Since 1982, we have been shaping tomorrow’s leaders.
1982
ISLI was founded. Intentions were made to provide high school students with leadership training. The US Department of Defense Schools (DoDDS) took the initiative.
International
Inspired by the collaborative spirit of the U.S. schools, the institute was designed to value international partnership. Schools from NATO partners Canada, France and Germany were invited to participate. A structured program was established to elect a Board of Regents who would serve as faculty for the following year’s institute.
1984
The Board of Regents was extended from 8 to 15 members. They represented the DoDDS Schools, Canadian and French schools, and a German Gymnasium in Ulm.
Word spread
ISLI extended the number of participants to 175 in 1985. From 1989 onwards a Dutch school joined followed by Sweden, Poland, Denmark, Latvia, Belgium, Finland, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary and finally Italy in 2009.
Read more about Today’s Board of Student Regents.
2023
ISLI was re-established after a break of three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The institute is back to tackle the future. The renewed momentum in 2023 proved that ISLI carries undeniably important values.
Learning materials
In 1988, the Issues Forum was introduced. Lessons were based on Dr. Woyach's Preparing for Leadership: A Guide to Leadership in the Global Age for Young Adults. We hosted the author as a guest speaker in 2007. Today, we use The Student Leadership Challenge by James Kouzes and Barry Posner.
Our community…
To those who have once served as regent or delegate in the past, to those presently attending, and to those in the future, we thank you all for a very rich tradition of excellence that continues on at ISLI.