By Oko Khosbayar, Senior Associate, Meridian International Center   Civil society, also known as the “third sector,” is essential to democracy and development as they not only hold governments accountable, but in many instances, they can deliver to the underserved and underprivileged. With the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) project “Strengthening Minority Civil Society Organizations”, Meridian International Center hosted a group of experts in nonprofit and civil society organizations from the Republic of Kosovo with the goal of examining federal, state, and local best practices of the United States to advance minority issues and expose...

Kudakwashe Maria “Vera” Chisvo is an alumna of the International Visitor Leadership Program and a 2023 recipient of the IVLP Impact Awards for her project Human Eyes. Meridian International Center, in partnership with the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, implements the IVLP Impact Awards Initiative. IVLP Impact Awardees from across the world administer community impact projects that build on their experiences and promote innovative solutions to shared challenges. The IVLP Impact Awards Initiative aims to engage alumni, strengthen global networks, and support lasting community impact. Inspirations and Impressions My name is Kudakwashe Maria Chisvo, but I go...

By Liam Jones, U.S. Department of State International Visitor Leadership Program Participant   In 1948, U.S. President Harry S. Truman approved the Smith-Mundt Act, also known as the United States Informa¬tion and Educational Exchange Act of 1948, passed by the 80th U.S. Congress. In the aftermath of World War II, the world was still ripe with geopolitical unsteadiness and tensions; to resolve the foundational lack of mutual understanding among the world’s people, leaders looked for innovative approaches to international collaboration. To solve this issue, President Truman turned to the development of a new network of trusted relationships built through...

Dr. Reham Mahmoud Zaky El Sayed is an alumna of the International Visitor Leadership Program and a 2023 recipient of the IVLP Impact Awards for her project Enhancing Management of Egyptian Cultural Heritage Sites: A Capacity Building Program. Meridian International Center, in partnership with the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, implements the IVLP Impact Awards Initiative. IVLP Impact Awardees from across the world administer community impact projects that build on their experiences and promote innovative solutions to shared challenges. The IVLP Impact Awards Initiative aims to engage alumni, strengthen global networks, and support lasting...

Dr. Otabek Aripdjanov is an alumnus of the International Visitor Leadership Program and a 2023 recipient of the IVLP Impact Awards for his project The Protection and Preservation of Archaeological Collections. Meridian International Center, in partnership with the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, implements the IVLP Impact Awards Initiative. IVLP Impact Awardees from across the world administer community impact projects that build on their experiences and promote innovative solutions to shared challenges. The IVLP Impact Awards Initiative aims to engage alumni, strengthen global networks, and support lasting community impact. Building bridges through museums I...