Stephen Salyer - What I Wish for Salzburg Global Seminar

Salzburg Global's President and CEO reflects on his 17 years of leadership and his hopes for the future

Dear Fellows and Friends,

Leading Salzburg Global Seminar for 17 years, I have witnessed many remarkable moments. But I have never been prouder of anything we’ve done than I was last month, when we opened our doors to dozens of our Ukrainian Fellows and their families. I cannot say enough how much the messages of encouragement and support from across the Salzburg family meant to my colleagues and to me.

The millions of refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine recall our founding 75 years ago in the aftermath of World War II, during another massive refugee crisis. Alongside our first programs, Schloss Leopoldskron served as a “rest center” for student refugees. As our co-founder Dick Campbell wrote in 1948 to his co-founder Clemens Heller, himself an Austrian exile:

When a displaced person comes to Leopoldskron, he is asked to forget that he is a DP…and he is accepted simply as the individual he is.

As we approach our 75th Anniversary this summer, I feel keenly the continuing relevance of our mission and our work. Creating space for open dialogue, seeking understanding and sharing wisdom that motivates individual and collective action is as urgently needed today as ever before.

As a Salzburg Fellow myself, I know firsthand the power of our programs to shape lives and inspire rising leaders. As I prepare to step down as Salzburg Global’s president in July, my greatest wish is that we could offer that same transformative experience to every emerging leader across the world. For that reason, I am asking you to make a gift that makes that possible for an ever larger, more diverse group of Fellows.

The last 17 years have not been without devastating challenges – financial crises, global pandemic, horrible wars. But across these challenges caring, committed leadership by Salzburg Fellows spurs hope and committed action. The enduring strength of “The Seminar” and the Fellowship of those who have experienced it light the way through the darkest moments. By enabling current and future leaders to shape a better world, we together create a future we want for ourselves and those who follow.

If you can, please join me in making a gift to offer a unique Salzburg Global experience to emerging talent from around the globe and to harness their skills for purposeful change. Thank you!

There are numerous ways to support Salzburg Global's work going forward. You can recommend potential Fellows and partners; you can submit an impact story detailing outcomes of your Salzburg Global experience; you can share our publications, and you can donate time or resources if you’re able to do so.

Please don’t underestimate what you can offer!