Empowering future systems leaders

The Villars Institute was established to accelerate the transition to net zero emissions and to improve the health of the planet. It is an ambitious goal, but it can be achieved by bringing together exceptional people from all generations to work together. Young people have the most at stake when it comes to the future of the planet. The impact of climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental degradation will be felt mostly by the Net Zero Generation, the first to be born entirely in the 21st Century and expected to live their lives with net zero carbon emissions.

The Villars Fellowship and the Villars Symposium aim to empower the Net Zero Generation to identify the key challenges ahead, to introduce innovations to deal with them and to initiate solutions that others can help to scale.

Villars Fellows

Villars Fellows are dynamic, solution-oriented, young people between 13 and 19 years old. They are the future systems leaderships of the Net Zero Generation. Fellows are nominated each year by educational, philanthropic and leadership organisations from around the world. The Villars Fellowship provides skills development in the areas of systems thinking, advocacy, facilitation, and entrepreneurship, along with domain knowledge around the topics of net zero economy, nature-based solutions, and emerging technologies.

In addition to the Villars Symposium, Villars Fellows can participate in classes, courses, and conferences online and on campus throughout the year. The Villars Fellowship provides opportunities for continuing education, collaborative learning, and knowledge sharing with our partners.

Making global change happen from the Swiss Alps

The Villars Symposium is where Villars Fellows begin their life-long journey as systems leaders with the support of the Institute’s partners and global experts. The annual event takes place in the scenic alpine village of Villars-sur-Ollon near Lake Geneva . Over 100 Villars Fellows are joined by over 50 experts and educators from around the world. The program includes sessions and workshops on the topics of systems leadership, social entrepreneurship, net zero economy, nature-based solutions, and emerging technologies.

The Villars Institute Foundation covers the costs of participating in the Villars Symposium and provides meals and accommodation for all participants.