Connecting the next generation of Commonwealth leaders

Study tomorrow's problems with tomorrow's leaders and shape the future together

Register your interest
HRH Princess Royal meeting delegates at a conference

The 2027 UK Commonwealth Study Conference will bring together 100 outstanding emerging leaders from business, government, culture, commerce, NGOs and civil society from across the Commonwealth to examine the major social, economic and political challenges shaping our world.

Words from our patron

"For nearly seventy years, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Commonwealth Study Conferences have brought together emerging leaders from across the Commonwealth to learn from one another through shared experience, open discussion and practical insight.

Founded by my father, His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, the Conference continues to demonstrate the value of bringing together people from different backgrounds, professions, and nations to address challenges that no single sector can solve alone."

HRH The Princess Royal

President of The Duke of Edinburgh's Commonwealth Study Conference

About us

A unique heritage with innovation at its core

OUR LEADERSHIP

HRH The Princess Royal

President of The Duke of Edinburgh's Commonwealth Study Conference

Sir Alan Parker CVO

Chair of The Duke of Edinburgh's Commonwealth Study Conference

Mr Peter Flavel

Vice-Chair of The Duke of Edinburgh's Commonwealth Study Conference

Ms Ladi Dariya

Treasurer of The Duke of Edinburgh's Commonwealth Study Conference

The Rt Hon. the Lord Waldegrave of North Hill

Trustee of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Study Conferences UK

The Lord Bilimoria CBE DL

Trustee of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Study Conferences UK

Ms Sumithra Thayanandarajah

Trustee of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Study Conferences UK

Mr Velummayilum Thayanandarajah

Trustee of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Study Conferences UK

Ms Orianna Fielding

‍Director - CSC 2027 Conference

HRH The Duke of Edinburgh's Commonwealth Study Conferences were founded in 1956 by Prince Philip to explore the intersection of business success and community development. Inspired by a visit to Canada where he observed the unique challenges of single-industry towns, he envisioned a forum where emerging leaders from diverse backgrounds could examine complex social and economic issues together through immersive experiences and open dialogue.

Since its inception, CSC has brought together over 8,000 leaders from across the Commonwealth, equipping them with the insights, networks, and global perspectives needed to drive meaningful change. The unique study group model, which combines plenary sessions with on-the-ground visits to industrial and community sites, enables participants to deeply engage with real-world challenges.

The impact of CSC is profound, with alumni applying their experiences to influence policy, strengthen communities, and foster international cooperation. Delegates gain a sense of purpose and a global network of peers committed to shaping a more inclusive and prosperous future. As CSC continues to evolve, it remains dedicated to its founding mission: bringing together diverse perspectives to explore the human dimensions of leadership, industry, and society.

What is special about CSC?

An introduction by Orianna Fielding, Director of CSCUK 2027

CSCUK 2027 is more than an executive leadership programme. It is a global experience designed to challenge assumptions, connect diverse perspectives and inspire lasting impact across the Commonwealth and beyond.

Our ambition is for delegates to leave with more than new knowledge: with a different understanding of leadership, the Commonwealth and their own potential. The programme combines personal transformation with the practical insight and relationships needed to drive meaningful change in organisations, communities and countries.

Read the full introduction

What makes CSC different?

A unique and impactful learning model

Unlike so many executive development programmes our participants are out on the road on study tours, not in a classroom. This is where they learn through immersion and are united by these shared experiences. They meet exceptional leaders from all sorts of walks of life and learn how they approach and address issues, bringing new perspectives to the common problem they are studying.

A diverse talent mix

What makes the CSC conferences so successful and impactful is bringing together a rich mix of people from business, politics, NGOs, unions, civil servants and academia to work together. Not only are the participants learning from their common experiences, but they are also in the process building an appreciation and shared understanding of their peers’ different perspectives and backgrounds.

An enduring and connected alumni of next generation leaders

Our aim is to create a series of conferences over the next five years that draws on our heritage but creates the next generation of leaders as an Alumni who have been significantly enhanced through attending the conferences and become more connected to their peers around the world. Exactly what the next generation leaders are going to have to deal with we cannot be sure, but what is certain is that whatever their job it will be more complex, and they will benefit from facing the future together.

