UICC Young Leaders programme: a decade of influencing change in global cancer control

In 2013, Prof. Mary Gospodarowicz was the Medical Director of Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto and the first woman President of UICC. Her aim in creating the Young Leaders programme was to offer emerging cancer control professionals access to UICC’s network, cancer experts and global discussions that could bolster their work in global cancer control leadership, thereby increasing diversity and adding new voices to global discussions on cancer control.

 “Cancer and health systems face numerous challenges worldwide. We need leaders who can pinpoint these challenges and devise solutions. The increasing burden and complexity of cancer present huge challenges to health systems, but the rapid advancement in science and technology offers immense opportunities to respond. It is crucial to support young cancer professionals, and give them opportunities to network, engage and lead. UICC, with its wide global network of cancer organisations, is an ideal venue to champion future global cancer leaders."
– Prof. Mary Gospodarowicz, Professor at the University of Toronto and former President of UICC (2012-2014)

Over the years, the Young Leaders programme has expanded and evolved. From its inaugural cohort involving four Young Leaders participating in the 2013 World Cancer Leaders’ Summit in South Africa, it now provides a year-long journey of collaboration and learning for 10 individuals.

Over the past decade, the programme has supported 55 individuals from 32 countries. The alumni encompass diverse skills, backgrounds and focus areas across the cancer continuum. Among them are CEOs of cancer organisations, patient advocates, oncologists, assistant professors in global health, cancer survivors and tobacco control activists.

These past Young Leaders have not only positively impacted the cancer institutes, societies and support groups they worked for, but have influenced greater system-level change. Their achievements include transforming palliative and end-of-life care in Rwanda, spearheading the national response to cancerin Mongolia, using AI to bridge the care gap in Sub-Saharan Africa, advocating for cervical cancer elimination in the Americas, shining a light on the cancer inequities of LGBTQI people in North American and beyond, and reaching the remote communities in Borneo.

They have advanced into significant roles within organisations and global health centres such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), Stanford University and Harvard T. Chan School of Public Health.

Many have also become instrumental in national Ministries of Health as well as at major cancer centres such as Tata Memorial Trust (India), King Hussein Cancer Centre (Jordan) and Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (Canada).

Two Young Leaders have won the UICC CEO Award in 2020 and 2022, respectively for their work in driving innovation to combat inequities in Nigeria and driving civil society efforts to minimise the impact of COVID-19 on cancer patients in Malaysia. Moreover, two Young Leaders, Dr Miriam Mutebi and Dr Danielle Rodin, serve as UICC Board Members.

In line with the ambition of the programme, many Young Leaders have gone on to expand their regional influence and global connections. They have taken up leading roles in regional institutions such as the African Organization for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO); have influenced greater international engagement of their institutions, whether through joining forces in a global movement in paediatric cancer, or setting up global oncology groups within their national professional bodies;  and have contributed their expertise to many Lancet Commissions and international task forces, on issues such as cancer in Sub-Saharan Africa, global cancer surgery, women and cancer, and cervical cancer elimination.

“I would like to thank the UICC Young Leaders programme for this great service to young professionals. The growth of the Programme reflects the value we have seen and from which I have personally benefitted. Thank you for this great privilege. A generation of leaders in global oncology have UICC to thank for providing a valued platform and network to grow.”
– Dr André Ilbawi, Cancer Control Officer, WHO, Young Leader 2016

Over the years, several collaborations and joint publications have resulted from the connections made during the programme, reflecting the value of networking among Young Leaders.

These include efforts to expand digital oncology in Rwanda, support children cancer groups affected by the port blast in Lebanon, calls for greater access to cancer medicines, and ensuring that new discoveries and progress in cancer control are more equitably shared.

" As it celebrates its 10th year, the 2023-2024 cycle of the Young Leaders programme attracted a record 375 applications. This overwhelming response, with such diversity and quality of applications received and from individuals working across all disciplines in cancer control, and from all regions, is hugely inspiring and a testament to the strength of the cancer community. UICC is delighted to be able to work alongside the selected individuals to support their growth as emerging leaders in cancer control."
– Dr Kirstie Graham, Director, Capacity Building, UICC