School for Young Leaders
of President Ivanov
Memorandum of Understanding with the World Business Angels Investment Forum (WBAF)
Beginning of intensive cooperation with the WBAF
School for Young Leaders
The promotion of the Masterclasses on Entrepreneurial Excellence program, empowered by the World Business Angels Investment Forum (WBAF), an affiliated partner of the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI), was held on May 16, 2024, in the Cabinet of former President Ivanov.
President Ivanov and Executive Chairman of the World Investment Forum of Business Angels, Baybars Altuntas, addressed the event in front of the present supporters, friends and alumni of the School for Young Leaders. They talked about the cooperation between the World Investment Forum of Business Angels and the School for Young Leaders of President Ivanov, which in 2018 was recognized as the best socially responsible project in Europe in 2017 by the World Investment Forum of Business Angels.
In the context of the excellent cooperation so far and the announcement of the program that will be implemented jointly, as well as in the direction of the possibilities for future joint projects, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the World Investment Forum of Business Angels and the co-organizers of the School, the Cabinet of the former President Ivanov, the International Center Alliance of Civilizations and the Alumni Association of the Ivanov School for Young Leaders ISLAA.
14th School for Young Leaders
The 14th School centered around "Education – Transformation – Leadership," focusing on the vital links between education, transformative change, and effective leadership in a complex, modern world. The program aimed to broaden perspectives on the transformative power of education, encouraging lifelong learning and personal growth. It also addressed the need for adaptability and innovation in the face of societal, cultural, and technological transformations while emphasizing the collective responsibility of leadership in inspiring positive change. The objective was to instill leadership qualities like integrity, empathy, ethical decision-making, and motivational strategies in navigating these changing landscapes.
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The seventh day of the 14th School started with a visit to the University of Information Science and Technology “St. Apostle Paul” in Ohrid.
Prof. Dr. Anis Sefidanis, also a lecturer at the School, along with the Dean of the University, Prof. Dr. Goran Shibakovski, were excellent hosts to President Ivanov and the participants in the 14th School for Young Leaders of President Ivanov.
The University visit was organized for a lecture delivered by Dr. Ismail Serageldin, the Director of the Library of Alexandria. Dr. Serageldin presented a lecture titled “The Legacy of Alexander of Macedon” to the participants of the School for Young Leaders and the students of the University of Information Science and Technology “St. Apostle Paul”.
Cooperation Аgreement between the School for Young Leaders and the University of Texas at Tyler, USA
Beginning of intensive cooperation with the University of Texas at Tyler, USA
School for Young Leaders
The former president of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, during his visit to the University of Texas-Tyler in the USA, signed an Agreement of Understanding and Cooperation between the School for Young Leaders and the University of Texas-Tyler.
The agreement foresees a 5-year cooperation that includes the exchange of students and participants in their program activities, joint projects in the field of education, opportunities for joint certified programs, etc.
On behalf of the American university, the agreement was signed by their president, Dr. Kirk A. Calhoun.
At this year’s 14th consecutive School for Young Leaders, which will be held in October in Ohrid, it is planned that five students from this university will participate, as well as three professors in the capacity of lecturers.
During Tyler’s several-day visit to Texas, former President Ivanov addressed the students of the Department of Political Science on the topic “Challenges of Political Science in the 21st Century”. He also had a meeting with Mayor Don Warren and other city officials. Tyler.
Recognition "Moral Leader of Today" to Pope Francis
Recognition "Moral Leader of Today" presented to Pope Francis by President Ivanov and ISLAA
School for Young Leaders
During the 13th School for Young Leaders, which took place from September 16-30, 2022, with a focus on the general theme of “Moral Leadership,” the decision was made to honor Pope Francis with a prestigious recognition “Moral Leader of Today”.
The School for Young Leaders recognized His Holiness as an embodiment of the qualities of a modern-day moral leader and the Catholic Church in the Republic of Macedonia took the initiative to organize a visit to the Vatican.
President Ivanov, accompanied by his Cabinet, Bishop Kiro Stojanov from the Catholic Church in Macedonia, representatives of the ISLAA – Ivanov School’s Alumni Association, as well as friends and supporters of the School for Young Leaders, attended the General Audience. It was an exceptional opportunity for President Ivanov to personally present the recognition to Pope Francis.
