Final Conference of the International Leadership Academy – 2026 at KAFU

On June 8, 2026, the final conference of the International Leadership Academy 2026 was held at the Kazakh-American Free University. It was organized by KAFU jointly with Co-Serve International (Portland, USA). The conference marked the final event of a unique two-week educational program, bringing together participants from Kazakhstan, the USA, Uzbekistan, Nigeria, and the Philippines.

The conference was attended by Yerezhep A. Mambetkaziyev, President of the Kazakh-American Free University and Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Daniel Ballast, Vice President of KAFU for International Programs and Cooperation and Director of the International Leadership Academy; representatives of international organizations; and university faculty and staff.

Welcoming the participants, they noted the importance of international educational initiatives that help young people develop leadership skills, learn to interact with representatives of different cultures, and understand their responsibility to society.

Over the course of two weeks, Academy participants learned about the activities of government, public, educational, and business organizations in East Kazakhstan, exploring leadership principles through practical experience. Ronald and Jeanine Wiley, representatives of the international non-governmental organization Resource Exchange International (USA), actively participated in the implementation of the program. They served as mentors for the participants, conducted discussions, reflective meetings, and helped the students understand their experience.

The central part of the conference was the presentations by the Academy participants themselves. The students delivered final presentations, sharing their impressions, highlighting the program’s highlights, and presenting their own vision of leadership, shaped by meetings with business leaders, social institutions, and public organizations.

Particular attention was paid to the organizations the participants visited during the Academy. These included the “Return to Life” addiction support program in the village of Topikha, the “Mama’s House” resource center for women in crisis, the Ust-Kamenogorsk Children’s Center for Special Social Services, the “Garage” time club and Leaders’ Club, the East Kazakhstan Regional Hospice in the village of Tavria, the Shygys Universal trout farm, the A.S. Pushkin East Kazakhstan Regional Library, and American Corner Oskemen.

In their presentations, participants noted that each meeting offered a glimpse into various manifestations of leadership—in social spheres, education, business, philanthropy, and community service. Students said they were particularly impressed by those who dedicated their lives to serving others, developing communities, and helping those in difficult circumstances.

A separate section of the conference was devoted to thanking the Academy’s partners. Participants expressed gratitude to all the organizations and specialists who hosted the international group, shared their experiences, and openly discussed their work. Expressions of gratitude were expressed to Nailya T. Ongarbaeva, head of the Ust-Kamenogorsk branch of the Ana Uyi (Mama’s House) public foundation; Evgeny B. Kabardin, a manager of the Return to Life program; Elvira Allahverdiyeva, director of “Garage” Time Club; Vyacheslav B. Assanov, head of “Shygys Universal” LLP; Olga N. Batueva, director of the Children’s Center for the Provision of Special Social Services; Ksenia Verba, director of global impact programs at InDrive; Yerbolat O. Bayrov, director of the East Kazakhstan Regional Hospice; Zhangir Kh. Dakiev, deputy imam of the Khalifa Altai regional mosque; Timur Shaidullin, coordinator of American Corner Oskemen; as well as representatives of St. Andrew’s Cathedral and other program partners. The conference concluded with a certificate presentation ceremony for the 2026 International Leadership Academy graduates. Participants noted that the Academy was an important stage in their personal and professional development, allowing them to broaden their horizons, gain international experience, and gain a new perspective on leadership as a service to people and society.

The International Leadership Academy has remained one of the most significant international projects of the Kazakh-American Free University for many years, promoting intercultural dialogue, strengthening international cooperation, and preparing a new generation of leaders capable of changing the world for the better.