When LEAD was set up in 1991, the mission was to train a new generation of leaders from around the world, especially developing nations, in leadership skills and sustainable development, and create a global network so they could continue to exchange ideas and work together long after the training was over.

LEAD has successfully delivered the original goal. Potential leaders from all over the world and a multitude of disciplines have been through the LEAD training programme, and many are now in positions of considerable influence. LEAD currently has members programmes in Anglophone West Africa, Brazil, Canada, China, CIS, Europe, Francophone Africa, India, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, Pakistan and Southern and Eastern Africa.

By the year of 2007, LEAD has inagurated more than 1700 LEAD fellows, --those who have graduated from LEAD Associated Training (LAT)-and give significant contribution to their home countries. Pie chart below describes the percentage of Fellows by Region. Region Asia has the highest percentage compare to other regions, following by Africa and Latin America.

LEAD Fellows also represent various sector or institution, including academia, business, government, media and NGO. Among others, government sectors is placed in the first rank of percentage, following by NGO and academia. See the chart below: