Applications are now open for the 2026 Global Changemakers Workshop – an international programme organised by the Aspen Institute International Partners to support emerging leaders shaping the future of democracy.
Now in its fourth year, the workshop brings together a small cohort of young leaders from across the Aspen global network. Previous editions have been held in Berlin, Warsaw, and Bogotá, building a growing network of over 60 alumni engaged in public leadership, policy, and civic life.
The 2026 workshop will be hosted in Delhi, India by the Ananta Aspen Centre.
Theme: Decision Making in an Age of AI
As emerging technologies reshape economies, governance, and society, the nature of decision making is changing.
This year’s workshop will explore how leaders can navigate the opportunities and constraints of artificial intelligence, examining questions of accountability, governance, and the evolving relationship between institutions and the public.
Participants will engage with questions such as:
Who defines the boundaries of AI?
How should these technologies be governed?
What are the implications for democratic integrity and global stability?
The workshop is designed as an immersive, dialogue-driven experience in the Aspen tradition. It includes:
Text-based Aspen seminars
Policy roundtables
Conversations with officials and subject-matter experts
Cultural site visits
All sessions will be conducted in English.
Who should apply?
We are seeking applicants who are:
An Aspen NZ alumni (have attended an Aspen Institute New Zealand programme, online or in person)
NZ citizen or permanent resident, residing in NZ
Aged 25–35 (or close to)
Working in or alongside fields such as technology, governance, security, law, academia, philosophy, or related areas
Show a clear commitment to leadership, public impact, and democratic values
Application Process (New Zealand Applicants)
Applicants must apply through Aspen Institute New Zealand.
We will review submissions and nominate up to three candidates to be put forward to the international selection process, led by the Aspen Institute International Partners.
NZ application deadline: 7 May 2026
Shortlisted candidates will be notified following the initial review. Final decisions will be made by the international partners, with outcomes expected in early June.
Scholarship Details:
The successful applicant will receive:
Accommodation for up to four nights
Meals throughout the programme
A contribution of up to USD $1,000 towards international economy flights
Participants are responsible for additional costs, including visas, ground transport, and personal travel, and are required to organise their individual visa (if required).
Past Scholarship Recipients
For Aspen NZ scholarship recipient Shreya Singaraju, the 2024 Global Changemakers workshop reinforced the importance of collaboration in addressing global challenges:
“Working together is key to driving meaningful change.”
For Shreya, the opportunity to connect with international peers from nations including Nairobi, Colombia and Germany, and to hear firsthand about their struggles and successes, was both humbling and inspiring.
Following the 2023 Global Changemakers workshop in Berlin, Peter Southey-Jensen, Aspen NZ youth alumni and scholarship recipient reflected:
“The Aspen Institute’s Global Changemakers event was an incredible experience. The opportunity to learn from so many different people each with their own fascinating stories and experiences was an absolute privilege. The combination of intellectual and social discussions was the perfect mix to make for a memorable experience that got the most out of everyone.”
Reflecting on the 2025 workshop in Bogotá, Aspen NZ scholarship recipient Archie Ritchie highlighted the value of engaging directly with diverse global perspectives:
“Connecting with peers from across the world - each bringing different experiences of migration, policy, and identity - was both humbling and energising. It challenged assumptions and deepened my understanding of how global issues are experienced locally.”