Welcome to the new chapter: up to the next 40 years

2024 marked a momentous occasion for the International Student Leadership Institute as we celebrated our 40th anniversary. Since its very beginning, ISLI has been dedicated to shaping the next generation of leaders, guiding thousands of high school students from diverse backgrounds to develop the skills, confidence and ethical compass needed to lead in a globalized world.

Over more than four decades, ISLI has grown, adapted to an everchanging world and it faced challenges. Yet our core mission remains the same: to foster a spirit of leadership grounded in social responsibility. ISLI aims cross-cultural understanding and drives its participants to be leaders in their own communities.

A pivotal era

The past few years have been particularly challenging. The pandemic was an unprecedented challenge to our ISLI-community. However, ISLI emerged from this period more resilient and determined than ever. This moment proved to have been pivotal and it made us think about the future and how our programme should evolve.

After two renewed and successful editions of ISLI in 2023 and 2024, we are preparing the 2025’s edition. We want to ensure that ISLI remains relevant and impactful for the next generation. That is why we thought that ISLI’s 40th anniversary would be the perfect time to give ISLI a beautiful present.

ISLI’s fresh look

Those who have bright eyes, had already seen that our website www.isli-institute.com has gotten a modern look eversince its launch. This was the very start in shaping our new identity. Today, we are finally finishing this operation and we are proud to present to you a refreshed logo

The new logo is a symbol that represents both our rich history and our forward-looking vision. It is a tribute to the iconic fishbowl chair formation used during the Issues Forum. It represents the open dialogue and inclusive discussion that have been at the heart of ISLI for decades.

The circles are intentionally unfinished, pointing towards the future. This reflects our belief that the young leaders we shape at ISLI will be the ones to complete these circles. They are the ones that finish their own imaginairy circle at ISLI and will lead the world of tomorrow with the skills, confidence, and vision they gain through our programme.

Our new logo is thus a celebration of ISLI’s legacy and a beacon of our commitment to another 40 years of empowering young leaders. We are proud - and relieved - to finally be able to share this with all of you: it truly is a gift from ISLI to its community, as a reminder to our shared journey.

The community’s legacy and its future

ISLI began over 40 years ago with the visionary initiative of George A. Grantham, who saw the need for a programme that would teach young students about leadership. With the dedicated support of the founding board members and those who followed, ISLI has grown into a renowned institute giving many people unforgettable memories and friendships that last forever.

From its earliest days, ISLI has aimed to create an environment where students can develop practical leadership skills in a unique way. ISLI inspires generation after generation, but its legacy wouldn’t be possible without the passionate dedication of everyone who has ever been part of ISLI thoughout its history.

ISLI’s growth and impact are a testament to the individuals who led, inspired, and supported the programme since its early days. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the honorary board members and leaders whose guidance and commitment have been instrumental in ISLI’s history.

We would like to say a special thank you to George A. Grantham, Ruud Witte, Ingeborg A. Burck, Heiner Ratsch, Dirk Lambrechts, Peter Veltman, Clive Everill, John Keating, Mark Gillett, Katharina Sanneman-Endres, Brenda Coffield, Gloria South, Carol Benson, Terry Arbuckle, Nancy Clayton, Martin Gülck, Caletha Ellis, David Becher, Leah Fremgen and of course the many, many Student Regents that have shared their hearts with us.

Ready for another 40 years

As we introduce our new logo and embark on this next chapter, we remain committed to upholding the values and vision that have defined ISLI for 40 years. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this journey. Here’s to many more years of inspiring leadership, learning, and positive change!

Stay tuned, and join us as we continue to make history.