As part of the U.S. Department of State's Global Music Diplomacy Initiative, which elevates music as a diplomatic platform to promote peace and democracy, the Department recently hosted 13 international musicians and music professionals through the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). The program highlighted how musicians can raise social awareness, inspire hope, and influence civil society by bringing together participants from 13 countries with their American counterparts to exchange expertise and best practices in showcasing how music can inspire positive social change, empower youth, and foster cross-cultural collaboration, all while contributing to the global creative economy.
Participants-including musicians, songwriters, executives, educators, directors, and producers-traveled to Washington, D.C., Detroit, MI, Kansas City, MO, and Los Angeles, CA, where they engaged in discussions, workshops, and collaborative sessions with American music professionals. They explored key industry topics such as preserving musical and cultural heritage, best practices in music management and production, and strategies for using music to promote community development and engage disenfranchised youth.
The International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) is the U.S. Department of State's premier professional exchange program. Through short-term visits to the United States, current and emerging foreign leaders in a variety of fields experience the United States firsthand and cultivate lasting relationships with their American counterparts. More than 200,000 International Visitors have engaged with Americans through the IVLP, including more than 500 current or former Heads of State or Government.
