Currently, AYL operations and sphere of functioning includes the following directions:

• Organization of the educational conferences and practical training programs for students, faculty, and school administration with a duration up to five days;
• Development and running one-day seminars dedicated to a particular topic on a monthly basis;
• Organization and running Ropes Course training programs;
• Realization of various projects in the sphere of community development and charity;
• Publishing special literature dedicated to leadership;
• Consulting and training services offered to various educational institutions on a personalized basis;

Educational conference methodology was developed in cooperation with California Association of Student Councils (CASC). The program is a synergy between talents of the young trainers and the recent developments in the area of American corporate training and staff development. With a support of CASC and other companies, such as Interaction Associates, Blanchard Training and Development, and Pheiffer & Company, trainers of the Association of Young Leaders acquire excellent knowledge and experience. Educational literature, materials, and handouts of the organizations named go through the process of translation and adaptation for the further use during AYL events and training programs.

Programming is realized through group setting, where students (13 years old and up) are divided into small groups eight to twelve persons each, or general sessions 100-200 persons each. Monthly Sunday meetings are also organized with a purpose of getting acquainted with program elements, aspects, and general directions. Sunday meetings are perceived to be first and initial introduction to the AYL program, where deeper and broader understanding of its elements is offered at the full-length conferences. Such conferences are offered for the duration of four to five days in suburbs or using camp setting.

Small groups activities are run with facilitation of peer counselors, who assist the participants in their strive to learn new skills of communications and conflict resolutions, decision making and interaction, strategic planning and meeting facilitation. Practical training and interactive exercises help students learn basic mediation skills and acquires some practical skills of oral presentation. The atmosphere of support and positive attitude assist young people in the effort to get initial practice and experience.

One of the most efficient and powerful aspect of the program is Ropes Course, which is relatively new for the post communist countries series of interactive exercises for small groups and individuals. .Ropes Course is set up outdoors, and requires special equipment and staff. The Course serves as a method of team building, ice breaking, challenging, teamwork development. While going through exciting but challenging events of the Course, each group develops positive atmosphere and internal culture, and learns to communicate and support each other in decision making and problem solving. Certain exercises are done on individual basis, and they are usually related to dealing with fear and going beyond the regular personal boundaries.

Ropes Course Staff is highly trained group of people that go through the thorough training offered by the professionals of Russia and USA. The following companies participated in AYL Ropes Course Staff training: Barron Adventures (California, USA) and Odyssey Performance Enhancement Network (California, USA). Both companies offer professional training programs in management, human resources, staff development, and internal culture on a corporate level.

Furthermore, volunteerism is used as a basic way to apply acquired knowledge and skills, as well as develop active citizenship values and attitudes. Therefore, volunteerism is one of the primary directions of AYL operations, where various projects and events help young leaders realize their personal potential.

Various literature and materials are created and published in order to assist educational institutions, educators, and other organizations working with youth.

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NGO "Association of Young Leaders"
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Photos from our conferences!