Opening of President Ivanov’s 17th School for Young Leaders
🎓 17th School for Young Leaders of President Ivanov: “New World. New Leadership. New Pragmatism.”
📅 A New Generation, a New Chapter
The 17th School for Young Leaders of President Ivanov began yesterday under this year’s theme, “New World. New Leadership. New Pragmatism.” The program runs from October 26 to November 7, 2026, in a hybrid format, with online sessions from October 26 to 29 and an in-person program from October 31 to November 7 at the Inex Olgica Hotel in Ohrid.
🎤 Opening Addresses
In keeping with tradition, the School opened with an address by its founder, President Gjorge Ivanov, followed by addresses from Bertie Ahern, former Prime Minister of Ireland (1997–2008) and one of the principal architects of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, and Rick Hathaway, Co-Founder of Global Learning Lab International. The session was moderated by Ivan Ivanov of the International Center “Alliance of Civilizations.”
🧭 President Ivanov: Independent Thinking, Practical Wisdom, and Responsibility
In his opening address, President Ivanov explored this year’s theme, reflecting on the changes shaping the contemporary world and young people’s responsibility to help shape them. He highlighted the concept of a “creative minority” as a driving force behind civilizational change – people who think independently, take initiative, and create solutions rather than expect them to come from others.
Speaking about new pragmatism, Ivanov drew on Singapore’s experience, highlighting meritocracy, pragmatism, and honesty as principles underpinning its development. He stressed the need to connect knowledge and ideas with practical wisdom, an understanding of context, and the ability to respond to real challenges, with honesty remaining a foundation of responsible leadership.
He devoted particular attention to “cognitive sovereignty” – preserving independent thought amid digital overload and external influences. He encouraged participants to make time for digital detox, reading books, and self-reflection, developing their ability to critically assess information and make their own considered decisions. Reflecting on the crisis of liberal democracy and the liberal economic model, Ivanov noted that emerging leaders need not only a map but also a compass – a sense of values and sound judgment to help them navigate uncertainty.
President Ivanov framed the School’s mission in this context: to encourage young people to develop independent thinking, practical wisdom, and responsibility for their actions. With a concluding message urging young people not to wait for a new world but to actively create it, he declared the 17th School for Young Leaders open.
🕊️ Bertie Ahern: Dialogue, Trust, and the Courage to Compromise
In his address, former Prime Minister of Ireland Bertie Ahern emphasized that leadership entails responsibility, careful judgment, and a willingness to make difficult decisions. Sharing his experiences of the Northern Ireland peace process and the achievement of the Good Friday Agreement, he highlighted the importance of dialogue, patience, and building trust, noting that compromise is an act of courage rather than weakness.
He encouraged young leaders to listen carefully, remain open to different perspectives, and always place people at the centre of their actions. Ahern also stressed the necessity of international cooperation, emphasizing that no country can address today’s global challenges alone.
🌱 Rick Hathaway: From “Best in the World” to “Best for the World”
In his address on leadership for social impact, Rick Hathaway emphasized that leaders’ success is measured by their contribution to the community, calling for a shift from striving to be “the best in the world” to striving to be “the best for the world.”
He stressed that ideals and commitment must be translated into concrete, measurable results through a pragmatic approach and effective action. He identified cooperation between the private, public, and civil society sectors, the creation of sustainable systems that will also serve future generations, and careful attention to people’s actual needs as key priorities. He encouraged young leaders to use their knowledge, perseverance, and influence to advance meaningful social progress and support the next generation of leaders.
A shared message across the addresses was that leadership is demonstrated through integrity, responsibility, and concrete results that improve the lives of people and communities.
🤖 Responsible Leadership in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
This year’s program focuses on responsible judgment, ethical decision-making, and the application of knowledge to contemporary challenges. Particular attention will be given to artificial intelligence and its impact on how we learn, work, and lead, as well as to human values and responsibility in the use of new technologies.
🌍 40 Participants from Eight Countries
🌍 This year’s School brings together 40 young people from eight countries—Macedonia, the United States, Azerbaijan, Türkiye, Egypt, Japan, Nepal, and Afghanistan. With diverse educational and professional backgrounds, participants share an interest in leadership, personal development, and civic engagement. The international composition of the group creates opportunities to exchange different perspectives and experiences and build connections for future cooperation.
