POLAND
October 23 - 26, 2011
Ten local government officials and non-governmental leaders from throughout Poland will visit Reading, PA and Philadelphia to explore strategies to increase civic participation, effective government communication and leadership in local communities. U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program.

FINLAND
October 11 - 14, 2011
A policy advisor to the High Representative of the European External Action Service will visit Philadelphia to discuss U.S. foreign policy towards Ukraine and former Soviet republics. U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program.

BULGARIA
October 1 - 6, 2011
Five young and highly motivated visitors from Bulgaria will visit to acquire knowledge that they hope will eventually help them form a new generation of modern Muslim leaders in their country. This program will provide the visitors with an intensive, first-hand look at the Muslim community in the U.S. In the U.S. they will be introduced to the U.S. environment of religious tolerance and ethnic identity as well as focus on the role of government in religious affairs, opportunities for religious education in a secular society, and good practices for inter-ethnic dialog. Visitors will have opportunities to visit Islamic centers, mosques, schools and cultural centers, as well as to meet public officials and Islamic NGO representatives.  This project directly corresponds to the Mission's goal to support the continuing improvement in inter-ethnic relations and encourage greater religious tolerance in Bulgaria. U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program.

SOUTH AMERICA (Regional Project)
September 29 - October 2, 2011
Sixteen educators from the South American Region will be visiting to explore the American language, the education system in the United States, and examine how English is taught in the United States. Also, the visitors will be working towards a deeper understanding of U.S. history and culture and the connection of U.S. history and culture to the teaching of English. U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program.

MOLDOVA
September 23 - 27, 2011
Eight visitors from various Criminal Justice Departments will be visiting to learn about how the U.S. Civilian Review Boards operate and the process that takes place after a review has been submitted. They will follow the process from review intake to case resolution in order to understand how to implement a similar system. The group will learn about the role of the Inspector General and their operations within the various federal agencies to detect and prevent fraud, waste, abuse, violations of law, as well as the importance of laws to protect individuals who report misconduct, or "whistle-blowers." This is all part of an effort to enact a civilian review board for the Ministry of the Interior and make reforms to the oversight board. U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program.

JAPAN
September 21 - 24, 2011
A visitor from Japan will be here to learn about the challenges of both creating and managing universities with large international populations. He will address such issues as establishing exchange and/or dual degree programs with foreign universities, student support services, marketing and public relations, and administrative restructuring in meetings with representatives from U.S. public and private universities, government officials, and other experts on the U.S. higher education system. This project is designed for university administrators involved in the internationalization of Japan's higher education system. U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program.

AFGHANISTAN
September 21 - 24, 2011
Fifteen visitors from Afghanistan will be visiting to explore how the government interacts with the media and develops productive professional relationships. Participants will hopefully return to Afghanistan with a better understanding of and appreciation for the ways in which the government and media can interact without compromising their duties to the public. U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program.

POLAND
September 21 - 24, 2011
This individual project for Poland will explore the use of art in social and political justice. The project will also explore how art is utilized to promote tolerance, multiculturalism and preserve cultural, ethnic, and religious diversity. U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program.

AFGHANISTAN
September 15 - 17, 2011
Fourteen visitors from Afghanistan will be visiting to learn about how the government interacts with the media and develops productive professional relationships. This group will be working towards acquiring a deeper understanding of and appreciation for the ways in which the government and media can interact without compromising their duties to the public. U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program.

INDONESIA
September 14 - 17, 2011
Two technical-school administrators from Indonesia will be visiting to examine the U.S. system of higher education, its structure, administration and support services. They will explore the needs and responsibilities of higher education and its changing relationship with other elements of society. This project will explore how U.S. institutions of higher education are designed, administered and managed over time to be in synch with their local industries. U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program.

CYPRUS
September 14 - 17, 2011
Two visitors from Cyprus will be visiting to examine policies and programs to address and prevent youth problem behaviors as well as gain an understanding of how government and NGO's can work effectively with at-risk youth, particularily in communities with strong ethnic and racial divisions. Also, the visitors will learn about community engagement with youth and how they can be empowered to effect positive change in their community. U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program.

