From August 21–23, 2026, the Institute of Regional and International Studies (IRIS) at the American University of Iraq-Sulaimani (AUIS) launched the 2026 Iraq Leadership Fellows (ILF) cohort by hosting the year's first training workshop in Sulaymaniyah.
Supported by the DT Institute, the workshop—titled "Leadership with Purpose"—brought together 32 fellows from across Iraq and the Kurdistan Region for an intensive development experience. Participants engaged in two specialized tracks: Political Candidate and Social Candidate.
Reflecting a shared commitment from AUIS and the DT Institute to build foundational economic literacy among future leaders, the program paired key economic concepts with core leadership skills. Over three immersive days, fellows participated in hands-on sessions led by the ILF capacity-building team, exploring how economic understanding informs effective governance. A major focus was placed on adaptive leadership frameworks and their practical application in confronting Iraq’s most critical challenges.
Looking ahead, preparations for the second workshop are already underway to build on this momentum and deepen the fellows’ engagement with the program's core themes.
