1.  Cultural Heritage Coordinating Committee Meeting, February 2024

   Cultural Heritage Coordinating Committee discusses threats to Cultural Heritage in Gaza and Ukraine, UNESCO and G20 Engagements

2. Cultural Antiquities Task Force Conducts Training Countering the Trafficking of Paleontological Resources

   The U.S. Cultural Antiquities Task Force (CATF), coordinated by the U.S. Department of State, held a virtual training workshop for law enforcement officials from the United States to enhance their knowledge of paleontological resources and build their capacity to protect those materials by disrupting trafficking in them.

3. The Rhythm Road - Vice Verse All Stars

   

   Members of the music group, Vice Verse All Stars, share their thoughts before leaving on a State Department-sponsored trip to West Africa.

4. P2P: Challenging Extremism

   

   In partnership with EdVenture Partners and the U.S. Department of State, 23 Universities around the globe were invited to create digital campaigns to counter violent extremism.

5. Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Jennifer Zimdahl Galt’s Remarks at NAFSA Simon Award Ceremony

   Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Jennifer Zimdahl Galt’s Remarks at NAFSA Simon Award Ceremony.

6. Runcie Chidebe, Global Health Innovator

   First Name

   Runcie

   Participant Headshot

   

   Short Biography

   Content created by Virtual Intern Anne Pratt

   Through his nonprofit, Project PINK BLUE, Runcie Chidebe is changing the narrative about cancer in Nigeria. By engaging government, nonprofit, and private sector partners he provides advanced support to cancer patients.

   Since his return home as an IVLP alumnus, Chidebe applies leadership strategies gained during his project to facilitate social empowerment and justice for underserved communities. As an active member of the Abuja Alumni Chapter, Chidebe uses his connections to organize events at U.S. Mission Nigeria’s network of 11 American corners. He seizes every opportunity to educate, inspire, and empower Nigerian youth.

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

   Printer-Friendly Version

   Blog Post

   Blog

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   Washington D.C. 10th April, 2016, "I HAVE A DREAM" by Runcie C.W. Chidebe

   Today, I stepped my FEET in the same point where MARTIN LURTHER KING JNR delivered the "I Have A Dream" public speech during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on August 28, 1963, in which he called for an end to racism in the United State and called for Civil and Economic Rights. This speech shaped the American History for forever.

   SELF-HATRED

   I was in tears when I stepped my feet on the spot and I dropped my U.S. Department of State International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) tag. And I reminiscence three most significant dreams that I have for my beloved country Nigeria.

   I have a DREAM that one day my beloved country Nigeria will be a country of model for Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress [as enshrined in our Coat of Arms] and NOT a model for describing hopelessness, self-hatred, tribalism & religious, poverty, corruption, pains, fear, insecurity and agony.

   I have a dream that one day my beloved country will have leaders who would take the path of class suicide to save Nigeria and the weakened belief in a nation. LEADERSHIP is an absolute term, "IF IT IS NOT GOOD, then it NOT LEADERSHIP [there is nothing on earth like bad leadership, it's either leadership or something else]".

   I have a dream that someday I will live in a country where our successes will NOT be defined by the number of cars, houses abroad and number of properties but, defined by the number of people who have been liberated from poverty, uplifted from the shackles of infliction, lives saved and positive impacts.

   I stood on the Feet of MARTIN LUTHER KING JNR for a while and pray HEAVENLY Father you made this happen for Americans, I believe that you can make it happen for Nigerians. I remember South African how they suffered and battled Apartheid, which an external based conflict. But, today the pains of my country are NOT external, it is SELF-HATRED and SELF-INFLICTED PAINS caused by people who we willingly handed over our lives to take control of. Someone said me "it will take Nigeria over 100years to get to where South Africa is". Well, a critical look to this assertion gives me pathetic national thought crisis.

   Today, we are now living like prisoners in our country, refugees in our country, fighting self and inflicting pains on self, corruption has defined our success, our justice system is now defined by pockets and not by standards, OUR LAWS are NOT MEANT FOR THE POOR, our cherished value system is now histories, young Nigerians are more interested to jump out of the country with their lofty dreams to contribute to other countries - where their talents will be appreciated, we have giving up on ourselves, we have become our own enemies and have grown to victimized ourselves on tribal lines.

   I may NOT clearly understand what I AM SAYING nor how to go about this, or how to make this thunderous positive REVOLUTION, but, one thing I am sure - which is crystal; is that I didn't write this SCRIPT, neither was I consulted during the ART. HEAVENLY Father called me to ACT it and I shall give it my entire LIFE. I cannot do alone, I am yet to see greatness without shared glory. Search yourself and you would sincerely find that SCRIPT which is meant for you for our beloved country. Come on board and let's make it happen. Don't allow your past to victimize your present nor mar your future; STAND UP and Let's make this DREAM a REALITY for our children children.

   Thanks to U.S. Government, U.S. Department of State , and U.S. Embassy Nigeria for inviting me to Washington D.C. for this INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE- International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) entitled "American Youth: Inspiring Leadership & Civic Participation".

   Runcie C.W. Chidebe

   Photo

   

   

   Home Country

   Ethiopia

   Last name

   Chidebe

   IVLP Alumni

7. AWEsome Entrepreneur Empowers Expectant Moms in East Africa

   [Dar Es Salaam, March 1, 2022] – Responding to the pressing need for maternal care in Tanzania, Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) graduate Lucy Chuwa launched Mama Kits - a business that is saving lives in East Africa.

8. FORTUNE/State Department Global Women's Mentoring Partnership

   

   The FORTUNE/State Department Global Women's Mentoring Partnership provides mentorship opportunities for emerging women leaders from all over the world.

9. White House Travel Bloggers Summit #StudyAbroadBecause

   

   The National Security Council hosted a summit in December with 100 of the most influential travel bloggers and digital media outlets at The White House to highlight current U.S. Government initiatives and new strategies for encouraging American students to study, volunteer, and work abroad.

10. International visitors are the largest group of volunteers at the NYC Marathon

    

    For the third year in a row, J-1 Visa exchange participants were the largest and most diverse group of volunteers at the New York City Marathon. Watch how they embrace the American values of volunteerism and civic engagement, and share their culture with their American communities.

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