The Presidential Precinct is now a Provisional Member of the Global Ties U.S. network.
As a part of the Global Ties U.S. network, the Presidential Precinct serves as a partner with the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). According to the Global Ties U.S. website, “World leaders, ranging from former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to Mexico’s former president Felipe Calderón, developed close ties to the United States through their experience as IVLP participants. Each year, almost 5,000 distinguished international visitors come to the United States through IVLP. With an impressive alumni roster of more than 350 current and former heads of state worldwide, the IVLP and members of the Global Ties network have played a role in shaping U.S. international relations for decades.”
IVLP projects cover a broad array of themes, some of which include: Civic Education; Democracy; Entrepreneurism; Human Rights; U.S. Foreign Policy; Women’s Leadership; Energy Security; Education Today; Investigative Journalism; Intellectual Property; Crime and Counter-Terrorism Issues and NGO Management.
According to the Meridian website, one of the National Program Agencies (NPA) that administers IVLP, “Most IVLP visitors spend three weeks in the U.S., meeting with experts in their fields of interest from both the public and private sectors, attending cultural events and enjoying the hospitality of American families. They may also contribute their time to an appropriate volunteer activity along the way. Throughout their program, participants gain deeper insights into the society and culture of the United States, and an awareness of the diversity of opinions and ideas, even as they inform Americans about their own culture and society.”
Once leaders complete their visit to the United States, IVLP alumni continue to engage with the U.S. as members of the IVLP alumni association in their country, as participants on the State Alumni community website. Presidential Precinct IVLP alumni will also have access to the Presidential Precinct Network, providing access to a powerful network of global leaders, scholars, diplomats and private sector leaders. The Presidential Precinct is greatly looking forward to its new partnership within the Global Ties U.S. network and the future programs and relationships that can be built as a result of the network.
For more about the International Visitor Leadership Program, please visit the State Department’s IVLP website.