30 Years of IAF

7) Impact

Stories That Cross Borders: The IAF Alumni Journey

Since its founding in 1995, the International Academy for Leadership (IAF) has been more than a seminar center—it has been a launchpad for personal growth, political inspiration, and professional transformation. Rooted in liberal values and global dialogue, the IAF experience continues to resonate long after the seminar ends.

While our official participant records begin in 1999, they already reveal an incredible journey: over 8,594 individuals from 132 countries have taken part in our seminars. From grassroots organizers to parliamentarians, entrepreneurs to human rights defenders, the IAF alumni network reflects the diverse and dynamic force of liberal changemakers worldwide.

Our top participating countries span continents, speaking to a growing global demand for liberal education, open dialogue, and collaborative leadership. But beyond the numbers are the stories—the friendships sparked in Gummersbach, the projects launched across borders, the confidence gained, and the ideas shaped and tested in an international forum of peers.

This page is dedicated to those stories. Here, IAF alumni share how their time with us has impacted their professional paths, political engagement, and personal development. These journeys are the heart of what the IAF stands for: connecting people through ideas, and empowering them to make a difference.

We will add more stories shortly!