Canadian community leaders will visit Washington, D.C., and other U.S. cities from July 18 to August 5 as participants in an International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). They will have the opportunity to learn about programs in the United States that work to counter violent extremism by supporting the developmental aspirations of youth. The visit is organized by the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa and sponsored by the U.S. Department of State.
The program will give participants the opportunity to learn best practices and foster partnerships to combat radicalization and violent extremism among youth. Participants will interact with diverse community, academic, law enforcement, and human rights organizations as well as government officials to explore policy-making and program development, and will learn about ways to promote interfaith dialogue, conflict resolution, and freedom of expression.
Participants in this program are:
- Mohamed Cherif Lamine Foura, Founder, Congrès Magrehbin au Québec (Quebec Maghreb Committee) (Montreal)
- Luqman Ahmed, Imam/Missionary (Quebec City)
- Remzi Cej, Chair, Human Rights Commission, Government of Newfoundland (St. John’s)
- Yasin Dwyer, Chaplain, Queens University (Kingston)
- Mohamud Hassan, Partnership Developer/Community Liaison Office, City of Ottawa (Ottawa)
- Navshina Savory, Vice Principal, A Mathewson Secondary School, Surrey School District (Surrey)
The IVLP enables Canadians who are emerging leaders in their professional field to observe U.S. institutions, practices, and culture first-hand, and to meet with professional counterparts to explore issues of common interest. 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 http://eca.state.gov/ivlp.
Participants are available for interviews before and after the program upon request.
