What is Unique about a
Trust Conference?
The 21st Century Trust's conferences are designed to give outstanding
people aged between 25 and 40, drawn from different
nations, cultures, and occupations, an extended opportunity to meet
and examine contemporary issues of global
concern. Ours are not routine academic events, offering a formal
lecture from a famous figure in a crowded hall, followed by a few
questions and answers. Rather, we provide a chance to tackle an issue
in depth, through arrangements which many participants have
called unique. What makes us different?
Participants
The Trust seeks to bring together people from the widest possible
variety of background: the total of some six hundred participants
in our 30 conferences have come from 78 countries. We recruit from
academia, 
business, politics, media, government service, and
non-governmental
organizations of all kinds. As a non-political organization, we invite
applicants from across the democratic political spectrum. Although
expertise in the topic is an asset, more important are an interest in
the subject, outstanding personal qualities, and a willingness
to contribute to the debate. Several participants have told us that,
through the discussion of issues with people outside their normal
range of contacts, they have acquired new insights even into subjects
within their own expertise.
Size
Trust conferences are limited to 25 Fellows, with usually at least 10
countries represented. Everyone has a chance to ask
questions of visiting speakers, to join fully in the debate, and
to get to know everybody else.
Structure
Before meeting: Prospective participants in a conference
will be sent, several weeks in advance, a selection of articles,
including one specially written by the moderator or Senior Fellow,
designed to provide a comprehensive picture of the issues to be
discussed.
This ensures that, despite people's diverse backgrounds, there will be
some common reference points from which to start debate.
At the Conference: A Trust conference lasts for eight
days and is directed by one or two Senior
Fellows
of international repute in the field. They are present throughout
the conference, taking full part in the discussions and social
activities, and getting to know all participants personally. During
the week between six and eight visiting speakers
of authority are invited to address the conference on specific
aspects of the subject. Each talk lasts for upwards of a half hour,
and is followed by an hour long plenary session of questions and
discussion. The Fellows then divide into groups of five or six to
discuss in greater detail the issues which the speaker has raised. Most
conferences also include one large scale simulation or scenario building exercise to help
stretch participants mentally in new ways. After a week of such
sessions,
Fellows have not only been able to look at almost every aspect of
an issue, they have also got to know each other very well.
Fellows' Presentations: There is no requirement
to deliver
papers at the conference. A day is set aside, however, for those
who are willing to make presentations on subjects of particular
interest to them. Given the range of expertise among Fellows, this
often proves to be a very fruitful exchange of ideas.
The Social Side: Fellows are accommodated in a
residential
setting, usually an Oxford or Cambridge college, and take meals in
common. The hard work is relieved by social and recreational
interludes, including visits to nearby places of interest, and
one or two free afternoons. At the end of a week of talk, food, drink,
and relaxation, a sense of camaraderie invariably develops and lasting
friendships are often made.
After the Conference: The Trust endeavours in various
ways to keep up the debates started at these conferences, and to
maintain contacts between Fellows. We publish an annual journal,
with articles by Trust Fellows, as well as holding weekend conferences
in Britain, continental Europe, and North America.
Duration
Trust conferences last eight days, which is a problem for some
applicants with ever busier schedules. A hurried examination
of an important issue, however, crammed into one day or an afternoon,
can be little more than a collection of sound bites. After eight
days, Fellows will have had the chance to mull over ideas rather
than skim an executive brief, decide what they think rather than take
snap judgements under pressure, refine and defend what
they believe in the company of those who disagree in a civil manner
rather than engage in defensive and sterile exchanges, and, finally,
make genuine friendships rather than exchange business cards with
fleeting contacts.
FAQs
What is the deadline for conference applications?
There is no formal deadline, but the first offers of places
are made between January and March, so it is best to apply as soon
as possible.
What is the fee for attending a conference?
Please see our note on costs.
What does a bursary cover?
The bursary covers all or part of the participation fee, which includes
full board and lodging at the conference venue. The
Trust is unable to assist with travel expenses.
If I have
been accepted for a place, when do I receive detailed conference
information?
A conference prepack is circulated three to four weeks before
a conference. It contains the day-to-day programme and list of guest
speakers, information about the conference venue and how to reach
it, and preliminary readings.
When does a conference begin and end?
A conference begins with introductions at 18.30 on the opening
date. Arrivals at the conference venue are welcome that afternoon.
Departures follow breakfast on the closing date.
Can the Trust offer accommodation before or after
the conference?
Because the Trust makes block bookings for its conferences, it cannot
offer individual accommodation before or after the conference.