INDONESIA
September 8 - 11, 2011
A group of four visitors from Indonesia comprised of teachers, administrators, religious leaders, and NGO activists will be visiting the U.S. because they want to improve basic education services in their respective schools, pesantrens, and alternative education forums. This program will provide an introduction to the American primary/secondary educational system, specifically looking at the pros and cons of public and private schools, co-educational and single-sex schools, religious and secular schools, vocational schools, charter schools, and non-school based alternatives geared towards marginalized populations, indigenous Native American communities, and non-traditional youth education programs. It will also examine the role of the federal, State and local government in developing education. Overall, the program will demonstrate how the U.S. education system reflects American society and how it is managed. U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program.

ARGENTINA, COLOMBIA, PANAMA
September 3 - 7, 2011
Six visitors from South American countries will visit to learn how their governments can become better deterents against the trafficking of persons, and consequently how to prevent domestic violence against women and children. The initiative is to empower South American governments to be more effective partners in fighting criminal networks as they wish to deter, investigate, prosecute, and reduce the operations of organized crime throughout the region. U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program.

CYPRUS
August 18 - 21, 2011
Three members of the Turkish Organization Bright Futures Movement will be visiting to learn about effective management of civil society and grassroots organizations. U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program. 

THAILAND
August 17 - 18, 2011
Ten visitors involved in the development of Thailand's airport infrastructure and management are visiting to learn about airport construction and integration into the state, as well as how to properly and safely maintain air traffic. Thailand is one of Asia's fastest growing urban economies and their reliance on aerial travel and transport will dictate their success as they continue to urbanize. They will be reviewing U.S. national and international policies, initiatives and airport design standards, as well as emergency management planning and response, including fire rescue, security, operations, tenants, air operators, and other key elements within the system. U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program.

POLAND
August 16 - 20, 2011
Ten members from the Wielkopolskie province, a region currently under consideration for a new nuclear power plant operation, are visiting to learn about how nuclear energy projects are recieved by the general public and how to manuever the politics of building their first-ever nuclear power plant. They will learn about the sensitive issues surrounding site choice, methods for presenting clear and accurate information to the public, answering constituent questions relating to public safety, how to address environmental issues, and any concerns over the storage of nuclear waste. U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program.

BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA
August 10 - 12, 2011
Five members from various Energy Departments and Committees are visiting to learn about how U.S energy programs, specifically in geo-thermal, coal, and hydro-power, compete with Russian energy programs already established and utilized in their country. They have projected that in the coming years a massive overhaul of their energy programs will be needed to meet the growing demand and that their resources are currently being underutilized. The visitors will meet with power generation specialists in key U.S. private sector firms to get a more well rounded view of the future of energy consumption and sustainability. U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program.

GEORGIA
August 4 - 10, 2011
Five visitors from the Georgian National Center for Teacher Professional Development (NTCPD) are visiting to learn about how to train new inductees to their national teaching program. New in-service instructors of the Georgian language, mathematics, and foreign languages need teaching methodology instruction and will meet with teaching departments at universities, Teach for America, and and local school systems with strong mentoring and teacher development programs to strengthen their educational system back home. U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program.
 
IRAQ
July 24 - 27, 2011
Three visitors from the Anbar Directorate of Education will engage in a professional program designed to enhance teaching techniques and methodologies. The idea is to help them to better understand the U.S. education system and current trends in elementary and secondary schools around the country. They will explore innovative education initiatives and creative ways to respond to the needs of Iraqi youth, helping prepare them to become productive and responsible citizens. U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program.
 
GERMANY
July 21 - 23, 2011
Four young politicians and multipliers, with little to no previous experience in the U.S., are coming to the to get a broad overview of the U.S. political-economic scene in a popular program entitled: Current U.S. Social, Political, and Economic Issues. This program provides a valuable foundation for young professionals to better understand American institutions and thinking. U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program.
 
VIETNAM
July 18 - 20, 2011
Ten inspectors general and government officials will be visiting to learn about American anti-corruption laws and judicial practices. Vietnam recently underwent government administrative changes that put more pressure on leaders to remain transparent in their activity and honest to the public. The visitors will participate in a program that focuses on how public administration reform can increase goverment accountability, how to raise public awareness on anti-corruption responsibilities, and how to perform ethically as an elected representative. U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program.
 
