SPECIAL ALUMNI PROJECT - INTERNATIONAL VISITOR LEADERSHIP PROGRAM’s “IVLP GOLD STARS’ TOUR: ALUMNI CONNECTING THE WORLD”

SUBJECT:  SPECIAL ALUMNI PROJECT - INTERNATIONAL VISITOR LEADERSHIP PROGRAM’s “IVLP GOLD STARS’ TOUR: ALUMNI CONNECTING THE WORLD” (FEB. 12-26, 2011)
TAGS:

1.      This is an Action Request (see action Para 5, 7).  Nomination deadline for this special project is Friday, September 17, 2010.

2.      SUMMARY:  ECA/PE/V is pleased to announce a special initiative designed to emphasize the direct results and the overall impact of the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP).  This special initiative will highlight contributions of IVLP alumni in their home communities and help celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the ongoing partnership between the Department of State and the National Council for International Visitors (NCIV). 

Two IVLP alumni from each region will be selected to return to the United States for the “IVLP Gold Stars’ Tour.”  The two-week program will commence with one week in Washington, D.C. followed by individual visits to a city from their original program itinerary, prior to a group project closing in a city to be determined.  Special funding has been set aside for this initiative and selected participants will be fully-funded.  This funding will not impact individual country allocations.

3.      PROGRAM GOALS:

·       Examine the direct impact the International Visitor Leadership Program has on participants, their communities, and their home countries;

·       Raise visibility and celebrate the accomplishments of the NCIV network in its work with the Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program; and

·       Recognize the impact of the IVLP and raise the visibility of February 16, 2011 as Citizen Diplomacy Day, expected to be officially declared in 2011.

4.      PROGRAM DETAILS: The International Visitor Leadership Program has been providing in-depth exposure to the United States to key mission contacts for 70 years.  ECA/PE/V will celebrate this anniversary and the success of the ongoing 50-year partnership with NCIV and their 92 local Councils for International Visitors by identifying IVLP alumni who have made significant contributions to their home countries as a direct result of ideas or events that originated during or were inspired by their participation in the International Visitor Leadership Program.  The project will bring 12 IVLP alumni back to the U.S. to visit Washington, D.C. and local communities to share the impact of the program and how their experiences translated into concrete benefits for their home communities. 

This 2-week multi-regional project will bring participants to Washington, D.C. just prior to the NCIV National Meeting in February 2011.  Participants will play an integral role in the National Meeting by sharing insights about the impact of their IVLP experience on their work and accomplishments back home with more than 500 members of NCIV from across the country, members of the press, and State Department representatives.  In addition to the NCIV National Meeting events, the program in Washington, D.C. will include meetings and briefings with USG officials, Congress and U.S. business representatives to highlight how IVLP and Citizen Diplomacy helped alumni contribute to their own communities.  Individual meetings may be arranged based on the participants’ professional interests and key accomplishments.
After one week in Washington D.C., participants will travel individually to visit a CIV from their initial program itinerary.  This will allow participants the opportunity to re-connect with key organizations or interlocutors who were inspirational and/or instrumental in their accomplishments after the program.  Throughout the program, home hospitality, speaking engagements and cultural events will be arranged for participants to allow them to re-experience American culture and social life.
Upon selection, each participant will be asked to create a 2-3 minute video that clarifies the impact the IVLP had on their organization, their community, or their country.  Additionally, they will be asked to prepare a 5-8 minute oral presentation that highlights their accomplishments and the impact of their IVLP experience.  Participants will speak to members of the community who are interested in Citizen Diplomacy at receptions or other events arranged by the local Councils for International Visitors.  Other potential speaking engagements for the participants include:

·       NCIV 50^th Anniversary Gala Opening Event (one participant to thank NCIV on behalf of all alumni worldwide)

·       National Press Club (all participants will individually highlight their accomplishments)

·       NCIV National Meeting at a concurrent session (all participants will individually highlight their accomplishments)

·       NCIV National Meeting plenary session keynote speaker (one or two selected participants) at the IV Alumni luncheon

Upon return home, participants will have the opportunity to collaborate with posts and propose an alumni activity that will involve the larger in-country alumni network, benefit the local community, and further capitalize on the impact of their IVLP experience.  ECA’s Office of Alumni Affairs (ECA/P/A) will set aside special project funding to support these endeavors in the amount of 3-5,000 USD per post.  Specifics will be sent SEPTEL by ECA/P/A.

5.      SELECTION PROCESS:  Nominations are limited to individuals who have successfully completed an IVLP program, made a significant impact as a direct result of their IVLP experience, and demonstrate leadership qualities in their local communities.  Nominees can be from either the private or public sector, but their achievements must have been a direct result or significantly enhanced by their IVLP experience.  Nominees should be individuals who have the ability to clarify the impact the IVLP experience had on their life and their work.  To achieve this objective, excellent English language capacity is preferred, but not required.  Since ECA/P/A will provide selected posts with the opportunity to receive funding support to collaborate with the alumnus/a on a project, it is important that post describe the extent of the nominee’s community engagement to date in the justification statement.

Nominations should be submitted by Friday, September 17, 2010 through Post EVDB Web to project E/VFA-2011-0002.  Past program information (including dates and cities visited) is requested along with the justification statement of how the alumnus meets the criteria outlined above.  Past program books, if available, should be emailed directly to Augusta Babson (babsonas@state.gov).  ECA/PE/V will evaluate the nomination information in order to identify the 12 finalists and several alternate participants for the IVLP Gold Stars’ Tour.
In addition, ECA/PE/V will solicit potential candidates from the NCIV network (local Councils of International Visitors and National Program Agencies) based on continuing connections of which missions and ECA may not be aware.  After an initial review, ECA/PE/V will forward to the appropriate mission any potential candidates identified by the NCIV network, to allow missions to determine if the candidate is appropriate for nomination.

6.      FUNDING: Special funding has been set aside for this initiative and selected participants will be fully-funded.  This funding will not impact individual country allocations.  International travel, accident and sickness coverage, and other usual IVLP expenses will be covered, as will costs for the NCIV National Meeting and the gala event. 

7.      MEDIA: The Office of International Visitors is working with ECA Public Affairs to design a media outreach plan for this project.  Given the high visibility of the program and its timing during the NCIV National Meeting, we are anticipating media interest in various program activities. ECA is also interested in capturing the essence of the project on its various websites, including ExchangesConnect (http://connect.state.gov) and the State Alumni website (https://alumni.state.gov).  Selectees will be asked to join the State Alumni website if they are not already registered members.  Additionally, selectees will be encouraged to blog or tweet about their experience.  The potential for media exposure on ECA and NCIV websites, with the press, and through social networking outlets should be clearly explained to all nominees.  Upon selection, post will be asked to confirm their nominee’s participation and obtain a signed media disclosure form.  ECA/PE/V Program Officer Augusta Babson will forward the media form template and instructions to post upon confirmation of nominee selection.

8.      We look forward to receiving your nominations for this innovative program that will highlight the positive impact of the IVLP on our alumni and their communities, as well as on our program partners across the United States.   Thanks and regards.