Each summer, the VCWA welcomes a cohort of Iraqi high school students to Vermont as part of a two-week exchange called the Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program (IYLEP). 

IYLEP participants stay with local host families as they explore themes of leadership development, civic rights and responsibilities, respect for diversity, community engagement, and social entrepreneurship.

The participants work to develop skills in leadership and civic engagement among participants enabling them to be active change-makers in their communities, foster respect for diversity and a stronger understanding between people of different ethnic, religious, and national backgrounds and build mutual understanding between people of Iraq and the U.S.

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