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 14-19: U.S. Foreign Policy Changes
A Project for Eurasia
Discuss foreign policy issues of concern to Europe and the U.S., including counter terrorism and security, transatlantic relations, the changing roles of international organizations such as NATO and the United Nations, trans-boundary environmental policy issues and global trade trends which frame positions in U.S. foreign policy; and Expose the participants to the various players in U.S. foreign policy formulation and to a range of policy views in the public and private sectors.
March 15-20 : Teaching English as a Foreign Language
A Multi-Regional Project
Study the diversity of EFL/ESL curricula, teacher certification, and training programs;Examine new technologies, resources, and tools available to EFL/ESL teachers;Enhance understanding of the U.S. educational system and the linkages between educational institutions and community EFL/ESL programs; and Provide exposure to the complex social, political, economic, and demographic diversity in the United States and how immigration patterns have impacted the field of EFL/ESL.
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 18-21: International Crime Issues
A Project for Brazil
Exploration of such issues as drug trafficking, anti-terrorism and efforts to combat organized crime.Themes include; Observation of cross border control activities, Cooperation and coordination between federal, state and local law enforcement, Aviation and rail security, Cyber crime, Gambling institutions and Home hospitality.
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.
March 21-27: Global Security Challenges
A Sub Regional Project for Near East and North Africa
Examine the integrated roles of diplomacy, economic power, intelligence, law enforcement, military engagement and international partnerships in combating security threats from extremism; Discuss underlying conditions which have traditionally fueled extremism – grievances, communal conflicts, social structure, economic disparity – and emerging trends domestically and within the region which challenge conventional wisdom; Examine the U.S. experience with trust-building initiatives through community partnerships, community policing, and public engagement efforts by Federal, State and Local Government that counter domestic terrorism, gang violence, and extremism; Assess the risks and challenges of balancing security and civil liberties protections; Explore the positive role of grassroots civil society in peace building and coexistence through engagement, dialogue, education, social media, creative arts, and youth and faith-based and initiatives.
March 27-31: Human Rights and U.S. Foreign Policy
A Regional Project for Africa
Examine the historical context of human rights in the U.S., the related contemporary foreign policy issues, and outcomes of adopting the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights; Examination of the organizations that monitor or advocate for international human rights issues; Exploration of human rights components of U.S. foreign policy; Discuss how grassroots organizations seek to influence human rights policy at the international, national, state, and local levels; and analyze a variety of human rights concerns related to such issues as disability rights, freedom of press/speech/religion, access to education, and due process.
April 13-18: Democratic Security and Rule of Law
A Project for Colombia
Examination of the underlying principles of the U.S. judicial and legal systems, and the culture of lawfulness in the United States; To improve understanding of the civil, criminal, military and juvenile justice systems in the United States; To explore citizens’ rights and responsibilities in a civil society, and to observe grassroots groups interacting with elected officials at all levels of government to address legitimate, divergent interests; To learn more about democracy as practiced in the United States, and citizens’ involvement in their own governance.
April 21-24: Combating Public Corruption and Financial Crime
A Project for Serbia
A group project to build capacities of Serbian prosecutors and police to successfully investigate and prosecute corruption and financial crimes cases; This enables Serbian prosecutors and police to get acquainted with U.S. best practices in combating public corruption and financial crimes, including specialization of corruption prosecutors; Improves the concept of joint police-prosecutors task forces necessary for successful investigation and prosecution of corruption and financial crimes cases.
April 21-26: Combating International Crime
A Regional Project for Europe
To provide an understanding of the American criminal justice system and review how U.S. legal principles are applied to the prosecution of a range of international and transnational crime; Present the roles and responsibilities of key law enforcement and prosecutorial authorities at the federal, state and local levels and the ways in which they cooperate to deter organized crime; and Examine major international and transnational crime issues that affect U.S.-European relations and foster greater international cooperation in combating criminal activity.
April 28 – May 1: International Security Issues
A Multi-Regional Project
To introduce the U.S. government’s defense and national security establishment and its role in the formulation and implementation of U.S. foreign policy and national security goals; To expose participants to the various domestic issues at the federal, state, and local levels that influence U.S. foreign policy and national security priorities and goals; To promote international cooperation in addressing international security threats.
