Future Leaders in the World of Work
Photo © Unsplash/Ave Calvar
Future Leaders in the World of Work
South-South University
27 Julio–7 Agosto 2026
El curso está disponible en English
Future Leaders in the World of Work — South-South University fosters the ambitions of mission-driven university students and young professionals to support of Global South, South-South and Triangular cooperation initiatives for human-centred development.
The South-South University is implemented in cooperation with ITCILO knowledge partners and in the framework of the Turin School of Development.
Key features
STUDY VISIT TO GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
Expand your global career horizons. Join dedicated guest lectures at ILO Headquarters while discovering the city’s pivotal role at the forefront of multilateral diplomacy.
THEMATIC WORKSHOPS
Join hands- on, practical training on the ILO, fostering human-centred development in the Global South and through SSTC modalities and initiatives. Formulate action-oriented proposals.
PERSONALISED CAREER COACHING
With the support of specialized international coaches, transform your ambition for the pursuit of a global career into a concrete, feasible, mid-term plan of 3-5 years in line with your aspirations.
Introduction to the course
Emerging technologies, trade and investment flows, demographic disruptors and climate change are only some of the mega trends which will be shaping the landscape of international development and multilateralism. Each trend paints future scenarios of exceptionally quick change to which societies will need to adapt, fast.
What is at stake is each country's ability to continue along the path of advancing social justice and promoting decent work through human-centred technology.
South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) initiatives hold immense potential for countries to continue developing sustainably in the face of sudden shifts. By placing emerging economies in the driving seat of their own development, SSTC modalities embrace demand-driven approaches, ultimately rejecting one-size-fits-all solutions which could bring unintended harm.
Each summer, Future Leaders in the World of Work brings together a global cohort of youth representatives, innovators, aspiring researchers and professionals for the crafting of SSTC projects and action-driven outcome documents on how to build a sustainable, equitable, fair future of the world of work post-2030. What Future Leaders all share is the ambition to work in service of multilateral diplomacy, international organizations, with the goal of supporting SSTC initiatives positively shaping the future of the world of work. The ITCILO supports youth in their ambitions, also offering UN career guidance and 1-to-1 coaching normally accorded exclusively to UN fellows.
Implemented in cooperation with ITCILO knowledge partners and in the framework of the Turin School of Development, the South-South University is a flagship activity of INTEGRŌ, the ITCILO facility for global competence development.
Who attends this course?
Future Leaders in the World of Work welcomes youth representatives, innovators, aspiring researchers (enrolled in a full-time taught or research degree) and professionals (within 5 years of graduation at the time of application) with a commitment to themes at the intersection of SSTC, the social dimension of sustainable development, and the world of work.
The programme welcomes applicants majoring (or with a degree in) subjects relevant to the work of the ILO, including but not limited to law, economics, environmental science, government, political science, international relations, population studies, public policy, and development studies.
Participants need to have a strong, demonstrated interest in understanding how their subject-matter specialization relates to the work of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and, more broadly, the social dimension of sustainable development. Extensive knowledge of topics at the heart of the mandate, vision and values of the ILO is considered an advantage, but not a prerequisite to admission.
Fluency in English is required. Additional knowledge of other ILO working languages (French, Spanish) is considered an asset.
Motivation Interviews
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a short interview between March-May 2026, where they’ll elaborate on the motivations underpinning their willingness to join the 2026 cohort of Future Leaders in the World of Work. Invited applicants are encouraged to draw connections between their academic/professional journey and the learning aims of Future Leaders in the World of Work in as much detail as possible.
Open House Webinars (2026 Edition)
Road to Future Leaders in the World of Work 2026: Application Tips and Preparing for your Motivation Interview
This summer, embark on a journey of discovery of the mega trends shaping the future of the world of work.
Explore how South-South and Triangular Cooperation modalities and initiatives hold the potential for making this future more equitable, fair, and socio-economically sustainable for all.
Meet the team behind the South-South University, get your application ready and obtain insights into how to prepare for your motivation interview.
- Joel Alcocer,
Programme Manager, Development Investment (DEVINVEST) Programme
- Carlotta Clivio,
Coordinator, INTEGRŌ; Associate Programme Officer, DEVINVEST Programme
- Menghao Wei,
Associate Coordinator, INTEGRŌ; Visiting Fellow, DEVINVEST Programme
ITCILO Campus life
Located along the banks of the Po River, the ITCILO Turin Campus allows participants to live and study immersed in nature, in a safe and secure environment conducive to learning, exploring, and discovering what the city of Turin has to offer.
Explore Europe
- Turin
Capital of the Italian region of Piedmont just a few kilometers away from France, Switzerland and Italy’s rugged Ligurian coast, Turin stuns global visitors with its unique charm. While featuring a rich history, charming art galleries and a world-renowned enogastronomic tradition, Turin maintains a firm global outlook through its active participation in strategic networks of global sister and friend cities. As testament to its international ties, Turin has been home of the United Nations Campus since 1964, where the ITCILO is located together with the United Nations System Staff College and the UN Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute. - Geneva
Week 2 of the South-South University includes a 2-day study visit to Geneva, Switzerland, for participants to explore the headquarters of selected Geneva-based UN agencies including the ILO, international and non-governmental organizations. During the study visit, participants will have the opportunity to not only take a deep-dive in the work of these entities, but also to meet representatives from their HR departments to explore how to best prepare for future employment opportunities in the broader space of multilateralism. - Nice, Monaco and Venice
The ITCILO offers South-South University participants the opportunity to sign up for a daytrip to Monte Carlo (Monaco) and Nice (France), or Venice (Italy) for Saturday 2 August. Whether in search of the atmospheres celebrated during the Belle Époque or eager to witness the splendor of the Most Serene Republic (“La Serenissima”), the South-South University features moments of leisure and relax for its participants to enjoy while away from home.
Stay tuned!
To stay up-to-date with the INTEGRŌ Team, subscribe to our newsletter by selecting “Decent Work and Sustainable Development” in the form below:
Certificate
Participants completing all required activities unlock an official ITCILO Certificate of Participation in Digital Credentials Format, which allows for easy sharing (on CVs and digital platforms, e.g., LinkedIn) of their ongoing professional growth and development as Future Leaders in the World of Work.
About INTEGRŌ
INTEGRŌ is the global competence development facility for future leaders in the world of work of the International Training Centre of the International Labour Organization (ITCILO). Highlighting the ILO’s contributions in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, INTEGRŌ motivates future leaders to leverage synergies that connect Sustainable Development Goal 8 (SDG 8) to all of the other Goals for the benefit of their communities of reference. INTEGRŌ offers a wide range of global competence training opportunities which, while being stand-alone, work in synergy with one another for the formulation of a dynamic, integrated curriculum.
