As Americans begin to evaluate the US candidates for the next presidential election, everyone will ask himself or herself this question: How will they lead? Will those who seek to serve this country in its top job understand the major issues, be passionate about their ideals, and then be able to inspire and educate their peers to take action so as to make a positive difference in the lives of the American people?
Leadership is a complex proposition. Wanting to serve is probably the most important first step, but there are never simple answers or quick fixes along the challenging road to making a sustainable difference. A group of talented students from 30 different countries and very diverse socioeconomic backgrounds understand this better since they got the chance to sharpen their perspectives and broaden their leadership skills this year. Hand picked from hundreds of applicants by a prestigious international panel of judges, including Monica Seles, Brandon Short, Sir Jeremy Greenstock, Ambassador Mitra Vasisht, and HRH Prince Rashid el Hassan, these young people won the opportunity to attend the elite ICL Academy (Institute of Civic Leadership — think Hogwarts for civic leadership). The Academy stands high on a hill surrounded by the world’s largest temperate rain forest, footsteps away from Lake Shawnigan on the magical island of Vancouver in British Columbia.
Finding your passion changes everything. The mission of ICL is to inspire students through other people’s passions and journeys, teach them how to relate it back to their own lives and passions, and equip them with the leadership skills that enable them to take action so that they can make a positive difference when they return home to their schools and communities.
Lucky me! I got the chance to connect with a sample of these talented 15 à 18 year old graduates (i.e. future leaders) after they returned home, to find out more about them and the outcomes of this once in a lifetime summer experience.
Première place, I should mention their real-life role models. They include leaders such as Barack Obama “for his tolerance, acceptance and open mindedness to other countries and cultures,” and Oprah Winfrey “for her hard work to become an independent woman and her strong passion to help disadvantaged young women around the world.” Then there are fans of Ban Ki Moon “for his ability to remain neutral while leading the world’s efforts to combat war, disease and human rights violations,” and Wyclef Jean “for his continuing passion to give back to his country by providing educational scholarships as well as raising environmental awareness.” Last but not least in my survey was the popular co-founder of ICL, Kirk Spahn, “for his incredible ability to connect with people on a very deep level.”
Finding your passion changes everything. The ICL teaches global youth leaders dedicated to service.
Si, just how effective was their training program? If the ICL program is just a beginning, how might these young adults respond to “How are you a leader? How have you made a difference?” several months after graduation?
“I am (currently) setting up a compost heap at my school,” Julia Masselos (Londres, Angleterre) explique. “I’ve educated and encouraged students, cafeteria staff and chefs to compost any peelings or leftovers from lunch.” The compost will be used to fertilize the rose garden at school or be donated to local farmers so they don’t have to use chemical products.
Daniel Rodriquez (Oxnard, Californie) explains the program taught him how to work better with others and motivate them to work better with him. “Along with a fellow I met at ICL,” il dit, “we developed plans to go to nearby schools to give gang violence and gang prevention presentations to inspire students through education to take action with us on the issue.”
Zeinab Al-Mohanawy (formally Lebanon now Seattle, Washington) tells me she is in the process of “la création d'un cours de leadership pour les jeunes à risque et filles défavorisés qui proviennent de quartiers défavorisés d'avoir la possibilité de changer la façon dont ils regardent les choses dans ce monde à travers les mains sur les leçons et les activités de leadership.”
Dylan Sparks (Johannesburg, Afrique du Sud) dit qu'il se demanda pour la première fois de sa vie ce que ses mœurs étaient et ce qu'il est prêt à se lever pour. En termes de comment il utilise les leçons apprises à l'Académie, il explique, “I have created personal and academic goals for myself. Giving yourself something to aim for not only gives you a clearer idea of where you are going and what you want to do, mais il vous motive aussi,” il dit. “Ensuite, vous travaillez pour créer des étapes qui vous aideront à y arriver!”
Savannah Swann (L'île de Vancouver, Colombie-Britannique) dit, “Je ai appris des moyens efficaces de transmettre mes idées, malgré ma nature calme, de telle manière qui engage les autres à voir la valeur de mes passions. Éducation des jeunes est vitale pour la communauté mondiale. I plan to use the new presentation skills I learned to help me convey my interests and ideas with complete confidence.”
“I have learned to be a balanced leader,” says Taji Phillips (Brooklyn, New York), “to be able to humble myself and express understanding towards others, but also to acknowledge the power and responsibility I’ve been granted for the benefit of those who rely on me. I encourage my peers not to wait to do the things they want. If they want to raise money to plant trees in Central Park, DO IT; if you want to clean the beach, DO IT; if you want to reduce homelessness in NYC, DO IT. You are not alone. I will help you!”
“I believe perseverance, la patience, tolerance and generosity form the base of a true leader,” says Daniela Pfeffer (Montevideo, Uruguay). “These were without question the most inspiring and motivating weeks in my entire life. The range of cultural diversity was huge. It has made me a richer person. The network we formed will last forever and we will make great changes if we work together.”
So what can Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Ban Ki Moon, Wyclef Jean, Kirk Spahn, et en fait, all of us learn about leadership from these young adults? Well naturally, I have calls into all of their role models to ask, but while I wait to hear back, let me just share Kirk Spahn’s response to my question.
“I learned the most about myself through the students in the leadership program. Their passionate enthusiasm and unstoppable drive was contagious. I was so reinvigorated, so inspired by their personal stories, their journeys, as well as their constant idealism and optimism. So many of them have persevered through so much in their lives already, and overcome tremendous adversity, but they don’t even realize it. It is remarkable that they want to continue dedicating themselves to helping others.”
Pour plus d'informations sur l'Institut for Civic Leadership, fondé à l'École Dwight à Manhattan, visite www.iclny.org
Photos gracieuseté de ICL et l'École Dwight.
Suivez C. M. Rubin sur Twitter: www.twitter.com/@cmrubinworld
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