April 28 – May 2: Freight Forwarding
A Regional Project for Africa
The goals of this project as outlined by the Department of State are to: Examine methods to reduce vulnerability to supply interruption; Observe techniques to create contingency plans to keep customers informed; Examine ways to coordinate and collaborate with partners such as customs and revenue authorities to reduce conflict and detect fraud; and Examine different distribution network configurations and best practice.
April 29 – May 2: Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation
A Multi-Regional Project
Assess U.S. efforts to protect biodiversity through environmental protection policies and sustainable land and water management programs; Explore governmental and non-governmental programs designed to encourage biodiversity protection as well as sustainable land and water management programs; Discuss how local and regional natural resources development and land management decisions influence biodiversity conservation efforts.
May 2: Ophthalmology Research and Treatment
A Project for Iran
The following are the specific objectives for the project:Provide a forum for Iranian and American professionals to discuss issues relating to ophthalmology;Examine policies and best practices in ophthalmological research and practice; and Explore leading ophthalmology centers and academic institutions in the United States.
May 4-10: Youth Leadership and Civil Society
A Sub-Regional Project for Africa
Examine the concepts of democracy, government and citizenship, and their importance to U.S. civil society.Identify the skills necessary for grooming future leaders and explore methods used to develop these skills in critical thinking, decision-making, communication and organization, and building leadership capacity. Explore model programs that promote civic awareness and youth leadership in a variety of contexts such as schools, colleges, associations, youth clubs, sports programs, arts programs, interfaith-initiatives, and political advocacy. Emphasize the importance of pluralism, tolerance, and volunteerism as components of civic life in the U.S. (through demonstrations, workshops and hands-on activities).
May 5-9th: U.S.-Japan Security Alliance
A Project of Japan
The Project will focus on the following; U.S. foreign policy formulation by government and non-government actors in Washington and in regional centers; the strategic nature of U.S. basing in Japan, and the importance of the U.S.-Japan alliance and the bilateral security relationship within a larger regional and global context; U.S. perspectives on Japan’s regional security role, including the development of multinational regional security alliances; The effects of possible budget cuts on U.S. defense policy and capabilities; aspects of U.S. security policy in Northeast Asia and other implications of the U.S. “Asian pivot”; the role of the U.S. Defense Policy Review Initiative and other ongoing policy analysis that help inform the augmentation or realignment of U.S. forces in the Pacific; the role of U.S. bases in the economic well-being of a community, and the mutually beneficial relationship that military base personnel can have with local communities; sources of domestic support for the forward deployment of U.S. forces overseas; and the significance to regional security of the realignment of U.S. forces in the Asia-Pacific region.
May 6-9th: Combating Violent Extremism
A Project for Pakistan
Delegation of Pakistani Women Leaders to Highlight Women’s Critical Role in Moderating Extremism. Leading de-radicalization and rehabilitation projects with youth and mothers of extremists to transform ex-Taliban into productive members of society; Developing and implementing peace education curricula that promote values of tolerance, interfaith harmony, and multiculturalism; Organizing community dialogues about extremism to raise awareness about its negative effects and devise locally-owned solutions to prevent it; Providing service delivery and psycho-social support to internally displaced persons and traumatized victims of conflict, particularly in vulnerable regions; Establishing volunteer peacekeeping groups in Shia and Sunni communities to safeguard religious precessions and prevent clashes between divided sects; Hosting television and radio talk shows about extremism—and particularly its effect on women; and Engaging religious leaders and scholars in discourses about negative effects of extremists ideologies.
May 6-9th: Human Rights and Land Rights
A Project for Colombia
Introduction of the human rights component of U.S. foreign policy; Role and functions of American and international human rights organizations. Role of public and private organizations in addressing human rights issues and in effecting change in foreign and domestic policy.The relationship between basic human rights, an independent judiciary and democratic political systems; Academic, political and economic perspectives on conflict resolution and peace studies; Methods applied by the public and private sectors to prevent corruption, encourage transparency, and ensure accountability and responsibility to citizens and shareholders; U.S. perspectives on displacement and land reform; Public advocacy organizations and NGOs working with youth to combat sexual and gender-based violence, drug use and trafficking.
