January 12- 15: U.S. POLICY FORMATION, FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT RELATIONSHIPS
A Project for Japan
The Department of State has outlined the following specific objectives for the project: To learn how foreign policy is formulated; To evaluate the agricultural and industrial implications of the Trans-Pacific Partnership through a foreign policy lens; To analyze and understand complex and controversial military base issues; To examine how natural and man-made disasters are handled by federal and local organizations; To learn about the US government’s initiatives to promote business innovation and measures for its economic growth strategy.
January 21- 25: NGOs and Civic Activism
A Multi-Regional Project
The Department of State has outlined the following specific objectives for the project: To introduce innovative management strategies for non governmental organizations (NGOs), particularly organizations in the U.S. that champion social or political issues; To explore the diversity of the independent sector in the U.S. and the dynamic relationships between business, government and nongovernmental organizations; and To examine methodologies used by NGOs for strengthening leadership, developing communication strategies with the public, developing volunteerism, fundraising and advancing missions.
January 21- 26: Combating Trafficking in Persons
A Project for the Bi-Regional Program for North Africa, the Near East, South and Central Asia
The Department of State has outlined the following specific objectives for the project: Explore U.S. and worldwide policy initiatives to prevent trafficking and to rescue, rehabilitate, and reintegrate victims of trafficking; Examine best practices and cooperative efforts by law enforcement, prosecution and media/public outreach specialists; Analyze the root causes of trafficking and the crucial policies and practices needed to prevent its proliferation; and Highlight social service organizations that assist victims of trafficking and observe the means by which they publicize their efforts.
February 9 – 15: COUNTERTERRORISM AND COMBATING INTERNATIONAL CRIME
A Project for Germany
The program will address the following themes: Examine the American criminal justice system and how law enforcement agencies at the federal, state and local levels work to identify, investigate, and prosecute international crimes; Explore how data and intelligence is exchanged to fight transnational crimes, such as organized crime, terrorism, and human trafficking; Expose participants to various specialized investigative units, especially related to the capture of fugitives, the protection of witnesses, and investigation of gang criminal networks; Discuss comprehensive strategies to counter the trafficking of women and children for sexual exploitation and forced labor; and Analyze the balance between preserving individual civil liberties and privacy rights and the need to share information for homeland security.
February 11- 15: U.S. CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND COUNTERTERRORISM
A Project for France
The project will examine: The U.S. criminal justice system; counter terrorism; activities and role of members and officers of the court, criminal justice process, from investigation to sentence; incarceration practices and policies; trans-border and customs issues; operations of law enforcement agencies; special topics in law enforcement.
February 11- 16: PROMOTING RULE OF LAW AND JUDICIAL REFORM
A Project for the Near East and North Africa
Familiarize participants with the principles of judicial independence, the federal court system and the structure of state and municipal courts; Underscore the judiciary’s role in preserving and strengthening democratic concepts such as government accountability and individual rights; Develop understanding of current trends in the administration of courts in the U.S.; Discuss court and case management, advanced legal education, the criminal justice system and law enforcement in the U.S.; and Examine alternative mediation aimed at reducing court caseloads and costs.
February 17-22: Integration of Migrant Muslim Youth in Greece: Challenges and Prospects
A Project for Greece
U.S. migration policy and immigration paradigms; federal vs. state laws and practices; How immigrant communities and organizations in the U.S. self-organize, integrate politically and socio-economically, and participate in the government; The role and portrayal of minorities in politics, media, academia, civil society, and business.; How to deal with undocumented Muslim migrants; Transnational movements of Muslims.; Influence of ethnic heritage, in particular religion and human rights (women’s rights); Best policies and practices for integration of primarily Muslim immigrants; model educational and social institutions that address the needs of minority youth; Preservation and celebration of diversity.
February 18- 23: WATER PLANT MANAGEMENT
A Project for Iraq
The Department of State has outlined the following specific objectives for the project: Examine water resources management at the federal, state and local levels; Explore water infrastructure in the U.S.; Discuss best practices in water conservation, flood management and methods to address water scarcity; Explore irrigation technologies and management of ground water usage for agriculture and its financial aspects; Visit water utilities in urban and rural environments; Analyze the role of public-private partnerships and grassroots groups in addressing water issues; Look at water disputes and their adjudication; and Visit water desalination plant.
February 19 – 22: IVLP GOLD STARS’ TOUR: ALUMNI CONNECTING THE WORLD 2012
A Project for Greece and Israel
The Department of State has outlined the following specific objectives for the project: Examine the direct impact of the International Visitor Leadership Program on participants, their communities, and their home countries; Celebrate the accomplishments of the NCIV network in its work with the Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program; Provide new professional development and networking opportunities for returning IVLP alumni; and, Promote ongoing linkages between IVLP alumni and U.S. organizations and professional resources.
March 3- 7: Empowering Women Against Domestic Violence
A Project for Europe and Eurasia
Examine the impact of violence against women on families, communities, and countries and the benefits of preventing violence and advancing women in all sectors; Explore laws, programs, and legal and judicial safeguards to combat violence, especially domestic violence, against women; Provide insight into how to empower women to impact policy through participation in the political process; and Introduce economic and educational programs and resources for women that aid in establishing independence.
March 17-21: TEACHING ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE
A Regional Project for South America
Examine the organization and methodology of Teaching English as a Second Language programs in the United States; Provide teachers of English an opportunity to meet with American colleagues to discuss current trends and developments in the field, with special attention to distance education, on-line courses and multimedia in the classroom; Develop a better understanding of the educational system in the U.S. and the linkages between educational institutions and community ESL programs; and Provide exposure to the complexity of social, political, economic, and demographic dynamics in the U.S. with particular attention to immigration patterns and the impact they have on English acquisition and usage in the U.S.
March 20 – 24: Interfaith Dialogue
A Project for the Near East and North Africa
The Department of State has outlined the following specific objectives for the project: Local government initiatives to ensure equal opportunity; Programs to assist immigrants and the poor; Advocacy initiatives on behalf of workers; Programs for youth; Tour of the border area.
