“KECTIL” is an acronym that refers to the Knowles Educational and Charitable Trust for International Leadership.

The Kectil Program is based of the following principals.

[icon_list id=”” class=”” style=””][icon_list_item type=”check” id=”” class=”” style=””]Creating an authentic, collaborative network of high potential youth from developing and least developed countries can break down prejudices, lead to cultural, religious and gender understanding and give youth the comfort that they are more than just themselves– they are part of a mutual youth-based support system with the goal to make a positive difference in their lives, their Colleagues’ lives and the lives of those in their communities.[/icon_list_item][icon_list_item type=”check” id=”” class=”” style=””]Identifying, embracing and mentoring high potential youth (17-26) from developing and least developed countries can have a dramatic effect on the youths’ dreams, service to others and life accomplishments.[/icon_list_item][icon_list_item type=”check” id=”” class=”” style=””]Nothing comes easy and there is “no free lunch.” The results will not be achieved without hard work, dedication and an open mindedness to cultural understanding and compassion.[/icon_list_item][/icon_list]

The Program works to achieve these goals in three parts: a one-year Web-based Program, the Developing Youth Leadership Conference in Atlanta, United States, and the Alumni Network.

Due to logistics and cost, more applicants can be accepted for the Web-based Program than the Developing Youth Leadership Conference in Atlanta. If an applicant is accepted for the Web-based Program but not the Developing Youth Leadership Conference, the applicant can apply the next year to attend the Conference. All applicants accepted for either (i) the Web-based Program or (ii) the Web-based Program and the Leadership Conference are encouraged to join and actively participate in the Alumni Network at the end of the Program.