About the Fellowship Program:
The Council of Women World Leaders (CWWL) is pleased to re-launch its highly acclaimed Student Fellowship Program in collaboration with Columbia University. The program offers graduate students the unique opportunity to work directly with women leaders of stature and influence, and to learn first-hand, the substance of gender issues addressed in the work. To this date, the Council has administered this successful and unique program for more than ten years, placing over 180 graduate students in the offices of Council members, ministers, and international organizations around the world. The Fellowship program is under the leadership of Patricia Deyton, Senior Advisor for CWWL.
During the 2021-2022 period, three graduate students were placed in Fellowships over the summer months. Fellowships were hosted by the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership in London, which is chaired by H.E. Julia Gillard, at the Club of Madrid in Spain, and at The Yellow House in Copenhagen, a women-led global public health consulting group working closely with GAVI, UNICEF, and the WHO.
The Council welcomes inquiries from other universities about participation in the Fellowship Program. For any universities interested, please contact council@unfoundation.org to inquire about the requirements for participation.
During the 2021-2022 period, three graduate students were placed in Fellowships over the summer months. Fellowships were hosted by the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership in London, which is chaired by H.E. Julia Gillard, at the Club of Madrid in Spain, and at The Yellow House in Copenhagen, a women-led global public health consulting group working closely with GAVI, UNICEF, and the WHO.
The Council welcomes inquiries from other universities about participation in the Fellowship Program. For any universities interested, please contact council@unfoundation.org to inquire about the requirements for participation.
View our Previous Placement Sites:
Hear from Past Fellows:
"The breadth and depth of experience I gained [at The Yellow House] during five months is astonishing. I learned about the many layers of issues and potential for growth within institutions, while simultaneously launching a podcast for the first time. Through editing TYH website and various policy briefs, I discovered the nuance of writing professionally and friendly, while maintaining globally relevant language. I had the opportunity to review applications for $34 million USD worth of grants that will transform children's development around the world. I sat in on meetings and collaborated with leaders and global experts from the WHO, Gavi, PAHO, UNICEF, BCG, and the Colombian Ministry of Health. Plus, I now can list a WHO report as a publication on my CV! How many first year MPH students get to do that?"
- Abigail Jameson (Fellow at The Yellow House, 2022)
“This experience enabled me to gain knowledge and skills which I would be able to use in my future career. I was able to learn more about the sectors of employment, politics and activism, the gendered aspects of them as well as the policies associated with them and their impact. In addition, I gained an understanding on how the various fields are interdependent. For instance, when looking into the ERC funded projects for the QUALREP proposal, I read about a study which examined the effect of inequality on public policy preferences and government responsiveness, specifically by examining the categories of citizens who are overrepresented in lower income groups such as women. This led me to thinking about the research I have done for the gender equality in the workplace project and how there is a vicious cycle that affects gender equality -- unfavorable employment-related policies for women, greater income inequality between men and women, lower political representation of women, thus leading to fewer employment-related policies which are favorable for women.”
- Kanika Gandhi (Fellow at Global Institute for Women’s Leadership, 2022)
“I am exceedingly grateful to have had the opportunity to work with the Club de Madrid this summer. After completion of my field placement at a Jersey City public school, I yearned to be involved in social work that more directly related to my passions: namely, immigrant justice and gender equality. Involving myself in international politics and fighting against prejudice have been goals of mine since I was in middle school, and while my postgraduate program had provided a sample of possible routes for social work, I knew that I could be doing more. Therefore, this Fellowship was an excellent conclusion to my first year of education at Columbia University’s School of Social Work.”
- Natalie Nowak (Fellow at Club de Madrid, 2022)
"The opportunity to shadow the President of Malta in the summer of 2018 was an unparalleled, life-changing experience. My time working with the Office of the President developed my global awareness, cross-cultural competency, and outlook on potential career paths. President Coleiro Preca focused her term on children’s issue, promoting wellbeing in society, welcoming people from all walks of life who seek to make a home out of Malta, and much more. It was amazing to see how committed her team was to furthering those causes and ensuring that every day, every event, and every duty went smoothly and flawlessly. The team’s pride in their work came as a result of the President’s impressive leadership skills and appreciation for all those who share her vision."
- Natasha Cox (Fellow under the leadership of Council member Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, President of Malta 2018)
"It was a wonderful experience to have the opportunity to work with Laura Deal, Head of the Women Leaders Programme, as well as to meet Saadia Zahidi, co-author of the Global Gender Gap Report. During my fellowship, I researched on women in global leadership positions and learned about topics impacting women's professional advancement, like the “glass ceiling”. My time at the World Economic Forum helped me fully appreciate the importance of continuously investing in girls’ education in order to improve societies and the health and wellbeing of future generations."
- Alejandra Viloria (Fellow at the World Economic Forum)
- Abigail Jameson (Fellow at The Yellow House, 2022)
“This experience enabled me to gain knowledge and skills which I would be able to use in my future career. I was able to learn more about the sectors of employment, politics and activism, the gendered aspects of them as well as the policies associated with them and their impact. In addition, I gained an understanding on how the various fields are interdependent. For instance, when looking into the ERC funded projects for the QUALREP proposal, I read about a study which examined the effect of inequality on public policy preferences and government responsiveness, specifically by examining the categories of citizens who are overrepresented in lower income groups such as women. This led me to thinking about the research I have done for the gender equality in the workplace project and how there is a vicious cycle that affects gender equality -- unfavorable employment-related policies for women, greater income inequality between men and women, lower political representation of women, thus leading to fewer employment-related policies which are favorable for women.”
- Kanika Gandhi (Fellow at Global Institute for Women’s Leadership, 2022)
“I am exceedingly grateful to have had the opportunity to work with the Club de Madrid this summer. After completion of my field placement at a Jersey City public school, I yearned to be involved in social work that more directly related to my passions: namely, immigrant justice and gender equality. Involving myself in international politics and fighting against prejudice have been goals of mine since I was in middle school, and while my postgraduate program had provided a sample of possible routes for social work, I knew that I could be doing more. Therefore, this Fellowship was an excellent conclusion to my first year of education at Columbia University’s School of Social Work.”
- Natalie Nowak (Fellow at Club de Madrid, 2022)
"The opportunity to shadow the President of Malta in the summer of 2018 was an unparalleled, life-changing experience. My time working with the Office of the President developed my global awareness, cross-cultural competency, and outlook on potential career paths. President Coleiro Preca focused her term on children’s issue, promoting wellbeing in society, welcoming people from all walks of life who seek to make a home out of Malta, and much more. It was amazing to see how committed her team was to furthering those causes and ensuring that every day, every event, and every duty went smoothly and flawlessly. The team’s pride in their work came as a result of the President’s impressive leadership skills and appreciation for all those who share her vision."
- Natasha Cox (Fellow under the leadership of Council member Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, President of Malta 2018)
"It was a wonderful experience to have the opportunity to work with Laura Deal, Head of the Women Leaders Programme, as well as to meet Saadia Zahidi, co-author of the Global Gender Gap Report. During my fellowship, I researched on women in global leadership positions and learned about topics impacting women's professional advancement, like the “glass ceiling”. My time at the World Economic Forum helped me fully appreciate the importance of continuously investing in girls’ education in order to improve societies and the health and wellbeing of future generations."
- Alejandra Viloria (Fellow at the World Economic Forum)