In a world more globally connected than ever before, leaders need to be well-prepared with the right knowledge, attitudes, skills, and behaviors to be successful. Asia Society Texas' Young Leaders Institute (YLI) is a week-long summer program for high school students that promotes global competence, elevates leadership skills, and connects students from across diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Since launching in 2016, the Young Leaders Institute has provided new perspectives and strengthened skills for nearly 400 students. The Institute's seventh year returns to fully in-person sessions, while students are invited to explore some of the most timely, relevant global issues for young leaders today.

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What skills will students learn from the Young Leaders Institute?

During the Institute, students will engage in the four tenets of global competence, as defined by the Asia Society Center for Global Education: investigating the world, recognizing perspectives, communicating ideas, and taking action.

Throughout the week, students will deepen their knowledge of the global policy issues of the day, then work in teams to research and develop solutions for challenges facing the world. In their groups, students will practice their communication and collaboration skills, strengthen their written and oral presentation skills, and engage respectfully and thoughtfully with peers to expand their views and understanding of the world.

In addition, students will have the opportunity to learn new approaches to leadership and practice the different skills demanded of leaders — not only taking initiative, but collaborating, practicing empathy, and overcoming differences.

What activities should students expect during the Institute?

During the Institute, students will hear lectures from experts in the field, engage in team-building or leadership activities, and work in groups to research, debate, and present policy solutions for challenges facing the world. While students will be provided time to work during the session, some work outside of Institute hours will be expected.

On the Institute's final day, student groups will present their policy recommendations developed from all they have learned throughout the week before a panel of impartial judges. A top group will be selected and honored for their policy presentation. Students will be mentored throughout the week by Asia Society Texas staff, receiving feedback and guidance on topics, teamwork, and presentation skills.

Session 3: Global Education

Schedule: Monday, July 25 – Friday, July 29, 2022・8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Daily
Location: Asia Society Texas Center: 1370 Southmore Blvd, Houston, TX 77004

Students accepted for this session will receive an email and informational packet approximately one week before the start date.

What topics might be discussed during the Global Education session?

• Education rates across the globe, particularly in Asia
• What it means to have access to quality education
• The roles played by local, national, and international organizations
• Cultural attitudes toward education
• How access to education is linked to upward socioeconomic mobility
• Girls' education and access to education around the world
• How education can utilize high-tech, low-tech, and remote teaching approaches
• The disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic on education around the world

About the Speakers

Beverly Barrett is an educator, researcher and global policy specialist. With a focus on global business and economic policy, she specializes in regional integration, international trade, institutional governance, and education. She is faculty in the graduate and undergraduate programs at the Cameron School of Business, an AACSB-accredited program, at the University of St. Thomas in Houston. Dr. Barrett earned her doctorate in International Studies at the University of Miami in Florida while serving in a fellowship with the European Union Center of Excellence. Proficient in Spanish, Italian, and French, she studied at the Universidad Complutense in Madrid, Spain while at Vanderbilt University (B.S. cum laude). In the M.A. program at Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) in Bologna, Italy and Washington, D.C., she specialized in International Economics and Foreign Policy. Dr. Barrett’s background includes service in public affairs with the U.S. House of Representatives, the White House Office of Cabinet Affairs, the U.S. Department of State in Helsinki, Finland, and the Federal Reserve Bank. She has served as Visiting Faculty in International Business at Universidad de las Americas Puebla (UDLAP), a U.S.-accredited university in Mexico.

Helen V. Chou is the Director of People and Strategy at Athena Infonomics, a global consultancy leading data-driven innovation in international development. Before joining Athena, she was the Senior Manager of International Services at the Houston Public Library, which serves Houston’s immigrants, refugees, and international communities across the Library’s 43 locations across the city. Prior to the Library, she lived in Singapore for 7 years, serving five years with the Singapore government as part of the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB). She co-led the International Organisations Programme Office, supporting international non-profit organizations to expand operations across Asia, overseeing the international education, health, environment, humanitarian response, impact investment, social finance, and philanthropy portfolios. In Houston, Ms. Chou has served on the Houston 2036 Task Force on Equity, the Mayor's Advisory Council for New Americans and Immigrant Communities, and the Advisory Council of Refugee Services of Texas. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Economics and East Asian Studies from Harvard University, and a dual-Masters of International Affairs and Public Policy from Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs, and the National University of Singapore Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.

