AKFC Teachers’ Leadership Institute 2026 ( Fully Funded)

AKFC Teachers’ Leadership Institute 2026 | Professional Development for Canadian Educators

The Teachers’ Leadership Institute (TLI), organized by Aga Khan Foundation Canada, is a fully funded 5-day in-person convening designed to strengthen the professional capacity of educators across Canada. The program aims to support teachers in integrating themes of global citizenship, sustainability, and international development into their teaching practice.

This initiative brings together educators from diverse subject areas to explore inclusive and globally minded pedagogies, share best practices, and build a network of teachers committed to global education.

 Program Details (2026 Edition)

• Dates: July 27–31, 2026 (with arrival on July 26 and departure on August 1)
• Location: York University, Toronto, Canada
• Cost: Fully funded — selected participants have travel, accommodation, and meals covered.
• Format: In-person convening with workshops, collaborative sessions, resource sharing, and follow-up engagement during the 2026–2027 school year.

 Who Can Apply / Eligibility

To participate in the TLI, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be a certified educator currently teaching at the grades 6–12 level in Canada (all subject areas eligible).
• Be based in Canada and available to attend the full 5-day program in Toronto.
• Demonstrate a strong interest in integrating global citizenship, sustainability, and global development themes into classroom practice.
• Be willing to take on a leadership role in promoting global education within their school or district, and to share learnings with peers.
• Be comfortable collaborating with educators from diverse contexts, and proficient in English (program is conducted in English).
• Commit to ongoing engagement with AKFC’s educator programming during the 2026–2027 school year, including implementing co-created lesson plans and providing feedback on their effectiveness.

 What Participants Gain: Benefits & Outcomes

Participants in TLI receive:

• Professional development in global citizenship education, sustainability, and international development — enriching teaching strategies and content.
• Exposure to new pedagogical approaches and resources for integrating global-development themes into curricula.
• Networking opportunities with other Canadian educators, enabling collaboration, exchange of ideas, and community building.
• Access to ongoing support and resources through AKFC during the following academic year, helping embed global education into classrooms sustainably.
• Zero financial burden for participants, since travel, accommodation, meals and program costs are covered — making the opportunity accessible.

 Why It Matters: Context & Importance

In an increasingly interconnected world, educators play a vital role in shaping how young people understand global challenges — climate change, inequality, cultural diversity, sustainability, human rights, and more. Programs like the Teachers’ Leadership Institute empower teachers to bring these critical themes into their classrooms.

 Application Tips

If you intend to apply, here are some ideas to strengthen your application:

• Demonstrate genuine motivation: explain why global citizenship, sustainability and global development are important to you and your students.
• Show leadership potential: highlight any prior experience mentoring others, leading projects, or integrating global themes in your teaching.
• Be ready to commit: you’ll need to attend the full in-person programme and follow through with implementation throughout the 2026-2027 school year.
• Emphasize collaboration and openness: the programme values educators from varied subject areas and backgrounds — and teamwork matters.
• Be prepared for reflective practice: your willingness to experiment with lesson plans, reflect on outcomes, and share feedback will matter.