Cross-border mentorship for the next generation of legal and policy leaders.
The JVN Global Mentorship Network connects law students, early-career lawyers, researchers and policy professionals — particularly across Africa and the Global South — with experienced mentors working at the intersection of law, technology, digital health governance and AI governance.
A network built on guidance, generosity and shared purpose.
JVN's mentorship programme pairs emerging talent with senior counsel, academics, regulators and practitioners committed to opening doors for the next generation. Pairings are intentional — matched on discipline, regional context and learning goals — and supported by cohort-based convenings, structured check-ins and shared resources.
Whether you are exploring a research interest, navigating early career decisions, or building a practice in digital health governance, AI governance or clinical legal education, the network is designed to make experienced guidance accessible across borders.
Designed for both sides of the pairing.
For Mentors
- Shape the next generation of legal and policy professionals
- Contribute to a growing Global South knowledge community
- Access JVN research, convenings and thought-leadership platforms
- Build cross-border collaborations on writing, teaching and advisory work
- Flexible commitment — structured around your availability
For Mentees
- One-to-one guidance from an experienced practitioner or scholar
- Clarity on research direction, career path and skill development
- Invitations to cohort sessions, masterclasses and reading groups
- Visibility into international opportunities and emerging fields
- A supportive peer community of fellow mentees across regions
Four simple steps from application to engagement.
Apply
Submit the short application below — telling us about your background, areas of interest and whether you want to mentor or be mentored.
Review & Match
Our team reviews applications on a rolling basis and proposes thoughtful pairings based on discipline, region and goals.
Onboard
Mentor and mentee meet through a guided onboarding session that establishes goals, cadence and shared expectations.
Engage
Pairs meet regularly across a defined cycle, supported by cohort convenings, optional learning tracks and JVN resources.
Investing in global professional development and cross-border collaboration.
JVN believes the future of law, governance and digital health policy depends on a generation that can think, work and convene across jurisdictions. Mentorship is the connective tissue of that future — a deliberate practice of sharing expertise, opening networks and building trust across borders.
Global by design
Pairings cross borders deliberately — building professional ties between regions that rarely converse directly.
Inclusive access
We work to keep barriers low for emerging talent from under-represented institutions and jurisdictions.
Purposeful guidance
Structured cycles, clear goals and reflective practice — not informal coffee chats that fade after a month.
Collaborative growth
Mentors and mentees co-create writing, research and convening opportunities through JVN's platform.
Join the Global Mentorship Network.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Submissions are stored securely and only reviewed by the JVN programme team.
Already part of JVN's community? You can still apply — pairings are coordinated separately from event registrations.