The World is ready. The time is now.

International Leadership Academy

The International Leadership Academy (ILA) for high school students and Jr. ILA for middle school students, is a dynamic summer leadership program that brings Fort Worth students together students from our sister cities.  The highly interactive curriculum celebrates global friendships between youth from Italy, Germany, Japan, Indonesia, Hungary, Mexico, Swaziland and China.  Teachers, as well as local and international college interns, are incorporated as facilitators, working with these young people to discuss and creatively resolve global issues.

Offered each summer since 1989, ILA, the high school academy, is a two-week international issues forum pairing students from each of our sister cities, together with Fort Worth youth.  Students are housed in dorms on the TCU campus where most class activities are conducted.  More than 125 students participate annually.

During a time of international conflict, ILA prepares youth to become global leaders — developing cultural understanding, leadership opportunities, and communication skills.   Through group activities and processes the program is designed to facilitate dialogue and build individual relationships without regard to cultural differences and barriers, resulting in greater understanding and global activism.

The 2012 theme, Visions of Peace, encourages students to explore how youth civic engagement can influence world peace.

Jr. International Leadership Academy

Initiated in 2006, the Jr. International Leadership Academy (Jr.ILA) includes 6th through 8th grade students.   This program focuses on cultural understanding taught by international college students from Mexico, Germany, Italy and Swaziland who have participated in previous ILA programs.  Jr.ILA focuses on developing leadership skills and appreciation of international cultures and is held a on a Fort Worth school campus from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm each day for one week prior to ILA.

Benefits of Attending

• Enhance global leadership, communications, teamwork and problem solving skills
• Learn about cultures, traditions and citizen diplomacy
• Strengthen your global perspective and appreciation for other cultures
• Enhance your college and career opportunities
• Develop lifelong friendships with students from seven countries without leaving Fort Worth

This is a dynamic opportunity to prepare your student to succeed in today’s global economy.  This program broadens understanding of other cultures while building lifelong friendships.  It provides teens with opportunities to develop their own strengths, talents and leadership skills while discovering what they are passionate about.  Space is limited.

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Community Support

This program would not be possible without the support of host families, Fort Worth ambassadors and program support volunteers.  If you are inspired by working with bright, motivated students with a keen interest in developing relationships and changing outlooks to foster peace in our world, this is just the opportunity for you.  The ILA & Jr. ILA programs typically begin for our international students with a week-long celebration of customs and called Cultural Week.  This week is full of fun learning experiences in Fort Worth’s many unique offerings from the Arts District to the Stockyards.

Host Families have the unique opportunity to get to know students on a more personal level over a period of several days through sharing meals, playing games, exchanging languages and extending Fort Worth hospitality to these students in their home.

Friendship Ambassadors support the program in a variety of ways from hosting the students in Cultural Week activities to offering transport and sightseeing highlights along the way.

Program Support Volunteers work closely with the teachers and interns to prepare materials, facilitate group learning activities and encourage relationship building between students who may be from different countries and speak different languages, but are united around a common goal of building peace.

As a volunteer, you will have the opportunity to learn new skills, make friends, develop interests and enjoy the rewards of being involved in something bigger than yourself.  Our volunteers generously give their time and are an integral part of our team.

For more information on any of the volunteer opportunities above, please contact us at volunteer@fwsistercities.org or fill out a volunteer application today.

Download application: 2012 ILA Application  or 2012 JILA Application and send with your deposit to:

Fort Worth Sister Cities International

610 Grove Street

Fort Worth, TX 76102-5555

Check out the ILA Facebook page!