Institute for Global Leadership International Symposium

The 40th annual Institute for Global Leadership (IGL) International Symposium took place at Tufts from February 18 – February 21, 2026. The symposium's theme of “Risk and Resilience in an Uncertain World” included far-reaching discussions on critical issues that challenge today’s leaders, including the future of Artificial Intelligence and ethics, control and accountability; the U.S.-Russia-China relationship and changing geopolitics; food insecurity and climate resilience; the revived threat of nuclear proliferation; the ability or inability of international institutions to meet the moment; and the impact that history continues to have on the present. View the full symposium schedule, panelist information and speaker bios.

Photo by Bryson Koh

Thank you to everyone who joined IGL’s Democracy on the Brink Symposium! We are grateful for all the hard work put in by our students, as well as staff, alumni, faculty, and partners at the Oslo Freedom Forum to make the symposium possible. We were inspired and moved by the discussions around issues like modern threats to democracy, global comparisons, justice movements under authoritarian rule, criminal justice, capitalism, and more.

Photo by Nick Pfosi