This is the Belgium of today – and tomorrow – told through individual stories of people who inspire us. Their vision for their country embraces diverse ideas, opinions, cultures, races, genders, languages, and religions. They also share a common experience: participating in a U.S. Embassy-sponsored exchange or grant program.
For Sarah Avci, the arts are a powerful tool for supporting underprivileged women with positive and meaningful experiences. She participated in the IVLP KARAMAH Leadership Exchange Course through the U.S. Embassy in Belgium.
Jasmine Del Monte is a young activist with an interest in both entrepreneurship and women’s rights. She has participated, in addition to serving as a coach, in the leadership program Women to Women (W2W) through the U.S. Embassy in Belgium.
For Caroline Lembe, boxing is not only a challenging sport, but a tool for supporting women’s physical and mental health. She participated in the Global Sports Mentoring Program (GSMP) through the U.S. Embassy in Belgium.
Melat Niguisse believes that the arts can empower activists to bring about broad social changes. She participated in the International Visitors Leadership Program through the US Embassy in Belgium.
Alexandra Smarandescu’s passion for politics and leadership is based in her belief that communities benefit from dialogue and a diversity of ideas. She met like-minded young leaders as a participant of the Women to Women Leadership Program (W2W) through the U.S. Embassy in Belgium.
Youssef Kobo applies his entrepreneurial talents to programs for social action, and in particular, to the empowerment of young leaders. He has participated in the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) through the U.S. Embassy in Belgium.
As an academic and activist, Michael Privot believes racial equality is possible through collaboration, open-minded dialogue, and ultimately through legal reform. He participated in the 2013 International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) through the U.S. Embassy in Belgium.
Imane Bakkioui, a young advocate of interfaith dialogue, has participated in two programs sponsored by the U.S. Embassy in Belgium. She has participated in the “Women2Women” program and the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP).
This program engages young women leaders in an intensive action-oriented leadership training and conference held annually in Boston, Ma.
Study of the U.S. Institutes for Scholars (SUSIs) and Secondary Educators are post-graduate level academic programs. The institutes consist of a 4-5 week academic residency and a 1-2 week educational study tour to a different region of the United States.
The Emerging Young Leaders Award is granted to 10 outstanding young leaders from across the globe. The young leaders selected are given the opportunity to visit the United States for an intensive 2-week program designed to recognize and support their efforts to enact positive social transformation. The program includes an award ceremony in Washington DC, meetings with U.S. government officials and NGOs, and a trip to Austin, Texas to participate in professional meetings with American counterparts.
Make it your own story!
Are you someone making a difference in Belgium, just like these people? Then we would love to hear from you! Take a look at our U.S. Embassy programs and see which ones will help you do extraordinary things.