The American Space at the American University of Iraq-Baghdad (AUIB) hosted U.S. Embassy Duty Officer, Ms. Gina Cirino, who had freshly arrived in Baghdad, coming from the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs at the U.S. Department of State in Washington. Ms. Cirino addressed a crowd of AUIB students and faculty members, informing them about the Department of State’s “International Visitor Leadership Program” and engaging students in a discussion on the program and on other cultural, professional, and scientific exchange programs available.
The “International Visitor Leadership Program” is a professional exchange program that seeks to build mutual understanding between the United States and other nations through short-term visits to the U.S. for “current and emerging foreign leaders” from various professional backgrounds, ranging from public service to NGO leadership and even the fine arts, explained Ms. Cirino, pointing out that there is no application process for this particular program, as candidates are exclusively and directly nominated by U.S. diplomatic staff. She explained that the program not only offers visitors the opportunity to experience the political, economic, social and cultural life in the U.S., but also makes alumni eligible for various grants and funding for community projects.
Hundreds of alumni of such exchange programs became Presidents and Prime Ministers in their countries, remarked Ms. Cirino, saying that the United States is “looking for emerging leaders who are open-minded.”