Ambassador (ret’d) Michael Pelletier was appointed as the founding Executive Director of the Aspire Initiative Endowed Institute for Global Engagement at the University of Houston in August 2021. Previously, he served as the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Madagascar and the Union of the Comoros from January 2019 through June 2021. Ambassador Pelletier retired as a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, class of Minister-Counselor, having served as an American diplomat from 1987-2021. Ambassador Pelletier oversaw professional tradecraft, orientation, and area studies training as Dean of the School of Professional and Area Studies at the Foreign Service Institute, United States Department of State. He also served at eight U.S. Missions overseas and in senior leadership positions at the U.S. Department of State, including as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. embassy in New Delhi, India, and Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of African Affairs Ambassador Pelletier earned a B.S.F.S. from Georgetown University, a Certificat d’Etudes Politques from Institut d’Etudes Politques, Paris, France, and an M.I.A. from Columbia University. He received thirteen senior State Department awards, including a Presidential Meritorious Service Award and the Linguist of the Year. Ambassador Pelletier is fluent in English, French, and Arabic.

Testimonials

“Yes, [I would recommend YLI]! This was very informative and I’m sure that my friends would enjoy it! I also loved being treated like a policy maker, as I am very interested in these issues. The feedback was good and I will definitely be using the info and strategies that I learned from this session in my every day.” — 2021 U.S.–China Relations student

“The most important thing I learned this week was learning to not only listen to others, but also to learn how to combine key skills like research, teamwork, policy, and presentation (as demonstrated by many of the speakers who spoke to us this week). I also learned the importance of being thoughtful towards others.” — 2021 Public Health student

“I would recommend the Young Leaders Institute to my peers because this week long camp gave such a great insight into worldwide issues as well as key leadership qualities that can be developed by collaborating with your group members!” — 2021 Public Health student

“A good leader is open minded, considerate, and enthusiastic. After attending YLI, I will become more positive. A positive attitude is contagious and will encourage other people to be more open to each other’s ideas.” — 2021 Social Justice and Civic Engagement student

Additional Sessions

Session 1: Energy and Sustainability
Monday, June 20 – Friday, June 24, 2022・8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Daily
Explore the complex and interconnected issues of energy and sustainability, including the roles played by transitioning industries, new technology, and world governments, amid worsening climate disasters across the globe and a heightened push for environmental justice and equity.

Session 2: International Security and Defense
Monday, July 11 – Friday, July 15, 2022・8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Daily
Examine the challenging dynamics of international military strategy and national defense in the Asia Pacific region, including navigating the sovereignty issues of the South China Sea, U.S. relationships with East and Southeast Asian allies, and the nuclear threat of North Korea.

The Young Leaders Institute is presented by BP America. Education and Outreach programs at Asia Society Texas are presented by Wells Fargo. Generous funding also provided by​ Cathay Bank Foundation and the George and Mary Josephine Hamman Foundation. Additional support is provided by Friends of Asia Society Texas Center, a dedicated group of individuals and organizations committed to bringing the best in exhibitions and public programming to Houston.

Presenting Sponsor

About Asia Society Texas

Asia Society Texas believes in the strength and beauty of diverse perspectives and people. As an educational institution, we advance cultural exchange by celebrating the vibrant diversity of Asia, inspiring empathy, and fostering a better understanding of our interconnected world. Spanning the fields of arts, business, culture, education, and policy, our programming is rooted in the educational and cultural development of our community — trusting in the power of art, dialogue, and ideas to combat bias and build a more inclusive society.