21st Century Leaders

In 2009, the NCAFP inaugurated the 21st Century Leader Award to recognize individuals who, through their professional or personal pursuits and accomplishments, have already demonstrated a promising future in the realm of American foreign policy. Awardees have subsequently participated in key programs, such as panel discussions open to the public, salons for NCAFP members, briefings, and conferences.

Capitalizing on their expertise, the NCAFP invited its 2009 award recipients and others to join a select group of young foreign policy professionals in launching the 21st Century Leaders Council, an initiative designed to embed each Council member, according to area of expertise, in its programmatic activities. Members of the Council are assigned to specific NCAFP projects, working directly with project directors to identify and shape new programmatic directions; they also produce, moderate, and participate in panel discussions and salon events, as well as in Track II activities, including off-the-record briefings. The Council will also host delegations of young foreign policy professionals outside the United States and keep active channels of communication with experts around the world, opening productive long-term dialogues on issues which are likely to confront Council members and their foreign counterparts in the years ahead.