Meridian International Center

International visitor leadership program - for over 60 years, Meridian has been a principal partner in implementing the International visitor leadership program (ivlp), the u.s. department of state's premier professional exchange program. Working with the bureau of educational and cultural affairs, Meridian develops and administers ivlp projects for approximately 1,500 emerging International leaders, about one-third of the program total in a typical year. Program participants come to the u.s. from around the world, representing diverse fields such as government, politics, media, education and the judiciary. Meridian's efforts include designing and developing program content, introducing visitors to american society and culture, and managing logistics. After the covid pandemic shuttered in-person exchanges for two years, Meridian returned to hosting ivlp participants in march 2022. By year-end, we had hosted 1,330 ivlp participants in 167 projects, including 152 participants on 15 virtual projects. Program topics ranged from the rule of law and human rights to youth engagement, u.s. foreign policy, cybersecurity and disinformation.highlights included:1) the International women of courage exchange an annual project in conjunction with the secretary's award for International women of courage. This year's awardees participated in a virtual project with individual programming in cities across the united states, 2) the british american parliamentary group, another high-profile annual exchange with eight members of parliament shadowing members of congress in their home districts and 3) the state department's first iteration of the summit for democracy ivlp initiative, which brought together mayors and municipal leaders from around the world to focus on strengthening democracy, advancing respect for human rights and fighting global corruption. Meridian also launched the first iteration of the department of state's ivlp impact awards, allowing alums to administer community impact projects that build upon their exchange experience in their communities. Over 220 awards were implemented on themes ranging from combatting disinformation and supporting a free press to stem (science, technology, engineering & mathematics) and cybersecurity.

Cultural programs - Meridian is the leading Center in the united states that employs the arts and culture as an effective tool of diplomacy and cross-cultural understanding. From vibrant visual art displays to film screenings, delegations and concerts, Meridian's cultural programs aim to strengthen relationships worldwide by bringing together people from diverse communities to celebrate shared interests and common values. In addition to cultural exchanges ranging from murals and hip hop to theatre arts, art exhibitions create impactful and positive impressions of the united states that are more important than ever to bolster u.s. Global engagement. These exhibitions have reached millions in more than 310 cities in 79 countries worldwide. Major cultural programs in 2022 included the uae-u.s.: 50 years in partnership exhibition, a retrospective on the u.s. u.a.e. Relations shown through diplomatic exchanges and cultural ties in partnership with u.s. embassy abu dhabi and the u.a.e. Embassy in Washington, d.c. additionally, Meridian hosted the unlimited: collective exhibition showcasing egyptian artists exhibition in partnership with the egyptian embassy in Washington, d.c. The exhibition showcased a collection of contemporary egyptian artists.meridian also arranged residencies in the united arab emirates, ecuador, poland, ghana, argentina, and barbados and an orientation for hip hop artist-educators through next level, a program organized in partnership with the u.s. department of state and the university of north carolina at chapel hill. Meridian hosted a two-week program for artists from 13 countries in Washington, dc and new york, ny, as part of the next level program. Other cultural programs included a panel discussion on the history of global cinema, a panel discussion hosted with the embassy of guatemala on mayan archaeological discoveries, and a symposium for scholars to share research on cultural diplomacy, all of which were part of the global humanities initiative with the national endowment for the humanities. Lastly, Meridian hosted a virtual panel on the roots of black american classical music. Meridian continues diversifying its cultural offerings with both the public and private sectors. It remains a vital partner for the u.s. government in developing arts programs to support u.s. foreign policy goals.

