Search

timeline7

1940

Nelson Rockefeller (Commercial and Cultural Affairs for the American Republics) invited 130 Latin American journalists to the U.S.

IVLP TIMELINE

First Name

Adzoavi

Participant Headshot

Short Biography

ivlp_profiles_tatey.png

Content created by Virtual Intern Mira Yu

Adzoavi Tatey is an advocate who has dedicated her career to improving the welfare of women and youth in Togo. Before participating in the International Leadership Visitor Program (IVLP), Tatey was a dedicated middle school teacher. After returning to Togo, she founded an NGO called Alafia, which works to expand women's empowerment and youth education. In addition, Tatey was inspired during her IVLP to continue her own education and subsequently earned her degree in sociology.

Through Alafia, Tatey has worked to eliminate harmful and demeaning cultural practices by working directly with traditional community leaders. They have worked to eradicate demeaning practices that impact widows, most importantly reducing the practice of depriving widows from their inheritance in the Aneho Region of Togo. Following the success of this flagship program, Alafia has broadened its horizons to advocate for women and youth education on a larger scale.

Adzoavi Tatey continues to collaborate with fellow IVLP alumni and contacts she met in the United States during her IVLP to make meaningful and sustainable advancements for women and girls in Togo.

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

Printer-Friendly Version

Photo

Home Country

Togo

Last name

Tatey

IVLP Alumni

Resources

Chunlei Liu

First Name

Chunlei

Participant Headshot

Short Biography

ivlp_profiles_liu.png

Content created by Virtual Intern Chhim Sokkunthea

After working in the telecommunications industry for nine years, Chunlei Liu became interested in reducing environmental pollution in China. He planned to use technology to collect and analyze information that could lead to environmental improvements.

Liu created Shanghai Qingyue Environmental Protection Center, a non-governmental organization that reviews and collects data on the environmental impact of existing policies. The Center uses the data to create policy recommendations that give governmental entities information so they can improve current policies and reduce overall pollution.

In 2015, Liu traveled to the United States as part of an International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) focused on climate change, the environment, and clean energy. During his IVLP, Liu learned how various government entities in the United States work together to reduce pollution in their communities. Based on his experience, he has integrated new ideas into his work.

The Center’s suggestions on environmental credit, green finance, and emissions disclosure have been well-received and have led to some policy changes.

Chunlei Liu is a forward-thinking environmentalist who is taking steps to bring cleaner air and healthier communities to China. He proves on a daily basis that the actions of one person can improve the quality of life for millions of people.

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

Printer-Friendly Version

Photo

Home Country

China

Last name

Liu

IVLP Alumni

Sunitha Krishnan

First Name

Sunitha

Participant Headshot

Short Biography

ivlp_profiles_krishnan.png

Content created by Virtual Intern Adelle Barkhuizen

Sunitha Krishnan is an Indian social activist whose work combating human trafficking and protecting victims has saved lives and motivated people around the world to build a safer world for women and children.

After founding Prajwala in 1996, which rescues and protects victims of human trafficking, Krishnan has built the nonprofit from a small initiative to prevent inter-generational prostitution to an organization that has worked with survivors on a comprehensive Anti- Trafficking Bill, launched a “#ShameTheRapist” campaign - the first of its kind in the world, trained police officers, and built more than a dozen transition and learning centers for survivors.

Krishnan visited the United States in 1999 through the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), and her convictions were strengthened when she met with U.S. organizations combating trafficking and with people from other parts of the world working on the same issues.

Krishnan noted that through the IVLP she learned how to view the issue of trafficking from the perspective of the victim, and to consider the impact of demand on her anti-trafficking initiatives. She returned to India with new ideas and techniques in mind, adapting them to the local context.

With more than 500 organizations joining her cause, Sunitha Krishnan's work is an inspiration as she attempts to reach her goal of ending sex slavery across the globe!

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

Printer-Friendly Version

Photo

Home Country

India

Last name

Krishnan

IVLP Alumni

Pawan Ghimire

First Name

Pawan

Participant Headshot

Short Biography

Content created by Virtual Intern Christopher Belden

Pawan Ghimire is a pioneer in Nepal for people with disabilities. Blinded by Maoist insurgents during a military operation in 2003, Ghimire discovered cricket as a rehabilitation therapy. He now serves as the chair of the Cricket Association of the Blind - Nepal, helping blind men and women in Nepal find strength through the game of cricket.

In 2016, he participated in the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) titled "Access for All: Enhancing the Lives of People with Disabilities." While in the United States, Ghimire had several valuable experiences he took back to Nepal. He was inspired by the opportunities for people with disabilities to support themselves in the United States and shared the message with several organizations in Nepal.

Shortly after returning to Nepal, he assisted in establishing an all-female sporting event for athletes with disabilities, promoting the idea that disabilities are not barriers, but opportunities.

Ghimire helps children with disabilities view themselves as more than their disabilities and to strive for success. Through the association, Ghimire has made blind cricket players more visible in Nepali society. The men’s blind cricket team participated in a World Cup, and the women’s team defeated Pakistan in a tournament.

Through his work with the Cricket Association of the Blind-Nepal, Pawan Ghimire has improved the perception of people with disabilities in Nepal and works to ensure that people with disabilities can enjoy fundamental rights.

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

Printer-Friendly Version