Global Challenges Forum and Middlebury Institute Sign Cooperation Agreement to Advance Global Resilience and Youth Leadership in India

Geneva / Delhi – March 2025

The Global Challenges Forum (GCF) Foundation is pleased to announce the signing of a formal cooperation agreement with the Middlebury Institute of International Studies (MIIS) in Monterey, California. The agreement was officially signed by GCF Chairman Dr. Walter Christman and MIIS Vice President Jeff Dayton-Johnson, marking a significant milestone in strengthening global partnerships focused on advancing youth leadership, conflict resolution, and sustainable development.

This strategic collaboration aims to expand educational opportunities and promote academic cooperation in India through joint initiatives that support the One Million Youth Leaders Beyond 2030 (1M2030) movement and the development of the Global Resilience University. These efforts focus on equipping the next generation of leaders with the knowledge and skills needed to address complex global challenges through innovative programs in conflict transformation, alternative dispute resolution (ADR), cybersecurity, and global governance.

As part of its ongoing mission, the Global Challenges Forum is developing a Global Resilience Certificate Program designed to serve as a foundational offering for partner universities worldwide that are engaged in programs supporting sustainable development. Built around Dr. Christman’s recent book, Building Global Resilience: A Call to Action, and its companion facilitation guide, Empowering Change, the certificate will provide students and professionals with the tools to foster resilience in their communities and institutions. The program will serve as the flagship for the future development of the Global Resilience University, a global academic platform in support of the 1M2030 movement.

Reflecting on the significance of the agreement, Dr. Christman shared:

“This agreement with Middlebury opens a powerful new chapter for our work in India and beyond. By linking GCF’s mission to build global resilience with Middlebury’s excellence in graduate education, we are creating meaningful pathways for youth leadership, conflict resolution, and sustainable development.”

The GCF Foundation and Middlebury Institute will continue collaborating with Indian partners to expand these initiatives, offering new opportunities for students, educators, and institutions to participate in the growing global movement for peace, resilience, and sustainable futures.

For more information on the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, please visit https://www.middlebury.edu/institute/.

To learn more about One Million Youth Leaders Beyond 2030 (1M2030) and the Global Resilience University, please visit www.1M2030.org.