Global Circles is a short cross-cultural exchange opportunity, where participants from around the world gather in small, facilitated online groups to discuss current events and global issues that matter to them.
Here’s how we facilitate dynamic dialogue exchanges for young people on compelling social impact issues that matter across cultures and continents.
By participating in Global Circles, you will:
Meet with people from around the world and make new friends
Discuss current issues that matter to you in small, diverse groups
Develop your skills in communication, leadership and critical thinking
Earn a certificate of participation recognizing your contributions to key global issues
Become a member of an active, global alumni network
Gain exclusive access to skill building workshops, town halls, paid internships and other career/learning opportunities
Access the Stevens Initiative network for future growth and learning (for eligible participants)
Gain access to the U.S. State Department’s International Exchange Alumni network (for eligible participants)
Be considered for competitive, merit-based scholarships to Soliya’s Dialogue Facilitation Course.
Upcoming Rounds
Participants must be 18 or older. Limited scholarships are available and are awarded based on need and on a first come, first served basis. Participants can apply to join as many rounds as desired.
February 2025
Dates: Feb. 17 – Feb. 28
Live Sessions: Feb. 21st and 28th at 2pm or 5pm GMT/ 9am or 12pm ET
Topic: Polarization and Social Media: Can we free ourselves from algorithms?
How do social media algorithms influence political beliefs and public discourse? How may these algorithms fuel polarization and misinformation? What are the implications of algorithm-driven information on democracy? How can we become more conscious of our media consumption? What solutions could help mitigate the negative effects of these algorithms? How can we get out of polarization and how can we burst our algorithmic bubbles?
App. Deadline: Feb. 2nd, 2025
March 2025
Dates: March 10 – March 21
Live Sessions: March 14th and 21st at 2pm or 5pm GMT/ 10am or 1pm ET
Topic: Access to vital natural resources: What model for tomorrow?
Access to primary resources such as water, food and energy is increasingly difficult everywhere in the world. With climate change, natural disasters and growing inequalities, access is a global challenge. But is it a question of scarcity, distribution or usage? What should responsible resource management look like in the next decades? What economy should we build for a better distribution of scarce resources?
App. Deadline: Feb. 23rd, 2025
April 2025
Dates: April 7 – April 18
Live Sessions: April 11th and 18th at 2pm or 5pm GMT/ 10am or 1pm ET
Topic: The Robot and I: What future relationships between humans and advanced technologies?
Artificial intelligence and machine learning, embedded in the technologies that we consume daily, are likely to take more space in our lives through multiple applications. Are we becoming more like robots as we try to make robots more like humans? What are the limits of artificial intelligence and to what extent can we trust it? Can we develop bias free and empathetic technologies that can improve our lives better than humans can?
App. Deadline: March 23rd, 2025
June 2025
Dates: June 16 – June 27
Live Sessions: June 20th and 27th at 2pm or 5pm GMT/ 10am or 1pm ET
Topic 1: Beauty standards and cultural diversity: How can we fight homogenization?
What are beauty standards in your country? Should some standards define beauty? How are beauty perceptions influenced by race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, age or other cultural norms? Do beauty standards objectify women? Is men’s beauty perceived in the same way as women? In what ways do social media, traditional media, and globalization impact our perception of beauty? What steps can we take to actively address and combat body shaming?
Topic 2: Intergenerational Relations: How do we bridge the gap?
How different are young people today from their parents and grandparents? How different is the world today than it was one or two generations ago? How are education, work or relationships different? How do we coexist as generations? Where do misunderstandings come from? What are the cultural perceptions of aging in your country? Do modernization, the internet, and social media impact our perceptions of aging?
App. Deadline: June 1st, 2025
Program round
Each round lasts for 2 weeks and includes 2 online live group meetings in addition to independent assignments.
Live sessions
Live sessions are 2.5 hours in length and are led by trained facilitators.
Learning
Participants learn from and with each other through discussion-based activities.
Time commitment
The weekly time commitment is 5 hours. The time commitment for the full program is 10 hours.
No prior experience with virtual exchange is required.
"Faith in this work is purposeful. It pushes me to do as much of it as possible in order to reach the threshold where it will be stronger than violence."
Rafael Tyszblat, Innovation and Design Specialist | Soliya
Dialogue Digests
FAQs
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Global Circles are opportunities to meet and engage online with other participants from various countries and cultures on topics that matter locally and globally. The learning comes from the participants themselves through constructive dialogue supported by trained facilitators. Through your participation, you will not only increase your knowledge on the topics but also start building meaningful international relationships.
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Each round starts on a Monday and usually takes place in the months of February, March, April, June, September, October and November. Start dates are communicated in advance. During the rounds, the asynchronous part of the program takes place via posts on our learning platform. The live sessions take place on zoom rooms that are accessible through the same platform. Live sessions usually happen every Friday between 2.00 and 4.30 PM or 5.00 and 7.30 PM GMT / UTC.
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The activity is designed to provide a rich online experience with minimal technical requirements. Our team provides technical support and trouble-shooting throughout the round. Computers should have the following specifications:
The latest version of a modern browser (Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge (Chromium) or Mozilla Firefox).
A webcam, headset/headphones, and a microphone.
Minimum bandwidth of 100 Kbits/sec download and 50 Kbits/sec upload is required. We strongly recommend using a stable and robust connection for an optimal experience.
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To receive a certificate, participants will be expected to engage with the posts by inserting comments on the group stream and, most importantly, attend the two live sessions.
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Your certificate will be shared via email two weeks after the end of the experience.
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You may participate in as many rounds as you wish. In fact, we encourage it for improved experience!
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Each round is independent and will offer you the opportunity to participate in an online facilitated dialogue with different group members.
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Once you apply, you will receive an invitation to register before each round. If you’re interested in a certain round and topic, please make sure to apply by the deadline mentioned under the round’s topic and details.
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Climate change and inequalities
Freedom of Speech: Meanings and Limits
World citizenship and social media: how to express our solidarity today without adding fuel to conflicts?
Artificial intelligence and human ethics
Global solidarity: meaning and scope
Online, interactive media: How does it affect our mental health?
Exploring Artificial Intelligence: What it is, who it affects, and what do we change?
How does your identity and background define your place and opportunities in society?
What can be done about various types of discrimination?
What is the role of youth in taking action against climate change?
How to balance local culture and globalization?
Digitalization, consumption modes... How should we adapt after the pandemic?
3 years after #metoo, where are we in terms of gender relations?
How do you differentiate between truth and fake news?
How would a world without borders look like?
How to overcome the pandemic's repercussions on psychological health?
Vaccination safety, access, and ethics
Freedom of speech: Perceptions and limits
Do we trust science?
The future of social relationships in a hybrid world.
Social media: A blessing or a curse?
Social Media: A Weapon of War or Network for Peace?
Social justice vs climate action.
What does the war in Ukraine mean for the world?
Artificial Intelligence, global skills and the Future of Work
Rethinking humanitarian action in a world of crises
Social change through citizen initiatives
Taking new action to tackle global hunger
Metaverse and virtual life - what are the implications on society, education, and the future of work?
Inflation and consumption: What economy do we want for tomorrow?
Reimagining Global Health
Digital Transformation and Society: How do emerging technologies impact us globally?
The meaning of Political Participation today
Life Goals: What is a meaningful life?
Global Circles is implemented by Soliya and is supported by the J. Christopher Stevens Virtual Exchange Initiative (JCSVEI). JCSVEI is a U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs program administered by the Aspen Institute.