Expressing his gratitude, Pope Francis thanked President Ivanov for the recognition and warmly recalled his visit to Macedonia, which had been hosted by President Ivanov. The Pope conveyed warm greetings to Macedonia and its people, emphasizing the lasting impression that the visit had left on him.
13th School for Young Leaders
The program, operating under the general topic "Moral Leadership", aimed to increase awareness among participants regarding the global deficiency of ethical leadership in an era marked by growing uncertainties and challenges. The participants acquired knowledge concerning the fundamental principles of leading towards comprehension, coexistence, and progress, as well as the effective methods for formulating strategies to tackle future challenges.
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During the Opening Session of the School in 2022, an exceptional moment unfolded as the participants were greeted with a letter on the general theme of “Moral Leadership” sent by His Holiness Pope Francis. The esteemed Bishop Msg. Kiro Stojanov had the honor of reading the letter aloud to the attendees. Following the letter from the Pope, the former President Ivanov, on behalf of the School for Young Leaders, presented His Holiness Pope Francis with the recognition of being a “Moral Leader of Today” that was accepted by the esteemed Bishop Mons. Dr. Kiro Stojanov on behalf of Pope Francis.
In 2022, the 13th generation of young leaders paid a visit to the Municipality of Ohrid, where they had the opportunity to engage with local officials and the Mayor of Ohrid. As part of their experience, the young leaders were assigned a group project focused on developing digital solutions to promote and enhance connectivity within Ohrid. The Mayor, serving as a member of the Evaluation Committee, actively participated in the assessment of the project proposals. Ultimately, the most outstanding proposal was chosen and presented to the Municipality of Ohrid, potentially paving the way for future collaboration and implementation. During the visit to the Municipality of Ohrid, members of ISLAA delivered a presentation of ISLAA activities and projects to the participants.
12th School for Young Leaders
The program under the general topic "Leadership in Action" offered young participants a unique opportunity to learn from the exceptional experience and knowledge of the lecturers. Their insights inspired the enthusiasm and commitment of the young participants and encouraged them to take bold actions and emerge as leaders in their respective fields. The program aimed to prepare a generation of young professionals who were equipped to lead in moments of need, taking actions and making a positive impact on society, unlocking their true leadership potential.
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The program of the 12th School for Young Leaders had a Dialogue session which was led by Dr. Gordica Karanfilovska and Dr. Daniel Gjokjeski, former coordinators of the International Training for Young Leaders. This Dialogue Session had two days of online activities and it provided visions and reflections on the general theme of the school, “Leadership in Action,” as well as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the conditions and challenges faced by young people. The participants also had the chance to share their perspectives on potential solutions. During the two sessions, the participants collaborated in groups in order to develop their proposed solutions. This interactive approach ensures that each individual’s unique insights and ideas are heard, fostering an enriching and dynamic environment for constructive discussions. The sessions aimed to encourage an exchange of diverse perspectives and create a platform for young leaders to contribute their thoughts and ideas on shaping a better future. By focusing on the theme of “Leadership in Action” and the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the sessions also addressed pressing issues that affect young individuals and their communities.
11th School for Young Leaders
The online training program on the general topic "Leadership in Times of Global Crisis" brought together young participants who gained a wealth of knowledge and essential skills. Through engaging sessions and interactive discussions, participants honed their leadership abilities and learned to navigate and lead during challenging times. The program allowed the participants to share experiences and broaden their perspectives. By empowering themselves with valuable insights, participants were equipped to make a positive impact and lead effectively amid global crises.
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In 2020, due to the shift to online activities, the 11th generation of young leaders seized the opportunity to participate in a virtual event: the Presentation of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center Award 2020. Through this online platform, they had the privilege of attending and engaging with the award ceremony, experiencing the recognition and celebration of outstanding individuals or organizations who have made significant contributions in their respective fields. Despite the virtual format, the event provided an enriching experience for the young leaders to witness and appreciate the achievements and impact of the recipients.
