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Global Leadership Academy for Women in the Digital Era:

Advancing Future-Ready Leadership

The Global Leadership Academy for Women in the Digital Era is a flagship UNDP–UNEAD platform designed to equip women leaders with the vision, tools, and networks needed to navigate today’s turbulent global landscape. In an era shaped by digital disruption, democratic uncertainty, and conflict-driven displacement, women continue to face systemic exclusion, particularly in the digital public sphere. 

From Madrid (2023) to Doha (2024) and now Morocco (2025), the Academy has evolved into a truly global initiative, supported by Canada, Spain, and Sida. The Academy convenes women leaders from politics, institutions, and civil society, fostering ethical, inclusive, and digitally fluent leadership that can transform institutions and shape sustainable futures. More than a training, it is a growing movement to strengthen governance and amplify women’s voices in shaping just and sustainable futures. 

Key Facts About the Program

Rounded blue badge with cyan border, star icon with 3, a large 3, and Editions.
Graphic badge: 42 Participating Countries, purple with globe and people icons.
Facilitators badge featuring a clinician icon and the number 15.
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2025 Edition

Location: Marrakesh, Morocco

Hosting partner: UNDP Morocco 

The Morocco Edition of the Academy will bring together 60 women leaders from across 5 continents, reflecting a diverse cohort of policymakers, innovators, educators, and advocates. Over 4 days, participants will engage in expert sessions, immersive leadership labs, and peer-to-peer learning. They will explore transformational leadership, intergenerational collaboration, digital storytelling, and strategies for leading in volatile and complex contexts. 

At the end of the Academy, participants will leave with: 

  • A personalized leadership journey map.
  • A national rollout strategy to extend impact at the country level.
  • Concrete tools for digital fluency, ethical governance, and institutional transformation.
  • Entry into a global alumni network that connects women leaders across regions and sectors. 


This year, Morocco is hosting the Academy’s 2025 Edition from 2-5 December 2025. The Morocco Academy builds on earlier editions, Madrid (2023), where the model was launched for the Arab States, and Doha (2024), where the Academy expanded to a global cohort with cutting-edge training on AI and governance. The 2025 Morocco edition marks the next chapter: scaling ambition and reach with an embedded digital leadership focus, a larger global cohort, and strengthened strategies for systemic change. 

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At the UNDP-UN Women’s Leadership Academy, women are redefining leadership for the digital age, proving that technology may shape our tools, but leadership will shape our world


The Academy team


Institutional Focal Points 

Aleida Ferreyra (Global Lead, Democratic Institutions and Processes in the Digital Era, UNDP)

Hassan Sesay (Senior Electoral/Political Affairs Officer, UNEAD)
 

Academy Leads

Najia Hashemee (Advisor, Democratic Institutions and Processes in the Digital Era, UNDP)

Ahmed Amin (Director of the Electoral Affairs Department, League of Arab States)

Mays Alatiyat (Programme Analyst, UNDP)

Asmae El Hajji (Director, Morocco Leadership Institute)

Phumzile Van Damme (Digital Rights Expert)
 

Supporting team

Operations & Administration

Ban Kasto (Administrative Associate, UNDP)

Sana Sharbati (Programme Management Specialist, Democratic Institutions and Processes, UNDP)

Communications & Visibility

Saleh Ihdeib (Design and Communications Consultant, UNDP)

Zeinab Kobeissi (Communications and Social Media Consultant, UNDP)

Ahmed Bazzoum (Communications Analyst, UNDP)

Tariq Jaber (Social Media Administrator)

Zeineb Hakim (Communication Administrator)
 

For more information about the Academy, please contact: najia.hashemee@undp.org

Global Leadership Academy for Women in the Digital Era Brochure

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Global Leadership Academy for Women in the Digital Era Agenda

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