UN college and Nelson Mandela Foundation launch free online course on Nelson Mandela’s life, legacy and leadership

The Nelson Mandela Foundation and the United Nations System Staff College (UNSSC) are proud to launch the self-paced online learning module “Nelson Mandela: Life, Legacy, and Leadership”. The module will be available to everyone, free of charge, starting on 18 July – Nelson Mandela Day.

This module is the inaugural learning resource of the Nelson Mandela Project for Social Change. Convened by UNSSC and implemented in collaboration with leading academic institutions around the world, the project aims to empower individuals working in the field of social change with the knowledge and skills needed to address social polarization and reduce inequalities.

"With a mixture of hope and concern, humanity is facing a variety of significant global challenges, including a fast-paced dynamic AI revolution. Inspired by Nelson Mandela’s legacy, this module highlights the essential role of leadership for good during times of disruption and rapid change. UNSSC is committed to creating common spaces for learning which enable UN leaders and partners to create an inclusive future that dismantles barriers and shapes equal opportunities for all," says Miguel Panadero, UNSSC Acting Director. 

The decision to put Nelson Mandela’s leadership attributes in evidence reflects his historic role in ending apartheid in South Africa and leading the country through a process of national reconciliation. His leadership – grounded in persistence, courage, self-discipline, self-reflection, and a deep commitment to dialogue – was essential to rebuilding a divided nation. 

Indeed, Nelson Mandela had quite a daunting mission when steering South Africa out of apartheid. His sense of conviction can be an inspiration to those trying to push for meaningful social change in today's world, where inequality and polarisation threaten to reverse progress in peace and development, as highlighted in the 2023/2024 Human Development Report.

In the words of Verne Harris, Nelson Mandaela's archivist: "Something I learnt from Nelson Mandela about leadership is that it's not about avoiding failure so much as it is about what one does with failure. (...) He found a way to turn failure into a voyage of discovery, discovering something important about self.” 

Moreover – and importantly – the module explores the influences that shaped Nelson Mandela’s leadership and invites its audience to reflect critically on the lessons of South Africa’s democratisation process.

Are you interested? Register here to access the module for free, via UNSSC’s online learning platform: https://www.unssc.org/courses/nelson-mandela-life-legacy-and-leadership-online-self-paced-module