“The Impacts of Exchange Programs in My Life” by Massolian Fahnbulleh, A Liberian Let Girls Learn Participant

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Massa and her colleagues on the Let Girls Learn Exchange Program, visiting the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Museum.

My name is Massa and I am from Liberia. This is actually a real experience about my life. I never thought I could be outspoken and participatory until I went on the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program because I used to be a very shy person. But when I went to the U.S. for the one year program in 2011, I learned how to speak in public, do PowerPoint presentations, and cultural presentations in front of audiences. I also learned how to sing and dance in my American high school. Then came the “Let Girls Learn” program...

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Expanding the Impact of Women Entrepreneurs in Africa

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African Women’s Entrepreneurship Program 2016

Each year U.S. missions nominate leading women entrepreneurs from sub-Saharan Africa to participate in the African Women’s Entrepreneurship Program (AWEP) as part of the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). AWEP was launched in 2010 to bolster the economic impact on women entrepreneurs during the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum. This post was written by Elizabeth Barry and Mark Rebstock. Continue  

IVLP Alumni Spotlight: Understanding Political and Economic Systems in the U.S.

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Pefro Prado, Economic Researcher, ASIES, Guatemala

 IVLP Alumni Spotlight features U.S. Department of State International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) alumni as they reflect on the impact of the program and how it has affected their work and lives. Here we feature an alumnus who participated in a Multi-Regional Project that examined programs and strategies to encourage economic development, economic restructuring, and global commercial cooperation. The participants spent three weeks in the United States meeting with government officials, academic and think tank researchers, small business development centers and accelerators, global trade experts, and analysts focused on the impact of globalization and technological innovation on socio-economic systems. Continue  

“My First Day of YLAI” by YLAI Professional Fellow Ann-Sophie Ovile

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YLAI Professional Fellows bond as a community during the Program Opening

Ann-Sophie Ovile is the Founder and CEO of Mennen’m La Tours in Haiti, and she is one of 248 fellows participating in the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) Professional Fellows Program, which brings entrepreneurs and civil society leaders to the United States for a five-week program. This U.S. Department of State-sponsored program empowers these young entrepreneurs to strengthen their capacity to launch and advance their entrepreneurial ideas and to effectively contribute to social and economic development in their communities. The day that we all have been waiting for has finally arrived! 248 young and dynamic entrepreneurs from Latin America...

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Embracing Hope in a Turbulent World: Five Steps for Global Leaders

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Upon completing a cross-cultural training, Japanese Ministry Officials participating on the State Department's Global Government-to-Government Partnership pose for a photo with Jo Ann Ross.

This article is reposted from the Fletcher Forum of World Affairs (September 6, 2016). Jo Ann Ross, based in Maryland, is a principal at the Center for Enlightened Organizations (C.E.O.) where she coaches global leaders in industry, government and nonprofits. Her other publications include “The Art of Self-Care and Dynamic Global Leadership” and, with Willa Zakin Hallowell, “Getting to the Heart of Global Leadership.” For the past 28 years at Meridian International Center, Jo Ann has provided executive coaching, leadership development, cross-cultural communications, global awareness, and multicultural team building to international visitors from around the world. She is also Senior Associate at Grovewell LLC, serving global leaders in Fortune 500 companies. Continue