Customized exchange programs - these offerings include high-quality, customized people-to-people exchange programs and trainings for professionals, youth, and emerging leaders worldwide. Top program areas and themes for 2022 include:1) journalism and media: Meridian develops and implements training and reporting opportunities for International journalists, media executives, producers, and influencers. These programs include reporting tours, professional residencies, training institutes, and short-term study tours designed to support participants' professional development and to connect participants with american experts and peers;2) youth leadership and education: Meridian partners with u.s. Organizations and u.s. institutes of higher education to develop academic and leadership residency and training programs for International youth participants. These programs are designed to establish long-lasting and positive relationships between their peers and u.s. citizens; and 3) outbound exchanges: u.s. subject matter experts, professionals, and academics engage with audiences around the world via virtual lecture series and seminars, fostering meaningful collaboration in the fields of science, technology, good governance, and journalism. 2022 welcomed the return of in-person exchange programs. The next30 young leaders of central asia program, funded by the u.s. department of state, hosted 30 young leaders from five central asian countries. Traveling in three cohorts this summer and fall, the group visited three american cities: Washington, dc; austin, Texas; and san francisco, California. They networked with their american peers and participated in discussions about start-up culture, female empowerment, independent journalism, and social entrepreneurship.we continued our partnership with the state department's bureau of educational and cultural affairs via our two susi student leader programs, welcoming almost 250 International undergraduates to academic institutes in the u.s. Some of the curriculum topics included civic engagement, education, the future of work, entrepreneurship, economic development, environmental issues, journalism, media, religious pluralism in the u.s., the rule of law and public service. Students from 56 countries experienced an in-depth investigation into these program themes and enhanced their understanding of american values. The institutes featured a four-week academic residency that included community service activities, leadership development sessions, opportunities for interaction with american peers, and excursions of cultural and historical significance. The residencies are then followed by a case study tour to a geographically and demographically diverse region of the united states, underscoring the above program themes and enriching the participants' experience.since 2006, Meridian has supported the u.s. department of state's foreign press Center (f.p.c.) Reporting tours and media co-ops, implementing over 60 projects annually that bring journalists from across the world to report from the u.s. to promote the depth, accuracy, and balance of foreign reporting through direct access to authoritative american information sources. In november, Meridian implemented an f.p.c. International reporting tour on the 2022 u.s. Midterm elections, in which 224 radio, print, and broadcast journalists from 22 countries traveled to Arizona and north carolina for a chance to report on the american democratic process up close. The journalists gained new perspectives on the u.s. government by interviewing election officials, local party leaders, policy experts, and candidates at the polls. They reported to their respective countries on a particularly dynamic midterm election cycle.

Diplomatic engagement - Meridian's Center for diplomatic engagement is an educational and networking hub that strengthens the u.s. International affairs talent ecosystem through trainings and promotes collaboration between the International diplomatic corps and the u.s. public and private sectors. In 2022, over 600 diplomats from 147 embassies participated in the diplomatic engagement Center's 25 dialogues and other engagements alongside government, business, civil society, and next-generation leaders. These programs include policy roundtables, workshops, trainings, panel discussions, receptions, and summits. Meridian's insights and diplocraft series constitutes the bulk of the programs, providing International ambassadors with opportunities to hear directly from leaders at the federal and subnational levels. Diplocraft is a platform for diplomats to explore and discuss policy issues from multiple perspectives to better understand the u.s. government and political system. Programs in 2022 included discussions on u.s. Federalism, preserving democracy, mid-term elections, development assistance, global health and science diplomacy. Meridian's flagship events are the annual global leadership summit and diplomacy forum. The october 2021 summit explored how governments, businesses and private sectors in the u.s. and around the world are tackling today's greatest problems through an increasingly-relevant environment, social, and governance (e.s.g.) Lens. The 2022 diplomacy forum examined the evolving nature of statecraft in three areas of limited sovereignty space, the arctic and the high seas. Administration officials, members of congress, International ambassadors, c.e.o.s, and journalists are among the featured speakers of these events.diplomacyrise is Meridian's investment in the future of diplomacy by developing the next generation of global affairs practitioners that reflect america's diversity and are equipped with 21st-century statecraft skills and knowledge. The highlight of Meridian's 2022 diplomacyrise programming was a virtual diplomatic skills course for 25 young scientists, which included modules on the state department, cultural competencies, protocol, public diplomacy and negotiation.