IVLP Impact Awards Alumni Discussion Series: Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders

WATCH THE RECORDING HERE

Through the IVLP Impact Awards Initiative, recent alumni of the International Visitor Leadership Program administer community impact projects that bring the experiences of their exchange program home to their communities and promote innovative solutions to shared global challenges. 

On August 28, 2024, Meridian International Center hosted a virtual panel of IVLP Impact Awardees with projects that delve into the critical role of youth development in shaping future leaders. The panelists shared their insights, experiences, and strategies and explore approaches that empower youth and foster their leadership potential.

"Empowering youth is like winning the future. So, when we want to change the country's future or a state's future, we need to work on the youth because the youth are the ones who...will take over the power or authority of the state in the future." - Yohanan Yotona

Some of the highlights included:

1. The Ripple Effect of Youth Empowerment

The panel discussion began with remarks from Elizabeth Latham, Branch Chief for Thematic Youth Exchanges at the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, who remarked, "Exchanges are building relationships, and these relationships uplift the voices of youth who are making a difference at home and abroad...Youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow, but also the changemakers of today."

With this framing, the panelists discussed how their projects engage youth in their communities, creating a "ripple effect," as Mary first called it. The sustainability of their project impacts comes from two aspects. Firstly, Yohanan's project aims to provide Ethiopian youth with the tools to become effective democratic leaders. He stated, "Empowering youth is like winning the future. So, when we want to change the country's future or a state's future, we need to work on the youth because the youth are the ones who...will take over the power or authority of the state in the future." Secondly, as Adib, who leveraged his Impact Award to create a job training camp for Moroccan youth, mentioned, "I envision a ripple effect with...the benefits of the camp extend[ing] beyond the immediate participants by fostering a network of the fellows." Mary's project focuses on empowering young South African women. She referenced both of these aspects of the ripple effect when she articulated her goal, "I envisioned that this project is able to lay the groundwork for long-term systemic change where women and girls feel empowered, they can thrive, they can lead, and they can drive positive change in their communities and beyond."

2. "It Takes a Village" From IVLP Inspiration to Community Support

Mary's IVLP Project was titled Transparency and Accountability in Government II and was organized by American Councils for International Education in partnership with GlobalJax, Global Ties Arizona, the World Affairs Council – Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky, and the World Affairs Council of St. Louis. She noted that two of the women from her IVLP cohort will be speakers in her Impact Award project and went on to say, "I'm just excited with the support that I've been getting because, you know how they say that it takes a village to raise a child, but it takes the same village to sustain an adult. And just to see people come together to rally to support my project for me...I'm just blown away with the support, the partnership, the collaborations, the networks." Antigoni, the panel's moderator, participated in the IVLP project Women and Entrepreneurship: Startups, which was also organized by American Councils for International Education in partnership with Global Ties San Francisco, WorldOrlando, Global Ties Iowa, WorldBoston, and Utah Global Diplomacy. Antigoni's project empowers young women in Cyprus with the tools to become influential leaders. She noted that only 15% of the leaders in Cyprus are women, which she counted as one of the "big issues in many countries around the world" and added, "Thank you, IVLP, for addressing this issue outside the US as well."

Yohanan participated in the IVLP Developing University Partnerships: Connecting African Universities with HBCU, organized by Mississippi Consortium for International Development, in partnership with Georgia Council for International Visitors, Global Ties Sacramento, World Affairs Council of Philadelphia, and Global Ties Sacramento. Adib reflected that IVLP was "a life-changing experience at all levels." which he realized while participating in the project, Community, Library, and Youth Engagement Centers and Programs organized by Meridian, in partnership with Global New Orleans, the International Center, Utah Global Diplomacy, and WorldChicago. 

3. Strategies for Engaging Youth

Although Adib acknowledged that "engaging young people can be quite complex, especially when they feel disconnected from the opportunities being offered or perceived," he reflected that "the solution lies in creating inclusive, relevant, and empowering opportunities that inspire young people to take active roles in their own developments." Specifically, he advised that effective youth outreach starts with openness, "engaging young people effectively means listening to their feedback, understanding their unique challenges and making them...active participants in the process." Adib spoke about how even during his 3-day camp, he incorporated the feedback he received from the participants at the end of each day, and he saw results with this approach: "When they see that their input directly impacts the program's success, it fosters a sense of ownership and commitment." Mary also discussed the importance of mentorship and role models in her project to engage youth and bridge the generational gap. She shared, "When young women see examples of strong, successful female leaders, of brilliant, smart female leaders, it sends a powerful message."

4. Success Stories

In response to an audience question, the panelist also had the opportunity to reflect on some achievements from their projects thus far. Mary, whose main project activities are still ahead of her, was still able to share some early triumphs, noting that her local embassy, among other partners, has already expressed interest in expanding her project beyond the IVLP Impact Award, even asking 'Why can't we make it more of a continental project instead of a national project?' Similarly, Adib, whose camp has already finished, shared that not only is he still in touch with his participants, but many of them also asked, 'Is there another edition I can recommend to my sister or to my cousin?' underscoring the high levels of engagement and effectiveness of the program. Antigoni wrapped up the program with a call to action, saying, "Let's invest in youth. Let's invest in their skills, in their knowledge, in their attitudes, because this is how we're going to have a better and brighter future."

If you have any questions, please reach out to the IVLP Impact Awards Team at IVLPImpactAwards@meridian.org.

If interested in attending more IVLP Impact Award events, click here.