The International Leadership Forum (ILF) is a non-partisan, Internet-based think tank

Think tank

A think tank is an organization that conducts research and engages in advocacy in areas such as social policy, political strategy, economics, military, and technology issues. Most think tanks are non-profit organizations, which some countries such as the United States and Canada provide with tax...

 composed of policy leaders. The Forum participants participate in online policy forums to discuss the major issues facing global society.

The ILF evolved from the Western Behavioral Sciences Institute

Western Behavioral Sciences Institute

The Western Behavioral Sciences Institute was founded in 1958, in La Jolla, California, as an independent, nonprofit organization devoted to research, education and advanced study in human affairs...

 (WBSI), building on the Institute’s work in the creation of online communities.

Participants include former US Ambassador to NATO Harlan Cleveland

Harlan Cleveland

Harlan Cleveland was an American diplomat, educator, and author. He served as Lyndon Johnson's U.S. Ambassador to NATO, 1965–1969, and earlier as U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs, 1961-1965...

, author/filmmaker Michael Crichton

Michael Crichton

John Michael Crichton , best known as Michael Crichton, was an American best-selling author, producer, director, and screenwriter, best known for his work in the science fiction, medical fiction, and thriller genres. His books have sold over 200 million copies worldwide, and many have been adapted...

, anthropologist Mary Catherine Bateson

Mary Catherine Bateson

Mary Catherine Bateson is an American writer and cultural anthropologist.A graduate of the Brearley School, Bateson is the daughter of Margaret Mead and Gregory Bateson. Since 1960, she has been married to Barkev Kassarjian, a professor of business management at Babson College...

, psychoanalyst Douglass Carmichael, Biospherian Jane Poynter

Jane Poynter

Jane Poynter is an author, businesswoman and environmentalist. Poynter was one of the original crewmembers of Biosphere 2. Along with seven other individuals, Poynter was confined to the sealed environment for two years....

, survey researcher Daniel Yankelovich

Daniel Yankelovich

Daniel Yankelovich is a public opinion analyst and social scientist.-Education:After attending Boston Latin School, Yankelovich graduated from Harvard University in 1946 and 1950 before completing postgraduate studies at the Sorbonne in France. As a psychology professor he has taught at New York...

, former president of Planned Parenthood

Planned Parenthood

Planned Parenthood Federation of America , commonly shortened to Planned Parenthood, is the U.S. affiliate of the International Planned Parenthood Federation and one of its larger members. PPFA is a non-profit organization providing reproductive health and maternal and child health services. The...

 Gloria Feldt

Gloria Feldt

Gloria Feldt at Temple, Texas, is a well-known author, commentator, and feminist leader.Feldt is a frequent public speaker, lecturing at universities, civic and professional organizations, and national and international conferences on women, feminism, politics, leadership, media, and health...

, actress and former Chairman of the National Endowment of the Arts Jane Alexander

Jane Alexander

Jane Alexander is an American actress, author, and former director of the National Endowment for the Arts. Although perhaps best known for playing the female lead in The Great White Hope on both stage and screen, Alexander has played a wide array of roles in both theater and film and has committed...

, Yale economist and political scientist Charles Lindblom, author Ralph Keyes

Ralph Keyes (author)

Ralph Keyes is an author and lecturer who has written 16 books including Is There Life After High School?, which was adapted as a musical that opened on Broadway in 1982 and is still produced by theater groups across the United States...

, former U.S. Federal Communications Commission

Federal Communications Commission

The Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the...

 (FCC) commissioner Nicholas Johnson

Nicholas Johnson

Nicholas Johnson is best known for his controversial term as a dissenting Federal Communications Commission commissioner, 1966-1973, and his book, How to Talk Back to Your Television Set...

. Participants also include other ILF Fellows and guest experts.