ALGERIA
July 13 - 17, 2011
The Algerian Ministry of Culture is expanding its number of Cultural Festivals; they already organize more than 106 festivals a year. The embassy has nominated four candidates who are employees of the two major institutions affiliated to the Ministry of Culture and who are the main contacts for the organization of such festivals. The visiting group will see how non-profit organizations and institutions organize such programs in the U.S. This programs aims to help the Algerian candidates gain expertise by making them better able to provide quality outreach programs when they return. U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program.
 
PAKISTAN
July 12 - 16, 2011
Seven Islamic scholars and religious community leaders will participate in a program that will explore the role of Muslim religious educators and leaders within U.S. society. The program will include a look at how U.S. Muslim leaders approach their role in their religious communities as advocates of the religious values and U.S. civic values. Participants will travel to communities with large and small Muslim communities, comparing their approaches depending on population and resources. Programming will include meetings with leaders, educators, government and business leaders, representing a variety of Muslim theological as well as secular political perspectives. U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program.
 
KOREA
July 7 - 11, 2011
Ten prominent Korean NGO leaders will be visiting to learn about how grassroots political organizations in the U.S. create and maintain their presence while maximizing appeal to the general public. This volunteer visitor program will focus on how to engage citizens' political awareness and activitism. U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program.
 
CHAD, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO, DIJIBOUTI, MALI, MAURITANIA, NIGER, NIGERIA, SENEGAL, SUDAN, TOGO, ZIMBABWE
July 3 - 6, 2011
Thirteen government officials and community leaders from Sub-Saharan Africa will visit to discuss U.S. perspectives on conflict resolution and preventative diplomacy in both domestic and international disputes. The visiting group will meet with public and private organizations familiar with alternative diplomacy and conflict resolution techniques designed to resolve disputes resulting from ethnic, religious, socio-economic and regional differences. Participants will also be introduced to the training of conflict resolution specialists by universities and professional organizations. U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program.
 
ROMANIA
July 3 - 6, 2011
The First Secretary of the Office for Implementation of International Sanctions in Romania will visit to better understand the decision making process of the U.S. government. The goal is to see how carefully policy decisions are crafted in the U.S. and the range of stake holder which provide input. The program will expose how well U.S. policy endeavors protect individual privacy. U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program.

ARGENTINA, BOLIVIA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, EQUATORIAL GUINEA, GUATEMALA, MEXICO, PERU, VENEZUELA
June 30 - July 6, 2011
Sixteen government officials and NGO leaders from seven South American countries, and Mexico, will participate in a project for government officials, journalists, and representatives of watchdog organizations. Participants will explore the decentralized and self-regulating nature of U.S. federalism, and the role of citizens, the media, and civil society in fostering good governance. The visitors will examine accountability and oversight in government and the laws, regulations, and practices that support them, including whistleblower protection and the use of new media and eGovernment as tools to encourage transparency and efficiency. The project will also assess measures to fight influence peddling, corruption, waste, fraud, and abuse. U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program.
 
MOLDOVA
June 29 - July 1, 2011
Six municipal leaders will look at ways in which government structures can work to prevent infrastructure emergencies, or in the case they occur, work quickly and efficiently to ameliorate and/or control negative situations. U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program.
 
BRAZIL
June 22 - 25, 2011
Six attorneys and judges will come to developing solid ideas about transparency and effectiveness, judges, prosecutors, and law professors in justice systems. These roles are crucial to advancing and maintaining the rule of law in Brazil and officials within the Brazilian federal and state justice systems should explore various aspects of our judicial system to provide insight for promoting positive changes to their institutions. U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program.
 
SOUTH AFRICA
June 20 - 22, 2011
Two university professionals will come to discuss enrollment criteria, learn about extra academic assistance to students who come from disadvantaged backgrounds, and learn how the colleges/universities successfully engage local businesses and governments. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program.

