Meridian International Center’s mission is to strengthen international understanding and serves as a center of innovation for engaging the public sector, private sector and diplomatic community in an exchange of people, ideas and culture.

Meridian has been a leading public diplomacy and international exchange institution since 1960. Tens of thousands of international leaders have come through our doors to participate in leadership programs designed to increase their understanding of the United States and the American people. Of equal importance, Meridian has provided Americans with a platform to listen, engage and act on global perspectives.

Global Leadership Exchanges

Meridian is the leading manager of the U.S. Department of State’s premier professional exchange operation— the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP)—and creates custom programs for other U.S. government agencies, as well as public and private sector organizations. Meridian’s 2,500 yearly exchanges foster sustainable partnerships by linking Americans and global visitors through communities of interest. Meridian’s committed program teams consistently bring their professional expertise to the service of International Visitors, gathering foreign leaders with their professional counterparts and Americans from all walks of life.

Convening Global Leaders For Action

Meridian convenes diverse decision-makers from the U.S. and abroad, drawing from the public and private sectors, academia and the arts for face-to-face and virtual exchanges of ideas. Participants share information and seek areas of agreement, which serve as catalysts for solving challenges shared between U.S. and international leaders. Working with the U.S. Department of State, Meridian also organizes briefings for recently posted U.S. Ambassadors, as well as training seminars on key regional issues and developments.

Diplomatic Programs

Meridian is an active Washington hub for embassies and the international diplomatic corps. Briefings by foreign Ambassadors, forums, dinners and cultural events deliver unique insights on America’s relations with other countries. Working with our affiliate T.H.I.S. for Diplomats, a group of 300 volunteers, Meridian also provides support and services to international diplomats.

Corporate Programs

The private-sector plays a decisive role in building a more secure and prosperous world. Meridian creates programs for the private sector to gather unique global insights, cross-cultural training, and facilitates public private partnerships between corporations, U.S. government agencies, foreign governments, NGOs and other private actors to extend global exchanges and collaboration. For more information, contact Douglas Maguire at 202-316-1171 or dmaguire@meridian.org

Art For Cultural Diplomacy

Meridian combines international exhibitions of paintings, photographs, sculptures, videos and performances with exchanges that present the social and political dynamics of countries and cultures through the works of their artists. Meridian’s traveling exhibitions and programs have reached 44 U.S. states and 24 countries. Meridian’s art exhibitions premiere in Washington, DC and then travel the U.S. and the world through our Traveling Exhibition Service and a far-reaching network of museum partners. Meridian exhibits have reached 280 host venues in 44 states and nearly 30 countries. Each of these exhibitions is accompanied by education guides that offer gallery and classroom activities for museum educators, teachers and docents.