10th School for Young Leaders
The program of the 10th School for Young Leaders addressed the challenges of the 4th Industrial Revolution. In this groundbreaking training program, participants gained valuable knowledge and a lot of essential skills to navigate the complexities of the digital era. Through engaging sessions and practical activities, they developed a deep understanding of cutting-edge technologies. Participants learned to leverage these technologies for innovation and problem-solving, enabling them to thrive in the rapidly evolving professional landscape. The comprehensive program of the 10th School for Young Leaders provided a platform for participants to acquire the necessary tools and skills to lead with confidence and shape a better future in the era of the 4th Industrial Revolution.
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The 10th generation of young leaders had an intriguing opportunity to visit the New Istanbul Airport in 2019. This airport, which had opened in October 2018, showcased the full scope of its operations to the participants. They gained insights into the ongoing construction progress, as well as the comprehensive plans for its phased completion by 2028. Once fully operational, the airport aims to cater to a staggering 200 million passengers annually, with flights to 300 destinations. The visit was made possible through the organization and support of the Turkish Airlines office in Skopje, ensuring a memorable and enlightening experience for the young leaders.
9th School for Young Leaders
The comprehensive training program was focused on the best practices and knowledge necessary for developing ecosystems that fostered the growth of startups, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as well as the business research and innovation. Throughout the program, participants gained a deep understanding of the strategies and approaches required to create supportive environments that enabled the success of entrepreneurs. Also explored how to cultivate a culture of innovation, harness emerging technologies, and leverage business research to propel growth and drive innovation. By joining this program, participants acquired the essential insights and skills needed to build vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystems, empowering startups and SMEs to thrive while fostering groundbreaking research and driving innovation forward.
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In 2018, the ninth generation of young leaders had a field visit to three Macedonian companies situated in the Municipality of Prilep: Comfy Angel, Mikrosam, and Vitaminka. This visit provided participants with firsthand insights into the operations of these companies, including their technological advancements, production practices, historical background, and future plans. The participants of the School for Young Leaders had the unique opportunity to directly engage with the companies and gain a comprehensive understanding of their current work. This field visit served as a valuable learning experience, offering a glimpse into the dynamic world of these Macedonian enterprises.
8th School for Young Leaders
Among the lecturers of the 8th School for Young Leaders were the former President of Albania, Redzep Meidani, the Chief Executive Officer of "TAV Airports", Sani Sener, the former President of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Stefan Vodenicharov, the dean of Schwartzman College at Chingua University, David Pan, the Аmbassador ат ларге, Georg von Habsburg, the professor at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, Giorgija Petkoski, as well as one of the leading experts on business management and leadership, David Goldsmith. Other prominent individuals, leaders of successful companies, and representatives of established institutions from Macedonia, Switzerland, Norway, Austria and other countries gave lectures at the school.
7th School for Young Leaders
At the Оpening Ceremony of the School a speech was delivered by Petar Stojanov, President of the Republic of Bulgaria, Ismail Serageldin, Director of the Alexandria Library, Fan Meihua, Director of Human Resources at the European offices of “Huawei”. At 7th school lectures, 28 renowned lecturers from top educational and other institutions from the Republic of Macedonia, the European Union, the USA, Australia and Egypt gave experiences and views about the leaders to 45 candidates of the school. There were also lectures delivered by Latvia, Mrs. Vaira Vike-Freiberga, the Mayor of Thessaloniki, Mr. Yannis Butaris, director of Eurocontrol Mr. Frank Brenner, researcher at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Gjorgija Petkoski, chairman of the Executive Committee of the Trilateral Commission of the Republic of Serbia, Mr. Jovan Kovacic, as well as one of the world’s business forecasters and doctor of management and leadership, Mr. David Goldsmith.
6th School for Young Leaders
The former President of Bulgaria, Petar Stojanov, as well as the former Head of Italian Diplomacy and European Commissioner for Justice, Franco Frattini, addressed the participants. Lectures were held by Mr. Abdulaziz Othman Altwaiyri, General Director of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization “ISESCO”, Feng Tian, representative for Europe of the Chinese company “China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation”, Ambassador Mark Otte, Director of the Royal Institute of International Relations of the Kingdom of Belgium EGMONT and many other. During the school, a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between the School for Young Leaders and the Nizami Ganjavi International Center from Azerbaijan, represented by Mr. Rovshan Muradov, General Secretary of the center.
