IVLP Programs: October 2020

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Department of State's Office of International Visitors has postponed in-person exchange programs for the rest of 2020. Virtual meetings will instead be arranged for the following programs:

Community, Library, and Youth Engagement Centers and Programs: A group of 15 visitors from the Near East and North Africa region will have virtual meetings to explore the extensive roles of U.S. community centers, libraries and programs that inspire youth engagement and to examine the role of community programs that address the digital divide and bridge social and cultural gaps among diverse populations.

Developing Virtual and In-Person Museum Exhibits: A group of 8 professionals affiliated with four science museums in South Africa will have virtual meetings to learn from their U.S. counterparts about funding models for revenue generation and how science centers in the United States are generating income to sustain themselves during the COVID-19 pandemic. They will also explore effective ways of redeveloping science exhibits to no-touch virtual exhibitions and how to extend the reach of museums to marginalized communities.

A Transatlantic Approach to Safe, Secure, and Innovative 5G Technology: A group of 15 professionals from Europe will have virtual meetings to highlight the transformative impact of 5G technology, both economically and from a political and security perspective. They will also discuss the importance of network security in a hyperconnected, digitized economy, and elaborate on 5G-specific risks to communications networks and critical infrastructure.

Creating Lasting Social Change: Protest Movements and Models from Around the World: A group of 30 visitors from around the world will participate in a virtual program to discuss their efforts to create social change in their respective countries and also share their insights and perspectives on best practices using protest to create lasting social change that’s reflected in both changing public attitudes and influencing public policy.

Education in the Digital Age II: A group of 23 visitors from around the world will participate in a virtual program to examine how technology is changing the U.S. educational process from primary schools to universities by providing content through online platforms. The visitors will explore how technology is promoting educational opportunities for disadvantaged students, older adults, and rural populations and how policy makers, the private sector, school administrators, and teachers evaluate, fund, and support technological innovation in classrooms.