November 10, 2020

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all ECA - Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State - funded in-person visitor programs are postponed through March 31, 2021.

You can read more at this link. Stay home and stay safe.

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VIRTUAL PROGRAMS

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An Open World Reunion: A virtual coming together of Russian women entrepreneurs who visited Kalamazoo in real life in March 2020. They were the last to leave our community, on Friday, March 13, 2020

Thursday, December 17, 2020

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Young Influencers (6 visitors from Pakistan), A virtual IVLP Single Country Project - December 4, 2020

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Transparency and Accountability in Government (22 visitors from 19 countries); A virtual IVLP Multi-Regional Project Visitors from Bahrain, Brazil, Egypt, El Salvador, Hungary, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Nepal, Philippines, North Macedonia, Rwanda, South Africa, Suriname, Thailand, Ukraine, Venezuela and Zambia - November 16-24

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NGO Management: A virtual IVLP Multi-Regional Project - Visitors from Albania, Armenia, Bahrain, Burma, Egypt, Fiji, Guyana, Hungary, Jamaica, Malta, Nepal, People’s Republic of China, Serbia, South Sudan, Suriname, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, Ukraine, and Vietnam

November 12-21, 2021

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American Pluralism: 2018 IVLP Alumni reunion (virtually) in Kalamazoo - Visitors from Belgium, Denmark, France, Romania and Slovakia

September 23, 2020

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Arts Education as Economic Driver: A Project for South Africa - Kalamazoo meeting with Merze Tate Explorers and Orchestra Rouh (Kalamazoo)  

August 26 – 27, 2020

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POSTPONED:

Edward R. Murrow Program for Journalists - Media Responsibility in an Age of Disinformation (12 + 3) (Egypt (3), Iraq (3), Jordan, Libya, Palestine (2), Saudi Arabia, Sudan) April 1-4.

Hospitality will be needed

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POSTPONED:

CVE - Community Strategies, (12 + 3) Regional project for Africa, countries TBD April 4-8

Hospitality will be needed

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POSTPONED:

Countering Violent Extremism – Media and Messaging Strategies (12 + 3) (Near East and North Africa Regional Project, countries TBD) 

Hospitality will be needed, Dates, TBD

POSTPONED:

Social Workers long-term exchange (Germany) - September - December, 2020

5 visitors, job shadow opportunities for youth workers, Seeking home hosts, in one-month intervals

March 27, 2020

Women in Entrepreneurship (5+2) Russia March 6 - 14 (departed early due to COVID-19)

Overnight home hosted in Kalamazoo

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Not too Young to Run (7 + 1) Denmark, Kosovo, Nepal, Nigeria, Panama, Switzerland, Tajikistan, United Kingdom (March 8-12)

Dinner Diplomacy hosted, Tuesday, March 10

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Youth and Civic Engagement (7 + 1) (Algeria, Brazil, Egypt, Iceland, Ireland, Morocco, Serbia) March 7-11.

Dinner Diplomacy hosted, Sunday, March 8

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University Partnerships (8 + 2) - Kazakhstan - February 28​​

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Interdisciplinary and Experimental Art (1+1) South Africa January 18-22, 2020

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Angela Benedicto (Tanzania) – IVLP Alumna from 2013, returning to Kalamazoo, January 15-31. Community event on Thursday, January 30, 7 pm, First Congregational Church.

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Global Ties U.S. National Meeting – Faces of Exchange: Citizen Diplomacy in Focus – January 21-25 in Washington DC. 

December 30, 2019

2019 Programs

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Digital and Media Literacy in Education (13 + 2) The Netherlands (December 13-18)

Hospitality Meal, Sunday, Dec. 15, and Monday, Dec. 16

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Trafficking in Persons - Forced Labor (7 + 3) Poland (December 15-18)

Fostering Incubators for Economic Growth and Development (14 + 2) Afghanistan, Bangladesh (3), India (2), Nepal (2), Pakistan (3), Sri Lanka (2) and Tajikistan (December 8-12) 

Hospitality Dinner, Monday, December 9 and Tuesday December 10

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Firefighting in America (8 + 3) Iraq (December 8-11) 

IT Entrepreneurship (9 +3) Egypt, Palestine, Jordan, Israel November 26-29

Thanksgiving Day hospitality, Thursday, November 28

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Social Workers long-term exchange (Germany) - August 30 - December 3

4 visitors, job shadow opportunities Home hosts, in one-month intervals

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Arts and Culture Management (5 + 2) Armenia November 5-8

Program in Traverse City

Home hospitality dinner in Traverse City, Wednesday, November 6 

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Countering Violent Extremism (7 + 3) Uzbekistan November 2-6

Home hospitality meal, Sunday, November 3

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Kalamazoo’s Legacy of Exchange - Past and Future - Women Leading the Way

Tuesday, October 22 at the Ladies' Library Association of Kalamazoo, 6-9 pm

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Religious Freedom in the U.S. and the Role of Religions (7 + 4) North Macedonia Oct.10-12 

Based in Grand Rapids. 