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In 2015, the sixth generation of young leaders embarked on a visit to the Municipality of Pustec in the Republic of Albania. During their visit, they had the privilege of meeting the Mayor, the administration, and the citizens of the Municipality, which has a significant Macedonian population. The participants were presented with an overview of the advantages and challenges faced by this small municipality. They were tasked with devising sustainable solutions to address some of these challenges and benefit the local citizens. Subsequently, the participants presented their proposals to the Mayor and the administration of the Municipality, aiming to contribute to the betterment of the community in Pustec.
Conference for young leaders "Challenges and Opportunities for Balkan Leadership"
"The contribution of ISLAA to the leadership of the next decade"
School for Young Leaders
In November 2014, a two-day Conference for Young Leaders, titled “Challenges and Opportunities for Balkan Leadership Today,” was held in Ohrid. The Conference was specifically designed for representatives of the first five generations of the School for Young Leaders.
The Opening ceremony featured speeches from notable figures including the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Gjorge Ivanov, the former President of Bulgaria, Georgi Prvanov, and the former President of Albania, Bamir Topi.
Distinguished professors Dragan Stefanović from the USA and Muhamed Mešić from Bosnia and Hercegovina delivered insightful lectures, and an engaging debate on the topic “The contribution of ISLAA to the leadership of the next decade” took place.
Panelists at the debate about ISLAA were the Ambassador of France in the Republic of Macedonia, Her Excellency Laurence Ouer, Director of ESRA and former Macedonain Ambassadsor Jordan Plevnesh, professor at Columbia University Gorazd Rosoklija and Director of SASA in Macedonia Maksim Prohorov.
5th School for Young Leaders
The 5th School for Young Leaders had top lecturers who transferred their knowledge, skills and experiences in the direction of encouraging leadership capacities to the young people. Among the lecturers were Boris Tadic, Former President of the Republic of Serbia, Ambassador Karl von Habsburg, Patrick Jephson, Former private secretary (chief of staff) to Princess Diana, New York Times best-selling author James Dunn and Neil Streak of the Pacific Institute – Europe, Christian Hofreiter of Oxford University, Muhamed Mešić, Lawyer, consultant, activist, academic advisor and researcher at the University of Vienna, Jason Miko, Director at Russell Public Communications, Dragan Stefanovic, Professor of Political Science, University of Tennessee, and many others
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The young participants of the 5th School for Young Leaders, during the school, undertook humanitarian activity and visited the geriatric department of the Ohrid General Hospital. During the visit, a total of 33 patients were accommodated in the geriatric ward. The young leaders, with the support of the school’s supporting companies, brought them hygiene products and food and spent the day with the patients. The Director of the department thanked the young leaders expressing his pleasant surprise for the initiative of these young people who did not forget the old, who are in their third age, old, frail and in poor health. He pointed out that young leaders have shown that they are ready to give the desired attention to adults.
4th School for Young Leaders
The 4th School was visited by a total of 30 renowned lecturers from top educational and professional institutions, who conveyed their experiences and views on leadership to a total of 40 training participants. The School’s program included lectures and training in the fields of leadership and management by eminent lecturers and guests from top educational and professional institutions and practical exercises. Among the lecturers were former Czech President Vaclav Klaus, Donald Steele, director of Johnson Associates, a British Aviation Public Relations company, former Chief Spokesman of the BBC, Robert Goodwin III, President of Canada’s New Westminster College, President of the World Academy of sciences and arts Ivo Schlaus, Zivko Mukaetov, Chairman of the Management Board and General Director of Alkaloid AD Skopje, Sietse Baker, Head of the Eurovision Song Contest, Boris Porkovich, Vice-President of the Research Institute of Small European States from Monaco and many others others.
Open Day of the School for Young Leaders
Open Day for the non-governmental organizations
School for Young Leaders
In March 2013, as a dedicated partner of the School for Leaders, which represents a real temple of knowledge where participants experience an exponential strengthening of their skills and capacities in several fields, ISLAA, in cooperation with the President’s Office, organized an OPEN DAY OF THE SCHOOL FOR YOUNG LEADERS, intended for the non-governmental sector.
