About the International Visitor Leadership Program
Our Role
The State Department, working with Global Ties U.S. and other not-for-profit agencies, supplies ideas for visitor programs and cultural experiences. World Affairs STL is one of the 85 organizations throughout the United States who put these ideas into action. Using a network of local professionals and businesses, World Affairs STL creates an engaging cultural & educational agenda to fit the interests of each visiting international group.
The St. Louis region is an ideal destination for program visitors because of its vibrant business community, diverse ethnic makeup, and unique historical background. We have hosted as many as 250 in any given year.
A Global Moment in Time
Hear from IVLP participants of “A Global Moment in Time”, a special initiatve of the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), about their immersive professional and cultural exchange experiences.
Through this initiative, participants from all around the world traveled to the United States and St. Louis to connect with their American counterparts, exploring societal issues, including the role of media during the pandemic, efforts to foster peace, and reflections of DEIA. The U.S. Department of State partnered with Meridian International Center to produce this video.
IVLP News and Announcements
Meet IVLP Alumna Rabia Pervaiz
Meet IVLP Alumna Dr. Rumena Filipova
IVLP – Expanding Participation of Underrepresented Groups in Japan’s Agricultural Sector
The World Affairs Council of St. Louis recently had the pleasure of hosting a global delegation through the Department of State’s International...
How to Get Involved?
The World Affairs Council of St. Louis offers various opportunities to community members as we cannot further the ideal of citizen diplomacy without volunteer support from our members and programming resources in the community.
Become a Professional Resource
Visitors come to exchange policy ideas & foster personal connections with their professional counterparts here in the St. Louis region. Would you like to participate in IVLP as a professional resource for international visitors? Local resources are members of various types of businesses, nonprofits, and professions.
Reach out to Berenice Morlet at [email protected] for more information
Become a Dinner Diplomat
Our visitors enjoy the chance to interact with St. Louisans in their homes. Hosting visitors for dinner is a great way to get to know them and play your part as a citizen diplomat. There are opportunities throughout the year to host visitors. Dinner Diplomacy was formerly known as Home Hospitality.
Become a Citizen Diplomat
Visitors come to exchange policy ideas & foster personal connections with their professional counterparts here in the St. Louis region. Would you like to participate in IVLP as a citizen diplomat for international visitors? Citizen diplomats will have the opportunity to attend IVLP meetings and learn about the work of local businesses, nonprofits, institutions, etc.
Our Regional Impact
FUTURE WORLD LEADERS VISIT THE U.S. AND MAKE LASTING CONNECTIONS IN ST. LOUIS
International Visitors since 2017
Countries Represented since 2017
Meetings with STL Leaders since 2017
Dollars Contributed to STL Economy since 2022
