As the United States Department of State celebrates 75 years of the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), the U.S. Embassy in Georgetown facilitated Nakisha Allen, Personal Assistant to the Minister of Social Cohesion on one such visit.
She participated in an IVLP exchange on “Women Leaders: Promoting Peace and Security,” for the Western Hemisphere from December 2 – 18, 2015, a release from the US Embassy said.
During the programme, Allen and her counterparts from nine countries toured several cities, including Washington, D.C.; Seattle, Washington; Little Rock, Arkansas; and New York, New York.
The release said that the visits provided wide-ranging insights into the constitutional, judicial and legislative processes and practices that promote gender equality and protect women’s human rights.
“One of the main objectives of the program sought to examine the current and historical roles of women in political transitions, post-conflict reconstruction, humanitarian emergencies, conflict prevention, and peacemaking efforts. Through in-depth discussions, workshops, and site visits, the IVLP participants also had an opportunity to explore the role of faith-based and secular organizations in responding to political, social, and economic challenges”, the release said.
Allen, the release said, highlighted the value of the many professional linkages made with U.S. institutions and other IVLP participants from countries within the Western Hemisphere which can only strengthen her work for the benefit of the Guyanese people. One of the highlights of her visit was to the Seattle Girls’ School. With its emphasis on science, math, and technology, the school challenges girls to think critically and seek creative solutions, the release noted.
