A group of Canadians in the resources industry, government and NGO sectors will visit Washington, D.C. and other U.S. cities from January 12-30 as participants in an International Visitors’ Leadership Program (IVLP) on principles and practices behind solving environmental challenges in the resources sector. Participants will interact with counterparts and experts in the U.S. The program is organized by the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa and sponsored by the U.S. Department of State.
The goal of the program is to have participants and their U.S. counterparts and industry experts seek methods of collaboration amongst diverse stake-holders in the fields of resource extraction and environmental protection. Participants will meet with parties directly affected by projects, learn about case studies of successful or notable environmental practices and explore innovative compliance and enforcement practices and funding models for resource agencies and monitoring programs.
Participants in this program are:
- Nadim Kara, Senior Program Director, Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (Toronto)
- Justin Riemer, Assistant Deputy Minister, Economic Competitiveness Division, Government of Alberta (Calgary)
- Erin Scraba, Manager, Policy and Legislation, Government of British Columbia Assessment Office (Victoria)
The IVLP enables Canadians who are emerging leaders in their professional field to observe U.S. institutions and culture first-hand, and to meet with professional counterparts to explore issues of common interest. Through this program approximately 40 Canadians a year benefit from three-week study tours, as guests of the United States. Founded in 1940, the IVLP has given hundreds of thousands of emerging leaders — including hundreds of Canadians — the opportunity to observe and interact with American culture and society on a personal level. For more information, visit eca.state.gov/ivlp.
Participants are available for interviews before and after the program upon request.
Media Contact
Jennifer Young
Senior Media Specialist
U.S. Embassy Ottawa
Tel: 613-688-5315
Email: youngjm1@state.gov