🛠️ Learning Through Discussion, Collaboration, and Practice
The program combines mentoring, lectures, interactive workshops, discussions, and group projects, with around 30 lecturers from Macedonia and abroad. Participants will have opportunities to develop their leadership and communication skills, work on shared solutions, and exchange experiences with lecturers and young people from different professional and cultural backgrounds. The program also includes project assignments involving the practical application of artificial intelligence, a public speaking evening, an environmental activity, and opportunities to explore Ohrid’s cultural and historical heritage.
🎙️ Around 30 Lecturers and Speakers Sharing Their Knowledge and Experience
This year’s lecturers and speakers include Rza Aliyev, Secretary-General of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center; Dr. Rashela Mizrahi, Member of Parliament; Cordell Carter, Founder and CEO of the Project on Belonging; Professor Colin Snider of the University of Texas at Tyler; Mike Cobb, a strategist in innovation and organizational excellence; and Zoran Jolevski, former Minister of Defence and former Ambassador to the United States.
Also sharing their knowledge and experience will be Filip Nelkovski, a Stanford CDDRL Fellow; Emanuel Stadler, Co-Founder and CEO of Optimentum; Jakub Popluhar, an artificial intelligence trainer and consultant; Vojdan Karapetkovski, CEO of Kara5; Ilija Tonevski, CEO of Delfino Mobility Group; and Stojche Stamenkovski, Special Adviser for Communications in the Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade.
Lectures and workshops will also be delivered by Sanja Mitrovska, Founder and CEO of Networker and creator and host of The Founder Games™; Ana Sekulovska, Programme Director of Startup Club Skopje; Zoran Kostovski, Director of Motiva; Ranko Bezar, a management consultant; Ivana Hadzivanova, MA, a psychologist and psychotherapist; and Anastasija Ilievska, President of the Ivanov School of Leaders Alumni Association (ISLAA) and a specialist in public speaking and body language.
🌐 A special part of the programme is the session with world-renowned economist Professor Jeffrey Sachs, Director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University and President of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network. His work focuses on global development, poverty reduction, and sustainability, and his participation will give young people an opportunity to explore the perspectives of one of the world’s most prominent experts in these fields.
💬 The programme also includes the panel discussion “250 Years of the American Experiment: Leadership, Democracy, and Reinvention” and the special session “Leading in a World That Won’t Wait” with Minister of Digital Transformation Stefan Andonovski, who is also an alumnus of the School. During a session with members of the ISLAA Alumni Association, representatives of different generations will share their professional experiences and development since participating in the School.
For the second consecutive year, the School also ran a mentoring program, which began in mid-September and concluded before the School’s opening. It involved 13 mentors from previous generations, with alumni Daniel Gjokjeski and Vesna Trajkovska leading both the mentor training and the overall program. Through open conversation, exchanges of experience, and individual support, the mentors contributed to participants’ personal and professional development, strengthening connections between generations of the School.
🏛️ Organizers
The School is organized by:
the Cabinet of Former President Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, (link)
the International Center “Alliance of Civilizations” (ICAC), and
the Ivanov School of Leaders Alumni Association (ISLAA).
🙏 Sponsors and Supporters
The School is made possible with the support of its sponsors and supporters: the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), Inex Olgica Hotel Ohrid, TAV Macedonia, EVN, Mikrosam, Alkaloid AD Skopje, Vitaminka AD Prilep, Delfino Mobility Group, Petrol Oil Company, Eko Fluid, Halkbank, Pivara Skopje, Ezimit, Turkish Airlines, Kostal, United Macedonian Diaspora, and MOTIVA.
🎓 A Continuing Commitment to Young Leaders
The School for Young Leaders is an initiative launched by President Ivanov in 2010. Across its previous 16 editions, 625 young people from Macedonia and more than 40 other countries completed the program, while approximately 450 distinguished lecturers and speakers from Macedonia and around the world shared their knowledge and experience. With its 17th edition, the School continues its commitment to developing young leaders who will contribute to their communities and beyond through knowledge, integrity, and social responsibility.
