- Sylvia Poll
- Maud Abaa
Introductory
Event Organizer(s)
Supported by
Description
This live, instructor-led online programme prepares women and young delegates for meaningful participation in the 2026 ITU Plenipotentiary Conference (PP-26), taking place in Doha, Qatar, from 9 to 27 November 2026. Each regional cohort follows two complementary components: a practical session and simulation, on international negotiation and leadership skills, followed by a two-hour networking and mentoring session. The same selected participants attend to both components.
Through expert facilitation, interactive exercises, group work and two PP-26 negotiation simulations, participants will develop their capacity for consensus-building, coalition-building and meeting management, as well as for effective engagement in formal and informal multilateral settings.
The follow-up networking and mentoring session will enable them to exchange with experienced PP delegates, apply their learning to realistic situations, and build peer-support connections before and during PP-26.
Target population
Women delegates and young delegates from ITU Member States preparing to participate in PP-26m in Qatar, November 2026. The programme is particularly relevant to delegates who are new to ITU conferences and participants wishing to strengthen their knowledge of ITU governance, conference procedures and negotiation processes. Participants selected for a regional cohort are expected to attend both the negotiation and leadership session and the subsequent two-hour networking and mentoring session.
Kindly note this course is restricted to users who meet the following criterial:
Entry requirements
Qualifications or experience needed to participate in these instructor-led sessions:
- No specialized prior knowledge is required but participants should be delegates from an ITU Member State and have an interest in PP-26 processes.
Selection criteria: Applicants must be women or young delegates nominated by an ITU Member State. Priority will be given to:
- Delegates intending to participate in PP-26, those who are new to ITU conferences, and those aspiring to take on active or leadership roles.
- Equality of regional representation.
- Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis. Therefore, early applicants will have higher chances of selection than later applicants.
Number of available places for each regional cohort: Maximum 30 participants.
Learning objectives
Upon completion of both programme components, participants will be able to:
- Describe core international negotiation concepts and the skillsets required for effective multilateral engagement.
- Prepare for negotiation by analyzing interests, positions, stakeholders and possible areas of agreement.
- Apply practical negotiation, leadership, coalition-building and consensus-building techniques in simulated PP-26 scenarios.
- Adapt negotiation strategies based on developments during formal and informal exchanges.
- Reflect on simulation outcomes and identify practical lessons for effective participation at PP-26.
- Draw on experience-based guidance from former or experienced PP delegates to prepare for practical situations at PP-26.
- Establish peer and mentoring connections that can provide mutual support before and during PP-26.
Methodology
The programme combines two complementary live online formats. The first component uses an instructor-led experiential learning approach: after an introduction to international negotiation concepts and skillsets, participants complete two PP-26 negotiation simulations, each involving preparation, conduct and facilitated debriefing. The second component is an informal, highly interactive networking and mentoring session for the same regional cohort. Facilitated discussions, polls, questions to experienced delegates, a realistic PP-26 scenario lab and small mentoring and peer-networking circles help participants translate their learning into practical preparation and build a support network for Doha.
Assessment and grading
Achievement of the learning objectives will be assessed through attendance, active participation, facilitator observation and performance during the two negotiation simulations. The instructor will assess participants’ preparation, application of negotiation and leadership techniques, contribution to consensus-building, ability to adapt strategies, and reflection during the facilitated debriefings.
Attendance and active participation in the subsequent two-hour networking and mentoring session are also required to complete the full programme. No final examination or separate knowledge quizzes are required.
Activities
- Attendance throughout the live instructor-led session: 20%
- Preparation and active participation in Negotiation Simulation 1: 30%
- Preparation and active participation in Negotiation Simulation 2: 30%
- Contribution to facilitated debriefings, peer exchange and final reflection: 20%
Attendance throughout both live online components is mandatory. To complete the programme successfully, participants must attend the full regional negotiation and leadership session, participate actively in both negotiation simulations and related debriefings, attend and engage in the two-hour networking and mentoring session, and achieve an overall score of at least 70% for the assessed training activities.
Certificate of completion
Upon completion, you will receive an ITU Academy certificate confirming that you have met the course requirements and achieved the learning outcomes.
Training details and instructional approach
SELF-PACED COMPONENT
Participants will have access to a self-paced course covering the working methods of the PP-26. All accepted participants are expected to complete the self-paced course as the go through the programme.