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Media Literacy (9 + 2) Philippines October 9 – 12 

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Education and Community Service (12 + 2) (Russia) September 26 - October 2

Hospitality, Sunday, September 29

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Trafficking in Persons (4 + 2) Thailand September 7-10

Hospitality lunch, Afternoon of Sunday, September 8

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Traditional and Social Media in Elections (5 + 3) Sri Lanka September 3-6 

Hospitality dinner, Evening of Wednesday, September 4

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Minority and NGO Participation in the Democratic Process (16 + 4) (Americas Regional Project)  – El Salvador, Guatemala and Mexico August 21-24 

Evening hospitality, Thursday, August 22

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Combating Trafficking in Persons (8 + 3) (Kyrgyzstan) – August 18-21

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NGO Management (13 + 4) (NEA RP Egypt (3), Israel, Kuwait, Morocco (3),Qatar (2),Palestine (2),Saudi Arabia (2),Tunisia (2), United Arab Emirates – August 15-21 (in Lansing on 19th)

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Summer Camps: Learning English as a Second Language through Community Service (11 + 3) (Russia) – August 10-13

Afternoon Hospitality, Sunday, August 11

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Trafficking in People (8 + 3) (Egypt) - August 9-14

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U.S. Education in the Digital Age (8 + 3) (Morocco) - August 1-7

Afternoon Hospitality, Saturday, August 3

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Innovation in Government (7 + 3) Brazil – July 31 – August 3

Dinner hospitality, Thursday, August 1

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Interfaith Dialogue (13 + 4) (Iraq) – July 29-Aug 1 

Dinner hospitality, Tuesday, July 30

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Rule of Law and Effective Victim Advocacy in the Criminal Justice System (3 + 1)  (Kosovo) - July 27-31

Afternoon Hospitality, Sunday, July 28

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U.S. College Admissions (6 + 2) (Palestine) - July 24-28

Evening Hospitality, Friday, July 26

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IYLEP - Arabic - Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program - 12 teens (9 girls and 3 boys), 2 adult mentors July 10-24. HOME HOSTED

Combating Trafficking in Persons (5 + 2) Mexico June 21-26

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Edward R. Murrow Program for Journalists (6 + 2) Lusophone Africa Sub-regional Project, Angola (2), Cabo Verde (2), Mozambique, Sao Tome and Principe May 12 - 15

Dinner Hospitality, Monday, May 13.

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NGO Management (5 + 2) Belarus May 5 - 8

Dinner Hospitality, Monday, May 6.

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CVE Community Strategies (21+4) Regional Project, Bahrain (3), Egypt (3), Iraq (3), Jordan (2), Kuwait, Mauritania (2), Saudi Arabia, Sudan (2), Tunisia, Palestine (2)  April 21 - 24 

Dinner Hospitality, Monday, April 22.

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Young Leaders RISE - Renew, Inspire, Serve and Empower (15+4) Egypt (2), Iraq (3), Jordan (2), Lebanon, Morocco (2), Palestine (2), Saudi Arabia (2), Tunisia Regional Project, April 14 - 19 

Dinner Hospitality, Tuesday, April 16.

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Community Engagement in Countering Violent Extremism (5+2) Albania April 7-10 

Dinner Hospitality, Monday, April 8.   

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State and Local Government (8 + 1) Albania, Australia, Costa Rica, Hong Kong SAR, Israel, Jordan, Nepal and Portugal Multi-regional April 4 - 9, 2019

Hospitality. Saturday, April 6.

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Empowering Youth to Strengthen Communities and Prevent Violence (11+3) Algeria, Cameroon, Gabon, Gambia, Kenya, Mali, Niger (2), South Sudan (2), Togo March 31 - April 3, 2019  

Dinner Hospitality hosts, Monday, April 1.

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Alternative Care - (12+2) Kenya March 20 - 23 

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Silviculture: Sustainable Forestry in the U.S. (7+2) Russia March 14-19

Dinner Hospitality, Sunday, March 17.

