front of the united nations building including the nations' flags

The Young Political Leader Programme

Ages 15-18 • Live Online OR In-Person

Internship Overview

The Young Political Leader Programme gives students aged 15-18 an immersive experience of Political Leadership through a series of role-plays, seminars, simulations and Q&A sessions led by a group of experienced professionals from the world of politics over 2 days. You can choose to attend the programme either in-person at UCL or ‘Live Online’.

Attendance will give you an edge over other aspiring political leaders in the race for the best jobs and a ‘super-curricular’ experience to add to your UCAS application.

Internship Highlights

An Immersive Experience of a Career in Politics:

Political experts will coach you through a series of live, interactive simulations, including:
Thinking like a UN Ambassador in a 'Model UN' General Assembly meeting
Debating with former MPs in a simulated House of Commons debate
Representing your constituency in a simulated Parliamentary Question Time, chaired by a former Government Minister
Acting as a UK diplomat advising the head of the Foreign Office on how to further the UK's interests abroad

Career Coaching for Future Political Leaders:

You will be coached on how to break into the world of politics, with step-by-step guidance on how to launch your career in:
The House of Commons
The Foreign Office
The UN and IMF
Policymaking and lobbying

An Audience With Experienced Figures from the World of Politics:

Former MPs
Representatives of the United Nations, Foreign Office and DFID
Lobbyists and Policymakers
An invaluable opportunity to ask questions of people who are difficult to contact otherwise

Boost Your UCAS Form and CV:

Attendance demonstrates key skills such as working under pressure, problem-solving and communication skills
Complete the online assessment after the programme and receive a personalised certificate to include in your applications

Programme Fee, Format & Options

You can choose to attend the programme either in-person at UCL or ‘Live Online’; the content is the same for both. The programme involves a mixture of interactive simulations, exercises and Q&A sessions.

Programme Fee:

‘Live Online’: £165/student for both days.

In-Person: £295/student for both days

Places are limited. If 2 or more places are booked students receive a 10% discount. Enter code GROUP10 at checkout to benefit from this.

Timetable

Day One: International Politics

Day Two: Domestic Politics

11.00amThe World of International Politics

- The key players and institutions
- The balance of power
- Your country's role on the global stage

11.30amThe Diplomat (Part 1)

- The art of diplomacy: how to maintain strong international relations on issues of peace, prosperity, human rights, the environment and more...
- Relationship Building: Coaching by a Foreign Office representative on one of the most important skills in modern professional life: persuasion, gaining trust, motivation
- How the Foreign Office protects the United Kingdom’s interests abroad

12.00pmThe Diplomat (Part 2)

- You will be assigned the role of a UK ambassador to a country for the next 60 minutes
- Advise the Head of the Foreign Office on how we should improve the UK's interests in your assigned country
- Assess the merits of your strategy against relationships with other key global allies

1.15pmLunch Break

2.00pmThe UN Ambassador (Part 1)

- Securing international peace, eliminating poverty and protecting human rights
- The art of conflict resolution: negotiations, ceasefires and peacekeeping

2.30pmThe UN Ambassador (Part 2): Enter The UN General Assembly

- Model UN simulation
- Breaking News! Alarming violations of human rights are taking place in Asia.
- You will be assigned the role of UN Ambassador on the General Assembly for the next 60 minutes
- A resolution will be put before the Assembly
- Debate with other Ambassadors and propose amendments to the resolution
- Live General Assembly vote – will the resolution be passed?

3.30pmThe International Development Expert

- Tackling poverty and the causes of poverty
- The key players: the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank and the Department For International Development (DFID)
- Breaking News! You are managing the Department for International Development’s aid spend to reduce the impact of natural disasters across the globe
- A series of crises are unfolding internationally. Rush to allocate emergency aid funding in accordance with your wider objectives

4.30pmBreaking into International Politics

- Your route into international politics
- Careers at the UN, the Civil Service, the IMF and more
- A-level, university, and degree choices

5.00pmPanel Q&A

- Live Q&A with leading professionals from the world of international politics
- Key questions answered
- Receive valuable advice

5.30pmClose

*exact order of the programme may change.

11.00amThe World of Domestic Politics

- The key players
- The balance of power
- The pressure and expectations

11:15amThe Public Speaker

- Public speaking coaching ahead of your maiden speech
- Understanding your audience
- The perfect delivery
- Clarity of message
- Using these techniques for the afternoon Parliamentary Debate

11.45amYou Become the MP

- Represent your constituency in Parliament
- Live election: run and vote for the day's 'Speaker of the House' and Secretary of State positions
- Coaching on how to excel during Parliamentary Question Time

12:30pmParliamentary Question Time

- A live simulation of Parliamentary Question Time
- Ask the minister pressing questions on behalf of your constituency
- Hold the Government to account
- Balance the competing views of your party, your constituency and yourself

1.15pmLunch Break

2.15pmEnter The Cabinet

- Step into the shoes of a Cabinet Minister in a hung parliament
- Battle with the Cabinet to pass a new electoral reform bill through Parliament
- Propose amendments to the bill that align with your party's values
- Whip votes from across the Cabinet to gain support for your amendment
- Vote on amendments to pass the bill

3.30pmThe Parliamentary Debate

- Debate the new Electoral Reform Bill with a sitting MP in a House of Commons simulation
- Explore gripping issues in domestic politics
- Participate in a live parliamentary vote

4.30pmBreaking into Politics

- Your route into politics
- Gaining work experience now
- A-level, university, and degree choices

4.50pmPanel Q&A

- Live Q&A with leading political figures
- Key questions answered
- Receive valuable advice

5.30pmClose

*exact order of the programme may change.

Dates & Locations

London, UK

In-Person

19th - 20th June 2021

University College London (UCL)

Gower Street

Bloomsbury

WC1E 6BT

Live Online

In-Person

27th - 28th November 2021

11am - 5:30pm (UK time)

Choose A Location Below:

In-Person

19th - 20th June 2021

University College London (UCL)

Gower Street

Bloomsbury

WC1E 6BT

Online

27th - 28th November 2021

11am - 5:30pm (UK time)

Who Can Attend

This programme is for students aged 15-18 who have the passion and ambition to both learn about this career, and start boosting their UCAS/college applications & CVs. If you are a student who is slightly older or younger than our guidelines, then please do get in touch with us to discuss your specific situation.

There is no application process, and you can secure your place simply by clicking “Register Now”. We operate on a first-come first-served basis and programme places are limited; we are usually full a couple of months in advance of the programme date. No prior knowledge or experience is required to join this programme as we build your knowledge from the basics up to more advanced concepts.

COVID-19

The in-person programme will be run with strict Covid-19 prevention measures in place which have been modelled on the government’s guidelines for prevention in educational settings. You can view our measures here. In the unlikely event that the in-person programme is completely cancelled because of Covid-19 then students will have two options: i) move to the next in-person date; ii) move to the ‘Live Online’ programme and be refunded the difference in price.

Testimonials

Support

If you are trying to register and the registration box is not appearing it is likely because of firewall restrictions on your desktop device. You may wish to try on your mobile device instead. Alternatively, please email info@investin.org with details of the programme you want to register for. We will reserve your place immediately and send you a link to pay by card online.

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