Institute for Global Affairs Launches Two Leadership Programs to Transform Global Engagement
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Former US diplomat Elizabeth Shackelford and Albanian parliamentarian Rudina Hajdari to lead initiatives diversifying diplomatic talent and strengthening democratic leadership internationally.
NEW YORK, NY – The Institute for Global Affairs (IGA) at Eurasia Group today announced two pioneering programs designed to strengthen democratic leadership and diversify America’s foreign policy pipeline: the Summer Geopolitics Academy and the International Democracy Fellowship.
These one-year pilot initiatives mark a significant expansion of IGA’s mission to bridge academic inquiry and real-world geopolitical practice while addressing gaps in global leadership development.
Summer Geopolitics Academy
Elizabeth Shackelford, a former US diplomat and current Dartmouth College lecturer, will lead the Summer Geopolitics Academy — a college-prep program for high-achieving high-school juniors from underserved communities. Drawing on her diplomatic service across Poland, South Sudan, Kenya, Somalia, and Washington, DC, Shackelford brings proven expertise in translating complicated geopolitical concepts into accessible educational frameworks.
“We’re not just teaching students about geopolitics. We’re preparing them to participate in — and reshape — it,” said Shackelford , author of The Dissent Channel: American Diplomacy in a Dishonest Age. Formerly a senior fellow at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, she is currently co-authoring a Stanford University Press textbook on how US foreign policy is really made.
International Democracy Fellowship
The International Democracy Fellowship, led by Rudina Hajdari, takes a fresh approach to supporting democratic governance. Rather than prescribing Western models, the program spotlights elected leaders who have developed locally rooted strategies for advancing democratic resilience in diverse political contexts.
Hajdari brings unique cross-cultural perspective from her service in Albania’s parliament, where she chaired the European Integration Committee, and her work with the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee. A Council on Foreign Relations term member, 2025 Vital Voices global fellow, and 2022 Atlantic Council Millennium fellow, she understands both the promise and limitations of traditional democracy promotion.
“Democracy isn’t a one-size-fits-all export,” explained Hajdari, whose perspective is shaped by her personal experience as the daughter of a pro-democracy advocate who was a victim of political violence. “True democratic resilience comes from leaders who ground their efforts in local contexts while embracing democracy’s universal principles. Democracy is being tested everywhere — not just in fragile states, but in established ones too.”
A New Era for IGA
“Elizabeth brings unmatched credibility to geopolitics education, while Rudina offers a fresh perspective on democratic leadership that prioritizes learning over lecturing,” said IGA CEO Mark Hannah. “These programs exemplify IGA’s founding purpose: engaging young people in global affairs and sharing knowledge to support democratic movements worldwide, especially when American democracy promotion requires greater humility.”
IGA Board Chair Zachary Karabell added: “These pilot programs will attract new partners who share our belief that geopolitics education is fundamental to informed citizenship, and our vision of inclusive global leadership. Elizabeth and Rudina represent a new era for IGA — one where we move from analyzing geopolitics to actively shaping the next generation of leaders who will define it.”
These programs address two pressing challenges in contemporary international relations: the diversity deficit in American foreign policy and the crisis of democratic legitimacy across the world. By investing in them, IGA is expanding its commitment addressing two of the most pressing challenges in contemporary international relations: the diversity deficit in American foreign policy and the crisis of democratic legitimacy worldwide.
For individuals or institutions interested in supporting these programs, contact development@instituteforglobalaffairs.org.
About the Institute for Global Affairs
The Institute for Global Affairs is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing understanding of global challenges and fostering informed international engagement through education, research, and leadership development.
