The Open Hands Initiative's "Coffee & Conversation" program is a FREE online program meant to bring together emerging young leaders from around the world for dialogue and exchange.
"Coffee & Conversation" was created to provide a platform to engage across difference and serves as a unique opportunity to connect, learn, and share with global counterparts who come from different backgrounds and lived experiences.
This dialogue based program provides an opportunity for fellows to:
"Coffee & Conversation" programs are collaborative and interactive, relying on participants to actively engage in the virtual sessions with the guidance of experienced facilitators.
From one-time workshops to multi-week experiences, find the program that matches your schedule and goals. Scroll down to learn more about each program type.
AI Ethics is a specialized, six-week exchange focused on the intersection of ethics and artificial intelligence (AI).
Across the globe, AI dominates headlines as it becomes further engrained into our everyday lives. It brings with it incredible opportunities, but also serious ethical concerns and security risks. The “AI Ethics Virtual Exchange" aims to give emerging young leaders the chance to engage with their counterparts from around the world on this critical issue and provide them with the knowledge and insight to successfully navigate today’s AI-centric world and the challenges it brings.
The goal of this program is to stimulate reflection and discussion about ethical and responsible AI. The course is delivered through: 1) facilitated dialogue, 2) in-depth discussions with leaders and experts in the field of AI, and 3) weekly preparatory reading and worksheets.
Fellows can expect to learn about:
At the start of the program, fellows will engage in our interactive dialogue training designed to improve communication across lines of difference. The training emphasizes empathy and collaboration, essential leadership capacities for today’s world.
PROGRAM DATES:
Every Thursday, May 21 to June 25, 2026
Apply by May 15, 2026
For more information about this program and to apply, please complete this Interest Form.
As part of the "Coffee & Conversation" program, the Open Hands Initiative offers a FREE 1.5 hour "Dialogue Training" that provides critical skills for constructive communication across difference. This introductory course is optional and can be taken as a stand alone or in conjunction with the Coffee Chats.
Why participate in this Dialogue Training? It's a live and interactive workshop that covers communication skills essential for having good conversations. The training emphasizes empathy and collaboration, essential leadership capacities for today's world and lays the foundation for engagement across difference.
Participants to learn about and practice the following skills:
The Dialogue Training is offered throughout the year. To receive more information about the Dialogue Training and to sign up, please complete this Interest Form.
Upcoming Dialogue Trainings:
Thursday, August 6, 2026
Thursday, November 5, 2026
Coffee Chats are one hour sessions that occur monthly and are dialogue based. No preparation is needed to attend, but you should be ready to engage in dialogue and conversation with your global counterparts.
Topics addressed in the Coffee Chats include climate change, civic leadership, and much more. Scroll down to see our upcoming calendar of events and conversation topics.
To receive more information about our Coffee Chats and to apply, please complete this Interest Form.
Applicants must:
HOW DO I SIGN UP?
Ready to join? Complete the interest form below, and we'll email you the next steps, including an application for your chosen program.
Please see a selection of our Coffee Chats below. This list will be periodically updated as new sessions become available.
Thursday, July 23
COFFEE CHAT: PERFECTION & IDENTITY
"Looks-maxxing," the TikTok trend aimed at maximizing one's physical appearance, has become an obsession, putting the value of physical perfection above all else. What does this do to us as people and as a society? Are extreme interventions going too far? Let's talk about how identity and the pursuit of perfection collide.
Thursday, August 6
DIALOGUE TRAINING
This is our 90-minute interactive workshop on effective dialogue. You will have a chance to practice active listening, persuasive communication, and learn and apply effective techniques for managing difficult conversations.
Thursday, September 24
COFFEE CHAT: NOT IN MY BACKYARD!
NIMBY or YIMBY? Data centers, homeless shelters, affordable housing, correctional facilities, landfills, nuclear plantsthe list goes on. Development is inevitable, right? Is it all bad? And at whose expense should development come? Let's talk about the policies that literally come right to your doorstep.
Thursday, October 22
COFFEE CHAT: YOUNG, BROKE & JOBLESS
You've worked hard and graduated college. Now what? Bills are piling up, jobs are scarce, and buying a home seems nearly impossible. Is upward mobility just a pipe dream? And whose dream is it anyway? Let's discuss affordability, the new "American Dream," how we got here, and what can be done to solve the crisis.
Thursday, November 5
DIALOGUE TRAINING
This is our 90-minute interactive workshop on effective dialogue. You will have a chance to practice active listening, persuasive communication, and learn and apply effective techniques for managing difficult conversations.
We actively seek partners - individuals and organizations - from around the world in order to advance our common goals. Send us an email at info (at) openhandsinitiative (dot) org to find out more about getting involved. Please note that we do not accept unsolicited funding requests or grant proposals.
