Leadership Initiatives is a non-profit organization located in Washington D.C. working to provide entrepreneurial, leadership, and project management training for university students worldwide through turning their ideas for change in their communities into sustainable development projects. Serving as a platform for ideas of university students while facilitating the partnerships between the students and professionals, Leadership Initiatives creates these possibilities and allows participants to be the agents of change within their communities.
History
Originally named X-CORE, the organization established its first programs in 2003. While attending American University, co-founder Marshall Bailly created the idea of the organization. Later with further inspiration from a study abroad program in South Africa, Bailly and fellow co-founders Antoine Eloi and Giacomo Bergamo solidified the framework for what Leadership Initiatives stands as today. With hopes to revive frustrated students stuck within the gaps in development and the progress of their countries, Leadership Initiatives serves to support students’ ideas in creating sustainable businesses and exploring new ways to promote development.
Programs
Leadership Initiatives has programs in Nigeria, Namibia and the Philippines. To begin programs, LI partners with universities and forms groups of students with aspirations of being agents of change and creating sustainable developments within their communities. As the groups establish ideas and concrete programs with assistance and training led by local businesses and LI staff members, partnerships with local businesses are created. The start-up capital for the projects of the students is provided by Leadership Initiatives, and official offices of their respective nation assist as the projects grow and progress. Leadership Initiatives has facilitated projects regarding HIV/AIDS to insufficient schools to poor conditions of refugee camps.
Progress
According to VOA News, in 2004 already 140 students have participated as students in the LI programs and brought change to their communities.