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Women in STEM (5+2) Russia March 8-16, 2019 

Overnight home hosted in Kalamazoo

December 21, 2018

2018 PROGRAMS: 

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German Social Workers - long-term (3 month) job shadowing - 4 guests - August 30 - November 30, 2018 Home Hosted

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Arts Administration (10+2) Macedonia November 10-14 (Full program in Traverse City)

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University Admissions and Study Abroad (5 + 2 ) NEA Gulf Countries November 8-14 (Oman, Qatar (2), Saudi Arabia (3)

Hospitality: Saturday, November 10 - afternoon

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Binational Centers (8+2) Oct. 26-30 Colombia

Hospitality: Monday, October 29 - evening

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Transparency and Ethics in Government (9+2) October 24-27– Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Niger, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia

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Human and Civil Rights(5+2) Oct 21-24 Thailand

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Women’s Entrepreneurship October 10-16 (9+2) Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan

Hospitality: Saturday, October 13 - afternoon 

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Disinformation in Journalism (17+4) Oct 3-6 (Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Uruguay)

Hospitality: 8-9 people (half the group) – in Grand Rapids – evening of Thursday, Oct 4.

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Renewable Energy and Sustainable Growth September29-October 3 (11+3) Benin, Chad, Cote d’Ivoire, Gambia (The), Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Tanzania (2), Zambia

Transboundary Water Management (18+3) Sept 29-Oct 3 Angola, Burkina Faso, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Sudan, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

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American Pluralism: Politics, Policy and Economics (8+2) September 26-30 Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Montenegro, Romania, Slovakia, Ukraine, United Kingdom

Hospitality: Saturday, September 29 – afternoon

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Citizen Participation in Transparent and Accountable Government (5+2) Sept 19-25 (Ukraine) 

Hospitality: Saturday, September 22nd - afternoon

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Women Entrepreneurs – Alumni as Economic Multipliers (8 + 2) Sept 13-18 (Bulgaria, Egypt, Indonesia, Morocco, China, Serbia, Tajikistan, Zimbabwe) 

Hospitality: Saturday, September 15 – afternoon
 

Combatting gender-based violence through coalition building (Pakistan) 9 visitors + 3 liaisons - July 19-21

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Countering Violent Extremism through Community Youth Engagement (Kyrgyzstan) 8 visitors + 3 liaisons - August 12-16

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IYLEP - Arabic - Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program - 11 teens, 2 adult mentors August 17-31

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US-Russia Peer to Peer 8 visitors to St. Petersburg, Pushkin and Moscow (U.S. visitors to Russia) July 27-August 5

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Religion in a Secular Society (Republic of Kosovo) 5 guests + 2 liaisons - June 20-24

US-Russia Peer to Peer 8 visitors to Kalamazoo and Phoenix (Russia) April 27-May 5

Indian Women Entrepreneurs as Drivers of Economic Growth (India) 7 guests + 2 liaisons –  March 13-16

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Social Integration of Children and Adults with Disabilities (Russia) 5 guests + 1 liaison + 1 interpreter February 2-10 Home hosted

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US-El Salvador Exchange Programs and the Industries of the Future (El Salvador) 11 guests + 3 liaisons - January 27-31

August 14, 2018

We implemented a two-part exchange in 2018, part one took place in the USA, exploring nonprofit management best practices. Our Russian guests spent a week in Kalamazoo (April 20-28) followed by a week in Phoenix AZ (April 28-May 5). Later in the year (July 27 - August 5), we lead a U.S. delegation to Russia, and also developed virtual training. We implemented this project through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, and partnered on the project with CIF Russia and Empower International, a fellow member of CIPUSA.

April 03, 2018

We had a fabulous program (March 29-April 3) with senior educators from Saudi Arabia. They were in Kalamazoo through the Meridian International Center as delegates of the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). We had a great workshop with the WMU Department of Educational Leadership, Research and Technology exploring virtual classrooms and student-centered pedagogies. We had enriching meetings with KPS Superintendent Michael Rice, including a tour of Maple Street Magnet School; a tour and meeting at the Fetzer Institute exploring spirituality in education; dialogue at the Kalamazoo Islamic Center and fabulous home hospitality luncheons over Easter Weekend.

March 27, 2018

We learned a great deal from our five IVLP guests from Slovenia (in an action-packed single day program in Kalamazoo through CRDF Global) as we explored work with unaccompanied minor youth and refugee resettlement with Bethany Christian Services, met with volunteers who are current sponsors of refugee families from Syria, and were inspired by Orchestra Rouh, where we attended a rehearsal of the fabulous young Syrian musicians that are growing musically and all around month in and month out. 

