Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Galt (ECA) and Ambassador Brownback (IRF) meet with religious leaders from 26 countries to further the conversation begun by Secretary Pompeo and DRL/IRF at the Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom hosted at the State Department earlier this year. The participants are part of an International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) exchange.

Ibragim Nurjanov and his IVLP group meet with Commissioner Victor Calise of New York City's Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD)

Icelandic IVLP group whale watching in the United States

From Cultural Vistas blog post:

"Last spring, several members of IceWhale, an Icelandic NGO comprised of whale watching tour operators, spent 10 days in the United States as part of an International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) project administered by Cultural Vistas. The group traveled to three U.S. cities to explore ways to promote whale conservation and whale watching policies by lobbying local and national government officials.

Upon returning home, the group immediately began implementing new ideas and strategies gained through the IVLP visit. They partnered with the Iceland Tourist Industry Association to hold a forum with representatives of all major political parties to present a strong, economy-focused case.

'The program is the reason this happened,' said one participant. 'Had we not gone together on this trip, we wouldn’t fully understand the importance of working as an industry and to use economic arguments to make our point and change minds.'

The result of their efforts?

In December, the Reykjavik City Council unanimously passed a resolution urging the Government of Iceland to expand an important whale sanctuary in Faxaflói Bay, near the capital city.

The proposed expansion could effectively end whaling in the bay, as the border of the current sanctuary accounts for 80 percent of Iceland’s minke whaling, according to the International Fund for Animal Welfare."

Please credit this photo to Cultural Vistas. Full story here: culturalvistas.org/international-visitor-leadership-progr...

This alumni group that has been meeting for the past 10 years in different participant countries. This reunion will include a meeting on the Hill to share the impact of their IVLP programs.

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My 3 weeks trip to Washington DC, Portland, Dallas, New York, supported by US State Department and US Embassy Jakarta

Members of the International Visitors Council of Los Angeles meet with Assistant Secretary of State Ann Stock at the U.S. Department of State on February 17, 2011. The members were in Washington, DC attending the annual National Council for International Visitors’ (NCIV) National Meeting.

This year marks NCIV’s 50th anniversary and its half century partnership with the US Department of State. Members and volunteers from 90 community based organizations around the country spent three days sharing best practices, exchanging ideas and learning more about the International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP) exchanges.state.gov/ivlp one of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ Premier Exchange Programs.

The International Visitors Council of Los Angeles hosts International Visitors who travel to the United States on this program. They arrange professional meetings, cultural activities and home hospitality for visitors from around the world.

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My 3 weeks trip to Washington DC, Portland, Dallas, New York, supported by US State Department and US Embassy Jakarta

Culinary Diplomacy IVLP participant Phyu Phyu Tin of Burma at the White House with executive chef Cristeta Comerford

Members of the Rock River Valley International Fellowship meet with Assistant Secretary of State Ann Stock at the U.S. Department of State on February 17, 2011. The members were in Washington, DC attending the annual National Council for International Visitors’ (NCIV) National Meeting.

This year marks NCIV’s 50th anniversary and its half century partnership with the US Department of State. Members and volunteers from 90 community based organizations around the country spent three days sharing best practices, exchanging ideas and learning more about the International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP) exchanges.state.gov/ivlp one of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ Premier Exchange Programs.

The Rock River Valley International Fellowship hosts International Visitors who travel to the United States on this program. They arrange professional meetings, cultural activities and home hospitality for visitors from around the world.

Hindou Oumarou of Chad asks a question of Grant Harris, Senior Director for African Affairs at the White House on May 2, 2012.

Rachida Aziz of Belgium and Bilkisu Isma of Nigeria with designer Ce Ce Chin while in New York, NY in 2011. (photo courtesy of Ce Ce Chin)

Cecilia Enriquez Aliaga of Bolivia at the International Women of Courage Awards on March 8, 2012.

