CELA works to enhance leadership skills in Central Asia and the Caucasus and form a broader international network of leaders working toward peace, prosperity and improved regional cooperation through an open exchange of ideas and a respect for cultural diversity.
The Central Eurasia Leadership Academy (CELA): A Leadership Vision for Central Eurasia
In 2001-2002 the Society of International Business Fellows (SIBF) and international partners developed an ambitious new program to foster the development of a new generation of the most promising, mid-career leaders in Central Eurasia. The Central Eurasia Leadership Academy was formally launched in July 2002. It targets the five Central Asian states (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan), the south Caucasus (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia), and Afghanistan. The program recognizes that Central Eurasia is a volatile and fractured region whose long-term stability and security will ultimately depend on a fresh generation of courageous and far-sighted individuals, acting as change-agents, who are able to bridge growing divides. Thus the purpose of CELA is to create an extensive (nine-country) network of forward-thinking leaders who share a vision of working together, at home and abroad, with a view to improving the domestic condition of their vulnerable states and turning them into reliable contributors to regional security.
CELA IN ACTION
Annual CELA Leadership Workshops
The flagship event of the CELA program is the annual summer leadership workshop in Turkey. It takes place every July at Koç University, Istanbul, and lasts between ten days and two weeks. Forty-five participants are invited to attend on the basis of a competitive application process. The curriculum is organized around structured teaching modules that introduce particular themes, concepts, and skills that are crucial to effective leadership. Participants experienced an interactive learning environment, where they engage with internationally recognized business innovators, political leaders, and public figures. |
