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Empowering Young Mothers in Sierra Leone Through a State Dept. Grant
ExchangeAlumni Baimba Sheriff and his AEIF grant project team are breaking stereotypes, while creating pathways to employment and empowerment.
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Teachers of Critical Languages
American students learn languages such as Chinese and Arabic from native speakers.
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Judy Heumann Congratulates 2014 Paralympians
Judy Heumann congratulates the 2014 paralympians for their achievement.
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The Iraqi Institute for the Conservation of Antiquities and Heritage
The Iraqi Institute for the Conservation of Antiquities and Heritage (IICAH) is a state-of-the-art educational facility in Erbil, where international experts are training Iraq’s museum and heritage professionals in the preservation of their national treasures. Th
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Martin Puryear Chosen to Represent the United States at Venice Biennale
The State Department and the Madison Square Park Conservancy are excited to announce that Martin Puryear, an internationally acclaimed American artist, was selected to represent the United States at the Venice Biennale 58th International Art Exhibition in 2019.
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Nayla al-Khaja
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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
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al-KhajaIVLP Alumni
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Historic Church Bells Return to the Philippines
The historic Bells of Balangiga are returning after more than a century to their home in a church in the province of Eastern Samar, Philippines.
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Unpublished
Nisha Ayub
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Short Biography
Content created by Virtual Intern Richard Gray
Nisha Ayub is a prominent advocate for transgender rights and has co-founded two nonprofits in Malaysia that advocate for social justice. Justice for Sisters raises public awareness about issues surrounding violence and persecution against the transgender community in Malaysia and provides legal defense funds to assist those facing prosecution. Seed’s mission is to empower people who are socially excluded in Malaysia by providing access to a safe space and linking people to resources that will improve quality of life for all.
Ayub has received several awards for her activism, including Human Rights Watch's Alison Des Forges Award for Extraordinary Activism in 2015, for her opposition to discriminatory Malaysian laws, and the U.S. Secretary of State’s 2016 International Women of Courage Award. Ayub gives credit to the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) for enabling her to engage with Malaysian politicians and inspiring her to advocate more publicly for human rights.
Following her visit to the United States, Ayub founded the first support home in Malaysia specifically for individuals who identify as transgender, funded with donations.
During her visit to San Diego as part of the IVLP, the city proclaimed April 5 “Nisha Ayub Day.” The proclamation by San Diego Mayor Kevin L. Faulconer stated: "Nisha Ayub continues to fight for the equality and protection of all people in her country and beyond its borders."
As one of Malaysia’s most prominent transgender activists, Nisha Ayub is changing the world with her advocacy and continues her steadfast fight for equality.
Content edited by Sallie Bestul, Regina Navarro-Gomez, and Jenna Williams
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AyubIVLP Alumni
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Announcing the Cultural Heritage Game Jam
The Cultural Antiquities Task Force (CATF) in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) is diving into the world of video games.
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Kennedy-Lugar YES Program
The Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program provides scholarships to high school students.