1. Margaret Thatcher, "The Iron Lady"

   First Name

   Margaret

   Participant Headshot

   

   Short Biography

   

   Content created by Virtual Intern Nayantara Arora

   Margaret Thatcher served as Britain’s first female Prime Minister from 1979 to 1990. Her confidence, resilience, and uncompromising leadership style led her to reshape almost every aspect of British politics, from foreign policy to domestic economy.

   Thatcher’s first exposure to the United States was through the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). The IVLP served as a vital experience for Thatcher as she began her career.

   A 1990 handwritten note from 10 Downing Street – "Forever more I shall be a friend to the United States" – indicates a friendship that started with an IVLP experience.

   Content edited by Sallie Bestul, Regina Navarro-Gomez, and Jenna Williams

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   Media Links

   Margaret Thatcher's 1990 Letter (PDF)

   Home Country

   United Kingdom

   Last name

   Thatcher

   IVLP Alumni

2. Second Generation of the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs Graduates in Costa Rica

   A group of 27 Costa Rican women entrepreneurs graduated from the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE).

3. Musaab Fadol Mohamed Hassouna

   First Name

   Musaab Fadol Mohamed

   Participant Headshot

   

   Short Biography

   

    

   Content created by Virtual Intern Nora Moest

   Musaab Fadol Mohamed Hassouna is a Sudanese filmmaker, director, photographer, humanitarian worker, and founder of the Film-Making for Children Initiative. Through his organization, he empowers children and nurtures their ability to tell their stories through film. Musaab's participation in the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) in 2017 furthered his passion and inspired him to expand his work.

   Masaab's accomplishments include working as a TV presenter and reporter for major platforms such as Al Jazeera Children's Channel and BBC Beirut. He worked with UNESCO and other organizations and used his videography and photography skills to highlight specific issues with the goal of protecting children’s rights.

   Musaab Fadol Mohamed Hassouna uses visual media and storytelling to create a safer world for children.

   Home Country

   Sudan

   Last name

   Hassouna

4. IVLP Recognizes Peace Corps 50th Anniversary

   

   In honor of the 50th Anniversary of the PeaceCorps, emerging leaders from 50 different countries were nominated to take part in a special initiative of the International Visitor Leadership Program called "The Spirit of Volunteerism."

5. People to People: Design Thinking at State Department

   By looking at exchange programs through a participatory lens based on user design and design thinking principles, we create a culture of creativity and innovation in the workplace.

6. Diplomacy Begins Here Summit in Tulsa

   The series of citizen diplomacy summits aim increase support for exchange programs by bringing attention to the critical role that public and citizen diplomacy play in building a more peaceful, prosperous world at home and abroad.

7. Nigerian IVLP Alumna Reconnects with American Counterparts

   Eleven years after her International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) experience, Chigozie “Gozie” Udemezue, a Nigerian social justice lawyer, will return to the United States to reconnect with her American counterparts and showcase her contributions to Nigeria.

8. Building Bridges by Building Telescopes

   Through the Virtual Communities Connect initiative, the ECA Collaboratory funded a series of pilot projects that allowed U.S. Embassies around the world to develop meaningful virtual programming with American communities and institutions that help advance American foreign policy goals.

9. 5-piece Jazz Rock Band Aberdeen

   

   I worked for the US State Department as a Jazz Diplomat

10. Jalal Naser

    First Name

    Jalal

    Participant Headshot

    

    Short Biography

    

    Content created by Virtual Intern Meghan Crowley

    Jalal Naser is a prominent figure in the Bahraini nonprofit community and a resource management consultant. His volunteer work has benefited many people in Bahrain, from students who receive eyeglasses to organizations who benefit from his advocacy efforts.

    In 2013, Naser developed many skills that he uses in his work today as an IVLP participant. He believes that the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) experience gave him more confidence in his client presentations. He credits his IVLP for allowing him to quickly receive a promotion. Naser also gained an appreciation for the importance of a global perspective, and he increased the global reach of the Bahrain Statistical Society by including non-Bahrainis as friends of the society. Through the IVLP he was able to reach statisticians in Jordan and Algeria. Since 2018, Naser has been an active researcher for the DC-based Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE). He developed a policy paper that was utilized as part of the Bahraini national agenda and was a member of CIPE’s steering committee for a CIPE-sponsored private sector initiative.

    One of Naser’s proudest achievements is becoming a founding member of the Bahraini IVLP Alumni Association (B-IVLP). He worked with fellow IVLP alumni and created the organization in 2019. B-IVLP is connecting IVLP alumni in Bahrain to provide opportunities to leverage their IVLP experiences. B-IVLP also provides resources to Bahrainis who are selected for an exchange program so they are well informed and can gain maximum benefit from their experience. Jalal Naser is a civil society leader who is building global awareness on a daily basis and connecting Bahrain to contacts around the world.

    Content edited by Sallie Bestul, Regina Navarro-Gomez, and Jenna Williams

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    Home Country

    Bahrain

    Last name

    Naser

    IVLP Alumni

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