1. United States and Libya Sign Agreement to Protect Libya’s Cultural Heritage

   On February 23, Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs I. Steven Goldstein and Libyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs Under Secretary for Political Affairs Lutfi Almughrabi signed a landmark bilateral Memorandum of Understanding on cultural property protection at a ceremony at the U.S. Department of State’s Treaty Room.

2. Kenya on My Mind: An Interview with Mayor Heidi Davison

   

   In September 2008, eight American women traveled to Kenya to develop empowerment networks with Maasai women.

3. 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.

4. Language Lessons

   

   A National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) student describes her time studying Arabic in Morocco.

5. Tony Memmel - "Never, Never, Never Gonna Give Up (Anthem)" - live in Amman, Jordan

   

   Tony Memmel and His Band perform "Never, Never, Never Gonna Give Up (Anthem)" at the Roman Theatre in Amman, Jordan - a 6,000-seat, 2nd century theatre.

6. Danae Bezantakou

   First Name

   Danae

   Participant Headshot

   

   Short Biography

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   Content created by Virtual Intern Radha Varadan

   Danae 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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   Home Country

   Greece

   Last name

   Bezantakou

   IVLP Alumni

7. Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellows Summer Institute Alumnus Reflects on His Fellowship

   

   Daniel Voda, a 2010 BFTF Alumnus from Moldova, reflects on his experience at the Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellows Summer Institute.

8. Have Courage! Be a Leader

   

   "The idea of being a leader was not in my mind [before], but now I have courage to play a role in my school. [TEA] gives us hope that we can be leaders." -Mifdal Bouchaib, from Morocco on the Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program

9. 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.

10. May Al Mahayni

    First Name

    May

    Participant Headshot

    

    Short Biography

    ivlp_profiles_mahayni.png

    

    Content created by Virtual Intern Nora Moest

    The Syrian civil war has resulted in suboptimal oncology care in most of Syria, but Dr. May Al Mahayni, a Syrian doctor and co-founder of the Breast Cancer Protection Society is passionate about her mission to raise awareness of breast cancer and encourage early detection.

    She participated in the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) in October 2007 and during her program she learned about current cancer research from other participants and doctors and staff at cancer centers throughout the United States. She brought what she learned back to Syria and applied it to workshops and events organized by the Breast Cancer Protection Society. She organized a walk through the streets of Damascus imitating the walk she saw in San Diego where everyone was wearing a pink shirt with the Breast Cancer logo to bring attention to the disease and call for early detection.

    Through the society, Dr. Al Mahayni and other doctors collected donations and took a mammogram machine to rural areas in Syria to test women for breast cancer. Thanks to her knowledge and networking, Dr. May Al Mahayni is spreading the word in Syria about early detection of breast cancer.

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

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    Home Country

    Syria

    Last name

    Al Mahayni

    IVLP Alumni

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