Who We Are

“I believe in youths and their ability to change the world... I think that my main role as a teacher is to be my students’ partner in the educational process, their eye-opener, their support, and their fan.” This quote is from our November #CountryOfTheMonth feature, Lucie Kolnikova from the #CzechRepublic! She is an International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) alumna who participated in virtual #IVLP sessions on “21st Century ChangeMakers: Education Leaders Advance Civic Engagement Among High School Youth.” Thank you, Lucie, for sharing this video with us about your life and work experiences as well as your #IVLP journey! You can read more about Lucie here: https://www.facebook.com/MCIDWashington/posts/1729128600629980 Also, be sure to check out Lucie’s school, High School of Mechanical Engineering and Arts, here: www.sspu-opava.cz And check out Teachers Platform here: https://www.ucitelskaplatforma.cz/ #ExchangeOurWorld

October’s #CountryoftheMonth spotlights Mexico! Salvador Camacho Hernández is an intellectual property attorney and NGO co-founder who uses e-sports to promote social development. In July 2021, he participated in a virtual #IVLP program focused on the topic of “Video Games for STEAM and Entrepreneurship.” Learn more about Salvador, his work, his IVLP experience, and Mexico in our latest feature here: https://bit.ly/3oYvkm7

“It’s almost like the profession chose me. It was natural.” This quote is from our September #CountryOfTheMonth feature, Kofoworola Belo-Osagie from #Nigeria! She is an International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) alumna who participated in a virtual #IVLP titled, “Edward R. Murrow Program for Journalists: Media Responsibility in an Age of Disinformation.” Our Program Coordinator, Rana Abouelhagag, interviewed Kofoworola about her work, her motivations, and her IVLP experience. You can learn more about Kofoworola and her incredible work here: https://fb.watch/7ThHLmx4lt/ Also, be sure to check out the organization Kofoworola works at in Nigeria, The Nation Newspaper: https://thenationonlineng.net/ #ExchangeOurWorld

“I have spent most of my life serving and [being] involved in theatre... The arts are my passion and love, and [they] helped me transform many lives.” The quote above is from our August #CountryOfTheMonth feature, Candice Andrews from #TrinidadAndTobago! She is an International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) alumna, drama practitioner, podcaster, and community and gender rights activist who participated in a virtual #IVLP titled "Strengthening Practices for Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Activists". Our Program Coordinator, Isabella Parrotta, interviewed Candice about her work, her motivations, and her IVLP experience. You can learn more about Candice and her inspiring work here: https://linktr.ee/Candice_Andrews Also, be sure to check out the organization Candice works with in Trinidad and Tobago, Drama Making a Difference (DMAD): https://www.youtube.com/user/DMADCo #ExchangeOurWorld

“I work for the protection and conservation of the environment namely because they are without a voice and because our future generations rely on its protection for their own survival." The above quote is from our June #CountryofTheMonth feature, Fiafia Rex of #Niue! She became an International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) alumna this past April after participating in a #virtual #IVLP program on #NGOManagement with counterparts across East Asia and the Pacific. Read more about her, Niue, and the inspiring work her NGO, Oma Tafua, is doing to protect the environment, marine life, and our oceans in this video and here: https://bit.ly/3vJ1hiu

This month we are highlighting Ms. Patience Essibu, an #IVLP alumna that embodies the inspirational and entrepreneurial spirit that the hashtag #WomenShapeTheWorld represents! Patience works as a capacity builder and a general and human resources manager for GlobalMamas, a woman-owned enterprise that sells unique and premium handmade products, including textiles, jewelry, home décor, and more. Back in 2017, she participated in the IVLP project, ‘Textile and Apparel Industry in the U.S.’, exploring the design, production, and sales operations involved in the textile market and accentuating organizations that promote international fair trade. Check out this video and the following Facebook link to learn more about Patience's experience as an IVLP alumna, global businesswoman, and a proud citizen of #Ghana. Facebook Link: https://bit.ly/3xWQdQC #ExchangeourWorld