The CPD Certification Service.
Fellowship Programme residentials
Who we are
The Oxford experience
Who we are
In Dublin, the UNESCO City of Literature, participants will have the opportunity to work with pioneers in their own fields of politics, business and civic society as well as engage with policy development, international relations and diplomacy.
Fellow testimonies
I’ve learned so much in a very short time. Getting outside perspective has been enlightening and a great education for me. It is also surprisingly encouraging about how people outside the arts value what we do and how much will there is to help.
I have gained branches of Fellow leaders, that I can lean on, that I can encourage and that I can work with and who I cannot wait to work with.
A pivotal experience and space for rethinking, learning and transformative exchanges. It has re-ignited my passion and commitment to do better and to be better, as well as enhanced my skills and capacity. I am better equipped to continue to contribute more effectively to a peaceful, progressive and prosperous Northern Ireland.
The journey with the Fellowship Programme provided me with the courage to enter a period of reflection, taking the time to become curious about where I could have more impact directly on people’s lives and connect all my experiences, networks, drive, and passion to make Northern Ireland a fairer place for people to live, work, and thrive.
I had a fantastic experience that took my thinking to places I didn’t expect. My cohort were superb, and we remain in regular contact. The learning was both excellent and varied, and we were supported throughout, particular by fantastic partner organisations. The learning opportunities continue through the alumni network, and I would recommend the Fellowship Programme to anyone.
The Fellowship programme meant so much to me as a community peacebuilder. It not only helped me learn and self-reflect in both a personal and professional capacity, but it also helped me build networks and links with those working in the business, civic, and political sectors. Now a year later, I am proud to be part of the Fellowship Programme alumni network and I still have sustained positive relationships with all of those who were Fellows in 2023.
The Fellowship Programme gives political, business, and civic leaders from across Northern Ireland the opportunity to learn from each other and share experiences, which are away from the normal day to day interactions. It is a perfect opportunity to grow and develop leadership qualities, as well as challenging thought, ideas, and how we can collectively work for the betterment of Northern Ireland.
One of the things I find particularly beneficial is being able to work with people who have vast amounts of experience and people who are quite new to their field. So, you get both breadth and diversity.
The Fellowship Programme offers the unique opportunity to build long lasting and important networks across political, civic, and business leaders in Northern Ireland, whilst also gaining insight and knowledge from many world leading experts. The structure of the programme recognises the importance of leaders taking time away to focus on developing their leadership skills further and focusing on shared priorities for Northern Ireland.
We were afforded access to key thinkers and leaders who offer a real insight into what leadership means and how we look at the world. Furthermore, the development of relationships with the Fellows on the programme was vital. I would recommend anyone who is in a management role to apply for the programme.
