Twenty-First Century Leaders

This case illustrates the creation, development, and challenges faced by the program Twenty-First Century Leaders, an initiative that hinged on alliances forged by private companies and schools to improve educational quality. The program started in Bogotá in 1994 with a group of 10 pairs of business leaders and schools, and it grew nationwide to a total of 17 groups, involving 189 schools y 109 businesses, by 2002. This case may be used to explore the following topics:

• Business companies and their interactions with their surroundings –socially with neighboring communities, and politically with the State.
• Value creation in cross-sector alliances.
• Public engagement by private business leaders.
• Educational institution management.