Checking In With The U.S. – Pakistan Global Leadership and STEM Program

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Pakistani students at the Potomac River (in their Army Public School uniforms!)

The U.S. – Pakistan Global Leadership and STEM Program is an exchange program that engages ten female Pakistani students in a variety of leadership building and STEM-focused educational activities. During their stay, students participated in an immersive nanotechnology curriculum at SUNY Polytechnic institute. When I arrived at the 4H Center a little over a week ago, I was greeted by a room full of exuberant smiles. Ten Pakistani girls, having just touched down from their respective hometowns the night before, were clustered at the long tables pulled together in the meeting room. They literally sparkled, clothed in traditional shalwar...

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IVLP Alumni Spotlight: Australian TV Producer Reflects on Broadcast Media in the U.S.

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Testing the green screen in the Dick Clark Studios at Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications

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 one alumna who participated in a Multi-Regional project for journalists and media professionals. The participant spent three weeks in the United States examining how new technologies shape the way news is gathered and how broadcast media influences and reflects American society. More information about Erin’s experience on the program can be found here: “Digital Media in the U.S. & Australia: IVLP Alumna Shares Key Takeaways from Exchange”

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Art for Gender Equality in Mumbai, India

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The Gender Equality mural painted by Joel Bergner, Krishna Sharma, and students from Sophia College

Every March 8th is International Women’s Day, a celebration of women around the world that takes place during Women’s History Month. While Meridian organizes exchanges for women leaders in various fields, for the past two years the Meridian Center for Cultural Diplomacy has used the arts – specifically the mural arts –  to directly address issues such as human trafficking, gender-based violence, empowerment, equality, and education that affect women and girls around the world. Continue  

Meridian celebrates its Returned Peace Corps Volunteers

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Danielle Nicolai teaching a two-day Income Generating Activity course to a women’s group

Its national Peace Corps Week, and everyone from former volunteers to President Obama have celebrated the occasion. Here at Meridian, we think there’s no better way to celebrate than by recognizing the members of our team who have served as volunteers across a diverse range of sectors and regions. While it may have been many years since they served as Peace Corps Volunteers (PCV), there is no doubt that the experience impacted their lives and has allowed them to relate to the more than 4,000 international visitors who have walked through the Meridian House doors in 2015 alone. Yesterday,...

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