The institute's history
ISLI, 1994
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ISLI was founded in October 1982 with the intention of providing instruction and training to students with leadership potential in the United States Department of Defense Schools (DoDDS) in the Germany-South Region. Mr. George A. Grantham, Social Studies Coordinator contacted Ms. Ingeborg Burck, Foreign Language and Intercultural Coordinator also with DoDDS. Together they planned the first ISLI, held at the Fliegerhorst Erding, outside Munich, in the spring of 1982, with 70 participants from grades 7-11.
From the very onset, this Institute was designed to be international. The US schools in Germany operated in an international community; therefore any leadership training should prepare students to function as leaders in that same world atmosphere. Schools from the partner NATO countries of Canada, France, and Germany were invited. A program was devised to elect a Board of Regents to act as the faculty for the coming year's Institute. The first Board consisted of 1 teacher and 3 students from the DoDDS-Germany South schools, and 1 teacher and 1 student each from the Canadian Forces schools, the French Forces schools, and a Gymnasium from Ulm. By 1984, the Board had been expanded to 15 members. |
In 1984, the US Department of Defense Schools in Germany merged and the Institute was moved from Erding to the Jugendgästehaus at Oberwesel am Rhein. The program developed in 1982 continued to be used. The number of participants was increased to 150.
In 1985, Participants were increased to 175 and the first Bavarian Gymnasium attended.
In 1987 the Institute joined with the Mershon Center at the Ohio State University to develop a new book to be used at the Institute. This publication was piloted in the fall of 1989. In conjunction with this program, the Issues Forum was added as part of the 1988 agenda.
In 1989 Dutch participants joined the Institute and were added to the 1990 Board. In 1990, lessons reflected the material found in Dr. Woyach's book, Preparing for Leadership: A Guide to Leadership in the Global Age for Young Adults.
In 1985, Participants were increased to 175 and the first Bavarian Gymnasium attended.
In 1987 the Institute joined with the Mershon Center at the Ohio State University to develop a new book to be used at the Institute. This publication was piloted in the fall of 1989. In conjunction with this program, the Issues Forum was added as part of the 1988 agenda.
In 1989 Dutch participants joined the Institute and were added to the 1990 Board. In 1990, lessons reflected the material found in Dr. Woyach's book, Preparing for Leadership: A Guide to Leadership in the Global Age for Young Adults.
Regents Wrap-Up at ISLI 1993.
Additional countries added to the Board:
- 1991: Sweden
- 1992: Poland
- 1996: Denmark & Latvia
- 1998: Belgium & Finland
- 2000: Czech Republic & Estonia
- 2008: Hungary
- 2009: Italy.
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In 2007 we were privileged to have as our guest Dr. Robert Woyach, the author of Preparing for Leadership! In 2017-2018 we were privileged to have Dr. Sebastian von Münchow, from the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies in Germany, as our speaker. In 2020, we have adopted a new curriculum and text, The Student Leadership Challenge, 3rd Edition by James Kouzes and Barry Posner.
Due to COVID, it was not possible to organize ISLI for three consecutive years. Fortunately, from Sunday 26 February to Friday 3 March, the 39th session of the Leadership conference was held again in 2023. Finally, from 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. |
The Board of Regents as in 2023, the first edition of ISLI held after the COVID pandemic.