International Visitor Leadership Program

The International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) annually brings approximately five thousand foreign nationals to the United States.  In the U.S. they meet and confer with their professional counterparts and experience America firsthand.  The visitors, selected by American Embassies to participate in the IVLP, are current or potential leaders in government, education, economics, media, drug and crime prevention, environment, labor relations, human rights, women’s issues, arts management, business, judicial, and other fields. Individuals cannot apply to participate in the program but are nominated by Embassy staff.  

The thematic projects focus on a particular issue such as the U.S. economy or cultural preservation.  The emphasis of the program is to increase mutual understanding through communication at personal and professional levels.  The projects, designed to present diverse experiences and discussion topics for their participants, usually last three weeks.  Participation in this program is meant to be a lively and stimulating learning experience.  The visitors are also meant to gain an appreciation not only of the geographic size and variety of the U.S., but also its ethnic, cultural, and socio-economic diversity. Whenever a group travels throughout the U.S. one or more escort officers accompanies it.

The American Embassy in Mbabane sends eight to ten participants on the International Visitor Leadership Program annually.