Twenty cultural leaders embark on transformative journey at Tokyo summit

The inaugural cohort of the Global Fellowship gathers in Japan to exchange knowledge, strengthen leadership and explore innovative approaches to cultural policymaking in cities worldwide.

In the closing days of October, twenty cultural professionals from Dubai and cities across the World Cities Culture Forum network converged in Tokyo for a remarkable convergence of minds. The 15th World Cities Culture Summit, held from 28th to 30th October, became the launchpad for the inaugural cohort of the Global Fellowship, a pioneering initiative that stands as the first programme of its kind globally.

The gathering brought together not merely participants but practitioners of cultural policy and leadership, each carrying the hopes and complexities of their own cities. Through a series of carefully designed sessions, they engaged in what amounted to a master class in contemporary cultural governance. An “Early Reflections” session invited fellows to examine the experiences and cultural backgrounds that have shaped their approach to leadership, their responsibilities to their cities, and their aspirations for the future.

The programme’s intellectual architecture proved both ambitious and thoughtful. A session led by Obi James, Programme Director of The Leadership Catalyst, explored ways to build confidence, embrace opportunities and translate aspirations into practical steps throughout the Fellowship. Meanwhile, the “Get to Know Your Peer” sessions gave substance to professional relationships, as fellows presented their city projects, exchanged constructive feedback and refined their ideas in dialogue with one another.

Interwoven with the rigorous professional content was an exploration of Japanese cultural wisdom. Fellows walked through Meiji Jingu Forest before reflecting on “Omotenashi”, the Japanese art of hospitality centred on care for others and anticipating their needs. This session explored how empathy and initiative can build professional relationships grounded in trust and cooperation, translating cultural insight into leadership practice.

The “Leadership Surgery” brought experienced international leaders and experts into conversation with the fellows. Jen Benoit-Bryan, Director of SMU DataArts; Touria Meliani, former Deputy Mayor for Culture, Amsterdam; Branislav Henselmann, Executive Director of San Francisco Ballet; Mariama Whitmore, Heritage Tourism Cluster Lead at Freetown City Council; and Lisa Colley, Cultural Planner, collectively offered expertise in data analysis, partnerships, funding, tourism and heritage, and cultural planning and strategy.

Hala Badri, Director-General of Dubai Culture, led the emirate’s delegation to Tokyo. “The World Cities Culture Summit in Tokyo offered our Global Fellowship participants a valuable opportunity to learn from international expertise, expand their professional networks and explore new approaches to shared challenges,” Badri reflected. “The experience has helped broaden their perspectives, advance their projects and lay the foundations for lasting collaboration among cultural professionals from different cities.”

The Fellowship builds on the legacy of the 13th World Cities Culture Summit, hosted by Dubai in 2024, as we reported when Dubai’s vision took centre stage in Tokyo. As Justine Simons OBE, Founder and Chair of the World Cities Culture Forum, observed: “Twenty fellows came together at the 15th World Cities Culture Summit to learn from each other and from cultural leaders across our global network, taking fresh ideas and perspectives back to their cities.”

From November 2026 through March 2027, the fellows will continue their development through online masterclasses covering leadership, cultural policymaking, public-private partnerships, and the integration of culture into urban planning and infrastructure. Each will develop a strategic cultural project addressing their city’s needs, supported by individual mentoring and peer exchanges. The programme will conclude with a five-day residency in Dubai in spring 2027, where participants will engage with cultural institutions and explore the emirate’s approaches to cultural development and cross-sector collaboration. The Fellowship’s academic programme is delivered in collaboration with the University of Oxford’s Gardens, Libraries and Museums and the Aspen Institute, drawing on their expertise in leadership development, cultural policy and city development.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

The Global Fellowship represents a significant milestone in how the UAE positions itself as a centre of intellectual exchange and cultural development. As Dubai Culture launched this pioneering initiative in October, the emirate signalled its commitment to fostering the next generation of cultural leaders not only within the UAE but across the world. The Tokyo summit demonstrates that commitment in action, with Emirati cultural professionals contributing to and learning from a global conversation about how culture shapes cities and communities.

The residency planned for Dubai in spring 2027 will bring this international cohort into direct engagement with Emirati cultural institutions and approaches to urban development. This reciprocal learning creates opportunities for the UAE to share its own models and experiences whilst deepening relationships with cultural practitioners worldwide. The Fellowship’s emphasis on sustainable urban development, quality of life and culture’s role in shaping thriving cities aligns with the UAE’s own vision of how human connection and creative opportunity form the foundation of prosperous societies.

Source: WAM