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We are confronting some of the most difficult challenges humanity has ever faced—from the climate crisis and societal polarization to the spread of misinformation, ongoing  systemic and widespread racial injustices, gender-based violence, growing economic divides and inequity, and much more. These issues are deeply interconnected, affecting not just individual communities but the entire globe. The world needs your help to address and solve these pressing problems that are impacting lives everywhere.  

Our current systems are grappling with complex challenges, and global confidence in current leaders’ ability to address these issues is diminishing. In this moment, the world needs leaders—especially women changemakers who intimately understand the challenges their communities face and are driven to create solutions. Your leadership can be a powerful force for change, inspiring others and shaping a better future for all. Now is the time for you to step up and make a difference. The world is ready for your vision, your strength, and your leadership.

You have a mission.

You have a greater purpose. You are moved by inequities. You want to create a positive change in your community. You are walking the journey that leads to a better future. You are a changemaker.

 

But it’s no easy task.

You may feel uncertain about how to address it or how to create and lead that change. You might need to strengthen your confidence as a leader. You may not feel represented by the traditional styles of leadership – those that don’t focus on social challenges. Or you may not have access to the right networks and resources to achieve the change necessary to solve the problems you care about.

 

 

We can help

We have experienced first-hand similar challenges. At Vital Voices, over the last 26 years, we have built a network of over 20,000 changemakers across 185 countries, each of whom are daring to reimagine a more equitable world for all.   

We want to share those learnings with you.  

We are excited to offer a unique program that will help you to achieve your desired impact: 

C  H  A  N  G  E  M  A  K  E  R  S 

A 7-week online course based on the proven practices of Vital Voices leaders who are changing the world 

 

 

How is this different?

Leaders of Change require a unique set of skills that have often been overlooked in traditional leadership programs. VVLJ has been thoughtfully designed based on the effective practices of women leaders who are already making a difference in their communities. These essential skills are seamlessly embedded into the journey we offer, equipping you with the tools needed to lead in today’s complex world. 

 

  • Adaptive Leadership: Navigate and respond to changing environments with agility. 
  • Inclusive Leadership: Create spaces where diverse voices are valued and heard. 
  • Collaborative Leadership: Foster partnerships and teamwork across different sectors and communities. 
  • Visionary Leadership: Articulate a compelling vision for the future that inspires others to act. 
  • Ethical Leadership: Uphold strong moral principles in decision-making and actions. 
  • Systems Thinking: Understand and engage with the broader ecosystem to create lasting impact. 
  • Resilient Leadership: Build strength and perseverance to overcome challenges and setbacks. 
  • Empathetic Leadership: Lead with compassion, understanding the needs and experiences of others. 
  • Innovative Leadership: Embrace creativity and new ideas to drive progress. 
  • Courage & Boldness: Step forward with confidence to challenge the status quo and drive meaningful change. 

Each step of the VVLJ journey is designed to integrate these skills into your leadership practice, ensuring that you are not just prepared to lead but to lead in a way that truly transforms your community and the world. 

 

What will you achieve?

After the program, you will have clarity on each of the 5 elements of transformational change and will know how to apply them within your own leadership behaviors: 

  • You will identify your driving force and the change you want to lead. 
  • You will know how to build strong roots in the community. 
  • You will generate bold ideas and actions as a leader of your cause. 
  • You will learn how to create partnerships with unlikely allies. 
  • You will find inspiration and new ways to pay it forward to your community. 

You will have learned about inclusive leadership. The course will equip you with all the tools and skills needed to take your initiative to the next level. You will end up with: 

  • A Leadership Action Plan for change. 
  • A new network of peers. 
  • A certificate of completion. 

 

These are the steps of the Journey

 

WEEK 1: Introduction & Team Building

Every journey starts with building connections with peers and establishing small group norms and expectations for interaction through the remainder of the course. You will understand the difference between knowing from the mind and knowing from the heart.

 

Week 2: Driving Force

This is the core of the journey. In this you will understand the definition of Driving Force and how it applies to you within your daily live as changemaker. You will also reflect inwardly and begin to articulate your own driving force by identifying what your purpose is and the inner voice that guides you.

 

WEEK 3: Strong roots in the community

A changemaker identifies with the needs of others and acts inclusively to address the perspectives of all who share a stake in the outcome, embracing a participatory or lateral leadership style. You will understand key change leadership traits and conduct a self-assessment, while creating a self-improvement plan.

 

Week 4: Bold Ideas, bold actions

A changemaker is innovative and solution-oriented, sees potential and is encouraged to think beyond the status quo and take calculated risks to achieve their goals. You will become inspired by the examples of Vital Voices network leaders and will Identify your own bold solutions and how to take action in solving the problem.

 

WEEK 5: Building across lines that divide

A changemaker builds consensus within a community and partners with unlikely allies to advance a shared vision for progress. You will identify  unlikely actors within your own ecosystems to begin forging partnerships. In addition, you will identify potential gaps, challenges, and barriers that come from building unlikely partnerships and ways to address them.

 

Week 6: Paying it Forward

Changemakers invest in the next generation and embrace a vision for change that extends beyond their personal achievement. You will know how to implement the paying it forward initiative in a consistent way.

 

WEEK 7: ACTION PLANNING

You will learn the process used for tracking KPI’s (key performance indicators) and established short, medium, and long-term goals with strengthened leadership decision-making power and effectiveness. You will create your own action plan to help you to achieve your goal for change. 

 

 

 

Methodology

Through this course, you will join a global cohort of change leaders and begin a deep reflection within yourself and understand what it means to be a leader, inspired by powerful women leaders within the Vital Voices network through a unique methodology to create change. 

You will participate in small groups discussions, learn about tools and resources that will help you to define your journey, and practice with specific exercises that will guide at each step of the process. 

 

 

CHANGEMAKERS: Vital Voices Leadership Journey 

 

7-week course: October - November 2024 

Time commitment: 2-3 hours/week, plus assignments 

Language of the course: English 

Investment: USD $799 

 

Apply Now

 

Please note that we will not be able to process refunds after the course has started.

A limited number of scholarships are available. Please see the application for more details.