World Leaders Visiting Greater Cincinnati | Summer 2019
The International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) is the U.S. Department of State’s premier professional exchange program. Through short-term visits to the United States, current and emerging foreign leaders in a variety of fields experience this country firsthand and cultivate lasting relationships with their American counterparts. Professional meetings reflect the participants’ professional interests and support the foreign policy goals of the United States.
Through exchanges, Americans and people of other countries develop new skills, explore ways to create positive change in our communities and establish the trust we need to create a more secure, prosperous, and democratic world.
Murrow Program of Journalists
Journalists from Egypt, Nigeria, Panama, Philippines, South Sudan, and Turkey visited Greater Cincinnati as a part of the “Edward R. Murrow Program for Journalists: New and Traditional Broadcast Media”. They began their trip with a meeting with Soapbox Media at Northern Kentucky University.
During their stay, they met with local news stations such as the Cincinnati Herald to learn about broadcasting for specific audiences, community-based broadcasting, and local newsroom operations.
Social Entrepreneurship in the United States
A multi-regional group of delegates visited our local chapter in April, to discuss Social Entrepreneurs in the United States.
During their visit, they had the opportunity to spend the day with Anne Grimes, Head of the Office of International Visitors for the U.S. Department of State.
Anne Grimes and visitors from Chile, France, Hong Kong, Israel, Mexico, and Turkey had the opportunity to try Cincinnati’s famous Skyline Chili! Is there a better way to introduce our city?
“It is always interesting seeing the reactions when taking our guests to Skyline Chili for the first time!” Michelle Harpenau, Executive Director.
Thank you to our professional hosts for taking the time to introduce their work to our delegates. Cincinnati is proving to be an innovative city.
Learn more about Anne Grimes visit to our city here.
Delegation from Moldova
Delegates working in the legal field from Moldova visited Greater Cincinnati as part of the “Focusing Judicial and Law Enforcement Resources on Domestic and Sexual Violence.” During their trip, they enjoyed shopping at the Kenwood mall and the views from the top of Carew Tower.
They met with Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) of Butler County at Northern Kentucky University. At the meeting, they discussed ways to promote a better understanding of Non-governmental organizations (NGO) efforts to combat domestic and sexual violence and care for victims, as well as how to illustrate gender-based and youth violence.
Volunteerism and Civic Action
A group of 4 delegates from Chile, Egypt, Jamaica, Saudi Arabia visited Greater Cincinnati as part of “Volunteerism and Civic Action.” During their stay, they enjoyed lunch at Pompilio’s and a tour of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.
They meet with local organizations such as the Freestore Foodbank and United Way to learn about voluntary organizations working with youth, voluntary organizations addressing economic need and homelessness.
Agricultural Trade and Food Safety
A group of delegates from Czech Republic, Israel, Nepal, Senegal, Thailand, Uruguay visited Greater Cincinnati as a part of “Agricultural Trade and Food Safety”. They enjoyed a tour of the Findlay Kitchen and lunch at Taste of Belgium.
During their visit, they met with local farms and food labs such as Heyob Farm and Q-Laboratories to learn about ensuring food safety in processing and manufacturing, and farm-to-table and sustainable agriculture.
Improving Lives through Inclusive Swimming
Swim coaches and administrators from Singapore visited Greater Cincinnati as part of the “Improving Lives through inclusive Swimming.” They kicked off their program by experiencing “America’s pastime” and cheering on the Cincinnati Reds as they took on the San Francisco Giants.
During their visit, they met with organizations, companies, and schools across the city to discuss sports in America, including nutrition, developmental opportunities, disability rights, and policy.
Thank you to Starfire Council, Sycamore Community Schools, Winton Woods City School District, and FC Cincinnati for meeting with the delegation.
Thank you to our host families for inviting the delegates into your home, they truly felt welcomed!
NGO Management II
A group of 24 delegates from Bangladesh, Belize, Botswana, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Egypt, The Gambia, Greece, Guyana, Haiti, India, Jordan, Malaysia, Mexico, China, Russia, Rwanda, Singapore, Trinidad, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, and Vietnam visited Greater Cincinnati as a part of “NGO Management II”. During their stay, they enjoyed lunch at Crestview Hills Town Center and Rookwood Commons.
They met with local non-profit organizations and programs such as Keep Cincinnati Beautiful and Leadership Council for Nonprofits – BOLD Program to learn about Non-governmental organization development strategies and action planning.
Local Governance-Regional Economic Development
Our Open World Leadership Center delegates from Ukraine visited on the topic “Local Governance-Regional Economic Development.”
Of course, it’s not always business! Our Director of International Programs, James McManus scheduled in some fun perks during their time here.
Here they are pictured enjoying one of the oldest art museums in the United States our very own, Cincinnati Art Museum in Eden Park.
From now through September the current exhibit, No Spectators: the Art of Burning Man at Cincinnati Art Museum features a stunning room-sized exhibit with mutant art vehicles, creative costuming, films, and jewelry!
Delegation from Taiwan
In June we partnered with the University of Cincinnati (UC) hosting delegates from the Ming Chi University of Technology, National Taipei University of Technology, and National Taipei University of Business.
The visiting professors from Taiwan completed an intensive three-week training workshop at UC. The delegation took courses, met with professionals discussing current trends in Artificial Intelligence and met with local businesses like Siemens and GE Aviation. Outside the classroom, you could find them experiencing some of Cincinnati’s famous landmarks and eateries like Findlay Market and of course Skyline Chili.
A special thank you to all the professional hosts who met with our delegates and the hospitality hosts who welcomed our delegates into their home!
