After the collapse of the Soviet Union, many independent states were established in the Central Eurasian region (Central Asia, the Caucasus, and surrounding areas). Numerous problems still remain, however, including security issues, international crime, terrorism, and environmental problems. This project aims to contribute to the cultivation of future leaders capable of addressing these problems.
For nine days starting July 17, 2006, the Fifth Annual Central Eurasia Leaders Academy (CELA) Training Course was held at Koç University in Istanbul. It was attended by about 40 people (equal numbers of men and women) representing governments, businesses, and NGOs in the Central Asia and Caucasus regions. During this training, participants formed teams and engaged in lively discussions on the definition of leadership, leadership styles, and leadership evaluation methods. In September, the Kyrgyz CELA team held a conference in Issyk-Kul to strengthen the CELA network and develop future programs. In February 2007, the Armenia CELA team held an International Business Workshop in the capital of Yerevan. It attracted about 40 people who participated in presentations and discussions on such issues as foreign investment and the activities of commercial banks in Armenia.