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Questions and Answers About the International Leadership Forum What is International
Leadership Forum? What is the mission of the ILF? To elicit the collective wisdom of top leaders on the great policy issues of our times, and to communicate that wisdom to policymakers and to the general public. Who are its members? Outstanding CEOs from major corporations and nonprofit organizations around the world, augmented by top government and military leaders, authors, scientists and artists. Why tap CEOs instead of professional experts? Far from being ignored, professional experts participate in every ILF discussion. CEOs, however, like other ILF leaders who are at the very top of their fields, are a breed apart. Tempered by extraordinarily complex and burdensome responsibilities, they have developed unique and extremely valuable perspectives, often more encompassing than those of specialists. The policy recommendations of other think tanks are too often ideologically narrow and largely unheeded. The great need is for a think tank that represents a full spectrum of opinion, and whose analyses can be delivered with major clout. How does it work? In the company of distinguished specialists who facilitate the deliberations, the ILF community meets annually in La Jolla, California and in policy task forces throughout the year on the Internet. By and large, the online discussions are not conducted in real time, but at times convenient to each individual. Why use the Internet? Top leaders
have no time in their busy schedules for extended residential
programs that would permit intensive and prolonged deliberations.
The Internet, however, makes such deliberations possible by
enabling brief participation anywhere, anytime. Improbable as
it may seem, typically over-booked leaders will take the time
to interact on the Internet if the task is important. Experience
has shown that typing ability has never limited participation,
and new speech recognition and video technology makes participation
even easier. Moreover, all ILF discussions are stored and searchable,
and more important, disseminated broadly in a specially designed
interactive form to thousands on the Internet who can read,
react and question. In this way the ILF deliberations can powerfully
influence public discourse.
How does the ILF differ from other programs that seek to involve top leaders? "Blue Ribbon" committees typically ratify reports that are essentially devised by lower level staff members. Other distinguished gatherings of influential leaders, such as the World Economic Forum in Davos, the Young Presidents' Organization, and the Aspen Institute conferences, are relatively brief residential programs usually designed to inform or educate the attendees and permit them to make new contacts useful to their businesses. None of these
treats the leaders as a brain trust, develops them as a continuing
community, marshals their intelligence through the use of advanced
communication technology, generates ideas, strategies and wisdom
to deal with vital issues beyond the operations of their own organizations,
and through though the ILF digest gives their thinking on these
larger issues the wide distribution they deserve.
The ILF is the flagship program of the Western Behavioral Sciences Institute (WBSI), a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization founded in 1958 in La Jolla, California and devoted to research, education and advanced study in the broad field of human affairs. Its work has been supported by most of the major foundations and government agencies, and its staff has always included distinguished scholars and scientists. Why is WBSI qualified to conduct this program? Experience. In 1981, long before there was an Internet, WBSI began creating online communities of leaders. What are some examples? Its highly regarded School of Management and Strategic Studies, which included senior executives from 26 countries, launched the burgeoning field of online distance education, now involving millions of people. Its Teleconference on Productivity, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Commerce, brought together 50 CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, along with top labor leaders, to elicit their perspectives on the declining rate of productivity in the U.S economy. This project proved that leaders at the very top could be mobilized via computer communications to address complex issues personally, thoroughly and successfully in online discussions lasting several months. Its online Task Force on Abortion Policy, including outstanding specialists representing the full range of opinion, created what is doubtless the most illuminating and useful discussion of abortion ever held, one that if conducted in a face-to-face meeting surely would have produced acrimony and polarization. How are issues for ILF deliberation chosen? The members, known as Fellows, assisted by outstanding specialists, set the agenda. What are the benefits for the Fellows? Gaining the necessary knowledge of developments relating to major global issues to be able to apply it not only to shaping policies that could affect a wide range of contemporary issues, but also to the strategic advantage of their own organizations. Enjoying close association with peers and important academic leaders.Acquiring new global perspectives from top CEOs of other countries. Enlarging their vision by considering vital issues beyond their own industry, giving them an understanding the larger context in which their decisions and actions are imbedded. Developing familiarity with advanced computer communications technology used in the ILF. Becoming highly visible commentators on matters of national and international importance.Contributing to a serious effort to make a better world. How is the ILF funded? Becoming a Fellow of the ILF is honorary and by invitation only, therefore no fees are associated with participation. Financial support for the ILF is developed in other ways. Financial support comes from individuals and foundations who believe in the work of the ILF. Contributions are fully tax deductible. Why is the ILF mission so important? Among politicians and government officials everywhere, there is a dangerous lack of fresh and workable ideas, especially ideas that emerge from the collaborations of a powerful group of independent leaders. The ILF gives the world access to that wisdom.
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