Building the Next Generation of Ethical Leaders

The Need for Values-Driven Responsible Leadership

At a time of profound ethical challenges—from rapid technological change to shifting geopolitical tensions—Carnegie Council is helping prepare the next generation of leaders to navigate complexity with ethical clarity, practical judgment, and a commitment to values-driven responsible leadership. For decades, the Council has advanced global ethics education by identifying emerging ethical issues in international affairs; convening leading practitioners, academics, and young leaders through public programming; publishing trusted classroom resources; and fostering rigorous inquiry through its Ethics & International Affairs journal. Building on this legacy, our Next Generation Leadership Initiative brings young leaders together at the Global Ethics Hub in New York City and provides free, open-access resources for classrooms around the world to examine trade-offs, explore moral questions, and practice ethical leadership.

Carnegie Council’s founding principles of international cooperation, democracy, fidelity, and humanitarianism are being tested, but they remain crucial for helping young leaders navigate uncertain times. Two recent studies suggest that young people around the world continue to value these principles, even as they express concern about how their countries are responding to global challenges. One study, published by the Pew Research Center in 2023, found that young adults tend to be more internationally oriented than older adults, though they differ in how they believe their countries should engage with the world. The article, based on 16 focus groups conducted in 2022 with young adults ages 18-29 in France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States, also found that respondents expressed deep concern about the current state of their countries. As the article states: “All told, the overall mood in the groups was one of political discontent, turbulence and apprehension—and, when asked to summarize the state of their country in one word, most focused on negative sentiments like ‘embarrassing,’ ‘uncertain,’ or ‘shambles.’”

A 2024 Afrobarometer report on democracy similarly found that while 64 percent of African youth prefer democracy over any other form of government, more than half—60 percent—are dissatisfied with the way democracy is working in their countries. The report surveyed citizens in 39 African countries, representing the views of more than three-quarters of the continent’s population. One of its key findings is that, although support for democracy remains strong in the countries surveyed, integrity and accountability must be strengthened in local governments.

Together, these findings point to the need for spaces where young people can examine complex global challenges with nuance, ethical clarity, and practical judgment. As societies confront rapid technological advances such as artificial intelligence and climate geoengineering; threats to democracy; tensions across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa; wealth inequality; and the weakening of multilateral institutions such as the United Nations, Carnegie Council is creating opportunities for young leaders to grapple with difficult questions, think through trade-offs, and apply ethics in their daily lives. Through a suite of educational programs, the Next Generation Leadership Initiative provides a civic space for young leaders to convene—both in person and virtually—to address these issues.

Educational Programs for the Next Generation

By engaging with our thought leadership and programming, young leaders will be able to:

• Gain knowledge of and appreciation for the role ethics plays in their lives;
• Receive practical tools they can use to apply ethics in their personal and professional lives;
• Develop the capabilities to represent and champion values-driven responsible leadership;
• Deepen and broaden their networks globally.

We also recently updated our Classroom Resources website, which includes our latest Ethics in International Affairs guidebook, along with lesson plans and interactive activities on topics ranging from climate and migration to illiberal narratives and peace and security.

Our College Outreach program has hosted more than 335 students from over 17 nations at our Global Ethics Hub since summer 2024. The program gives students an opportunity to learn about Carnegie Council’s work and participate in experiential learning activities that examine the ethical issues in topics like climate, artificial intelligence, and nuclear nonproliferation. Based on our 2025 measurement, evaluation, and learning data, 93 percent of respondents reported that participating in the program increased their understanding of ethics and the impact of ethical issues in the world. In addition, 92 percent reported gaining a better understanding of values-driven responsible leadership. As you plan a trip to New York City with your students, we encourage you to schedule a visit to Carnegie Council.

Another core program, our Ethics Empowered: Leadership in Practice quarterly event series, brings together scholars and practitioners to engage young leaders on current and emerging ethical issues. To date, the series has attracted attendees from more than 35 countries. In collaboration with our Ethics & International Affairs journal, we publish the transcript, additional readings, and discussion questions after each event so the materials can be used in a flipped-classroom format. Previous topics have included space governance, the role of AI agents in global governance, and just peace.

Additional programs, including our Carnegie Ethics Fellows program and the Uehiro-Carnegie Endowment for Future Generations Study Tour, provide young professionals with a curated curriculum for deeper discussion, reflection, and applied research. Participants produce a research project or reflection after completing their program.

Join Us

Carnegie Council’s Next Generation Leadership Initiative is designed to equip young leaders with the tools, ethical frameworks, and expert networks they need to explore the ethical issues of today and tomorrow. Through classroom resources, experiential learning activities, public programming, and professional development opportunities, students and young professionals can practice values-driven responsible leadership and build the judgment needed to navigate uncertainty with integrity. We invite educators, students, young professionals, and partners to engage with our open-access resources and help build a global community of leaders prepared to face the challenges ahead with ethical clarity and purpose.

Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs is an independent and nonpartisan nonprofit. The views expressed within this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position of Carnegie Council.