MGG Academy 2026

At the heart of the MGG Academy are three core elements:

• learning from diverse and sometimes contrasting perspectives;
• developing the competences needed to navigate transformation
• and cooperation in complex global contexts;
• building a trustful, international network.

This network goes beyond dialogue among individuals. It links participants and their institutions across disciplines, sectors, and regions, enabling them to develop more holistic perspectives and act as bridge-builders in complex global contexts. Through trusted collaboration, individuals and institutions in the MGG network co-create knowledge, develop solutions and multiply individual and institutional impact well beyond the programme.

What do we offer?

To participants:

• A global learning journey for systems thinking: Participants engage with concrete challenges and solution pathways related to pressing global sustainability issues. By learning alongside peers from different regions and sectors, they broaden their perspectives, practice systems thinking and deepen their understanding of transformative approaches in diverse global contexts.
• A dialogue-oriented and interactive learning experience: The Academy combines a wide range of learning formats, including experiential and participatory methods, interactive trainings, expert inputs, facilitated dialogues, simulation exercises, study visits, and peer learning. This approach creates space for critical reflection, mutual learning, and the joint exploration of complex issues.
• A lifelong, transdisciplinary network: MGG Academy participants build strong, trust-based relationships with their peers and gain access to a global network that connects both individuals and their institutions. This network supports continued collaboration, knowledge exchange, and joint initiatives long after the Academy ends.

To sending institutions:

• Strengthened staff capacity with a global perspective: MGG Academy alumni return to their organisations with an international outlook, enhanced leadership and cooperation competences, and access to a global network of experts and institutions. They actively transfer knowledge, insights, and methods gained through the programme into their institutions’ work, strengthening organisational learning and the ability to address complex global governance and sustainability challenges.
• Opportunities for innovative and long-term cooperation: The programme fosters the development of joint ideas, concepts, and projects and lays the foundation for sustained partnerships across sectors and regions. MGG supports these long-term collaborations for innovation, mutual learning, and the scaling of impactful initiatives with various instruments.
• Partnership in a vibrant global institutional network: Sending institutions become part of a dynamic and enduring international network of institutions. Through this network, institutions engage in continuous exchange, build strategic partnerships, and jointly contribute to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and beyond.

Structure and set-up of the MGG Academy

The MGG Academy aims to equip future change makers with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience needed to contribute to sustainability transformations. It integrates knowledge-based learning with leadership development and practical application.

The structure of the MGG Academy is guided by three interconnected dimensions. First, participants develop a solid understanding of global challenges and learn to analyse complex interdependencies shaping today’s world (Knowledge dimension). Second, they strengthen personal and social competences, with a strong emphasis on self-leadership as a foundation for leading with others (Leadership dimension). Third, participants move from knowledge to action by developing a concrete sustainability project in a team (Action dimension). They thereby strengthen transformative competences such as strategic action, innovation, and creativity, which are essential for driving sustainable change.

Throughout the programme, the Academy serves as a laboratory for cooperation, enabling participants to practice and enhance their ability to collaborate across sectors, cultures, and perspectives.

Methods and didactic approach

The MGG Academy is grounded in constructivist learning principles and insights from neuroscience. It is based on the understanding that learning is an active process: participants develop knowledge by engaging with diverse inputs, experimenting and applying new insights, and reflecting on their experiences.

The Academy is designed around active participation and encourages openness to dialogue, critical thinking, and collaboration. Participants embark on an individual and collective learning journey that includes reflecting on experiences, personal and cultural values and worldviews, as well as on individual and collective leadership challenges.

They engage in a variety of working methods, including practical experiences and participatory approaches, role play and simulation, trainings, visits to institutions and discussions with professionals working in the field of global governance and sustainable development.

Throughout the course, participants actively shape their own learning process. They receive support for their individual development paths through professional coaching and peer learning.