On July 25-27, 2025, the Institute of Regional and International Studies (IRIS) at the American University of Iraq-Sulaimani (AUIS) launched the 2025 class of the Iraq Leadership Fellows by hosting the first training workshop of the year 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 leadership development experience. Participants were split into two specialized tracks: the Political Candidate Track and the Social Activist Track.
Reflecting the shared commitment of AUIS and the DT Institute to addressing Iraq’s environmental challenges, for over two years, the ILF curriculum has integrated climate and environmental accountability as a central theme. Sessions focused on the urgent need for climate action, especially in the context of Iraq’s growing crises around water scarcity and desertification.
Over three immersive days, fellows in both tracks participated in hands-on training sessions led by the ILF capacity-building team. A major focus was on Adaptive Leadership—its frameworks and how they can be practically applied to confront Iraq’s most critical issues.
Looking forward, a second workshop is already underway, continuing the momentum and deepening the fellows’ engagement with the program’s core themes.
