The Inclusive Global Leadership Initiative

By Tanith Nusbeitel

Korbel's Inclusive Global Leadership Initiative (IGLI) was founded in 2015, due to the influence of various Denver-based philanthropists and Women's Rights activists who noticed the lack of gender programming within Korbel, despite the school housing high numbers of women-identified students. Since its beginning, IGLI's goal has been to amplify the work women do to promote peace and justice within their communities. IGLI focuses on grassroots efforts, rather than peace-work done in heavily institutionalized settings. As IGLI's Director, Dr. Marie Berry notes, "We were more interested in looking at women's leadership not in those formal spaces, but rather in movements and in the streets that were happening all across the globe."

IGLI itself is organized into three foundational pillars: research, programming, and the IGLI Summer Institute. In its research, IGLI performs cutting edge evidence-based research on contemporary social movements and strategies of non-violence. However, its programming is focused on student engagement at Korbel through its speaker series and a rotating practitioner in residence every academic year. This allows IGLI to introduce Korbel students to individuals would not traditionally give lectures or talks within an academic setting. The IGLI Summer Institute is much more outward focused that the other pillars. Its aim is to take the research and knowledge IGLI has gathered and put it into the hands of individuals the Initiative believes hold catalytic potential within their communities, individuals who will go on to start their own social movement or bring existing ones to new heights.

As to what IGLI's plans are for the years ahead, it would like to build up its existing programming more so that future Korbel students can benefit from the Initiative's research. Also, there is the possibility of expanding the Initiative's reach and organizing regional IGLIs for its research to reach a wider range of practitioners throughout the world.