Introduction
One of the primary programs run by Aspen Institute India is in the realm of leadership development. The India Leadership Initiative (ILI) is a unique leadership building programme which has been running successfully since 2006. Initiated as a joint collaboration between Aspen Institute India and Aspen Institute USA, the ILI was established to meet the need for values-based leadership in India— a need more pressing than ever.
India is entering a “demographic dividend” and is reaping an increasingly young population. Yet, there are concerns that this same scenario could lead to a leadership deficit if this upcoming generation does not have its leadership potential harnessed and nurtured. ILI recognizes that a country can only be as good or as great as the leaders that guide and steer it.
ILI seeks to foster the next generation of values-based leaders in India and focuses on young and entrepreneurial leaders from the government, private sector and civil society. These young leaders are from all parts of India and come from a multitude of backgrounds. Thus far, ILI has inducted two classes each graduating 22 Fellows. Preparations are on for launching the third class of ILI later this year.
Using the time-tested Aspen method of text-based dialogue, ILI provides these young leaders with an opportunity:
- to better understand their own leadership values and those of their peers,
- to engage more vigorously with the challenges of their communities and country
- to explore new ways to work in concert to improve Indian society and the world
A part of the Aspen Global Leadership Network (AGLN) comprised of nearly 1200 Fellows in 43 countries, the ILI is designed to help leaders move from personal “success to significance”.
The AGLN is a significant platform for ILI Fellows for not only networking, but also knowledge sharing as it enables interactions with emerging leaders from across the world. This community of young leaders has the power to impact the society at large in significant ways. This is already happening through the individual leadership projects. At a time when trans-national forces are becoming stronger, renewed cooperation and knowledge sharing through the AGLN would be an invaluable asset.