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The Boulder Council of International Visitors and its Role in the International Visitor Leadership Program

Every year, thousands of professionals from around the world are invited by the US State Department to visit and explore the United States. From Kosovo to Kurdistan, international visitors are brought from around the world and toured across the U.S. to not only engage in professional education programming and immersive experiences in their fields, but to learn about and experience American culture. 

Known as the International Visitor Leadership Program, or IVLP, the State Department’s premier professional exchange program plays a critical role in bringing together current and emerging leaders from various global fields to engage in professional development while getting to explore and learn more about American culture firsthand and create lasting relationships with their American counterparts. 

However, the State Department can’t manage the monumental breadth of such a complex program by itself. That’s where the Boulder Council of International Visitors comes in. The BCIV is one of the many community organizations across 44 states that collaborate with the IVLP. From the start of an IVLP trip to the end, programming, travel, and accommodations are put together by organizations like the BCIV as a visiting group travels across the country.

So, what makes the IVLP so vital to global cooperation and stability? Let's delve deeper into it.

People-to-People Diplomacy:

By nurturing one-on-one exchanges, the IVLP significantly contributes to international understanding and peace. The unique blend of professional meetings and cultural visits fosters lasting relationships between international visitors and their American counterparts. These interactions facilitate mutual understanding, create common grounds, and promote dialogue between different nations [1].

Empowering Leaders:

The IVLP identifies and empowers emerging leaders from various sectors worldwide. More than 200,000 leaders, including 500 current or former heads of state or government, have been involved in the IVLP. By broadening their horizons, these leaders can positively influence their home countries and beyond [1].

Promoting Cross-Cultural Understanding:

By involving interpreters who serve as cultural bridges, the IVLP not only facilitates language translation but also promotes cultural understanding. Such understanding plays a pivotal role in enhancing peaceful relations among nations, fostering a sense of unity despite diversity [2].

Transforming Global Challenges into Opportunities:

Through the recent initiative of IVLP Impact Awards, IVLP alumni get an opportunity to implement innovative projects addressing challenges in their home communities. With grants of up to $5,000, these projects focus on key foreign policy priorities, such as countering disinformation, advancing climate solutions, addressing democracy, peace, and security challenges, and more. This initiative transforms global problems into opportunities for collaboration and progress [3].

Boulder Council's Role:

The Boulder Council of International Visitors (BCIV) plays an instrumental role in bolstering the reach and impact of the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). Serving as a vibrant hub of commerce, tourism, and industry, Colorado is a critical node in the United States' economy, hosting an array of companies with expertise spanning from aerospace engineering to innovative agricultural practices.

Colorado’s rich diversity renders it an ideal destination for participants in the IVLP, with the unique array of industries and cultural experiences offering a multifaceted perspective of American life. Over the years, the BCIV has adeptly facilitated this program for numerous IVLP visiting groups, welcoming hundreds of international participants.

By forging connections between these global visitors and Colorado's industry professionals, the BCIV plays a pivotal role in promoting 'people to people' diplomacy. This process fosters a broader international understanding of American culture, lifestyle, and business practices, demonstrating the vital importance of BCIV's contribution to enhancing global relations.

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Join Trainer Vanacker, Belgian native and Boulder, CO cycling coach for a 5 night / 6 day cycling retreat on Flanders’ roads.

You will tour the most magnificent areas of Flanders with a local while enjoying the genuine cuisine and treats.  During your vacation, you will stay in quaint high quality hotels to unwind.

More information, details and pricing here: Cycling Retreat Belgium 2014

Who is this for?  

A recreational or competitive cyclist who wants to experience the cycling culture, beauty and unique experience of biking in Belgium.  All while enjoying the cuisine, architecture and culture of this country.  You will have plenty of time available to explore on your own as well as doing group activities.

How fast are we going?

Depending on the route, we will be going 12-16 miles/hour.  When there are many hills, of course the speed will go down.  We will always stay in group (focus is on small groups) and wait for each other.  We are not racing, we want to enjoy the experience together.  This program is not for the unexperienced as you will put in a reasonable amount of miles but absolutely also not for professional riders only.  We will maintain a steady medium pace which works for all.  As you are being guided by an experienced rider and coach, you will be in good hands.

WE WILL GIVE YOU A COMPLIMENTARY TRAINING PLAN TO PREPARE YOU FOR THIS UNFORGETTABLE TRIP!

More info on http://trainervanacker.com/2014/01/13/belgium-road-cycling-retreat-august-2014/

Contact me at Sander@TrainerVanacker.com

Almost everyone in their lifetime wishes to visit New York City, The Capital of the World. There are many things to visit in the city. The city that never sleeps has a lot to offer its tourists and travelers. However, when you do make a bucket list for your travel, make sure that you have all the prior knowledge of the city and the most beautiful and attractive locations that you definitely cannot afford to miss. Here is a list of few locations that are considered to be most popular travel spots of the city.

First you will need to make sure that you get yourself the right kind of accommodation in New York City. Hostels in New York offer affordable place to stay, which are both cheap and in good locations. Make sure that you reserve your stay way before you buy the tickets for your visit, since such hotels are very tough to get. New York is a great city for group travel and nearly every college and university or group travellers would choose New York as one of the first destinations they would like to visit.

Empire State Building

This might be the only office building in the world that is so popular all over the world. You will definitely need to visit this huge colossus of a building that remains open all over the year and the hours often passes midnight. It is has now become an important heritage building of USA. The lobby of the building has now been turned into a recreational area. The building has been portrayed in many love story movies and this clearly suggests that it is a favorite romantic spot for people.

Statue of Liberty

If you love history and statues, then you will definitely need to visit Statue of Liberty. It is a sculpture that is about 300 feet in height, which is like 91.5 meters. It has been a part of the New York City from the year 1886. You can access the land with the help of ferry systems. The journey to the statue also provides the travelers with amazing picture framing options, so don’t forget to frame some amazing moments.

Central Park

There is absolutely nothing more relaxing than Central Park, which is about 843 acres of land, right situated at the heart of the City. If you are really bored with all the concrete buildings of the City, then you can definitely indulge yourself in the park’s greenery for a change. You can do anything you like in the city, for example ride bicycles, and play all kinds of games such as checkers and chess, fishing and skate along the broad paths of the park.

Times Square

Times Square is considered to be the most amazing and fascinating travel spot of the New York City. With the New Year’s Eve on the block, you can definitely make a New York travel plan like other many millions of people that swarm the square at this time of year. Every day, the square gets crowded with people searching for half priced Broadway tickets and some just stand there for hours, their jaws opened up to see the 37 foot high, largest LED sign of in the entire world. This spot is always crowded with its position between Seventh Avenue and Broadway.

Conclusion

These are only few travel spots of the City. There are numerous Museums in the City that contains rich history of the country and from artistic pieces from all over the world.

Etechdiary