The International Visitor Leadership Program operates under authority
of the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 (Fulbright-Hays
Act). The emphasis of the program is to increase mutual understanding
through communication at the personal and professional levels.
The International Visitor Leadership Program brings participants to the
United States from all over the world each year to meet and confer with
their professional counterparts and to experience the U.S. firsthand.
The visitors, who are current or potential leaders in government, politics,
the media, education, and other fields, are selected by American Officials
overseas. More than 200 current and former Heads of State, 1,500 cabinet-level
ministers, and many other distinguished world leaders in government and
the private sector have participated in the International Visitor Leadership
Program.
The Department of State directs the program in cooperation with a wide
range of non-profit organizations operating under cooperative agreements
with the Department of State. The program also relies on the commitment
and skills of over 95 community-based organizations across the country.
They represent a wide range of institutions and expertise from universities
to World Affairs Councils to all-volunteer. These organizations are known
collectively as "Councils for International Visitors (CIVs)"
associated under the umbrella organization of the National Council for International Visitors
located in Washington, D.C.
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