May 8-12: Drug Abuse Prevention, Education & Rehabilitation
A Regional Project for the Western Hemisphere
Examine U.S. strategies to address the problem of illicit drug use in the U.S., with a primary focus on demand reduction efforts; Provide an overview of the U.S. response, both public and private, to illicit drug use, including education strategies and treatment at the national, state and local levels; Demonstrate the diversity of drug abuse prevention and education initiatives through partnerships among key stakeholders—parents, community leaders, local and state governments, law enforcement, educators, researchers, and treatment professionals.
May 10-15th: Rule of Law
A Project for Egypt
May 23-29th: Anti Trafficking in Persons
A Project for Kazakhstan
Provide an overview of the U.S. law enforcement structure and training programs that address domestic and international trafficking in persons; Examine U.S. anti-trafficking legislation and U.S. federal and local law enforcement mechanisms used to prevent and combat trafficking in persons; Explore methods utilized by U.S. federal agencies to investigate and report domestic trafficking in persons activities; Examine methods of interagency and intergovernmental cooperation and understand partnerships between government programs and NGOs related to all aspects of trafficking, including prevention, prosecution, and protection; and Observe programs that provide services to victims, including witness protection, legal assistance, and medical and psychological attention.
May 30th – June 2nd: Political Campaign Organization
A Project for Korea
June 7-13th: Mr. Danijel MARUŠIĆ
A Project for Croatia
To introduce the visitor to U.S. federalism and the organization of American government at its various levels and effective intergovernmental relations; To explore strategies for economic development used by local governments in the U.S.; To examine U.S. border issues and security; To explore various approaches to solving problems caused by pollution; and To explore the evolving political and social roles of ethnic and racial minorities in the U.S. and meeting the needs of diverse groups in a pluralistic society.
June 9-13th: Sports Education
A Project for Qatar
Strategies to broaden the audience and appeal of sports – to include encouragement of sports as family undertakings and recreational activities as tools for civic engagement and community development; Application of team and individual athletic youth leagues and sports programs as a means of developing leadership qualities and life skills among youth and encouraging positive attitudes and healthy lifestyles among people of all ages; Key concepts and best practices in sports marketing and management – to include strategic leadership, public relations, ticketing systems, online outreach and social networking; Use of sports as a means to advance gender equality, combat discrimination, promote tolerance, and provide social inclusion opportunities for the physically challenged; Development of sporting facilities and recreational areas – to include green building technologies, youth centers and neighborhood parks; Function and administration of sporting contests and events at the adolescent, scholastic, amateur, and professional levels; and Development of young talent into professional athletes.
June 20 – 23rd: Conflict and Alternative Dispute Resolution
A Project for North Africa
Analyze root causes of conflicts between nations, communities, organizations, political parties, and individuals; Examine the role of foreign policy, international law, bilateral/ multilateral peace negotiations, and interfaith efforts in preventing, stemming, or reconciling conflict situations; and Compare various resolution and mediation techniques, their benefits and drawbacks.
June 20 – 23rd: Mr. DARWIN CUNANAN (AVIATION SECURITY)
A Project for the Philippines
Airport master planning; Best practices in current airport operations (both passenger traffic and cargo handling); Airports in the context of inter-modal transportation systems Navigational Aids (NAVAIDS) Facilities Security Systems (CCTV, X-Ray Machines, Security Procedures) Passenger and cargo handling Baggage handling systems People mover systems and facilities Passenger terminal facilities — including concessionaires and auxiliary equipment–Transport systems (Traffic flow in and out of the airport complex); Parking (Landside Area). Information technology (IT) infrastructure (Computer software and hardware used in the airport including the IT backbone); Environmental considerations within the airport (green buildings, solar energy utilization, LEED certification, noise issues, and bird strikes).
June 23-27th: Suppression of Corruption in the U.S.
A Project for Croatia
U.S. approaches to combating cyber-crime, money laundering, tax evasion, terrorist financing and other financial crimes. International, federal, state, and local coordination by law-enforcement agencies and the government in efforts to combat these crimes. Investigative and prosecutorial techniques to combat these crimes and the criminal networks associated with them; Mechanisms used to promote accountability and transparency in the public and private sectors,Cooperation and partnerships between the financial sector and law enforcement agencies to combat financial crimes while promoting business growth and development. U.S. legal and administrative framework for sanctioning individuals and companies engaging in financial and white collar crime and money laundering; Linkages between trafficking of drugs and money laundering. Role of banks in combating money laundering and their compliance with associated regulations.
