ICN launches new Global Nursing Leadership Institute cohort, empowering nurses to address health challenges worldwide

Amidst increasing uncertainty worldwide, the International Council of Nurses (ICN) has launched the next edition of its Global Nursing Leadership Institute (GNLI). The GNLI 2025 programme brings together a cohort of 31 exceptional and diverse nurse leaders from 27 different countries, all united by one purpose: advancing nurse leadership to address the world’s biggest health challenges and strengthen the nursing profession.

In our changing and complex world, where health care is shaped by conflicts and climate disasters, rapid technological shifts, and the challenges of rising non-communicable diseases and aging populations, strong nurse leadership is critical. Completing the GNLI programme will equip these 31 leaders with the knowledge, skills, and power to influence policies and decision-making at the highest levels of global health.

Since its launch in 2009, GNLI, which is led by programme directors, Dr. Diana J. Mason and Dr. Patsy Yates, has shown significant impact, with graduates leading major health initiatives across the globe.

ICN's new President, Dr José Luis Cobos Serrano, emphasized the programme’s crucial role in developing the health leaders of tomorrow.

“Supporting nursing leadership has always been a fundamental pillar of ICN’s work, and GNLI is an important part of that.

‘GNLI supports nurse leaders to become experts in both local realities and global dynamics, developing visionary advocates who can navigate complex health challenges and drive meaningful change in their communities and in the wider world.

‘The impact of the programme was clear at ICN’s recent Congress, where many GNLI alumni gathered and showcased innovative solutions to pressing health challenges, including important recent projects addressing vital topics such as workforce migration.

‘At Congress, we also launched ICN's new Leadership Development Centre, which brings together our world-class leadership programmes and will help to enable and empower more nurses to shape health policy and influence health systems at every level.”
 

At the GNLI 2025 launch last week, ICN’s CEO Howard Catton reminded the GNLI scholars that with 30 million nurses worldwide, the profession now has the numbers, the momentum, and the unique opportunity to lead the transformation of health systems.

Mr Catton remarked:

“We have the latest World Health Organization State of the World’s Nursing (SOWN) report, we have ICN's new reports and policy charters, and we have the WHO Global Strategic Directions for Nursing and Midwifery (SDNM) which were just renewed with unanimous support. To deliver on that strong roadmap, we now need strong nursing leaders — which is why GNLI and all of you are so important.

‘You already come to this course as experienced nurse leaders working at national and local levels, and GNLI will give you the tools to amplify your impact, to lead at an international and global level, and to advance the solutions to our world’s most pressing health issues.

‘At ICN’s Congress just a few weeks ago, the Right Honourable Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand, and one of the most authoritative voices in global health, told nurse leaders that we need to be bold, we need to be loud, and we need to be heard. As she reminded us, nurses have the moral authority to demand and deliver real change.”

Each GNLI cohort develops important research and solutions on critical regional issues that align with global health priorities. Last year’s 2024 GNLI cohort will present their final projects to ICN and World Health Organization (WHO) representatives next month, on the following topics divided by region:

• AFRO: Retention Strategies in Addressing the Migration of African Nurses and Midwives
• EURO: Fostering gender equity in health in WHO Euro Region: Enhancing menopause services in primary healthcare
• SEARO: Assessment of core competencies of the Nurse Educators in India and Nepal
• PAHO: Understanding the Roles, Responsibilities, and Scope of Current Government Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officers (GCNMOs) in the PAHO Region
• EMRO: Global support to educate nursing students from countries in crisis in preparation for the recovery phase
• WPRO: A Comparative Study of the Impact and Discrepancies of registered nurses' Scope of Practice across the Western pacific Region: An Explorative Study