Created in 1981, the Young Leaders program is the flagship program of the French-American Foundation and continues to be central to the Foundation’s success in deepening understanding between France and the United States. Its goal is to bring together young professionals, aged 30 to 40, whose achievements and leadership will enable them to play an important role in their country and in French-American relations.

Every year, twenty up-and-coming French and American figures in government, business, media, military, culture and the non-profit sector, are chosen to become part of the Young Leaders’ community. The selected candidates participate in two five- day seminars over two consecutive years, one in France and the other in the United States, with the purpose of exchanging views on the major issues common to both countries and create long-lasting ties of friendship.