Edward R. Murrow Program for Journalists 2019

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This April, Meridian International Center welcomed a group of 20 journalists to the U.S. Department of State’s Edward R. Murrow Program for Journalists, an annual 3-week International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) administered by Meridian International Center. Hailing from 18 different countries, the Palestinian Territories and Hong Kong, the Murrow participants began their program on research and investigative journalists in Washington, D.C., meeting with the Director of the State Department’s Washington Foreign Press Center, the Washington Post and other prominent journalism intuitions based in the District. “I have been doing breaking news breaking investigative stories that has led to...

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IVLP Alumni Spotlight: Promoting Accountability & Transparency in Civil Society

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Rewati Dhakal addressing the 1st National Philanthropy and Fundraising Conference, which was organized by the National Center for Philanthropy and Development, which he founded.

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 spotlight, Mr. Rewati, Dhakal from the Nepal, whose work focuses on institutional transparency, accountability and good governance.  Visitor: Mr. Rewati Dhakal Title:  Executive Communication and Resource Mobilization Officer, Youth Vision Country of Origin: Nepal Itinerary: Washington, DC; New York, New York; Cleveland, Ohio; Salt Lake City, Utah IVLP Project: Transparency and Accountability in State and Local Government   What have you been up to since...

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Paying It Forward: Lessons Learned from My IVLP

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IVLP participants Asim Ayub and Sadaf Usman enjoying a lovely meal at Home hospitality in Portland Oregon with MP Mills and Amie Abbot

In July 2018, Ms. Sadaf Usman, Director of For a Cause, participated in the International Visitor Leadership Program project for Pakistan: “Strengthening Civil Society- Building Community Resilience Against Violent Extremism'”. She and her colleagues visited Washington, DC; Baltimore, MD; Pittsburgh, PA; Portland, OR; Kalamazoo, MI; and Detroit, MI to connect with organizations working to prevent and counter violence through community-focused programs. Below she reflects on her experience. As part of the IVLP on “Strengthening Civil Society- Building Community Resilience against Violent Extremism,” I found the 3-week experience to be quite enlightening and educational. The rise of conflict based on race,...

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IVLP Alumni Among Fortune Magazine’s World’s 50 Greatest Leaders

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U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, joined by Advisor to the President Ivanka Trump, presents a certificate to 2018 'TIP Report Hero' Sunita Danuwar of Nepal. (Photo Credit: U.S. Department of State)

Sunita Danuwar, 2018 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report Hero, was honored this week as one of Fortune Magazine’s World’s 50 Greatest Leaders. Sunita is the Executive Director of Shakti Samuha, an organization that provides shelter and support to victims of trafficking in persons in Nepal. A trafficking survivor herself, Sunita now serves as an advocate for other victims. She has played a key role in expanding her organization’s victim-support services to include education and skills training, repatriation services, and legal assistance to survivors and girls at risk of trafficking. In 2018, the US Department of State recognized Sunita and...

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Program Theme Spotlight: Transparency & Accountability

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Transparency and accountability, whether in government, business, or other spheres of public life, ensures public trust in the integrity and fairness of leaders, elected officials and public servants.  International exchange programs on transparency and accountability typically highlight the roles of civil society and the media as watchdogs and catalysts for the creation and maintenance of transparent and accountable government and organizations. The importance of protecting these two concepts is recognized by civil societies and such protective efforts form the bases of numerous international exchange programs. Transparency and accountability can both be applied to a broad range of concerns in...

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