International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP)

This year, Pacific Forum joined the Global Ties U.S. Network as the #IVLP implementing partner for Hawaii.    Thanks to their team, over 50 current and emerging leaders from around the world visited Hawaii for IVLP exchanges focused on U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy, marine research, critical technology partnerships, and several other topics.   We thank Pacific Forum and all of the IVLP implementing partners in the Global Ties Network for their support and outstanding contributions to international exchange.    The public-private partnerships between the U.S. Department of State and the 75+ members of the Global Ties Network are vital to our program. By supporting IVLP exchanges in communities across the United States, these organizations make it possible for IVLP participants to form lasting ties with Americans and develop a greater understanding of the history, diversity, and culture of our country.

During a recent IVLP, representatives of the City of Collinsville, Oklahoma met with Georgian community leaders to exchange approaches to promoting volunteerism. Read more about their visit: https://lnkd.in/g4bT2A4g In addition to Collinsville, this group met with local government and nonprofit leaders in New York, Florida, Utah, and Washington, DC. They shared that they were inspired by all they learned in the United States and plan to apply insights from Collinsville and the rest of their IVLP experience to promote volunteerism in their own communities. #IVLP | Tulsa Global Alliance | MCID Washington | Utah Global Diplomacy | WorldOrlando | International Institute of Buffalo

My first LinkedIn post is definitely a worthy one. So grateful for the opportunity with International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) and looking forward to strengthening partnerships in higher education.

Why do exchanges matter? Meet Aigerim Janalinova, a social entrepreneur from Kazakhstan who is helping rural communities thrive by teaching people how to create businesses that solve social problems. During her visit to Utah as part of the U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), Aigerim was inspired by local leaders like Franz Kolb with the Utah Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity and the generosity of Utahns who hosted her. She saw that small actions can lead to big impacts, and Utah showed her the power of community and how volunteering creates real change. That inspiration led to Aigerim creating an award winning project that helped triple the number of social entrepreneurs in Kazakhstan—from 95 to 275 in just one year! 🙌 This is why exchanges like IVLP matter. Aigerim experienced the "Utah Way," which helped spark change that’s making a difference halfway around the world. Utah is proud to play a role in these global connections that build stronger communities everywhere. To read Aigerim's full story, visit https://lnkd.in/gs86J_QJ #UtahGlobalDiplomacy #UtahImpact #SocialEntrepreneurship #CitizenDiplomacy #GlobalConnections #UtahWay Global Ties U.S. Meridian International Center

SNEAK PREVIEW! Check out a preview of the 2025 IVLP Impact Awards application here: https://lnkd.in/eN647tsQ   This application will be open from January 6, 2025 to February 14, 2025.    Through grants of up to $5,000 USD, the #IVLP Impact Awards initiative enables recent IVLP #ExchangeAlumni to build on their exchange experience and implement innovative projects in their communities.

To infinity and beyond! 🚀 🪐   Join us tomorrow, December 17, 2024, at 9:30 am ET to hear about innovative efforts to promote international cooperation and mutual understanding in space - starring four amazing IVLP exchange alumni! This is a conversation you do not want to miss, register here: https://lnkd.in/ekCFVb6A   #SpaceDiplomacy #IVLP #ExchangeAlumni - Alumni Affairs - State Dept. Meridian International Center Global Ties U.S. Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs

Let's celebrate the International Visitor Leadership Program's 84th anniversary! 🎉 🎉 🎉    Since December 16, 1940, this U.S. Department of State exchange program has fostered meaningful people-to-people ties between Americans and international leaders in a variety of fields.    From lasting friendships to enhanced global cooperation, this program has made a powerful impact in promoting mutual respect and peace around the world.   Join us in celebrating this milestone by commenting with your fondest IVLP memory!    Global Ties U.S. | #IVLP

This year, exchange alumni of the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) completed IVLP Impact Award projects in over 100 countries!     Interested 2024 IVLP alumni, stay tuned, the 2025 IVLP Impact Awards application period is coming soon! 🏆 https://lnkd.in/gKaWtuRZ

“I aim to build a cyber-resilient community, empowering youth and small businesses with the knowledge and skills they need to navigate the digital landscape safely and securely, unlocking new opportunities for innovation, growth, and prosperity in an increasingly connected world.” - Osazee Isonarae, IVLP alumnus from Nigeria.  Through the IVLP Impact Awards, Osazee Isonarae, an IVLP exchange alumnus from Nigeria, launched the “SafeCyber Community Initiative,” a program that aims to foster a culture of online safety by increasing cybersecurity awareness and enhancing the digital literacy skills of youth and small business leaders in Nigeria.  So far, more than 70 participants from Lagos and Ibadan have gained essential cybersecurity knowledge and have started applying these practical strategies to safeguard their businesses and digital assets.  This initiative was inspired by Osazee’s IVLP exchange experience in the United States, particularly by his discussions with law enforcement professionals in New Hampshire, Professor Mukund of Stevens Institute of Technology at Hoboken in New Jersey, and Greg Morrisett, Dean and Vice Provost of Cornell Tech, New York.      Read more about Osazee’s project here: https://lnkd.in/e8rAgb5A. #ExchangeAlumni - Alumni Affairs - State Dept. | Global Ties Iowa | Institute of International Education | Global Ties San Francisco | Global Ties Sacramento | World Affairs Council of New Hampshire

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to close digital divides and accelerate economic development, but it also presents new challenges.     The United States is working together with international partners to ensure AI technologies are developed responsibly and used as a force for good - helping to make Americans and people around the world safer, more secure, and prosperous.     Recently, the U.S. Department of State welcomed leaders in tech from East Asia to the U.S. to participate in an International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) focused on the intersection of AI ethics, policymaking, innovation, and security. American policy experts, academics, and private sector leaders in Washington, DC, Seattle, WA, and Albuquerque, NM met with this IVLP group to discuss topics related to the future of AI innovation and explore potential global collaborations. #IVLP | Meridian International Center | World Affairs Council- Seattle | Global Ties ABQ