International Leadership: Final International Conference of the Leadership Academy – 2025

On June 11, 2025, the Kazakh-American Free University hosted the final international conference of the Leadership Academy – 2025, which brought together participants from Kazakhstan, the USA, Afghanistan, Thailand, and the Philippines.

The International Servant Leadership Program (ISLP) is a joint initiative between the Kazakh-American Free University and the international organization Co-Serve International (Portland, Oregon, USA). The program aims to develop modern leadership skills among students, graduate students, and doctoral candidates, based on the principles of serving others, respecting the dignity of every person, unlocking individual potential, and building effective teamwork.

The program is designed to:

– foster personal and professional leadership potential;

– enhance intercultural communication among youth;

– strengthen international cooperation between universities in Kazakhstan and other countries.

As part of the program, participants visited: the Mother’s House crisis center for women, the Garage Leaders Club, the Ethno Park of Ust-Kamenogorsk and a Children’s Day concert, Shygys Universal LLP, the Ust-Kamenogorsk Children’s Center for Special Social Services, the Karavai Bread Factory, the A.S. Pushkin Regional Library and the American Cultural Center, the East Kazakhstan Regional Museum of History and Local Lore, the East Kazakhstan Regional Hospice in the village of Tavriya, the Topikha Men’s Rehabilitation Center, and other organizations and institutions.

Each day included discussions, field visits, and reflective sessions. Participants shared life stories in small groups, explored their values, set personal priorities, and developed their own leadership missions.

A special focus of the conference was the formulation of a personal leadership mission — each participant presented their goals and convictions formed during the program. At the final ceremony, graduates were awarded certificates of completion, and letters of appreciation were presented to representatives from various fields who actively contributed to the program and demonstrated social responsibility.

KAFU expresses sincere gratitude to all participants, partners, and organizers of the International Servant Leadership Program for their invaluable contribution to developing the next generation of global leaders!