International Leadership
and Business Summit

A one-week program hosted at Georgetown University. Participants will meet with global leaders and collaborate with high school students from across the country to develop solutions for real-world problems facing businesses in developing nations.

Grades: 9-12
Duration: 6 days
Summit Dates: June 25-30, 2017 (waiting list), July 9-14, 2017 and July 23-28, 2017 Update
Location: Washington, DC

ENROLLNOMINATE

A Life-Changing Experience

This summer join the best and brightest high school students from around the country who want to transform the world! At the International Leadership and Business Summit (ILBS), held at Georgetown University, you will collaborate with international development experts as you explore solutions to real-world problems facing small businesses in Northern Nigeria. Professional mentors will hone your leadership skills and acquaint you with the needs of developing communities. Best of all, you will be creating REAL solutions for REAL business owners across the globe. This unique experience means your work will have an immediate impact. You are never too young to make a meaningful, authentic impact in your world!

Leadership Initiatives (LI) is excited to host the International Leadership and Business Summit this summer! LI is a well-established, nonprofit organization that assists leaders in the developing world identify and support businesses appropriate to their communities. LI helps entrepreneurs secure local financing and provides the business classes and training necessary for developing competent managers and skilled labor. Once businesses are established, LI continues to guide owners as they plan for expansion or struggle to overcome major and minor obstacles. YOU can become part of this important effort!

Transform The World Today!

Over the course of six days, student teams will form partnerships with small business owners in Nigeria. There are a variety of businesses that need solutions as they launch, expand and overcome obstacles, such as fish and poultry farmers, welders, auto mechanics and textile merchants. These businesses provide needed products and services to their communities. Your team will address real challenges of these entrepreneurs by researching and designing potential solutions and presenting these solutions to a panel of business development experts. If your team’s proposal is selected, your business owner will receive a grant to implement the solutions you have developed.

This Summit provides a truly unique experience—a direct connection with your business partner. LI staff in Nigeria and on-site at Georgetown will help you learn about each business, its owner and the challenges that hinder continued growth. Next, you will be introduced via Skype to the owners at their local LI office in Nigeria. Translators facilitate your discussions of problems and viable solutions and help you get to know your partner—not just as a business owner or a beneficiary, but also as a teammate and friend.

You will also have the opportunity to join the Leadership Initiatives’ International Business Alliance Program (IBAP). IBAP is a highly competitive leadership program in which students spend 12-18 months working with Nigerian businesses. As a Summit participant, you will bypass the application process and continue working with your business partner and/or another business. You may also form student teams at your school. Members of IBAP will receive college search and application assistance, individualized letters of recommendation, one-on-one conferences with highly qualified mentors, free online SAT prep courses from TestRocker, scholarship application assistance and other services. Most significant, however, is the satisfaction you will experience as you continue to change and impact lives around the world!