Where Local Meets Global

Global Ties ABQ brings people together across cultures and continents to connect, exchange ideas, form partnerships, and build professional skills that advance and inspire local opportunities and global communities. Each year, in partnership with the U.S. Department of State, we bring emerging leaders from around the world to Albuquerque. These professional exchange programs build global ties, connecting people, cultures, and nations right here in Albuquerque.

International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP)

Shaping Our World, Together

The world is shaped as much by people as it is by policy. That’s why Global Ties ABQ partners with the U.S. Department of State to implement the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). Launched in 1940, the IVLP is a professional exchange program that brings thousands of emerging international leaders to the U.S. each year. Since its inception, over 200,000 up-and-coming leaders from around the world have visited cities across the U.S. including over 500 current or former chiefs of state and heads of government, over 10 Nobel laureates, and thousands of private and nonprofit leaders. Each project is tailored to the leaders’ professional interests and supports the foreign policy goals of the U.S. government.

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An IVLP participant’s journey begins when they are nominated by a U.S. Embassy in their country. Their two- to three-week program begins in Washington D.C., with a focus on the U.S. federal government, and continues with visits to 4+ communities across the U.S.

For each group of emergent leaders visiting Albuquerque through IVLP, Global Ties ABQ arranges two to four days of meetings with local leaders, organizations, groups, businesses, cultural activities, volunteer opportunities, dinners with local hosts, as well as hotel and ground transportation.

Global One to One, Youth Programs

Established in 2006, the Global One to One program builds global competency skills that empower students and young leaders across the globe to become future changemakers. The flagship international student-to-student communication exchange is based in school classrooms where students connect with peers in countries across the globe through handwritten pen pal letters and an online virtual exchange. While exchanging stories about their cultures, traditions, and aspirations participants develop new insights and deeper understanding of their place in the world, including how much we all share in common. By 2015 the program had expanded to new countries and added in-person international exchanges, rebranding as Global One to One. To date, over 18,000 students and young leaders from 31 countries ranging from Afghanistan to Uganda have participated in the program.

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Awarded Programs

Expanding Horizons

Aside from the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), we execute additional international exchange programs. In partnership with National Program Agencies and the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, we connect world leaders with local leaders on a personal level to foster prosperity, inclusive development, and to strengthen peaceful and collaborative relationships. These programs take place in our city and each program is approximately one month long. Such annual programs include, but are not limited to the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) and the Young Transatlantic Innovation Leaders Initiative (YTILI).

Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI)

YLAI is an annual professional exchange program through the U.S. Department of State for young business and social entrepreneurs from across Latin America, the Caribbean, Canada, and the United States. The Initiative fosters prosperity, inclusive development, and democratic values through an annual fellowship, an active online network, and continuing activities organized by U.S. Embassies and Consulates.

Global Ties ABQ is the partner organization in Albuquerque entrusted with hosting and helping to match these young leaders with local people, businesses, and organizations to build new skills, share best practices, and forge commercial ties.

Young Transatlantic Innovation Leaders Initiative (YTILI)

YTILI is the U.S. Department of State's flagship program for emerging entrepreneurs from Europe. In 2021 and 2022, a cohort of young European entrepreneurs from 45 European countries will participate in this exciting fellowship program.

The YTILI Fellowship Program will engage young European entrepreneurs in a series of professional development and leadership activities that are designed to strengthen the transatlantic relationship, develop sustainable partnerships between U.S. and European entrepreneurs, and enhance the
European innovation ecosystems.

Image of a Global Ties ABQ banner at Q Station

Fueling the future

Q Station is New Mexico’s first ever aerospace and directed energy tech collaboration hub. As inhabitants of Q Station, Global Ties ABQ attracts global leaders in the aerospace, tech and energy industry. Providing opportunities to connect local leaders with globals in those strategic industries.

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