The interest in participating in the School for Young Leaders grows significantly from year to year, so the OPEN DAY aimed to bring all interested representatives of the non-governmental sector closer to the program of the School for Leaders, to help them with key aspects in the application process and, most importantly above all, to promote all the benefits that alumni members have gained as participants of the school itself.
Address to the Young Leaders by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon
Address by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon
School for Young Leaders
In 2012, the third generation of young leaders of the School for Young Leaders had a unique chance to be present at a special address delivered by His Excellency Ban Ki-Moon, the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
The third generation of the School for Young Leaders also had the privilege of attending the official reception held at Villa Biljana, the summer residence of the President of the Republic of Macedonia, in Ohrid.
During his official visit to Macedonia, Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon delivered an inspiring speech to the participants of the third School for Young Leaders and generously took the time to answer questions posed by the attendees.
3rd School for Young Leaders
Addresses to the participants of the third leadership school were given by the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State of the USA for Foreign Affairs and former Ambassador of USA to Macedonia, Philip Ricker, the President of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts, Felix Unger, the Ambassador of the USA to the Republic of Macedonia, Paul Wallers, Christopher Yvonne, Ambassador of United Kingdom to Macedonia, Dr. Alexander Von Eggen, former Representative President of the Autonomous Region of Trentino – South Tyrol, Kurt Walker, Former Ambassador of the United States of America to NATO, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State of the United States, Vice President of the Center for think of the Presidency and the Parliament, a senior adviser in the Atlantic Council and a member of the Strategic Advisory Group and many others.
First General Assembly of the Ivanov's School for Young Leaders Alumni Association - ISLAA
First public event of the Alumni Association - ISLAA
School for Young Leaders
On November 27, 2011, the first General Assembly of the Ivanov’s School for Leaders Alumni Association (ISLAA) was held in Skopje. ISLAA is a dedicated partner of President Dr. Gjorge Ivanov’s School for Young Leaders, which promotes and motivates leadership in every function and field. ISLAA is guided by a vision to promote fundamental leadership values and principles, as well as general principles of solidarity, equality, and mutual respect. ISLAA achieves its goals and tasks through specific collaborative projects, forums, debates, roundtable discussions, cooperation with government institutions, organizations, embassies, associations, alumni organizations, universities, and etc.
2nd School for Young Leaders
The lecturers at the second School for Young Leaders were the former MFA of Hungary, Peter Baloš, Mrs. Darja Bavdaj Kuret, Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia in Budapest, Pal Georg von Habsburg Lothringen, Ambassador for European Affairs in the Government of the R. Hungary, Costantino Lauria, Advisor for Economic Affairs of the Council of Ministers for the Implementation of Government Programs, Advisor to the Prime Minister of R. Italy, Agni Vlavianos Arvanitis, Founder and President of the International Organization for Biopolitics Jim Dunn, Project Director, TPI Europe, Blagoja Samakoski, President of Microsam, Lars Reiss, Politician, Christian Democratic Party, R. Norway, Michael O’Sullivan, Director, Cambridge Commonwealth Trust & Cambridge Overseas Trust, Michael Holger, Manager, CIVIC – Institute for International Cooperation and many others.
1st School for Young Leaders
The School for Young Leaders 2010 had a total of 17 lecturers from top educational and professional institutions, who shared their experiences and views on leadership. The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, addressed the opening ceremony and the closing ceremony of the first School for Young Leaders. Lecturers at the school were Philip Ricker, Ambassador of the USA in Macedonia, Mincho Jordanov, Member of the Board of Directors of DUFERKO and President of the Board of Directors of A.D. Makstil Skopje, Jorge Dainer, Founder and CEO of Visionary Partnerships and DHM International Production, Michael Schlaj, Head of Department, Ministry of Labour, Family, Prevention, Social Work and Sport, Saarland Province, Germany, Ralf Bergmann, Spokesperson for the Environment and regional spatial planning Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) – Parliamentary Group in Sachsen Anhalt (Sachsen Anhalt), Philip T. Sussman, President, Institute for Applied Research, Norwich University, Jim Dunn, Project Manager, Pacific Institute, Kata Kadek, Regional Support Manager, Develor, and many others.