The Ethical Leadership Experience (TELE)
Meet the world. Lead from wherever you are.
A transformative 2-week online leadership program for teens aged 15–18, from everywhere in the world.
WHAT IS TELE?
What happens when teenagers from across the world come together to ask big questions about ethical leadership, justice, and the future?
TELE is a transformative two-week online program for teens aged 15–18 from over 30 countries who want to learn about the world–and want to connect with others who do too.
You won’t just learn about ethical leadership, you’ll practice it from day one: designing and leading workshops that respond to people’s needs, collaborating on real projects across borders, and making friends across cultures.
After TELE, you become one of 7,000 changemakers in a global community built over 95 years through the Louis August Jonas Foundation and Camp Rising Sun—with opportunities for scholarships, mentorship, and continued connection long after the program ends. Want to hear more from TELE participants? Watch the video below!
IS TELE FOR ME?
TELE might be for you if you enjoy creative or collaborative work, ask questions about fairness, power, or change, and love a good conversation — especially one that challenges you.
You don’t need to be an expert. You don’t need leadership experience, perfect English, or all the answers. Curiosity and openness matter more than confidence here.
Many TELE participants apply without knowing exactly what to expect. That’s completely fine — that’s kind of the point.
WHAT YOU’LL DO
At TELE, you’re not a passive participant. Here’s what you’ll actually be doing:
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You’ll take part in two three-day intensives led by practitioners who are actually doing the work — researchers, artists, public health experts, science communicators, and organizers. Past intensive topics have included scientific literacy and media, sustainability and regenerative systems, food justice and sovereignty, public speaking for social change, and arts and justice.
These aren’t lectures. They’re in-depth, interactive sessions that connect big ideas to real life.
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You’ll collaborate in an international team to build one shared project from multiple communities at once. Each team brings together participants from different countries, and the project weaves their realities together into something real.
Past participants have made podcasts, short documentaries, zines, blogs, social campaigns, and more. Projects are presented at a closing Project Premiere at the end of the two weeks.
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Instructions are 45-minute workshops, discussions, or lessons designed and led by participants — you. You’ll be supported by a facilitator to plan and deliver a session on a topic you know and care about, for your cohort.
Past Instructions have included: a discussion on bioethics, how to make a dish from your home country, an introduction to different energy sources and a workshop on how language shapes the brain.
You’ll also attend Instructions led by your peers — which means two weeks of learning things you’d never find in a classroom.
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Every day, you’ll meet in a small group of 3–5 people to reflect on the day, connect with each other, and go deeper on the themes that have come up. Your Tent Talk group stays the same throughout the two weeks — these are often the relationships that last longest after TELE.
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Self-Structured Time is participant-led free time. Someone volunteers to host an activity — past SST sessions have included online games like GeoGuessr and Skribbl.io, cooking together over video, playing music, or just hanging out.
This is where a lot of the friendships actually happen.
HEAR FROM PAST PARTICIPANTS
Don’t take our word for it!
THE COMMUNITY
After TELE, you become one of 7,000 changemakers in a global community built over 95 years — with access to scholarships, mentorship, and a network that stays with you long after the two weeks are over.
You’ll also be eligible to apply to return as a second-year participant the following year — taking on a leadership role within the program and helping shape the experience for the next cohort.
HOW TO APPLY
Ready to apply? Here’s what you need to know:
Program fee: $399 — we don’t want cost to be a barrier. Scholarships available, seats fill fast.
Applications are reviewed in multiple waves. The sooner you apply, the better your chances of securing a place and financial support.
Sessions in July & August — online, from wherever you are.