Created in 1984, the Young Leaders Program is the Council’s oldest program. Its main activity consists in conferences that bring together young people under 40 years of age (typically in their 30s) from all sectors – academia, business, government, media, nonprofit/nongovernmental – who have demonstrated a record of accomplishment, leadership qualities and potential for growth in their respective fields of activity to discuss a subject of common interest. The purpose of the Young Leaders Conferences is to allow participants to gain new perspectives on issues of global relevance by exchanging and comparing knowledge and experience, as well as to create a network among emerging European and American leaders.

Alumni of the conferences, who now number over 800, include prominent leaders in the United States, Italy, and other countries, including past or present holders of positions of Prime Minister of Italy, President of Mexico, Members of the US Senate, the House of Representatives and the Italian Chamber of Deputies, American Ambassador to NATO, Italian Representative to the EU, Member of the Executive Board of the European Central Bank, Chairman of Assicurazioni Generali, Chairman of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, CEO of Ferrari, Chairman of Tim, President of Eni and President of Bard College.