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‘Start Strong Bauska’ Founder Connects with Counterparts on Return IVLP Exchange
Five years after her first International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) experience, Solvita Jirgensone will return to the United States as an IVLP alumna.
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Center Stage Artists Embark on D.C. Tour
Center Stage, a cultural exchange program developed by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs in collaboration with the New England Foundation for the Arts, will bring musicians from Egypt and Ukraine to America for a nation-wide tour through December 2018.
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Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board Signs Joint Statement of Cooperation with University of Arkansas – Fayetteville
On November 14-15, 2018 the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board held its 281st quarterly board meeting at the University of Arkansas - Fayetteville.
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ECA Launches the Arts Envoy IPR Program
The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs launched the Arts Envoy Intellectual Property Rights Program in December to highlight the importance of protecting intellectual property rights (IPR) of visual and performing artists.
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Virtual Exchange Creates World Class Connections
ECA is committed to exploring new and innovative opportunities for international experiences, with the goal of promoting mutual understanding through culture and shared values. -
Jalal Naser
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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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NaserIVLP Alumni
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ECA celebrates the Americans with Disabilities Act 30th Anniversary!
This year ECA launched the Access for All campaign! The purpose of this campaign is to celebrate the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 30th anniversary.
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Danae Bezantakou
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Short Biography
Content created by Virtual Intern Radha VaradanDanae Bezantakou is a prominent Greek leader who exemplifies the impact of the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). As CEO of Navigator Shipping Consultants, co-founder of a business think tank designed to support women in entrepreneurship, and appointee as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum (2015-2020), Bezantakou has pursued equality for women entrepreneurs through mentorships in areas disproportionately affected by a country-wide economic crisis.
When asked about her 2011 IVLP project on "Women in Leadership," Bezantakou said she realized "anything can happen, even in a small country like Greece… I could not stop thinking about ways, initiatives, and actions that could help Greece overcome discrimination."
After her IVLP, Bezantakou created the iforU Greek mentoring network, supporting over 150 female entrepreneurs and the Young Executives Shipping (YES) Forum, to create an open dialogue between principal executives, recent graduates, and university students. Bezantakou's leadership transcends borders as she has been involved with several international projects. She served as the first president of the Hellenic-U.S. Alumni Association, and has received international recognition for her groundbreaking initiatives. She was chosen for Greece's 40 under 40 List and the 2014 Purpose Economy Europe List.
"You should follow your passion and do what you can, with what you have, where you are!" says Bezantakou to aspiring young leaders. As an embodiment of her words, Danae Bezantakou continues to fight discrimination in the business world while inspiring countless leaders of tomorrow.
Content edited by Sallie Bestul, Regina Navarro-Gomez, and Jenna Williams
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BezantakouIVLP Alumni
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“Museums in a Suitcase” Photo Gallery
Due to the ongoing conflict, museums across Libya remain closed to protect their collections from looting and other damage. As a result, many communities in Libya have lost a vital link to their country’s rich past that museums and public programming create.
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Spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State Ned Price recognizes 20 years of the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation
Today we celebrate 20 years of American leadership, cooperation, and support for the preservation of cultural heritage around the world through the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation.
