Upcoming Visitors:

Two new groups of visitors will be visiting Vermont in March. To learn more about these programs and how you can engage with these visitors through meetings, sharing a meal or even opening your home, click on the links below.

March 10-13: A visitor from Morocco, Board Member and Treasurer of the Moroccan Association Fighting Violence Against Women, will examine U.S. experience in combating violence against women and assisting victims of violence, the organization and management of family and marital mediation centers in the U.S, and approaches aimed at the abuser in addition to victims. She visits through the International Visitor Leadership Program.

March 28-31: Eleven visitors from Iraq will be visiting to learn about Vermont's experience in grassroots civic engagement under the auspices of the International Visitor Leadership Program.

April 10-15: A multi-regional group from South America will be in Vermont to examine energy-use strategies and challenges in meeting present and future energy needs under the auspices of International Visitor Leadership Program.

Are you interested in hosting a delegate from the Open World Program? Please contact Eli Harrington, Director, at eli@vermont.org.

More on Recent International Visitors:

February 6-9: A journalist from Poland arrived in spite of the delays in Washington, D.C. to learn about organic agriculture and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) through the International Visitor Leadership Program of the U.S. Department of State. Thank you to retired diplomat, Polish-speaker and part-time Vermont farmer Bill Harwood for excellent program ideas and facilitation.

February 14-18: A group from Armenia on the topic of High School Administration in the U.S. through the International Visitor Leadership Program of the U.S. Department of State. See more information and photos!

February 20-28: A group from Russia visited on the topic of Accountable Governance through the Open World program of the Library of Congress. The group consisted of local and provincial government officials who met with their counterparts in municipal and state government. The combination of unparalleled access to our government policy-makers and our reputation for grassroots civic participation has given Vermont an excellent reputation as a host for governance groups. More information and photos will be available soon.

International Visitors Leadership Program

The Vermont Council on World Affairs works with the International Visitor Leadership Program of the U.S. Department of State, the Open World program of the Library of Congress, and the Community Connections program of USAID in scheduling meetings and events for visitors from around the world. We have hosted more than 2,500 visitors in the past, and we continue to welcome new visitors to Vermont. Delegates visit Vermont to study and engage in issues as diverse as alternative energy, national park management, grassroots democracy, law, rural health care, and youth leadership.

Sherry Mueller speaks to the VCWA
Sherry Mueller, President of the National Council for International Visitors, visited Vermont on October 5th. See excerpts of her presentation below:
Sherry Mueller Speaks to the VCWA on YouTube

The VCWA is a member of the National Council for International Visitors (NCIV), a national network now celebrating half a century of leadership in citizen diplomacy. NCIV, founded in 1961, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote excellence in citizen diplomacy. It provides support for the VCWA's international visitors programs.