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Justice Joaquim Barbosa
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Content created by Virtual Intern Bridget RaymundoJustice Joaquim Barbosa has dedicated his career to public service, the law, and education. Justice Barbosa served as a public servant since age 19. In 1984 he started his career as a federal prosecutor. In 2003 he was named as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, the first Afro-Brazilian to hold that position. In 2012 he became Brazil’s Chief Justice.
In addition to his duties on the bench, Justice Barbosa spent more than seventeen years as a part-time law professor at Rio de Janeiro State University teaching students so that they might follow in his footsteps.
In 1999, Justice Barbosa traveled to the United States on the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) and built a network in the United States that he would utilize in the decades to come. Justice Barbosa was nominated by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2013 and symbolized the promise of a new Brazil committed to multiculturalism and equality. As a jurist he presided over the country’s largest political-corruption trial. Now retired from public service, Justice Barbosa continues his work as a legal consultant.
Justice Joaquim Barbosa, hailed by one Brazilian newsweekly as “the poor boy who changed Brazil,” continues to be a disseminator of knowledge and learning.
Content edited by Sallie Bestul, Regina Navarro-Gomez, and Jenna Williams
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Barbosa GomesIVLP Alumni
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Michal Helwak
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Content created by Virtual Intern Radha Varadan
Michal Helwak is a Polish film-maker who touches not only his local community but global audiences through his candid documentary filmmaking.
Through his May 2017 International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), Helwak visited Hamtramck, Michigan, a city that was once a hub for Polish Catholics, but is now the first American city to have a Muslim majority in its local government. Inspired by this history and the contacts he made through through the IVLP, Helwak soon crafted a new documentary idea.
This new documentary compares and parallels the demographic changes in Hamtramck with challenges of inclusion in Poland. Through collaboration with Oscar-nominated artistic supervisor Piotr Rosołowski and producer Marcin Wierzchosławski, Helwak’s documentary was brought to life.
Helwak cites the IVLP as both the inspiration for his documentary and as a motivating and inspiring experience in his ongoing battle with a genetic condition that impacts his mobility.
Through the medium of film-making, Michal Helwak establishes relationships and builds trust and understanding between community members.
Content edited by Sallie Bestul, Regina Navarro-Gomez, and Jenna Williams
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Magdalena Waleska Aldana Segura
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Content created by Virtual Intern Radha VaradanGrowing up in Guatemala, Magdalena Waleska Aldana Segura was often the only female in her physics class. She took her love of science and built a successful career as a university professor teaching physics and mentoring students interested in science-related careers.
Through workshops that have been attended by more than 4,000 high school students and 350 professors, she encourages women’s involvement in fields where they are underrepresented. Aldana Segura credits the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) as a driving force behind her recent activism. She took part in the 2017 #HiddenNoMore IVLP project that connected her with nearly 50 like-minded women in STEAM fields. These contacts from her IVLP have helped take her workshops to the next level, allowed her to organize conferences for children, and provided an opportunity to speak at a prestigious STEAM conference in Chicago.
Her involvement in the Guatemalan Women in Science association (GWSA), the Association for American Advancement of Science (AAAS), and her long career as a university professor ensures that Magdalena Waleska Aldana Segura is illuminating the future of STEAM education by empowering one woman at a time.
Content edited by Sallie Bestul, Regina Navarro-Gomez, and Jenna Williams
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Aldana SeguraIVLP Alumni
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Dr. Mamudu Bugre
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Content created by Virtual Intern Melanie Ourhaan
Originally from Ghana, Dr. Mamudu Bugre immigrated to Malta in 1990 and works closely with African migrant, immigrant, and refugee communities. Dr. Bugre is one of the government's key advisors and promotes integration into Maltese society. Dr. Bugre has addressed a number of international conferences on issues related to migration such as social inclusion, language and literacy, employment, and community support.
In 2010, Dr. Bugre participated in the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) in a project focused on immigration and refugee issues in the U.S. The exchange inspired Dr. Bugre to establish two NGOs, the Foundation for Shelter and Support to Migrants and the Third Country National Support Network Malta (TSN Malta).
TSN Malta has made amazing strides with a membership of 15 migrant and immigrant organizations, bringing together African, Arab, Eastern European Russian-speaking, Chinese, and Filipino communities. The network provides direct support to communities as well as training and capacity building to its member organizations.
This network platform is the first of its kind in Malta and remains a model and a best practice for other European Union Member States. In fact, TSN Malta was selected as a Best Practice in a European Community co-funded project and in 2012, the President of Malta awarded Dr. Bugre with the highest honor for service to the Republic of Malta.
Dr. Mamudu Bugre is a bridge builder who helps migrants, immigrants, and refugees overcome their daily challenges.
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BugreIVLP Alumni
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Anwar El Sadat
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Content created by Virtual Intern Bridget Raymundo
Anwar El Sadat served as the third President of Egypt from 1970 until his assassination in 1981. During his time as President, Sadat introduced greater political freedom and a new economic policy to Egypt.
Sadat grew up in Egypt under British rule and advocated for dialogue and building relations between countries for peace. In the early 1950s, he and several others overthrew the ruling monarchy in Egypt. In 1966, Sadat participated in the International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP). It was the first opportunity that allowed Sadat to see the United States and Americans at home.