March 22, 2018

Design Entrepreneurship and Innovation (Portugal) 6 guests + 1 liaison  – December 13-16, 2017

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Community Outreach and Youth Engagement for Muslim Leaders (Belgium and the Netherlands) 10 guests + 2 liaisons –  December 10-12

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Channeling Energy for Sustained Social Change (Ukraine) 5 guests + 2 liaisons - November 19-22

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Social Workers – Germany (4 guests, August 19 – November 21) Home hosted

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Sustainable Agriculture and Modern Marketing – Bangladesh, India, Kyrgyz Republic (2), Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan (11 guests) September 2nd  – 6th, 2017

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Social Workers – Spain (1 guest, Sept 7 – October 4) Germany (4 guests, August 19 – November 21) Home hosted

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The Pharmaceutical Industry – Palestine (6 guests) August 16th – 19th, 2017

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Addressing the needs of Refugee Youth – Germany (4 guests + 2 liaisons: August 6-9)

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IYLEP - Iraqi Youth Leadership Development Exchange (10 youth + 4 adults: July 8-22) Home hosted

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Independent Living for People with Disabilities – Russia (6 guests + 2 liaisons: July 11-14)

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American Libraries – Kazakhstan (4 guests + 2 liaisons: June 15-20)

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Civic Engagement in Small and Medium Sized Cities – Poland (10 guests + 2 liaisons: May 17-22)

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Children in the U.S. Justice System – Kuwait, Panama, Slovakia, Ukraine, Zambia, Zimbabwe (6 guests: May 13-17)

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Research and Development at Public Universities – Azerbaijan (9 guests + 3 liaisons: May 3-6)

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Youth and Community Conflict Resolution – Brazil (8 guests + 3 liaisons: April 12-15)

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Women and Social Entrepreneurship – Russia (7 guests: March 4-12, 2017) Home hosted

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Workforce Development – Bermuda (6 guests: February 9-11, 2017)

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NGO Management – Regional – Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia (2) (10 guests: February 2 – 7, 2017)

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Our Planet: Urban Sustainability – Resilient Cities – Canada, Costa Rica, People’s Republic of China (4 guests: Feb 1-6, 2017)

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Regional Economic Development – Estonia (6 guests: Jan 8-11, 2017)

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Women Promoting Peace and Security – Australia, Burma, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Japan, Papua New Guinea (2), Philippines, Solomon Islands, Thailand, Timor-Leste (12 guests: Dec 6-10, 2016)

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Social Workers – Spain (1 guest) June - August 2016; Germany (3 guests:  September – Dec. 2016) Home hosted

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Trafficking in Persons – Oman (5 guests: Nov 23-29)

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Integrating Minorities into the Public and Private Sectors – Israel (13 guests: Nov 13-16)

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Education, Leadership, and Entrepreneurship – Pakistan (16 guests), Oct 9th – 12th

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Innovation in Science and Technology Education – Colombia (7 guests), Sept 14th – 17th

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Interfaith Dialogue – Saudi Arabia (13 guests), August 10th - 13th

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Changemakers II:  The impact of social entrepreneurship in the U.S. – Multi-Regional:  Algeria, Burundi, Cambodia, Egypt, Mexico, New Zealand, Pakistan, Peoples Republic of China, (9 guests), August 4th - 10th

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Community Policing – Mexico (13 guests), July 13th -16th

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Energy Security through Deregulation and Energy Efficiency – South Korea (7 guests), July 7th – 12th

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Youth Mentoring, Development, and After School Programs – Gabon (10 guests), June 8th – 12th

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Waste Management – Turkmenistan (6 guests), June 4th – 8th

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Environmental Education – Russia (7 guests), June 4th – 12th

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Trafficking in Persons – Costa Rica (8 guests), May 18th – 22nd

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Ethnic Communities Historical Memory Initiative – Colombia (6 guests), May 17th – 19th

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Education and Integration of Youth in a Diverse Society – Greece (6 guests), May 15th – 17th

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Civil Society, Rule of Law, and Human Rights – Kyrgyzstan (6 guests) – April 2016

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Disability Rights – Multi-Regional - Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Sudan, Chad (12 guests) – April 2016

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Women’s Entrepreneurship – Multi-Regional - Egypt, Ghana, Guyana, Lebanon, Malaysia, Morocco, Russia, United Arab Emirates (9 guests) – March 2016

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Inclusiveness in the Decision Making Process – Turkey (4 guests) – March 2016