WORLD LEADERSHIP CONGRESS

The 2023 World Leadership Congress will take place July 22 - 29, 2023 at Loyola University Lakeshore Campus in Chicago, IL. We are so excited to offer this opportunity to connect with student leaders across the globe.

Since 1968, the HOBY World Leadership Congress (WLC) has empowered students around the world to broaden their perspective and begin to see themselves as part of something larger—the global community we all share. As the global aspect of HOBY’s Pathway to Leadership, the WLC is a weeklong program designed to empower rising junior and senior high school students to become more confident and mature leaders and active global citizens.

Hundreds of students from every state and up to 15 countries participate in the annual World Leadership Congress. Rising high school juniors and seniors from around the United States gather with students from Argentina, Canada, China, France, Germany, Iraq, Korea, Mexico, Taiwan, Turkey, Uganda to develop their leadership skills and tackle some of the most challenging issues in the world today as identified in the UN Sustainable Development Goals. When students complete the WLC, they are equipped with the skills and tools they need to identify and achieve their goals. If you’re a high school student with a passion of leadership, global issues and community service, the World Leadership Congress is for you.

Attending the World Leadership Congress is a life-changing experience. Both virtual and the in-person WLC Ambassadors will:

  • Interact with global leaders through keynote speeches, presentations, and mentor meetings
  • Explore and exercise their leadership skills through interactive workshops and activities
  • Experience international diversity through mixed-culture student groups, global snapshots and international presentations
  • Build life-long relationships with other students and establish a global network of young people ready to make a positive impact on the world
  • Build their confidence through hands-on leadership development and experiential learning
  • Have the opportunity to earn college credit
  • Please be sure to read our FAQ to learn more about participating in this year’s World Leadership Congress
REGISTER FOR THE WLC NOW! Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

HAVE QUESTIONS?

If you’ve still got questions regarding World Leadership Congress or any of HOBY’s programs, our Chief of Recruitment and Promotion, Emily Lewis, would be happy to hear from you. In addition, we encourage you to review the WLC's Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) as well.

CONTACT Emily

WORLD LEADERSHIP CONGRESS HIGHLIGHTS

For more than 50 years, the HOBY World Leadership Congress has been inspiring and empowering young people to become the next generation of global leaders.

Who Attends - Each year, hundreds of high school students (typically rising high school juniors and seniors) from nearly every state and up to 20 countries expand their leadership skills and global perspectives at the World Leadership Congress. The majority of participants have completed a HOBY State Leadership Seminar; however students who have participated in other leadership or service organizations are also eligible to attend the WLC.

What People Are Saying -
“My son loved it. He came away with ideas about what he would like to do, and ways to get it done. I am so pleased that he has had an opportunity to participate in HOBY. HOBY is a really great organization that fulfills a terrific need. Particularly now when the Internet has empowered so many to start effective and sustainable grass-roots movements, the HOBY program is positioned to help kids make their ideas effective. I am so pleased with the impact HOBY has had on my son.”

-Parent of a HOBY alumnus from California, USA

What to Expect - Students who attend HOBY’s World Leadership Congress (WLC):

  • Begin to discover their leadership skills and how to use them
  • Understand leadership and citizenship from a global perspective
  • Interact with leaders from across the U.S. and around the world
  • Experience multicultural diversity
  • Receive two college credits from George Mason University (optional)
  • Participate in community service projects
  • Collaborate with other students on team challenges
  • Build a global network of students, volunteers, and leaders
  • Discover how they can make a positive impact on the world

What's Next:
HOBY Youth Leadership programs serve to focus youth energies on positive activities, leading to increased self-esteem, leadership abilities, and the development of new skills. Young people need opportunities to learn about and discover their leadership skills in meaningful ways.

HOBY offers opportunities to a wide array of individuals on its Pathway to Leadership, including high school students, college students, and professional alumni (post-graduation) from all over the world. At HOBY, you become part of something bigger.


WORLD LEADERSHIP CONGRESS HIGHLIGHTS

For more than 50 years, the HOBY World Leadership Congress has been inspiring and empowering young people to become the next generation of global leaders.

Who Attends:
Each year, more than 450 high school students (typically rising high school juniors and seniors) from nearly every state and up to 20 countries expand their leadership skills and global perspectives at the World Leadership Congress. The majority of participants have completed a HOBY State Leadership Seminar; however students who have participated in other leadership or service organizations are also eligible to attend the WLC.

What People Are Saying:
My son loved it. He came away with ideas about what he would like to do, and ways to get it done. I am so pleased that he has had an opportunity to participate in HOBY. HOBY is a really great organization that fulfills a terrific need. Particularly now when the Internet has empowered so many to start effective and sustainable grass-roots movements, the HOBY program is positioned to help kids make their ideas effective. I am so pleased with the impact HOBY has had on my son.

-Parent of a HOBY alumnus from California

What To Expect - Students who attend HOBY’s World Leadership Congress (WLC):
Begin to discover their leadership skills and how to use them
Expand leadership skills from a global perspective
Interact with leaders from across the U.S. and around the world
Experience multicultural diversity
Receive two college credits from George Mason University (optional)
Participate in community service projects
Collaborate with other students on team challenges
Build a global network of students, volunteers, and leaders
Discover how they can make a positive impact on the world

What's Next:
HOBY Youth Leadership programs serve to focus youth energies on positive activities, leading to increased self-esteem, leadership abilities, and the development of new skills. Young people need opportunities to learn about and discover their leadership skills in meaningful ways.

HOBY offers opportunities to a wide array of individuals on its Pathway to Leadership, including high school students, college students, and professional alumni (post-graduation) from all over the world. At HOBY, you become part of something bigger.

  • world_leadership_congress_white WHO ATTENDS
  • family WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
  • outcomes_1 WHAT TO EXPECT
  • pathway WHAT'S NEXT

 

WLC REGISTRATION

The 2023 World Leadership Congress will take place July 22 - 29, 2023 at Loyola University Lakeshore Campus in Chicago, IL.

You can now register for the 2023 World Leadership Congress below:

REGISTER FOR THE 2023 WLC FAQ STUDENT FUNDRAISING GUIDE

 

INFORMATIONAL WEBINARS

Would you like more information on the 2023 World Leadership Congress? Or do you have questions you would like to ask? Join us for one of our WLC Webinars and learn more about this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Join us for any of the following informational webinars:

  1. TO BE ANNOUNCED

SIGN UP HERE

Send an Outstanding Sophomore to HOBY  Register Now!
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