Day 13.1 | Global Vision and Public Responsibility
Learning from Global and National Leadership
Participants of the 16th School for Young Leaders 2025 had the exceptional opportunity to engage with two distinguished leaders whose perspectives connected global vision with national responsibility, offering valuable insights into leadership, public service, and sustainable development.
A Global Perspective on Sustainable Development
The day opened with an online lecture by Jeffrey Sachs, world-renowned economist, Director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University, President of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, and Sustainable Development Goals Advocate to the United Nations Secretary-General.
In his address, Professor Sachs delivered a comprehensive and thought-provoking overview of the major global challenges of our time, including climate change, inequality, geopolitical instability, and sustainable development gaps. He emphasized that these challenges are deeply interconnected and require systemic thinking, international cooperation, and long-term responsibility.
A central message of his lecture was the critical role of young leaders as active contributors today, not merely future decision-makers. He encouraged participants to engage with global frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals and to translate global vision into meaningful local and national action. The lecture concluded with an open Q&A session, allowing participants to interact directly with one of the most influential voices in sustainable development and global cooperation.
Public Service, Integrity, and Responsibility
Later in the day, participants attended a lecture by Rashela Mizrahi, Member of Parliament of the Republic of Macedonia, who offered a complementary perspective grounded in public service and democratic responsibility.
In an honest and personal address, MP Mizrahi shared reflections from her leadership journey, speaking openly about the weight of representing citizens, the pressures of public life, and the ethical challenges leaders face. She highlighted integrity, accountability, and authenticity as essential pillars of leadership, particularly in environments where difficult decisions must be made under public scrutiny.
Her message encouraged participants to remain principled and committed to the common good, reminding them that credible leadership is built through consistency between values and actions, even when the path is complex or demanding.
Bridging Global Vision and National Action
Together, the two lectures created a powerful dialogue between global responsibility and national leadership, reinforcing the idea that effective leaders must understand the wider global context while remaining deeply accountable to the communities they serve.
By connecting international challenges with public responsibility at home, these sessions offered participants a holistic understanding of leadership—one that balances vision with service, ambition with ethics, and ideas with action.
Leadership Takeaways – Day 13.1!
1. Global challenges demand leaders who think systemically, collaborate across borders, and act with long-term responsibility.
2. Integrity and authenticity are the foundations of credible public leadership, earned through accountability and service.
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