Meeting with the Quad Cities Chamber Global Ties Iowa was honored to welcome a delegation from Pakistan for the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) project "Legislative Caucuses and Bipartisan Cooperation" from July 17-23, 2026. The delegation included members of provincial assemblies Tanzila Umi Habiba of Sindh and Arbab Khan of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Welcome to Iowa The delegation arrived in Iowa City on July 17, where they were welcomed by volunteers Rohit Dalal a

Global Ties Iowa was honored to host 9 visitors for the Economic Opportunity Through the Arts program from July 23-28, 2026, a professional exchange exploring how arts organizations, cultural institutions, educators, and community leaders use creativity to drive economic development, strengthen communities, and create opportunities for artists. The program began with a warm welcome from Global Ties Iowa volunteer Rohit Dalal, who greeted the delegation upon their arrival in I

July brought together 20 teens, 3 adult mentors, 2 World Learning leaders, 5 Global Ties Iowa staff, 14 host families, 4 host events, 7 workshops, and 9 Iowan cities for Global Ties Iowa's second cohort of the Young Leaders Exchange Program from July 15-28, 2026. The U.S. Department of State provides a three-week fully funded exchange program to talented international young leaders who demonstrate leadership potential and civic engagement in their communities. During the pro

The delegation participating in the Wellman Independence Day Parade Global Ties Iowa was honored to welcome six international leaders from Azerbaijan, Chile, Nigeria, Philippines, North Macedonia, and Vietnam for the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) project, "America 250: Agricultural Innovation and Technology," from July 1-7, 2026. Over the course of a week in Eastern Iowa, participants explored cutting-edge agricultural innovation, workforce development, entr

From June 10-13, 2026, Global Ties Iowa had the pleasure of hosting a dynamic delegation of leaders from across Africa for the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) project, “U.S. State and Local Government.” Over their four days in eastern Iowa, participants explored how local governments function within the U.S. federal system with a focus on governance, public service delivery, economic development, and civic engagement. The delegation brought together policymak

Global Ties Iowa works to facilitate international exchanges beyond the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). Since spring 2024, we have welcomed participants from the Young Transatlantic Innovation Leaders Initiative (YTILI), the U.S. Department of State's flagship program for emerging entrepreneurs from Europe. YTILI uses entrepreneurship as a tool for economic empowerment to promote mutual understanding, enhance business and leadership skills, and build lasting

The delegation at Grow Fairfield Economic Development Association. From May 6-12, 2026, Global Ties Iowa had the pleasure of hosting a delegation from Belarus for the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) project “Freedom of Expression as a Driver of Innovation and Economic Growth.” Over seven days, participants explored how eastern Iowa’s creative sector, cultural institutions, and rural communities foster innovation and economic opportunity. The delegation include

Global Ties Iowa works to facilitate international exchanges beyond the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). Since spring 2024, we have welcomed participants from the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative Professional Fellows Program (YSEALI PFP), a U.S. Department of State program designed to promote mutual understanding, strengthen leadership skills, and build lasting partnerships between emerging leaders in Southeast Asia and the United States. As part of th

Global Ties Iowa works to facilitate international exchanges beyond the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) . Since spring 2024, we have welcomed participants from the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative Professional Fellows Program (YSEALI PFP) . This exchange program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. It is designed to promote mutual understanding, enhance Fellows’ leadership and professional skills, a

From December 3rd to 6th, we hosted a delegation from Côte d'Ivoire. The group of international leaders were in eastern Iowa for an IVLP program titled “Agricultural Trade and Prosperity.” Their time in Iowa aimed to introduce the delegation to innovative U.S. agricultural technologies and approaches to integrating agriculture into broader economic development. The group arrived at the Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and were greeted by a special welcome message

Tara and Edward Global Ties Iowa works to facilitate international exchanges beyond the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). Since spring 2024, we have welcomed participants from the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative Professional Fellows Program (YSEALI PFP) . This exchange program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. It is designed to promote mutual understanding, enhance Fellows’ leadership and profes

From May 31 to June 4, we welcomed 4 leaders from Georgia, accompanied by two interpreters, for the program titled “Strategic...

From March 20 to 26, we welcomed 5 international leaders for the program titled “Regional Intercity Collaboration.” The aim of the...

From February 20 - 25, we welcomed 7 international leaders from Albania, Argentina, Ecuador, Kenya, Republic of Korea, Republic of North...

In 2024, Shafira Rizki Aulia of Indonesia was in eastern Iowa as part of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative Professional...

From Feb. 17 to 21, we welcomed 15 international leaders from Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Italy, the Republic of Kosovo, Latvia,...

Welcome to the first post in our “Why I Give” series, where we spotlight the inspiring stories of individuals who support Global Ties...

Global Ties Iowa works to facilitate international exchanges beyond the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). For the first...

From July 9 to 22, Global Ties Iowa had the incredible opportunity to host a delegation of 18 Iraqi and Kurdish students in eastern Iowa...

From March 23rd to 26th, we had the pleasure of hosting four international leaders from Guinea-Bissau for the program “Public...