ABOUT THE INSTITUTE

Today, with little fanfare and few resources -- there are little-known leaders who are on the verge of changing the world. But they often face a wall - a seemingly insurmountable obstacle that, once conquered, will open new vistas in the realization of their vision in solving the world's most challenging problems.

The Hillary Institute is searching the globe for these ascending leaders. We will recognize, reward and nurture these emerging international problem solvers and change agents. Our goal is to provide them with a platform, a shared community of engagement and an enhanced resource base to take their efforts to a larger scale. We'll help get them over the wall to increase their ability to drive innovative change and create a path for others to follow.

The Hillary Institute invites you to join us as we progress the Hillary Laureate Programme - whether it's global climate change, women's rights, or youth empowerment, we believe that  what's needed is entrepreneurial, integrated, creative leadership to find solutions to the world's big barrier problems.  Timing, resources, lack of investment, isolation or lack of a global stage are just a few of the obstacles that stand in the way of advancing solutions. Our goal is to identify and invest in ascending leaders who have a capability to resolve major international problems.

Inspired by the late* Sir Edmund Hillary, New Zealand's most celebrated public figure, the Hillary Institute's home is in that remarkable, independent-spirited, Pacific nation. Its work however is focused globally, recognizing mid-career leaders through selecting one Hillary Laureate annually, and every fourth year, with the premiere award of the Hillary Step. Valued ultimately at $1million (currently $200,000), the Hillary Step will be an active means to  make critical investments that effect real change. Named after the final, almost vertical 40-foot cliff that Hillary and Tenzing Norgay scaled in reaching the summit of Everest, The Hillary Step is a metaphor for the challenges innovative leaders face.  

In addition to its Laureate Programme, the Institute holds annual Hillary Symposia both in New Zealand and internationally, developing ongoing partnerships to explore achievement and create integrated linkages between people and organizations, representing the latest thinking on a chosen focus area over a minimum period of four years.  In doing so, the Institute will also find its emergent leaders through building a 'watch-list' and providing a trailblazing route that will significantly increase the ability of others to follow. The annual Hillary Laureates contribute a key address to these symposia.

The Hillary Summit, a board of renowned thinkers, strategists and organizers from five continents, selected the initial leadership topic, Climate Change Solutions ,  for the first four year cycle (2008-12), and will choose the Hillary Laureate and Hillary Step recipients.  The first annual Hillary Symposium was held on June 5th, World Environment Day, 2008. In association with UNEP, it was led by our patron, New Zealand  Prime Minister Helen Clark;  Dr Rajendra Pachaui, Chair of the 2007 Nobel-winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC); and our own Senior Fellow, Matt Petersen, CEO of Global Green, USA. Our first four year cycle of work on Climate will  culminate with the Hillary Step award in 2012.

You can be part of finding great leadership that changes the world for the better.  To realize our ambitious vision, the Hillary Institute has initiated an international campaign with a goal of raising $12.5 million to create an endowment to fund The Hillary Step and its associated Laureate programme.  We are seeking angel investors who share the Institute's values and aspirations.    

The Institute also provides donors an opportunity to recognize Sir Edmund Hillary, a remarkable leader who brought hope, inspiration and an unwavering lifelong commitment to social justice and the environment long after his personal ascent of Mt. Everest with Norgay made history in 1953. His Himalayan Trust's consequent 55 years of investment into the life quality of the people of Nepal has been extraordinary.

We believe now more than ever, great leadership will change the world for the better. We invite you to join in our search for agents of innovation, creativity and change. Join us as we invest in the ascent of great leadership.  

* Sir Edmund passed away peacefully on January 11th, 2008