U.S. Speaker on Her Recent Program in India on Refugee Inclusion

Since 2013 Meridian International Center has been implementing the U.S. Speaker and Specialist Program for India sponsored by the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi. The program is designed to connect U.S. experts with Indian audiences and institutions; to promote an understanding of U.S. strategic priorities, policies and institutions; and to discuss the political, economic, social, and cultural context from which they arise. One of the most recent U.S. Speakers to travel to India was Elizabeth Ferris, Research Professor at the Institute for the Study of International Migration of the Edmund Walsh School of Foreign...

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“Cultivating the Next Generation of American Leaders” – U.S. Participant Spotlight

For the past 21 years, Meridian International Center has successfully implemented the U.S. Congress – Republic of Korea National Assembly Exchange, a unique program jointly funded by the U.S. Department of State and the Republic of Korea National Assembly through its Committee on Foreign Affairs and Unification. The program brings together 20 young people from the United States and the Republic of Korea for a memorable opportunity to promote cultural awareness and political understanding between the two countries. Following below is a blog by one of the U.S. participants in the program, Jarret Fisher, written at the conclusion of the...

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“South Korea is Indeed a Special Place” – U.S. Participant Spotlight

For the past 21 years, Meridian International Center has successfully implemented the U.S. Congress – Republic of Korea National Assembly Exchange, a unique program jointly funded by the U.S. Department of State and the Republic of Korea National Assembly through its Committee on Foreign Affairs and Unification. The program brings together 20 young people from the United States and the Republic of Korea for a memorable opportunity to promote cultural awareness and political understanding between the two countries. Following below is a blog by one of the U.S. participants in the program, Jacob “Prue” Benson, written at the conclusion of...

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IVLP Alumni Spotlight: The Impact of Partnerships

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 feature two Pakistani alumni from different IVLP projects who have connected through the alumni network and established working partnerships to address local needs.  Visitor: Ms. Rahat Jabeen Title: Environment Specialist, Environment & Natural Resources Department, Global Practices, World Bank Country of Origin: Pakistan Itinerary: Washington, DC; Maryland; Denver and Golden, Colorado; Seattle, Washington; Jacksonville and Gainesville, Florida IVLP Project: Sustainable Development & Environmental Protection, A Multi Regional...

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Program Theme Spotlight: The Power of Partnerships

“Public-Private Partnerships are fundamental and inescapable,” pronounced an American speaker when explaining the U.S. system of government to a recent group of International Visitor Leadership (IVLP) participants.  This couldn’t be truer—regardless of the subject, one of the most salient aspects of any professional exchange program is the prevalence of public-private partnerships (P3s). Whether in support of business and economic development or other social, cultural or academic initiatives, P3s are the rule, and International Visitors take notice.  In fact, often the first example of an American P3 is the Department of State’s partnership with the National Program Agencies, Global Ties...

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