The programme comprises six regional cohorts, one for each ITU region. Each regional cohort follows two complementary components: a practical session and simulation, on international negotiation and leadership skills, followed by a two-hour networking and mentoring session. The same selected participants attend to both components.
DAY 1 – Regional training sessions on negotiation and leadership
00:00–01:00 | Welcome and logistics; Introduction to international negotiation concepts and skillsets
Learning outcome: Describe core international negotiation concepts and identify skillsets relevant to effective multilateral engagement.
Activities: Welcome, logistical briefing, instructor presentation and facilitated discussion.
01:00–03:00 | Negotiation Simulation 1 – Preparation, conduct and debriefing
Learning outcome: Prepare and apply negotiation, leadership and consensus-building techniques in a simulated PP-26 scenario.
Activities: Individual and group preparation, role-based negotiation simulation and facilitated debriefing.
03:00–04:00 | Break
04:00–05:50 | Negotiation Simulation 2 – Preparation, conduct and debriefing
Learning outcome: Adapt and strengthen negotiation strategies through a second simulated PP-26 scenario and reflect on areas for improvement.
Activities: Individual and group preparation, role-based negotiation simulation, peer exchange and facilitated debriefing.
05:50–06:00 | Final Q&A and close
Learning outcome: Consolidate key lessons and identify practical applications for participation at PP-26.
Activities: Questions and answers, key takeaways and closing remarks.
DAY 2 – Regional networking and mentoring sessions
00:00–00:20 | Welcome, regional cohort introductions and pulse check
Learning outcome: Build familiarity with the regional cohort and identify participants' readiness and support needs.
Activities: Rapid introductions, interactive polls and facilitated exchange.
00:20–00:50 | Inside PP and Ask the Delegates
Learning outcome: Identify practical considerations, informal dynamics and common challenges for effective participation at PP-26.
Activities: Moderated conversation with experienced delegates and open or anonymous Q&A.
00:50–01:05 | Break
01:05–01:30 | PP-26 Scenario Lab
Learning outcome: Apply programme learning to a realistic situation that may arise at PP-26.
Activities: Breakout-group discussion, brief report-back and mentor reality check.
01:30–01:50 | Mentoring and peer networking circles
Learning outcome: Establish connections for practical advice and mutual support before and during PP-26.
Activities: Two rotating small-group mentoring and peer-networking rounds.
01:50–02:00 | Commitment and close
Learning outcome: Identify a concrete next step for preparation and continued cohort engagement.
Activities: Individual commitment, final pulse check and closing remarks.
Regional Training Sessions – Negotiation and Leadership
- Americas — Monday, 28 September 2026, 13:00–19:00 CEST, English, live interpretation in Spanish
- Commonwealth of Independent States — Tuesday, 29 September 2026, 08:00–14:00 CEST, English, live interpretation in Russian
- Arab States — Wednesday, 30 September 2026, 08:00–14:00 CEST, English, live interpretation in Arabic
- Europe — Monday, 5 October 2026, 13:00–19:00 CEST, English, live interpretation in French
- Africa — Tuesday, 6 October 2026, 09:00–15:00 CEST, English, live interpretation in French
- Asia-Pacific — Wednesday, 7 October 2026, 07:00–13:00 CEST, English, live interpretation in Chinese
Regional Networking and Mentoring Sessions
- Americas — Monday, 12 October 2026, 14:00–16:00 CEST, English, live interpretation in Spanish
- Commonwealth of Independent States — Tuesday, 13 October 2026, 09:30–11:30 CEST, English, live interpretation in Russian
- Arab States — Wednesday, 14 October 2026, 09:30–11:30 CEST, English, live interpretation in Arabic
- Europe — Thursday, 15 October 2026, 14:00–16:00 CEST, English, live interpretation in French
- Africa — Friday, 16 October 2026, 09:30–11:30 CEST, English, live interpretation in French
- Asia-Pacific — Monday, 19 October 2026, 08:00–10:00 CEST, English, live interpretation in Chinese
Instructors
Registration information
Unless specified otherwise, all ITU Academy training courses are open to all interested professionals, irrespective of their race, ethnicity, age, gender, religion, economic status and other diverse backgrounds. We strongly encourage registrations from female participants, and participants from developing countries. This includes least developed countries, small island developing states and landlocked developing countries.
