Search
-
Connecting Cultures to Combat Climate Change
A recent Museums Connect exchange brought students and museum professionals from Mongolia together with contemporaries in the U.S. to gain deeper understanding of climate change around the world.
-
Margaret Thatcher, "The Iron Lady"
First Name
MargaretParticipant 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
Media Links
Home Country
Last name
ThatcherIVLP Alumni
-
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).
-
Musaab Fadol Mohamed Hassouna
First Name
Musaab Fadol MohamedParticipant 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
Last name
Hassouna -
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."
-
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.
-
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.
-
-
Jalal Naser
First Name
JalalParticipant 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
Home Country
Last name
NaserIVLP Alumni
-
Nayla al-Khaja
First Name
NaylaParticipant Headshot
Short Biography
Content created by Virtual Intern Adelle Barkhuizen
Nayla al-Khaja, who participated in the 2010 International Leadership Program (IVLP), "Film in the U.S.," is one of the UAE’s leading film directors and producers. While on her IVLP, al-Khaja explored the filmmaking industry in the United States and met with key studio representatives. She gained an understanding of U.S. views of censorship, tax rebates, and worldwide film distribution. She was surprised by the absence of UAE-produced feature films in the various international film festivals and she returned to the UAE determined to change that lack of representation. She successfully advocated for government-sponsored art grants in the UAE. Now, as an established filmmaker, she is CEO of Nayla Al Khaja Films and chairs the Scene Club, the UAE's first formally recognized film club.
When asked about her program experience, al-Khaja said, "my IVLP was fantastic and the most beautiful memory was visiting a family in Austin, Texas." She turned that experience into a film called The Neighbor, that has won two international awards.
By tackling controversial humanitarian and social issues in her films, Nayla al-Khaja is not only a talented producer, she also successfully promotes women’s empowerment in the Middle East.
Content edited by Sallie Bestul, Regina Navarro-Gomez, and Jenna Williams
Photo
Media Links
Home Country
Last name
al-KhajaIVLP Alumni
