Building Bridges from America to Zimbabwe

The following was written by Mr. James Horsman, IVLP Program Officer at World Learning What if you found out that something you do every day had a tremendous impact on someone’s life years earlier? What if that impact was felt across the world and you found out that person is someone in your family? All of this came true when I learned that my father-in-law, Herod Benjamin Sibanda from Zimbabwe, was a past participant in the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). His IVLP project was administered by Meridian International Center, which along with World Learning and six other National...

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Program Spotlight: Korea Reporting Tour

10 days, 6 journalists, 2 continents and 1 global security challenge  By Michelle Morris, Associate Program Officer | December 6, 2019 In late October of 2019, six journalists from across South and Central Asia embarked on a 10-day informational reporting tour throughout the United States and the Republic of Korea. During their program, the journalists had the opportunity to learn about both the United States and Republic of Korea’s respective policies toward the Democratic People’s Republic of North Korea by meeting with government officials, policy experts, regional advisors and even North Korean Refugees. This tour was the third iteration...

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IVLP Alumni Spotlight: The Financial Phoenix – Bankruptcy and Growth

When thinking of bankruptcy, images of personal failures, bad management, or fraud often come to mind. However, some experts argue that bankruptcy should be perceived as a financial rebirth. Economists at the World Bank conclude that “effective bankruptcy laws that allow viable firms to reorganize and unviable ones to liquidate or be sold is a necessary condition for growth.” The U.S. has an extensive code of laws that cover financial death and rebirth for individuals, small businesses, and corporations but many other countries do not. To share how U.S. Bankruptcy law can help businesses grow, the State Department’s International...

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IVLP Alumni Spotlight: Overcoming Fears through Exchange

In 2015, Mr. Victor Gotevbe of Nigeria attended the multi-regional IVLP, “American Youth: Inspiring Leadership and Civic Engagement.” At the time, he had been serving as the Administrative and Human Resources Manager at a national newspaper, however his experience inspired him to become much more. “I eventually left the lucrative job in April of 2017 after 17 years with the organization. It was quite emotional but the entrepreneur in me wanted more and basically helped me conquer the fear of the unknown.” Mr. Gotevbe’s American experience had a major impact on his personal growth, such as taking part in...

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Public Diplomacy Supports the Rule of Law

Corruption, an abuse of power for private gain, threatens democracy, depletes national wealth, and undermines public trust.  It’s a global problem plaguing even the youngest republics, like Kosovo.   The U.S. Department of State reports that Kosovo suffers from endemic government corruption and one of the Kosovo’s think tanks reports its judicial system is considered among the most corrupt Continue