Hansen Leadership Institute Program

Published October 31, 2022 · Updated October 31, 2022

The Hansen Leadership Institute (HLI) brings together and trains future leaders from across the world in order to promote world peace and international cooperation.

Vision

Fred J. Hansen’s vision was to create a more peaceful world through international cooperation. He desired for people from other nations to visit the United States to learn more about its culture, economy, and government.

In turn, he wanted people of the United States to be more informed about the broader world and its peoples and customs. He knew it would take principled, passionate, indefatigable leadership to achieve this vision.

The Hansen Leadership Institute is guided by this vision of world peace brought about by greater mutual understanding and effective, ethical leadership. They seek this through generational change. They believe that future peace requires bringing young leaders together from regions of ongoing conflict in the world. People who would have been enemies must become friends.

They must learn how to navigate their differences not just without violence, but also with mutual respect. Then they will lead others to do the same. Just as violence is contagious, so is kindness and respect.

HLI seeks to bring more hope to a seemingly hopeless world. They do not believe that ever-present, ongoing violence and war is inevitable or acceptable. Hansen Fellows believe that they can radically change the world for the better. HLI exists to help them do it.

Leadership

HLI provides training in the principles, practices, and psychology of effective, ethical and visionary leadership. They also train Hansen Fellows to be effective communicators and public speakers.

In recent years, they have begun to expand their focus to gender issues in leadership as well. The intense, 24/7 face to face community of their three-week program becomes a path to a vibrant virtual hub, where Hansen alum engage, connect, and mutually support each other’s projects of peace and community building.

Mediation & Conflict Resolution

Peace-making is an art that requires knowledge and subtle interpersonal skills. HLI provides first-class training and hands-on instruction in these areas. They also equip their Fellows to communicate respectfully and effectively across cultural and political divisions, with a purpose of reconciliation and restorative justice. Human rights issues are central in many situations of conflict resolution.

So, HLI Fellows also receive training from a human rights activist and expert who has extensive knowledge and experience in these areas.

International Cooperation

The heart of HLI is that it fosters deep friendship and solidarity with like-minded others from zones of conflict across the world. Fellows become lifelong members of a close-knit and highly engaged international community, which exposes them to new opportunities for service, education, and friendship across borders.

The three-week program itself is a yearly experiment in international cooperation. People from warring countries start as awkward roommates. They leave the program as close friends with a mutual resolve to make peace between their peoples.

Eligibility Criteria

To participate in the Hansen Summer Institute, candidates must meet the following eligibility requirements:

Non – U.S. Students: (from zones of conflict and/or social strife)
Upper division undergraduate with 2 years of college/university or graduate student with a professional interest in international relations, diplomacy, international economic development or related fields.
Students must be between the ages of 20-26 at the start of the program.
Must have demonstrated leadership potential outside of the classroom in the community, nation or region.
Have an academic adviser verify in writing the candidate’s English proficiency
Have a valid international passport with U.S. visa if necessary by the time the program begins
Preference will be given to those who have never visited the United States

What If I Have Been to the United States Before?

Preference will be given to students who have never been to the United States before but all qualified students are encouraged to apply. U.S. Students: (Students from any university in the United States)
Upper-division undergraduate with 2 years of college/university or graduate student with a professional interest in international relations, diplomacy, international economic development or related fields.
Students must be between the ages of 20-26 at the start of the program.
Must have demonstrated leadership potential outside of the classroom in the community, nation or region.

Successful applicants must demonstrate leadership potential by having worked outside of class in community service, another public service, or in a non-governmental organization. A recommendation form from such a group or organization is required.

Applications are now open for the 2023 Hansen Leadership Institute. The portal will close at 11:30 PM Pacific Time on January 15, 2023 for International Applicants and 11:30 PM Pacific Time on March 15, 2023 for U.S. Applicants.

All application materials must be in by these deadlines.

For more information: https://hansenleadershipinstitute.org/