International Visitor Program
Global Youth Leadership Program

Interested in empowering youth? Broaden your horizons and perspectives by hosting a student or teacher in your home!

Serbian Student with Roosevelt High School Students Interviewed by KPLU Reporter- October 2007

2007 Youth Programs
2008 Youth Program
Youth Program Scrapbook

Through the Global Youth Leadership Program, the International Visitor Program brings youth from around the globe to the Seattle area. In 2007, students and teachers will visit the Puget Sound region from countries such as Serbia, Morocco, Korea, Albania, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Jordan, and other countries throughout North Africa and the Middle East. Programs include homestays, mentoring, school visits, and intensive project work on topics such as grassroots democracy, ethnic tolerance, youth leadership, international understanding through art, political leadership, and volunteerism.

2007 Programs

Serbia Youth Program-Grassroots Activism: April 21 - May 8, 2007
World Affairs Council and Delphi International/World Learning are partnering to bring a delegation of 10 high school students and 2 teachers from Serbia to Seattle for three weeks to explore the themes of grassroots activism through two lenses; environment and conflict transformation/human rights.

See photos in the IVP Scrapbook

Moroccan Youth Leadership Program: Linking Individuals, Knowledge, and Culture: June 30 - July 21, 2007
The World Affairs Council is partnering with OneWorld Now!, AMIDEAST, and AYUSA to develop a mutual exchange program between Moroccan and Seattle-based students. The program “Linking Individuals, Knowledge and Culture (LINC)” will focus on the development of leadership and cross-cultural communication skills through art and culture. LINC is a direct exchange: Moroccan youth will stay with host families in the U.S. while American youth will stay with host families in Morocco. The goal of the program is to educate youth about other cultures, to help them in developing cross-cultural dialogue, and to strengthen mutual understanding.

See photos in the IVP Scrapbook

While in Seattle the Moroccan students worked together with Longhouse Media/Native Lens to produce a film about their impressions of the U.S. See video here.

U.S. Congress-Korean National Assembly Youth Exchange Project – August 1 – 4, 2007
The World Affairs Council and Meridian International Center are partnering to bring 8 Korean youths to Seattle to explore youth engagement and volunteerism.

Student Leaders and Civic Activism, Regional Program from the Middle East – August 31 - September 5, 2007
The World Affairs Council, Meridian International Center, and the U.S. Department of State are partnering to bring 11 students from the Middle East and North Africa to Seattle to explore youth leadership and empowerment, team building tools, service learning, and student government. Participants are college age and speak Arabic.

See photos in the IVP Scrapbook

Youth Leadership Initiative for Sustainable Peace – September 22 - 27, 2007
The World Affairs Council, Meridian International Center, and the U.S. Department of State are partnering to bring 14 youths, educators, and youth organizers from Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia to the Olympic Peninsula and Seattle to explore youth leadership tools and youth empowerment programs.

Jordanian Shariah Students – The Role of Religion in the U.S.: October 26 – 31, 2007
The World Affairs Council, Meridian International Center, and the U.S. Embassy - Amman are partnering to bring a delegation of 10 youths to Seattle to explore youth leadership, volunteerism, and faith-based programs. Participants are college age and speak English.

Serbia Youth Program-Ethnic Tolerance in a Multi-ethnic Society: October 27 - November 12, 2007
World Affairs Council and Delphi International/World Learning are partnering to bring a delegation of 9 high school students and 2 adult youth leaders from Serbia to Seattle for three weeks to explore the themes of ethnic tolerance through two lenses; interfaith religion and immigration and refugees.

See photos in the IVP Scrapbook

To listen to a KPLU interview with the Serbian Students, click here.

While in Seattle the Serbian students worked together with Longhouse Media/Native Lens to produce a film about their impression of ethnic tolerance in a multi-ethnic society. To watch the video here.

2008 Programs

In 2008 the Global Youth Leadership Program will continue to work to empower youth leaders from around the globe. Thus far, programs are confirmed in 2008 with Serbian, Brazilian, Jordanian, and Korean youth.

U.S. Brazilian Embassy Youth Ambassador Exchange Project January 17-24, 2008
The World Affairs Council is partnering with Delphi International, World Learning and the U.S. Embassy in Brazil to bring 6 Brazilian Youth to Seattle. These Youth Ambassadors will work on projects focused on youth leadership and empowerment.

Please contact Matt Potter, IVP Program Officer,with further questions at (206) 441-5910, ext. 320.

If you are interested in sending a youth program to Seattle, please contact Ms. Chrissy Hyde, Deputy Director, IVP, at (206) 441-5910, ext. 313 or contact us by e-mail.