The Foreign Service Journal, December 2015

40 DECEMBER 2015 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL The use of technology is an area that can and should be explored further. Continuing to test the integration of virtual components on a small scale is a good way to build momentum and learn what works and what does not. At the same time, we don’t have to reinvent the wheel, and should be open to learn- ing from higher education, where tremendous strides in online learning and participant engagement have already been made. Identity and Visibility Modernizing the IVLP brand is another area to look at. Two categories of opportunity present themselves. Consider the IVLP name. While widely recognized by its alumni, U.S. gov- ernment agencies, U.S. embassies and U.S.-based partners, the initiative is unknown outside of these circles. “It is a descrip- tion, it is not a name,” claims Annette Alvarez, Global Ties Miami. The IVLP brand has survived for 75 years, with minor tweaks. But in a very crowded and brand-conscious world, a name that speaks to impact instead of the once popular use of acronyms could carry more weight at many levels. The oppor- tunity is ripe, given that we have just celebrated IVLP’s 75th anniversary: A new name could be the signal of a new era for the program and a rallying cry for recommitment to its next phase. The second area of opportunity involves rethinking the way we have communicated the overall success of the program. IVLP touts its very prominent alumni base of more than 330 heads of government or state—an impressive achievement. But since the end of the Cold War, there have been more partici- pants from civil society than from foreign governments and political parties. This trend reflects the diffusion of power that is taking place all around the world. Non-state actors and non- traditional leaders have an increasing influence over citizens, especially young people, and are in a position to shape global public opinion and generate positive feedback to U.S. foreign policy and American values in various world regions. Michael Mabwe, an IVLP alumnus from Zimbabwe, believes that in the countries where the U.S. government does not have healthy relationships with incumbent governments (his own, for example), the networks of citizens, communities and non- state IVLP participants remain a critical avenue to advance U.S. interests and promote American values. It is easy to show photos of Anwar Sadat and Margaret Thatcher, two of the most notable IVLP alumni. The IVLP and wider public diplomacy community must be able to convey the same level of prestige and notoriety through stories of alumni who are changing the face of their societies, yet lack name recognition. According to Patricia Harrison of World Learning, “there is a tremendous opportunity to spotlight the incredible difference alumni are making—but we have to work harder to get the message across.” The Power of Alumni During the past decade, the Department of State has done a first-rate job engaging, empowering and connecting IVLP alumni and other State exchange participants both at home and abroad. Next year, the State Alumni Office in partnership with World Learning will launch a series of regional seminars for exchange alumni around the world. In addition, the role of alumni coordinator has been elevated in most embassies around the world. Supporting and facilitating establishment of alumni associations is crucial for obtaining the long-term benefits of the program and for demonstrating its value and importance. “IVLP alumni are brand ambassadors,” says Peggy Parfenoff, executive director of WorldChicago. She argues that alumni are directly tuned into the latest progress in business, government and civil society sectors and help to identify the next generation of emerging leaders and potential IVLP candi- dates. Often, alumni are able to reach parts of the country that embassy staff have difficulty reaching. At present, the Office of International Visitors (ECA’s Argentine IVLP participant Hector Alfredo Alcano, with the Mountain Rescue Patrol of the province of Mendoza, shares a coffee with Grand Teton National Park Ranger Jim Springer. HOLLY PRATT/WYOMING COUNCIL OF INTERNATIONAL VISITORS/COURTESY OF GLOBAL TIES U.S.