| As a response from the charisma of the Legion and the Regnum Christi to a real need of our society and that Pope Francis has pointed out in his apostolic exhortation Christus Vivit, an Academy of Leadership has been launched in Florence, Italy. In Christus Vivit (no. 245), Pope Francis says: “We must especially accompany young people who are shaping up as leaders, so they can be formed and equipped. The young people who gathered before the Synod asked for youth leadership programs for the training and ongoing development of young leaders. Some young women feel that there is a lack of greater examples of female leadership within the Church and wish to contribute with their intellectual and professional gifts to the Church. We also believe that seminarians, religious men and women should have a greater capacity to accompany young leaders”. Accompanying, training, and launching are also specific traits of the charism of the Legionaries of Christ and Regnum Christi. The mission of Florence Leadership Academy is “to empower, qualify, accompany, connect, and launch young leaders and their unlimited potential,” as Father Kramer Cameron, L.C., one of the people behind this project, tells us. “Our vision is to launch a renaissance of leadership. We believe that young people have unlimited potential and an infinite desire to do good and make an impact. We want to harness this potential and create a movement that changes leadership forever,” he adds. |
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| Florence Leadership Academy was created to train, qualify, accompany, network, and empower young leaders in their limitless potential. It offers training in ethical, sustainable, and integrative leadership through monthly evening meetings, intensive weekend courses, and one-week courses with leadership experts from all areas of society. How does Florence Leadership Academy work? Its participants have the opportunity to meet the most prominent leaders in arts, culture, architecture, fashion, technology, sports, and business, and learn from their personal experiences. Members can meet and network with other young people from around the world, creating a “renaissance of leadership” together. In 2023, Florence Leadership Academy focuses on high school students who want to have a positive impact on society. “We believe that young people have unlimited potential and an infinite desire to do good and make an impact. We want to harness this potential and create a movement that changes leadership forever,” reads on the website of Florence Leadership Academy. |
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| The first event took place on Friday, October 27, 2023, at Palazzo Gondi (Florence, Italy) with the theme “Leadership in Sports”. Among the speakers was Andrea Barzagli, a former professional footballer of Serie A, who won the World Cup with Italy’s team in 2006. Each event begins with a roundtable on leadership, followed by workshops in smaller circles led by experts, and ends with a dinner and a DJ. Florence Leadership Academy is aimed at high school or preparatory students. The educational format includes monthly evening meetings, intensive weekend courses, and one-week courses with leadership experts from all areas of society worldwide. |
