Program objective

As authorized by the Fulbright-Hays Act, the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) seeks to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries by means of educational and cultural exchange programs, including the exchange of scholars, researchers, professionals, students, and educators. ECA programs foster engagement and encourage dialogue with citizens around the world. Educational and cultural engagement is premised on the knowledge that mutual understanding, the development of future leaders, and the benefits of education programs influence societies and affect official decision-making almost everywhere in the world today. ECA programs inform, engage, and influence participants across strategic sectors of society – including young people, women, teachers, scholars, journalists, and other professionals – increasing the number of foreign individuals who have first-hand experience with Americans and with the values of freedom, representative government, rule of law, economic choice, and individual dignity, while building international knowledge and capacity among Americans. The International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) facilitates short-term visits to the United States for current and emerging leaders from around the world to exchange best practices with American counterparts in a broad range of professional fields directly tied to U.S. foreign policy priorities. Interagency staff at U.S. embassies worldwide nominate and select participants in government, politics, business, education, the media, the arts and other fields for the program; there is no application process. Over 500 alumni of the IVLP went on to become Chiefs of State or Heads of Government in their countries. IVLP projects provide opportunities for participants to explore issues in the U.S. context, meet with their American professional counterparts, experience U.S. society, and understand American values. Participants meet with representatives of the private sector and civil society, as well as with government officials at all levels. The IVLP partners with a network of non-government, non-profit organizations, including about 90 community-based organizations and 40,000 volunteers across the country. These “citizen diplomats” host the International Visitors and share the American way of life by bringing them into their places of work, schools, communities, and homes. Americans, in turn, benefit from the opportunity for first-hand, in-person exchange with current and emerging leaders from around the world. The IVLP broadens international understanding and supports the local economy in both rural and urban communities throughout the United States. Virtually the entire IVLP budget is spent within the United States in support of program partners and local businesses.