MONGOLIA
June 11 - 15, 2011
Two young Mongolian legal officers will examine the U.S. judicial system, including the jury system and its role in the legal process. In addition, participants will learn about the U.S. trial process and court management procedures, with an emphasis on efforts to combat trafficking in persons and promote human rights and democracy.  This group is coming to Philadelphia through the U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program.
 
AFGHANISTAN, ARGENTINA, BANGLADESH, BRAZIL, CAMBODIA, GEORGIA, GHANA, HUNGARY, ICELAND, INDONESIA, IRAQ, ITALY, JORDAN, MOLDOVA, NIGERIA, PAKISTAN, PARAGUAY, ROMANIA, RUSSIA, TAIWAN, TANZANIA, UZBEKISTAN
June 12 - 15, 2011
The Foreign Service Institute (FSI) of the U.S. Department of State, provides training for professional staff from U.S. Embassies and Consulates around the world. Foreign Service Nationals (FSNs) serve as a bridge between the Embassy and foreign publics by explaining American policy to local audiences and supporting the management of several outreach and education programs. Department of State's Foreign Service Institute (FSI). The FSI has prepared a course for twenty-four Foreign Service Nationals (FSNs) from twenty-two countries who work in Media and Information Affairs. One purpose of the course is to provide exposure to and help participants better understand U.S. government and American society. The course will be two weeks in length, with the group spending the first week in class in Washington, D.C., followed by visits to Philadelphia and another U.S. city.
During the FSNs? time in Philadelphia, the group will meet with Mayor Nutter and with his press secretary, with Temple and Drexel Universities, visit our historic area and the National Constitution Center.  During one of their three evenings in Philadelphia they will have the American experience of having dinner in the homes of IVC members.
 
ALGERIA, EGYPT, GAZA, MAURITANIA, MOROCCO, SAUDI ARABIA
June 9 - 11, 2011
Eight civic activists, municipal and community-based leaders, teachers, and NGO leaders from North Africa and Near East Asia have been invited to participate in a project designed to help governments better understand how to engage citizens in governance. They will explore grassroots civic engagement programs that focus on how to engage the youth through community outreach and active participation in public policy. The international visitors will learn how to empower a future generation of young politicians in young democratic countries and learn about the origins of the unique cultural independence of the United States. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program.
 
BOTSWANA, GHANA, KENYA, LIBERIA, NIGERIA, SEYCHELLES, SOMALIA, TANZANIA, ZIMBABWE
June 9 - 10, 2011
Nine government officials and municipal leaders from Sub-Saharan African countries will participate in a program that is designed to examine the decentralized and self-regulating nature of U.S. federalism and how it promotes transparency in government. They will explore the role of citizens, the media, and civil society in fostering transparency and accountability in government. Also, this project will highlight the mechanisms and vehicles that enable citizens to engage in fostering good governance at the local, state and federal levels as well as enhance understanding of ethical systems and accountability in government and business. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program.
 
ROMANIA
June 8 - 12, 2011
An attorney from the Romanian Competition Council (RCC) will participate in a unique program that focuses on U.S. government regulation of competition, regulatory affairs/compliance, and antitrust laws. Fair and transparent competition is the goal of the program and he will be meeting with antitrust groups, ethics committees, law professors, and health care professionals to learn how Pennsylvania operates as one of the few states without an antitrust law. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program.
 
ARGENTINA, BOLIVIA, COSTA RICA, EL SALVADOR, GUATEMALA, PANAMA, PERU, VENEZUELA
May 19 - 22, 2011
Twelve visitors from countries in South and Central America will participate in a project that has been designed allow them to observe the effectiveness of the micro-business sector in creating jobs and alleviating poverty. They will examine the legal and regulatory systems that allow micro-entrepreneurs to flourish and policies that may discourage such enterprises. Also, participants will be able to discuss societal barriers facing micro-entrepreneurs, especially women and other disadvantaged groups, and the best practices in overcoming these restrictions. The group will explore various micro-business models, support mechanisms and innovations such as micro-lending, multi-level marketing, the use of the internet and others. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program.
 
