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Thank you, CLS!
The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) is celebrating its 10th Anniversary! #CLSTURNS10
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Young Southeast Asian Leader Works to Protect the Environment
Young Southeast Asian Asian Leadership Initiative (YSEALI) alumna Quy Nguyễn from Vietnam discusses her experience as part of the 2015 YSEALI program that focused on global environmental issues.
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New Federal Grant Resources Playbook Available
On January 19, 2017 the U.S. Department of State’s Advisory Committee for the Strategic Dialogue with Civil Society offered the Open Licensing Playbook to the State Department. The Playbook is a tool for federal agencies interested in developing grant-supported open licensing projects.
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English Teaching Forum
The latest issue of Forum Journal (Vol 55, Num 1, 2017) is now available online at americanenglish.state.gov.
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Dr. Nadina Christopoulou
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Dr. NadinaParticipant Headshot
Short Biography
Content created by Virtual Intern Melanie OurhaanDr. Nadina Christopoulou is an anthropologist empowering migrant and refugee women in Greece as the director and cofounder of the Melissa Network. In 2015, she participated in the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) “Women Leaders: Promoting Peace and Security,” initiative which led her to conclude that it is most effective to prevent violent extremism through education and public engagement.
During the program, Dr. Christopoulou and fellow participants visited Washington D.C., New York, Austin, San Diego, and the U.S-Mexico border to examine the current and historical roles of women in political transitions, post-conflict reconstruction, humanitarian emergencies, conflict prevention, and peacemaking efforts.
Her IVLP experience strengthened her belief in women as agents of change and their role in resolving conflict and building consent, solidarity, and community. Sharing ideas with women leaders from around the world was an immensely inspiring experience that forged in her a new determination to empower underprivileged women and girls.
Dr. Nadina Christopoulou is a leading figure in the migrant and refugee support community in Greece. She promotes integration and equal rights for recent immigrants to Greece and continues to transform the lives of hundreds of women and girls.
Content edited by Sallie Bestul, Regina Navarro-Gomez, and Jenna Williams
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ChristopoulouIVLP Alumni
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Dr. Mamudu Bugre
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MamuduParticipant Headshot
Short Biography
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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Dr. Hope Cynthia Sadza
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Hope CynthiaParticipant Headshot
Short Biography
Content created by Virtual Intern Erinn Heffes
Dr. Hope Cynthia Sadza is the founder and Vice Chancellor of the Women's University in Africa (WUA), a small university focused on educating women in Harare, Zimbabwe that was founded in 2002.
In 2007, Dr. Sadza was selected for a 10-day International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP) where she interacted with leaders of various women's universities in the United States to share strategies for effective university administration. The program concluded with her participation in an international conference for women's university administrators.
Upon returning home, Dr. Sadza wrote a detailed report on her visit and highlighted practical ideas she could implement to further develop and sustain the WUA. Since her visit, the WUA has seen tremendous growth and Dr. Sadza instituted a board of trustees, organized alumni chapters, pursued new fundraising techniques, and implemented curriculum and institutional development based on her experience in the United States.
Dr. Cynthia Sadza is an innovator and educator who is providing women in Africa with new strategies and fostering equity in education.
Edited by Virtual Interns Regina Navarro-Gomez and Kristin Mitra
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SadzaIVLP Alumni
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Muhammad Azfar Ahsan
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Muhammad AzfarParticipant Headshot
Short Biography
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
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The Community Solutions Program’s 10th Anniversary Kickoff
ECA is kicking off the tenth anniversary of the Community Solutions Program (CSP) with events for alumni, host organizations, and community partners around the world.
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Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP): Nepal Projects
Supporting the preservation of Nepal’s cultural heritage, the AFCP has aided projects such as the restoration of a 17th-century palace and preservation of a remote Sherpa monastery at the base of Mount Everest.
