Human Flourishing & Takeaways from ECIS 60th Leadership Conference

With a deep commitment to learning from and connecting with colleagues across the global international school community, Senior Search Associates Consultant Jeremy Lewis was delighted to join more than 400 participants at the 60th Anniversary ECIS Annual Leadership Conference. Held 3–5 April at the International School of Stuttgart (ISS), the event invited attendees to “immerse [themselves] in dynamic sessions, engage with thought-provoking speakers, and connect with visionary leaders…”

The Conference opened with a spirited performance from the musical Annie, delivered by ISS drama students which was followed by the ISS Head of School Tim Kelley emphasizing that the conference’s central theme—Human Flourishing—should remain the “ultimate goal of education.” Attendees were then treated to heartfelt reflection by ECIS Founder Francis Clivaz, who shared insights from the organization’s beginnings in 1965.

Representing Search Associates (SEARCH), Jeremy had a full and rewarding schedule. He attended three keynote addresses, offering this reflection on the conference’s opening keynote:

The theme of ‘human flourishing’ was underscored in Dr. Marc Brackett’s keynote address where he spoke about the ‘Permission to Feel.’ Dr. Brackett…struck the perfect balance between the poignant and the humorous, where he reminded attendees that emotions matter, and that they are the drivers for attention and memory, decision making, relationship quality, physical and mental health, and performance. He cited his research which concluded that the ‘permission to feel’ is the strongest predictor of wellbeing. He left the audience to ponder the notion that schools do better when their leaders and teachers have high levels of EQ (emotional intelligence). All in all, a great start to the hugely well-attended and flourishing conference.

As a recruiter and educational consultant, Jeremy values not only the opportunity to network but also the chance to engage with new thinking and current developments in international education. “This exposure adds value to the exchange between the consultant and those being interviewed as potential school leaders,” he notes. One particularly engaging session on,” he notes. One particularly engaging session on artificial intelligence (AI) sparked Jeremy’s interest in further collaboration with EBLANA LEARNING, an organization committed to providing comprehensive AI guidance for International Baccalaureate schools.

Friday evening’s dinner provided a lively setting for reconnecting with SEARCH members and making new connections. Jeremy particularly enjoyed the opportunity to “informally introduce SEARCH” to those unfamiliar with the organization’s services.

Throughout the conference, Jeremy hosted the SEARCH table in the Exhibitors Hall, where he engaged with a wide range of participants and some 20 fellow exhibitors. “Their focus ranged from Wellbeing, to AI, to eSports, to neuroplasticity awareness and its impact in education, to governance, general coaching/mentoring, and learning management systems (Toddle),” he observed.

The final keynote, delivered by Dr. Stefan Sommer, reinforced the importance of core 21st-century competencies: Critical Thinking, Creativity, Collaboration, and Communication. His message underscored the need for future-ready learners and challenged schools to foster environments where students can build and demonstrate these essential skills.

Attending foundational international education conferences such as the ECIS Leadership Conference remains a top priority for Search Associates. Staying attuned to emerging ideas, innovations, and challenges in the international school community allows us to remain future-ready—and to better support educators around the world in their professional journeys.