With the end of daylight savings, November brings darker commutes and that nagging feeling of wondering “where the day went?” But at Meridian it also brings the wonderful opportunity to catch the spectacular sunsets of late fall. With a distinct vantage point, perched atop Meridian Hill, the views overlooking the city in the rapidly diminishing light as it scatters and reflects off the clouds is truly mesmerizing.
“When diplomats get involved, it’s not a good thing.”
That’s what Chris Schroeder, author of Startup Rising: The Entrepreneurial Revolution in the Middle East, had to say about government involvement in entrepreneurship in the region, at an event on Thursday, October 10, 2013, sponsored by 1776, the startup incubator in D.C., and Meridian International Center.
Teta Isibo of Rwanda visited the United States this summer as a participant of the International Visitor Leadership Program’s (IVLP) African Women’s Entrepreneurship Program (AWEP). She is the Managing Director and Founder of Inzuki Designs – a company that specializes in handmade jewelry, accessories and interior décor, fusing traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design.
Friday, August 9th saw the conclusion of the African Women’s Entrepreneurship Program, more often referred to by its acronym, “AWEP.” 30 women business leaders from 28 countries in sub-Saharan Africa bid farewell to the Meridian and State Department program planners, and to one another. This concludes their three weeks of professional meetings, workshops, cultural activities, participation in volunteer activities, and networking in Chicago, Portland, Ore., Seattle, Los Angeles, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Washington, DC. The participants of the program are leaving the United States with a set of experiences and contacts that will contribute to the advancement of their respective careers and business ventures. They are heading back to their countries with a renewed sense of urgency and empowerment, as well as friendship and solidarity between themselves and the Americans with whom they engaged during their U.S. visit.
The meaning of volunteerism and citizen activism is being redefined in Brazil. Following broad protests in response to rising public transportation costs and immense spending in preparation for the upcoming World Cup and Olympics, a movement has gained momentum that crosses all social lines. Organized by social media and driven by the youth, some sense that it will be organized into a new political party. To fully appreciate this emerging cultural shift, I spoke with a group of young leaders who are part of an International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) entitled Inspiring Youth Leadership, Volunteerism and Citizen Activism.