KOSOVO
May 13 - 15, 2011
This program is designed to shore-up the decentralization process that Kosovo has experienced thus far with their establishment of four new municipalities in addition to the two existing municipalities in which ethnic minorities constitute the majority population. Seven visitors from Kosovo will be exploring how to build personal and professional relationships with their central government and ways to bridge the gaps between ethnic minorities and political parties/groups. These Kosovars will also discover how federal structures work and how local and national interests and budgeting is crucial to their success. They will study central-local government relations at both the town-state, and state-federal levels and examine how various levels of government arrive at a consensus between political groups. The participants will also be exposed to ideas of how majority and minority reach an agreement as well as taking other's interests in account. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program.
 
SERBIA
May 11 - 15, 2011
Five Serbian members of traditional and non-traditional religious communities will be visiting Philadelphia to examine the role of religious issues in a democracy. This project is designed to connect various religious communities in Serbia, and encourage these Serbian religious leaders to identify the commonalities to unify their communities upon their return to Serbia. The participants will also engage in interfaith cooperation to address social issues. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program.
 
AFGHANISTAN, ARGENTINA, CZECH REPUBLIC, EL SALVADOR, IRAQ, JORDAN, KENYA, NIGERIA, PANAMA, PERU, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
April 28 - 30, 2011
This multi-regional group of eleven visitors will participate in a project that has been designed for museum curators, directors, cultural historians, educators at cultural organizations, and government officials engaged in cultural preservation and museum programs. This project was formed to expose participants to current techniques and approaches and new technologies for museum management in the United States. Also, the visitors will be able to explore traditional and current roles played by museums in the United States including how museums encourage and promote community growth and stability by encouraging civic pride, tourism, as well as an interest in local history and culture. This group will be able to discover how American museums are sustained through community efforts, cultivating donor support, volunteer recruitment and training, school visits and student programs. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program.
 
EGYPT
March 24 - APRIL 23, 2011
Two Egyptian human rights professionals will be coming to Philadelphia from Egypt to learn more the United States system of democracy and governance. this programs is exposing young Egyptian civil society activists and media leaders through internship to a range of techniques and practices utilized among U.S. civil society organizations working in the democracy-related fields. The overall objective of the internship is to enhance young Egyptian civil society and media activists' skills to understand and apply innovative and successful organizational and advocacy techniques and practices. Funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development in partnership with IVC & World Learning, Washington, D.C.

AFGHANISTAN, ALGERIA, BAHRAIN, MAURITANIA, NEPAL, SRI LANKA, TUNISIA
March 20 - 25, 2011
Eight visitors will be coming to the IVC to explore teaching English as a second language. Various institutions will enhance their understanding of the educational system in the United States, and the linkages between educational institutions and community EFL/ESL programs. They will discuss the complexity of social, political, economic, and demographic dynamics in the U.S. and the impact of immigration patterns on English acquisition and usage. The visitors will also receive a variety of resources and tools accessible to EFL/ESL teachers in the U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program.

ANGOLA, BAHRAIN, BURMA, EGYPT, JAMAICA, MALAWI, MEXICO, OMAN, RUSSIA, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
March 20 - 23, 2011
This multi-regional group will spend several days in Philadelphia during its program on early childhood education in the United States.  The group will examine the U.S. system of childcare and primary education, specifically focusing on pre-kindergarten to 5th grade education, and explore a host of public policies and private educational initiatives meant to improve the early childhood education system.  The group will meet with various representatives of the public and private education policy-making sectors as well as with representatives from non-profits and NGOs working to tackle early childhood education issues alongside the school systems.  Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program.

ALGERIA, EGYPT, IRAQ, MOROCCO, PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES, YEMEN
March 17 - 20, 2011
Ten visitors representing North Africa and the Middle East will be coming to Philadelphia to participate in a program on conflict resolution.  As part of this project, the group will focus on root causes of conflict and how peace processes, international law, and bi-lateral and multi-lateral peace negotiations have historically played a role in preventing, stemming, or ending conflict situations as well as how various religious traditions have approached conflict management and how interfaith efforts can help in reconciling conflict.  The group will meet with religious leaders as well as mediation and conflict resolution experts throughout the Philadelphia region.  Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program.