"I am
because you are."
I can only be a person through other people.
Educating for Human Flourishing
ALU uses a participatory and experiential pedagogical model that is participant-centered and deeply relational, in line with the Ubuntu philosophy.
Peer learning and guided individual reflection;
Teamwork and practical, service-oriented challenges;
Creating a safe space where everyone feels seen, respected, and valued.
What do we do?
An innovative non-formal education program that has been recognized and tested in various national and international contexts.
Who is it intended for?
The Ubuntu Leaders Academy is a universal and transformative initiative. Over the past 16 years, we have had the privilege of seeing “the magic” happen all over the world—from schools in Portugal to universities in Latin America, from the communities of Medellín to villages in South Sudan, in classrooms in the Philippines, and in the World Bank’s staff training rooms.
↑ Meaning and Purpose
A deeply relational path that begins with the “I” and is fulfilled in the “we,” taking the form of a method that helps each person discover themselves as an Ubuntu Leader by returning to their inner core, so they can reach out to others in a renewed and improved way.
↑ Personal and Professional Development
The goal is to support, facilitate, enrich, and strengthen each participant’s development as a leader serving the community, while fostering the personal and technical skills relevant to their life journey.
ALU uses a participatory and experiential teaching model
The Ubuntu Leaders Academy adopts a pedagogical model—developed by IPAV (the Padre António Vieira Institute)—that is participant-centered, based on a participatory and experiential approach. Grounded in a methodology that is, at its core, deeply relational, this non-formal education is fully aligned with the principles of the Ubuntu philosophy.
Nonformal education: active, meaningful, and reality-oriented methods.
Peer learning: sharing, cooperation, and teamwork.
Guided reflection: individual and collective times for integrating what has been learned.
First Edition of the Ubuntu Academy
Launch of the first Ubuntu Academy for 50 young people of migrant descent from the most vulnerable neighborhoods in the Lisbon region.
Ubuntu Academy in Guinea-Bissau
The Ubuntu Academy has arrived in Guinea-Bissau, where it is carrying out in-depth training in leadership and social entrepreneurship with about 70 young people.
Refugee Support Platform
Launch of PAR—the Refugee Support Platform—bringing together more than 300 organizations as civil society’s response to the refugee crisis in Europe. IPAV coordinated this platform, creating a network of host organizations to welcome newly arrived families.
GovInt Arrives in Guinea-Bissau
The GovInt project has arrived in Guinea-Bissau, providing training to individuals and organizations in collaborative methodologies and working with various civil society organizations in four regions.
Ubuntu Schools Leadership Academy
The Ubuntu Leaders Academy is tailored for schools, in partnership with the Directorate-General for Education and the Organization of Ibero-American States, with support from several municipalities (Lisbon, Sintra, Gaia, Odemira...) and the Cidadãos Ativ@s program.
An open, collaborative, and global model
The Ubuntu Leaders Academy is a project that aims to facilitate transformation, foster connections, and (re)connect each person with their true self, training leaders to serve the community.
Training and empowering local agents.
Free and open access through educational materials shared under a cooperation agreement.
Building a global network of organizations aligned with the Ubuntu philosophy.
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