Marine Protected Areas
COUNTRIES: Algeria, Bangladesh, Chile, India, Lebanon, Mexico, Portugal, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Vietnam
From June 18–24, 2025, Global New Orleans hosted the multi-regional project Marine Protected Areas. The program convened professionals from around the world to explore strategies for managing and protecting marine ecosystems.
Resilience Through Advanced Recovery and Mitigation Techniques
COUNTRIES: CANADA
From June 17 - 21, 2025, we hosted a Canadian delegation for the project Resilience Through Advanced Recovery and Mitigation Techniques. This program brought together professionals in mining policy, environmental restoration, and indigenous leadership to explore innovative approaches to environmental resilience and disaster recovery.
Preserving WWII Narratives through Immersive Education
Country: France
We were proud to host a delegation of French professionals visited New Orleans from April 16–19, 2025, to explore the theme Preserving WWII Narratives through Immersive Education. Representing fields ranging from journalism and education to municipal leadership and historical memory, the participants engaged in a deep dive into how historical storytelling can foster civic engagement, cultural connection, and intergenerational remembrance. The centerpiece of the visit was a full-day immersion at the National World War II Museum, where participants examined best practices in exhibition design, multimedia education, oral history preservation, and public programming. On their final day, delegates reflected on their experience, engaged in cultural exchange with Louisiana Francophone heritage organization Nous Foundation, and met with the Consul General of France in New Orleans to discuss transatlantic collaboration on memory and history. It was a powerful case study in how U.S. institutions preserve the past to inspire civic awareness and shared responsibility across borders!
Combating Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing (IUUF)
COUNTRIES: Argentina, Costa Rica, Uruguay
We hosted a delegation of Latin American professionals visited New Orleans from April 20–24, 2025, for a focused exchange on Combating Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing (IUUF). Participants explored Louisiana’s role as a vital hub for coastal management, maritime law, and sustainable fisheries. Their visit included a meeting with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to examine data-driven enforcement strategies in state waters, and a dialogue with Captain Jimmy Corley in Bayou Yscloskey on local conservation efforts and the historical legacy of St. Malo, the first Filipino settlement in the U.S. The group engaged with culinary leaders at Gris Gris restaurant to discuss sustainable seafood sourcing and visited Tulane University’s Maritime Law Center for a conversation with legal scholar Martin Davies on international frameworks addressing IUUF. A final session with the Southern U.S. Trade Association (SUSTA) illustrated how agricultural and seafood exports are governed and promoted across global markets. Our delegates gained critical insight into how law, culture, science, and policy intersect in the effort to protect marine ecosystems and ensure responsible stewardship of global fisheries.
Resilient Recovery: Enhancing Disaster Preparedness
COUNTRY: Brazil
An incredible delegation from Brazil visited New Orleans from April 12–16, 2025, to explore the theme Resilient Recovery: Enhancing Disaster Preparedness. Composed of senior leaders and technical experts in environmental protection, infrastructure, public health, energy, and governance from Rio Grande do Sul, the group examined cross-sector strategies that strengthen community resilience before, during, and after disaster events. Their program featured meetings with civic coalitions like Together Louisiana highlighting solar-powered resiliency hubs as well as investigative leaders like Sandy Rosenthal of Levees.org, who exposed the truth behind Hurricane Katrina’s levee failures. At Tulane University’s ByWater Institute, participants explored cutting-edge research in flood mitigation, climate adaptation, and post-disaster recovery. Through this immersive exchange, Brazilian delegates engaged with Louisiana’s unique disaster response landscape, drawing connections between civic engagement, scientific expertise, and policy innovation to inform resilient governance back home.
Transparency and Accountability in Government
COUNTRIES: Belarus, Bulgaria, Hungary, Latvia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia
We hosted a delegation of emerging leaders from across Europe who visited New Orleans from May 7–13, 2025, to explore the theme of Transparency and Accountability in Government. Representing legal, governmental, and civil society sectors from Belarus, Bulgaria, Hungary, Latvia, Romania, Serbia, and Slovakia, participants engaged with a diverse array of local institutions focused on civic oversight, anti-corruption, and public trust. Highlights included in-depth conversations with city officials such as New Orleans City Councilmember JP Morrell and the Mayor’s Office of Youth and Families, a site visit to Levees.org to learn about citizen advocacy in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and discussions with the New Orleans Police Department about federal consent decrees and public accountability reforms. This visit also emphasized community-based leadership through a service activity with the Greater New Orleans Caring Collective and contextualized New Orleans' history and governance landscape through cultural visits and diplomatic dialogue.
Resilient Agriculture and Food Security
COUNTRIES: African Union, Algeria, Angola, Burkina Faso, Comoros, Cote d’Ivoire, Haiti, Kenya, Senegal, Tanzania, Tunisia
From May 20 - 24, 2025, Global New Orleans hosted “Resilient Agriculture and Food Security” for participants from countries across Africa and Haiti. The program explored strategies to enhance food systems, promote sustainability, and support agricultural innovation through visits and exchanges with local leaders in Louisiana’s agricultural, academic, and nonprofit sectors.
Transparency and Accountability in Government
COUNTRIES: Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Mali, Morocco, Republic of the Congo, Senegal, Somalia, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe
From April 22–26, 2025, Global New Orleans welcomed a delegation from Africa and Haiti on the project “Transparency and Accountability in Government.” The program brought together civic leaders, legal professionals, and government officials to explore mechanisms that promote open, accountable governance.
Trafficking in Persons: Prevention and Mitigation I
COUNTRIES: ARGENTINA, BULGARIA, ISRAEL, NEPAL, PHILIPPINES, POLAND, UZBEKISTAN, ZIMBABWE
From April 23–27, 2025, the project "Trafficking in Persons: Prevention and Mitigation I" brought a diverse group of international professionals to New Orleans. This multi-regional exchange convened legal experts, law enforcement officials, and NGO leaders to examine collaborative strategies to combat human trafficking.
Promoting Women’s Security
COUNTRIES: ALGERIA, CHAD, IRAQ, KUWAIT, LEBANON, MOROCCO, TUNISIA
From April 22–26, 2025, we hosted the project "Promoting Women’s Security,” which brought together professionals from the Near East and North Africa focused on addressing gender-based violence and advancing women's security.
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Decades of IVLP Programs
Over 500 current or former heads of state are IVLP alumni! Review past years’ programming.
Professional Fellows Programs
Mutually beneficial professional exchanges custom designed for industry and organizational needs.
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Volunteers are an essential component in building a network of citizen diplomats - everyday people changing the world through engaging with the global community.
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Home Hospitality & Dinner Diplomacy
Host international visitors in your home – virtually or in-person! Members of Global New Orleans are eligible to participate in this unique cultural exchange opportunity and build direct interpersonal connections with our guests from around the world. Home Hospitality allows our international visitors the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the lifestyle of a New Orleanian by joining them in their home for a meal. Hosts have shared local or family culinary traditions, events, festivals, and live music, and more. We welcome creativity and Global New Orleans staff are happy to coordinate a group that you will enjoy sharing an evening or afternoon with!