The International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) brings participants to the United States from all over the world each year to meet and confer with their professional counterparts and to experience the country firsthand. The visitors, who are emerging leaders in government, politics, the media, education, and other fields, are selected by American Officials overseas. More than 300 current and former Heads of State, 1,500 cabinet-level ministers, and many other distinguished world leaders in government and the private sector have participated in the International Visitor Leadership Program.
As the local administrator of the IVLP, IIE/Houston has hosted thousands of visitors representing a broad range of professional interests. Recent visitors include the following:
- A Brazilian hip hop star dedicated to improving life and providing productive alternatives to the children of Rio de Janeiro’s gang-scarred favelas
- The Dean of Angola’s largest law school, who visited with counterparts at local universities
- The manager of Chile’s premiere opera house, here to meet with the Houston Grand Opera to discuss fundraising and artistic collaboration
- A delegation of Pakistani women Members of Parliament, whose trip to Houston allowed included visits with local U.S. Representatives
- The Presidents of two prominent Iraqi universities, who spent two days with administration officials and faculty members at Texas A&M University
- Forensic scientists from Uzbekistan, here for a specialized three-day program with the Harris County Medical Examiner’s Office and Memorial Hermann’s Forensic Nursing Program
- Chinese border security officials, who discussed immigration and customs policies with representatives of the Department of Homeland Security
In addition to local professional meetings, the International Visitors frequently spend time with local IIE volunteers in a social setting, to make new friends and learn more about the American people. The connections made in these informal opportunities are often the most significant and lasting ones, and many of our volunteers remain in touch with the IVLP participants. If you are interested in learning more about this volunteer activity, please contact the program manager.
For additional information visit our Houston office page