500 professional hostings.
100 different countries. EACH year.
– San Diego Diplomacy Council
“Breast Cancer Awareness” delegation, multi-country project for the Middle East
The International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) is the U.S. Department of State’s premier professional exchange program. Launched in 1940, the IVLP seeks to build mutual understanding between the U.S. and other nations through carefully designed short-term visits to the U.S. for current and emerging foreign leaders. These visits reflect the International Visitors’ professional interests and support the foreign policy goals of the United States. Before they became world leaders, Nicolas Sarkozy of France, Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan, and Tony Blair of Great Britain came to the United States under the auspices of the United States Department of State, International Visitor Leadership Program. They had an opportunity to form their opinions of the United States firsthand.
Over 200 current and former Heads of State, 1500 cabinet-level ministers, and many other distinguished world leaders in government and the private sector are also alumni of the US Department of State program. In addition to providing mutually beneficial professional exchanges, we are seeking to improve participants’ perceptions of the United States and our people, customs, and government. These are exactly some of the long-lasting effects of this program. It’s working.
Since its beginning in 1979, the San Diego Diplomacy Council has brought over 13,000 emerging leaders from around the world to our city through this program.
Are you interested in meeting international visitors? Check our Incoming Delegations for upcoming IVLP networking receptions, become a professional host, dinner host or home stay “family,” or check out the Council’s volunteer and internship programs.
For more information about the International Visitor Program, please take a look at the FAQ or contact Enrique Meza, Director of Programs, by email or call (619) 291-8105.