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My 3 weeks trip to Washington DC, Portland, Dallas, New York, supported by US State Department and US Embassy Jakarta

Sukkot reception iho Embassy exchange and outreach programs, at the CMR October 19, 2016

The 2010 African Women's Entrepreneurship Program women visit the White House.

Joe Ebina from Congo meets Grant Harris, Senior Director for African Affairs at the White House, on May 2, 2012.

This alumni group that has been meeting for the past 10 years in different participant countries. This reunion will include a meeting on the Hill to share the impact of their IVLP programs.

AWEP 2012 participants listen to designer Diane von Furstenberg at the opening session in New York City.

This alumni group that has been meeting for the past 10 years in different participant countries. This reunion will include a meeting on the Hill to share the impact of their IVLP programs.

Opening Panel

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My 3 weeks trip to Washington DC, Portland, Dallas, New York, supported by US State Department and US Embassy Jakarta

AWEP women check out the merchandise at the LA Fashion Institute.

Members of the International Center of the Capital Region meet with Assistant Secretary of State Ann Stock at the U.S. Department of State on February 17, 2011. The members were in Washington, DC attending the annual National Council for International Visitors’ (NCIV) National Meeting.

This year marks NCIV’s 50th anniversary and its half century partnership with the US Department of State. Members and volunteers from 90 community based organizations around the country spent three days sharing best practices, exchanging ideas and learning more about the International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP) exchanges.state.gov one of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ Premier Exchange Programs.

The International Center of the Capital Region hosts International Visitors who travel to the United States on this program. They arrange professional meetings, cultural activities and home hospitality for visitors from around the world.

Opening Panel

Young African Leaders: Youth Leadership and Civic Engagement in the U.S. IVLP group at the Department of State on May 2, 2012.

Chadi Zeitouni, host of “Al-Mustaqbal Daily Cook,” volunteers at DC Central Kitchen during his IVLP project on culinary diplomacy

In its fifth year, this three-week International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) connects over 75 participants from 56 countries with their U.S. counterparts in Washington D.C., New York City, and small and mid-sized American cities. Participants gain an understanding of public safety and security issues from federal, state and local law enforcement officials, public officials, and social service and victim assistance providers. Together, they exchange ideas on how to expand international cooperation, uphold the rule of law, and defeat terrorism.

Under Secretary for Political Affairs, Wendy Sherman addresses Women, Peace, & Security IVLP group.

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My 3 weeks trip to Washington DC, Portland, Dallas, New York, supported by US State Department and US Embassy Jakarta

Hindou Oumarou of Chad and Joannie Bewa of Benin at the U.S. Deaprtment of State on May 2, 2012.

IVLP alumna Jane Smith becomes the first person from Suriname to become president of the Association of Caribbean University, Research and Institutional Libraries.

Read the rest of the story: goo.gl/MyFRXZ

Photo Credit: U.S. Embassy of Paramaribo, Suriname

Opening Panel

Members of the Vermont Council on World Affairs meet with Assistant Secretary of State Ann Stock at the U.S. Department of State on February 17, 2011. The members were in Washington, DC attending the annual National Council for International Visitors’ (NCIV) National Meeting.

This year marks NCIV’s 50th anniversary and its half century partnership with the US Department of State. Members and volunteers from 90 community based organizations around the country spent three days sharing best practices, exchanging ideas and learning more about the International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP) exchanges.state.gov/ivlp one of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ Premier Exchange Programs.

The Vermont Council on World Affairs hosts International Visitors who travel to the United States on this program. They arrange professional meetings, cultural activities and home hospitality for visitors from around the world.

Joannie Bewa of Benin asks a question of Grant Harris, Senior Director for African Affairs at the White House on May 2, 2012.

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My 3 weeks trip to Washington DC, Portland, Dallas, New York, supported by US State Department and US Embassy Jakarta

Opening Panel

This alumni group that has been meeting for the past 10 years in different participant countries. This reunion will include a meeting on the Hill to share the impact of their IVLP programs.

Opening Panel