In 1977, President Sadat addressed the Knesset, Israel's legislature, where he spoke directly to the Israeli government on the need for peace. In 1978, he signed the Camp David Accords, which outlined a historic peace agreement with Israel, and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize that same year.
In December 2018, the former Egyptian president was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for leading Egypt to peace with Israel. President Anwar El Sadat's peace efforts and mastery of diplomacy made history and remain relevant to this day.
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El SadatIVLP Alumni
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Nesrine Dib
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Content created by Virtual Intern Regina Navarro-Gomez
As part of the educated and driven younger generation of Algeria, Nesrine Dib is a strong advocate for the U.S. business model.
In 2014, Dib participated in an International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) project titled, "Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development." What she learned during the IVLP gave her the confidence to navigate the challenges presented when leading a marketing department. She was also inspired to use the ecological business development model as a way to support the Middle East and North Africa region. Dib said, "the IVLP allowed me to acquire the sense of giving, allowing mistakes, identifying others' needs, following through, and asking for help."
Since her IVLP, Dib has been appointed as a Sales and Marketing Manager at Unicity International, a global provider of products with offices in the United States, Canada, Venezuela, and countries in Europe and Asia. Dib became the first manager to lead their multi-level marketing department during its startup phase in Algeria.
As an entrepreneur, Nesrine Dib builds networks and innovates to make a difference.
Edited by Virtual Interns Regina Navarro-Gomez and Kristin Mitra
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DibIVLP Alumni
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Hamzeh Abaza
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Content created by Virtual Intern Erinn Heffes
Hamzeh Abaza tirelessly works to assist refugees in crisis in Jordan, which is the second largest refugee hosting country per capita worldwide. In 2015, Abaza participated in the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) “Engaging Youth Leaders in Strengthening Communities” project, allowing him to meet leaders from around the world and U.S. organizations working with youth and supporting entrepreneurship. His participation led him to assist local institutions and community-based organizations in enhancing refugee inclusion in their youth empowerment and entrepreneurship projects in Jordan.
A year after his IVLP, Abaza joined the International Cooperation Agency of the Association of Netherlands Municipalities (VNGi) to voice his opinion on how Jordan should transition towards decentralization based on ideas he gained during his IVLP project. He was directly involved in facilitating community meetings with political leaders and managing awareness campaigns.
During his IVLP, Abaza visited the Bond Street Theatre and Downtown Community Television Center which positively impacted him and led him to gradually expand his film industry skills. Abaza was involved in various feature films and documentaries in 2019.
Hamzeh Abaza continues to play a critical role in responding to Jordan’s refugee crisis by building local government capacity, empowering youth, and creating work opportunities.
Edited by Virtual Interns Regina Navarro-Gomez and Kristin Mitra
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AbazaIVLP Alumni
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U.S. Sports Envoy Talks Mental Health during COVID-19
The COVID-19 global pandemic has placed health at the forefront of everyday conversations around the world.
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Anders Lindholt
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Content created by Virtual Intern Shayna Canty
A lawyer from Helsinge, Denmark who specialized in family law, Anders Lindholt participated in the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) entitled “Children in the U.S. Justice System" in 2011.
Lindholt dedicated his career to the most difficult divorce cases involving children who had been forcibly removed from their homes, and their parents’ visitation rights. Known for taking on cases where parents and other lawyers had given up, Lindholt would always say, "Let's give it another try." His drive was his firm belief that children should have both parents in their lives. Thanks to his perseverance, tenacious personality, and legal acumen, many children now have contact with both parents.
In 2014, Anders Lindholt was shot and killed in while in court in Copenhagen, Denmark. His passing was a shock to the nation and a tragedy for his family and his many colleagues and friends. Yet, due to his tireless efforts on behalf of parents and children, Lindholt remains an inspiration and a reminder of the commitment and sacrifice made by people every day as they attempt to build a better world for families.
Edited by Virtual Interns Regina Navarro-Gomez and Kristin Mitra
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LindholtIVLP Alumni
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Muhammad Azfar Ahsan
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Content created by Virtual Intern Nini Vo
Muhammad Azfar Ahsan is a global influencer and entrepreneur based in Pakistan. In 2003, he founded the Nutshell Forum, a conference management company and is currently the CEO. His company has organized more than 400 national and international seminars, workshops, and conferences throughout Pakistan, Bahrain, Dubai, Singapore, and Sri Lanka, connecting senior government officials, high profile speakers, and celebrities. Nutshell Forum is regarded as one of Pakistan’s most prominent conference management companies.
Ahsan participated in the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) focused on NGO management in 2008. During his IVLP, Ahsan learned about the inner workings of nonprofits and think tanks. He returned to Pakistan and started the Regional Center for Research and Dialogue (RCRD), a private sector think tank that promotes the social, economic, and political rebuilding of South Asian countries.
In 2008, Ahsan was one of the founding members of the Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network (PUAN) and served as the General Secretary from 2010 to 2012. He continues to be an active member of PUAN, contributing his resources and expertise.
Throughout the past 16 years, Ahsan has managed dozens of community projects in Pakistan regarding issues of health and education, has been involved in advocacy campaigns, and worked to engage the leadership of 6 political parties in Karachi.
Through his experiences and achievements as a change maker, Muhammad Azfar Ahsan builds connections between individuals from different backgrounds and advances U.S.-Pakistan relations.
Edited by Virtual Interns Regina Navarro-Gomez and Kristin Mitra
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AhsanIVLP Alumni