Does the Trust provide a programme, or accommodation, for
participants'
spouses?
We regret that, for a variety of reasons, it is impossible
for
us to accomodate spouses of participants, even if they are willing to
pay
for the extra costs.
What should I do about a visa?
Please check whether you will need a visa to enter the country
where the conference is taking place and, if you do need one, what
documents you will require to support your application. Usually this
is just a formal letter of invitation from us, which we will supply
on request to those whose place on a conference has been con:firmed.
Quotes
"A wonderful and informative conference....
As a political leader it
widened my awareness of the massive challenges we have to address to
achieve positive and qualitative change in our people's lives."
--Mohammed Mayanja, Minister of State, Office of the Prime
Minister,
Uganda
"There is no doubt that to me being a 21st
Century Trust Fellow was a
valuable experience. The benefits stemmed from being exposed
to a group
of the world's top minds in a structured environment. The diversity,
professional, cultural and social, helped me look at problems
in
exciting new ways. As a brief time out for intellectual replenishment I
don't see how it could be bettered"
--John Roberts, Professor of Marketing, Australian Graduate
School of
Management, University of New South Wales, Australia
"I am impressed with the very fruitful
discussions
in a superb
atmosphere. More important than professional contacts have
been the
development of deep and warm personal relationships which I treasure
very much in the long run."
--Yukio Tada, Manager and Corporate Economist, Nissho Iwai
Corporation,
Washington, DC
"This conference will certainly represent
a turning point in my career.
It was the most interesting and productive one that I have
ever
attended."
--Paula Mageste, Journalist, O Estado de Sao Paolo, Brazil
"I usually attend conferences where inputs
are all from the same
'direction'--the Trust conference on genetics was a major contrast which
allowed me to get perspective on the topic from many different
angles.... One of the best workshops I've been to for a long time--and
I go to lots!"
--David Dall, Genetic Research Scientist, Commonwealth
Scientific and
Industrial Research Organization, Australia
I think the really special point of the Trust's
conferences is the combination of the quality of the speakers and
the length of the conference. When do you have time to get immersed
in a subject for more than a week? In that sense, I think everyone
has been influenced greatly by the conference they attended.
--Martin Hiller, World Wildlife Federation
"I have attended many such conferences and
efforts at international
network building, but none have succeeded as did yours."
--Michael Shafer, Political Scientist, Rutgers University,
United States
"It was an extraordinary opportunity to hear
the opinions of the learned
facilitators and guest speakers.... I thought this conference
was
excellent and I commend everyone involved... Thank you for
this
wonderful opportunity."
--Jennifer McGill, Corporate Knowledge Manager, Lafarge
Group, Paris, France
"The conference was such a positive experience
to me that I will
remember it for the rest of my life!"
--Sigrid Sterckx, Senior Research Fellow of the Fund for
Scientific Research, Flanders, Belgium
"The conference topics and particularly the
Fellows in attendance
provided a tremendous intellectual exercise."
--Rick Meade, Former Fighter Pilot and Intelligence Officer,
United States Navy
"The week that I spent in the company of
21st Century Trust Fellows will
remain an experience which I shall treasure for the rest of my life. I
found it intellectually stimulating but more importantly I found the
fellowship of thinking, sensitive people to be inspirational."
--Bruce Robertson, Business Consultant, South Africa
"One came out feeling that one was more
enlightened
about the issues at
hand, thanks to the high level of debate which characterised
the
conference. But, above all, there was also the opportunity
to meet and
exchange views with new friends all around."
--Tiyanjana Maluwa, Lawyer, University of Cape Town, South
Africa
"I found the diversity of speakers and
participants
most enlightening."
--Tim Bishop, GPT Limited, United Kingdom
"The balance --in every sense of the word
--within the 25 strong group was
remarkable.... The group interaction levels were phenomenal
--I've
rarely attended a conference where people from such diverse
backgrounds,
personal as well as professional, managed to convey their points of view
as successfully."
--Chandrika Kaul, Historian, St Andrews University
"The 21st Century Trust conferences are always
interesting and
stimulating. I think that in terms of careful organization
of the
academic contents, the genetics conference was a masterpiece,
really
superb."
--Raphael Cohen-Almagor, Philosopher, Haifa University
"I thought the conference was highly
stimulating,
exceptionally well
organized, great fun, and utterly worthwhile".
--Louise Varty, Lawyer (Barrister), United Kingdom
Patron, Trustees & Advisers | Senior Fellows & Previous Speakers