IVLP

The International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) is U.S. Department of State's premier professional exchange program. Each year, U.S. embassies nominate thousands of current and emerging leaders from all over the world to participate in IVLP exchanges. Learn more about the #IVLP at https://eca.state.gov/IVLP. @exchangeourworld @globaltiesus @statedept

New Mexico offered this group of African anti-trafficking leaders a perfect encapsulation of the #IVLP experience: 🥝 Fruitful professional meetings to explore and share best practices, 🔎 Deep insight into the United States’ diverse history and culture, 🍽 A taste of American hospitality, and 👨‍🎨 Exposure to the arts, architecture, and nature that color this land. Scroll to see more from their New Mexico adventure! ▶ @globaltiesabq @global_santa_fe @meridianintl @globaltiesus

The IVLP celebrates #PRIDE all year! IVLP exchanges foster connections and conversations that empower advocates in their work to advance the human rights of people all over the world, including those working to protect the rights of the LGBTQI+ community. This year, there are more than 10 #IVLP exchanges focused on expanding professional networks for human and civil rights advocates, community leaders, academics, journalists, politicians, and others who are working to promote visibility, raise awareness, and advocate for equality and acceptance for all people. We thank our IVLP partners for making these meaningful exchanges possible and look forward to working together on upcoming programs! @globaltiesus @crdfglobal @meridianintl @iainternational @world_orlando @exchangeourworld

The United States is committed to preventing and responding to gender-based violence around the world.  Recently, psychologists and a physician working in the earthquake zone in Southeast Türkiye 🇹🇷 visited the United States for an International Visitor Leadership Program (#IVLP ) exchange where they met with their American counterparts and explored ways to address the effects of gender-based violence and natural disasters on women and children.  Here they are in New Orleans, Louisiana, and Washington D.C after inspirational meetings with representatives from @houseofruthdc and @wwavnola , institutions dedicated to providing support to those affected by gender-based violence. The IVLP participants left both meetings with new ideas of ways to provide support to women and children impacted by abuse during and after natural disasters. A special thank you to our partners for making this IVLP exchange happen! Exchange programs like this help American and international professionals expand their networks and strengthen their capacity to empower women and address the effects of gender-based violence in the U.S. and abroad. @abdbuyukelciligi @ac.ivlp @globalneworleans @globaltiessf @globaltiessac @exchangeourworld #gbv #genderequality

Congratulations to the 2024 Trafficking in Persons Report Heroes! Many of the Heroes will participate in an International Visitor Leadership Program (#IVLP ) exchange to engage with their American counterparts in Washington, DC and Raleigh, NC on ways to end human trafficking. By fostering people-to-people connections between the Heroes and anti-trafficking advocates in the United States, we can build a global network dedicated to the mission to #EndHumanTrafficking . #tipreportheroes #tipreport @trafficking_in_persons_state @exchangeourworld @meridianintl @intlfocusnc @globaltiesus

What does it to take to create and manage sustainable cities? During their visit to the town of Kingston, New York, these IVLP participants explored this question with the Mayor of Kingston himself, Steven Noble. Leading the participants on an incredible kayak tour of the Hudson River, Mayor Noble explained how pollution of the river has been mitigated on Kingston’s shores through rewilding and establishment of the Sojourner Truth State Park. This group also visited notable sites in Kingston that exemplify Kingston’s sustainability efforts, discussed city projects relating to resiliency and composting, and met with members of many of Kingston’s sustainable development partnerships and initiatives. This visit to Kingston inspired this IVLP group to consider new possibilities for how they can strengthen the resilience of their communities in the face of the global climate crisis. We can’t wait to hear about what they learn and experience in the other U.S. cities they are visiting! #IVLP @fhi360 @cityofkingstonny @globalminnesota @globalneworleans #sustainability #sustainablecities

Through #IVLP exchanges, international leaders learn firsthand about U.S. history and efforts to dismantle racial and social injustice. For Juneteenth, African professionals participating in an IVLP exchange focused on combating human trafficking attended a special tour in Washington, DC of the famous U Street Corridor, also known as Washington’s “Black Broadway.” During this tour, the group reflected on the contributions of Black Americans, the meaning and legacy of Juneteenth, and what Americans are doing to build equity and social justice. At the same time, IVLP participants from 15 countries toured the Bronzeville neighborhood of Chicago, also known as the "Black Metropolis" of the city, learning more about the community's rich history and culture and the pursuit for freedom, justice, dignity, and opportunity for all. @meridianintl @ac.ivlp @worldchicago @6figga_dilla #juneteenth #ushistory

"My goal is to raise a generation that loves and understands nature and that is confident and brave to solve the climate crisis through innovations." - Patricia Kombo In 2023, Patricia Kombo, the founder of the PaTree Initiative and IVLP #ExchangeAlumni from Kenya 🇰🇪, implemented an IVLP Impact Award project in her community that promoted environmental stewardship and climate literacy among youth. 🌱 According to Patricia, this project was inspired by her 2023 #IVLP exchange experience in the U.S., particularly her meetings with staff from the @wilkescenter for Climate Science and Policy at the University of Utah and representatives of @portlandgeneral_ !!re!!_039;s Project Zero. Learn more about Patricia's project and the IVLP Impact Awards here: /profile/patricia-kombo/ (the link to the IVLP Impact Awards website can be found in our Instagram Bio). @voicesofexchange @usembassynairobi @meridianintl @globaltiesmiami @world_oregon @utahglobaldiplomacy @sciencediplomacy_usa Audio credit: TURPAK

Recently, media professionals from 16 countries met with the Acting Assistant Secretary, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary and Deputy Spokesperson from the Bureau of Global Public Affairs, as part of the #IVLP’s “Edward R. Murrow Program for Journalists” series. In the @statedept_ !!re!!_039;s daily press briefing room, they discussed the U.S. Department of State’s role in the fight against the proliferation of deceptive media and the dissemination of disinformation. @exchangeourworld @meridianintl

Earlier this month, we concluded the 10th annual Towards a More Safe and Secure World (#TMSSW ) IVLP initiative! This exchange program brought judicial, law enforcement, and security officials from 50 countries to the USA 🇺🇸, building a global network to better address and collaborate on shared global security issues. #GlobalSecurity @meridianintl @_epciv @globalaustin @globaltiesdetroit @globaltiessf @globaltiessac @globaltiesaz @wtcinstitute @worldpartnerships @sd_diplomacy #IVLP

Keep an eye out for these upcoming exchange programs! The International Visitor Leadership Program (#IVLP ) welcomes international professionals and experts to the U.S. for short term exchange programs on a variety of topics. To learn more, please visit https://eca.state.gov/ivlp.

As the birthplace of Hip Hop, New York was a required stop for last month's International Visitor Leadership Program (#IVLP ) on Hip Hop and Civic Engagement! The IVLP New York Program Branch Team developed an immersive five-day schedule for the participants, including visits to: (1) 1520 Sedgwick Avenue, the community center where hip-hop was created in 1973. (2) The New York Public Library’s Schomburg Center for Black Research, a central archive of the African-American experience. (3) The legendary Apollo Theater, one of America’s greatest stages. The participants also met with Joe Conzo, the iconic hip hop photographer, at the Bronx Documentary Center! Through their IVLP experience in New York City; Washington., DC; and Raleigh/Chapel Hill, North Carolina this group explored hip hop’s role as a civic engagement tool and learned innovative ways educators are using music to teach and preserve history and uplift their communities.