Photo Credit: Syejeong Kim.
By Francesca Gill and Keanu Gaite
The International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) is the U.S. Department of State’s premier professional exchange program. Through short-term exchanges, current and emerging leaders from all over the world participate in professional meetings and conversations with Americans that reflect the participants’ professional interests and U.S. foreign policy goals. Each year, over 4,000 exchange participants come to the U.S. on the IVLP. More than 200,000 IVLP participants have engaged with Americans through the program, including more than 500 current or former Chiefs of State or Heads of Government.
To advance such impactful and robust international exchanges, the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) partners with eight National Program Agencies in Washington, DC and more than 80 community-based organizations across the country through the Global Ties Network, the largest and oldest citizen diplomacy network in the United States. Global Ties U.S plays an essential role in supporting this domestic network and provides services to member organizations that strengthen their abilities to carry out high-quality exchange programs.
Daniel Ricchetti, the U.S. Department of State’s Deputy Special Representative for City and State Diplomacy (right) and Courtney Brooks, Executive Director of Global Ties Kansas City, (left) host a fireside chat during the Diplomacy Begins Here Regional Summit in Kansas City, Missouri on September 21, 2023.
Photo Credit: Global Ties U.S.
The public-private partnerships between ECA and citizen diplomacy organizations in the United States are crucial to the IVLP. By supporting the design and implementation of IVLP exchanges in American communities, these organizations make it possible for IVLP participants to develop a greater understanding of the history, diversity, and culture of the United States and form lasting ties with Americans. In 2022 alone, ECA and the Global Ties Network facilitated 420 IVLP projects with international participants from 179 countries.
Staff from the IVLP domestic network engage in discussion at the Diplomacy Begins Here Regional Summit in Burlington, Vermont on August 21, 2023.
Photo Credit: Global Ties U.S.
Through the Global Ties Network, Americans all over the United States engage with international professionals, expand their professional networks, and actively participate in global affairs. This year, Global Ties U.S. surveyed U.S. community members who engage with exchange program participants for its first ever Community Impact Study. According to the study, 84% of survey respondents, reported that they learned more about international affairs and issues generally through their interactions with international visitors. More broadly, the study found that international exchanges increase international connectivity between Americans and international visitors, encourage local civic engagement, and generate economic impact and workforce development in U.S. communities.
Staff from the IVLP domestic network engage in discussion at the Global Ties U.S. National Meeting in Washington, DC on March 30, 2023.
Photo Credit, Global Ties U.S.
ECA recognizes that leveraging the expertise and connections of our partners is key to increasing the quality, effectiveness, and sustainability of Department of State exchange programs. Equally important, through meaningful community engagement, our partners help make foreign policy less “foreign” to the American people and foster opportunities for local U.S. communities to learn about and address global challenges. ECA thanks these organizations for their continued and sustained involvement in the implementation and expanded impact of international exchange programs and looks forward to continuing to support and strengthen these critical partnerships.
For opportunities to get involved and expand your world, visit the Global Ties U.S. website at globaltiesus.org.
