IVLP Alumni Spotlight features a U.S. Department of State International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) alumnus who is putting into practice ideas and concepts gleaned during the IVLP study tour. Here we feature Mr. Ali Ahmed Mahamoud from Comoros, an IVLP participant from 2013.
More than ever before, now is a time when the world needs effective global leaders to collaborate with counterparts across the globe and avert transnational challenges together. Taking stock of the rich diversity of our work, here is a look at a typical recent week at Meridian. Global Leadership To start out the week, Meridian welcomed International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) participants on an array of timely subjects including (read more here): Human and Civil Rights Advocacy and Awareness in this Middle East Afghanistan-Pakistan Bilateral Parliamentary Program Cooperation Women Leaders: Promoting Peace and Security in South and Central Asia...
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In May, Meridian launched the Social Innovation Fellowship. This year-long engagement of social entrepreneurs from across Europe will yield community improvement projects in 5 countries (Belgium, Italy, The Netherlands, Poland, and Spain), however the implications will be significant throughout the region as each project addresses overlapping issues. Over the summer we shared some of the individual stories from the fellows’ experience – particularly their impressions and observations from their time in the U.S. (May, 2015). Now that they are back in their own communities, they are working to put into action best practices they learned while here. While each...
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The tragedy of last week’s assaults in Paris and Beirut weigh heavily in the hearts of the world community. In light of this, today’s UN-designated International Day for Tolerance holds a particular relevance. As Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon states, “On the International Day of Tolerance, let us recognize the mounting threat posed by those who strive to divide, and let us pledge to forge a path defined by dialogue, social cohesion, and mutual understanding.” Through the tenets of acceptance, tolerance, and freedom, may the world be equal in treatment and opportunity. Continue
This past week, I was fortunate enough to be present for the launch of the Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program for Undergraduate Students (IYLEP) 2016 application. While we knew students were waiting for the chance to apply, the results were astonishing. Once the application was released, applications began to arrive almost immediately. Over 250 applications were started within the first 24 hours, and that number has steadily increased. Currently, nearly 3,000 applications have been created and several thousand more are expected by the application period’s closing on December 1, 2015. Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program for Undergraduate Students is implemented by...
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