BACKGROUND AND IMPLEMENTATION CHALLENGES: The Institute for Global Tobacco Control has conducted several leadership programs aimed at developing the skills and networks needed to support tobacco control policy change and implementation in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The audience of these programs were mostly mid-career and established professionals. With tobacco control sustainability in mind, ‘Ascend: Leadership Development for the Future of Tobacco Control’ was designed to build leadership capacity among those in LMICs early in their career (age: 18-30) and connect them with tobacco control leaders.
INTERVENTION OR RESPONSE: Ascend provided a comprehensive, structured program: online meetings to discuss technical tobacco control topics and leadership development; an immersive workshop utilizing systems thinking tools for collaborative problem-solving; mentorship from tobacco control leaders that allowed participants to enhance leadership skills while expanding their network; and internship opportunities with tobacco control organizations for selected participants.
RESULTS AND IMPACT: The 2024 Ascend Program included 65 participants from 15 LMICs, 6 mentorship sessions for each participant, and 22 internships across 18 organizations. Evaluation highlighted improvements in participants' strategic thinking, leadership confidence, and understanding of systems thinking approaches to public health. Almost all (92%) agreed that the Program “helped to improve collaboration between national and international colleagues across various entities involved in tobacco control.” This collaboration is reflected in several participants emphasizing the bonds made in their final reports. Almost all (93%) also agreed that the Program “will greatly benefit my work/studies in advancing tobacco control policies.”
CONCLUSIONS: By combining training, mentorship, and practical experience, Ascend has instilled a skillset with the intent to create a strong foundation for future leaders to sustain and propel the tobacco control movement. Future Ascend programs will continue refining these elements including smaller cohorts to foster higher engagement and a longer program to include more sessions and opportunities to network.