On Friday, 17 July, Sidy Saidykhan of the Gambia Police Force departed for the International Visitor Leadership Programme (IVLP) on Combatting Trafficking in Persons. The IVLP is the US Department of State’s premier professional exchange programme. Through short-term visits to the United States, current and emerging leaders in a variety of fields experience the United States firsthand and cultivate lasting relationships with their American and international counterparts.
The Combatting Trafficking in Persons project will address cooperative strategies and policies designed to combat human trafficking for both the sex trade and slave labor. Discussions will focus on US legislation; visa regulations; enforcement against and prosecution of traffickers; initiatives to identify, protect, assist, and provide services for trafficking victims; efforts to raise awareness through the media; and local, national, and international cooperative efforts to combat trafficking in persons. During the three week program, Mr Saidykhan and approximately 20 counterparts from around the world will spend time in Washington, DC, Los Angeles, CA, and New Orleans, LA.
Launched in 1940, the IVLP helps strengthen US engagement with countries around the world and cultivate lasting relationships by connecting current and emerging leaders in various fields with their American counterparts through short-term visits to the United States. Participants meet with professional counterparts, visit US public and private sector organisations related to the project theme and participate in cultural and social activities. The programme typically also involves a homestay with an American family.
Since its inception, over 300 Gambians have attended the IVLP and maintain the IVLP Alumni Association of The Gambia. The association administers community development programmes including a recently completed environmental programme and a women’s empowerment project launched this year.
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