Human & Civil Rights Delegation Visit Muhammad Ali Institute

On Monday, March 13^th, the Muhammad Ali Institute hosted a delegation of international human and civil rights advocates participating in the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) sponsored by the United States Department of State. The program, launched in 1940, seeks to build mutual understanding between the United States and other nations through carefully designed professional visits to the United States for current and emerging foreign leaders. These visits reflect the visitors' professional interests and support the foreign policy goals of the U.S. government. Each year over 4,500 IVLP participants from all over the world are selected by U.S. Embassies to travel to the United States to meet and confer with their professional counterparts. Through these encounters, they gain a greater understanding of the cultural and political influences in U.S. society and enjoy a first-hand experience of the United States, its people and its culture.

The delegation was comprised of individuals from northeast Africa and the Middle East and were brought to the Institute by their local host, the World Affairs Councils of Kentucky & Southern Indiana. The group came to Louisville to discuss the role of local and state government, non-violent approaches to securing human rights, and human rights program for youth. While at the Ali Institute the delegation learned about the Institute’s focus on the root causes of violence, as well the work of the Institute. As part of the discussion two Ali Scholars, Yomna Amer and Karen Udoh, spoke about their experiences in the Ali Scholar Program and their research. This the third time the Institute has hosted a delegation from the International Visitor Leadership Program.

To learn more about the International Visitor Leadership Program click here