The impact of emerging technologies on cities of the future

At the heart of every Commonwealth Study Conference is a major issue created by industry which requires deep interrogation, diverse perspectives and learning opportunities.

The rise of Artificial Intelligence is one of the biggest challenges and opportunities facing the Commonwealth. We have therefore chosen to dedicate the next conference to focus on this topic.

Applicant sign-up

Register your interest

I have read the terms and conditions and I am happy to proceed.

Thank you

Your submission has been sent!

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Alumni

Access to an exclusive community

As an Alumni of the CSC UK Programme, you will be invited to join the CSC Global Alumni, a group of over 8,000 Alumni from across the Commonwealth from programmes dating back to the original programme in 1956. This extraordinary group of exceptional people have been leaders of nations, government bureaucracies, businesses, labour movements, academia, charities, arts and culture, and civil society organisations.

HRH Princess Royal meeting delegates

"The CSC was one of those events that genuinely changed the way I work or even think, in a positive and fundamental way. It gave me the gift of perspective and a realisation that has broadened my thinking in how I see challenges and opportunities."

Charlie Ewen

SIRO and SRO Supercomputing Transformation, The Met Office UK

CSC Leaders 2015

"CSC experience was a step change in my personal journey and I believe helped me develop the networks and my charity to what it is today.

‍

I am a great advocate of CSC leadership programme for emerging leaders from the commonwealth countries. The CSC Alumni can make a difference towards a peaceful, prosperous and united world that we desperately need now more than ever."

Mohammed Ali OBE

Founder & Chief Executive, QED Foundation

CSC 1992

"Attending the Commonwealth Study Conference in 2017 was both unnerving and exhilarating. It was, without a doubt, one of the most profound and life-changing experiences of my career and personal growth. CSC completely transformed how I think, how I lead, and how I understand the world."

Dr Firoz Patel

FRSA

CSC Leaders 2017

"I made great long lasting friendships through CSC, learnt things I never believed possible (about myself and the world around me) and left knowing that this network was the most precious commodity in a world that was often nonsensical and needed, more than anything, for good people to rally together."

Dr Ilka Dunne

CEO Ad Infinitum Partners

CSC Leaders 2015

"Since participating in ELDA 2016 in Malaysia and India, and CSC Leaders 2017 in the UK and India, I have developed a truly global network of friends and colleagues. These experiences have shaped my career trajectory, giving it a more international and meaningful direction, allowing me to have a greater impact on the world around me. My CSC network continues to be a source of inspiration, collaboration and shared purpose that reinforces the value of global leadership."

John Thompson

CSC Leaders 2017

"Attending CSC Leaders was an invaluable and transformational experience, offering deep insights into leadership across diverse cultures and sectors. It fostered lasting connections with influential leaders across the Commonwealth, strengthening collaboration and shared purpose. The program left a lasting impression, reinforcing the power of global networks to drive meaningful change - underscored by the simple reality that relationships, and our investment in them, matters."

Paul Singer CVO

CEO Soldier On (Australia)

CSC Leaders 2015

"CSC opened a whole new commonwealth world to me, working in Kenya, it gave me new contacts and resources. The people I have met over the years have been inspirational and we have kept in close contact. I have been involved since making even more friends and connections over the years giving back is what it is all about. Thank you CSC leaders for being inspirational!"

Professor Ian Govendir

CSC Leaders 2015

Support us

Inspiring the next generation of leaders

HRH The Duke of Edinburgh Commonwealth Study Conferences UK requires the energy and support of a dedicated group of directors, advisory committees, donors, sponsoring organisations, alumni and volunteers.

We are looking for organisations to partner with us to help shape, deliver and finance the 2027 conference. We want to harness the perspectives, expertise and energy of our network to turbocharge these efforts – to bring fresh thinking to the programmes we are planning and to help us identify the highest and most diverse calibre of potential candidates, speakers and case studies.

Email us