International Visitor Leadership Program
International Visitor Leadership Program is the US State Departments professional exchange scheme. According to their website the IVLP aims to “reflect the International Visitors professional interests and support the foreign policy goals of the United States.”[1]. Through the IVLP the State Department funds trips to the United States by “current and emerging leaders in government, politics, the media, education, the arts, business and other key fields.”[2]. According to the US Embassy in London eleven current cabinet members have participated in the IVLP as well as former Prime Ministers Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and Margaret Thatcher[3].
A 2006 study Searching for the Successor Generation by Professor Giles Scott-Smith[4] explored the specific relationship the US State Department fostered with young, ambitious British Labour Party politicians in the 1980’s following concern at the Labour Party’s support for unilateralism and other policy developments which they viewed as a threat to US interests. Among the Labour MP’s visiting the United States under the Program during this period were George Foulkes (1981), Frank Field (1984), John Reid (1988), Peter Mandelson (1988) as well as Blair (1986) and Brown (1984). Addressing the issue of the US governments motivation for the IVLP Scott-Smiith says “The aim over the long term is to build up a loose network of ‘allies’, be they sympathetic listeners or vocal advocates open to co-operative ventures.”[5].
In 2010 The John Adams Society was launched at the US Embassy in London for English and Welsh alumni of the IVLP.[6]. Around the same time the Scottish IVLP Alumni Association was launched at Edinburgh’s United States Consulate.[7].
Following the establishment of the Scottish Parliament the US State Department began inviting young Nationalists to participate in the IVLP. These include former adviser to First Minister Alex Salmond and recently elected Glasgow MSP Humza Yousaf who declared in the Scottish Parliaments register of interest to visiting the United States as through IVLP in 2008. The cost, £3415.55, was met in full by the US Government.[8]. Previously another former adviser to Alex Salmond and SNP candidate in Glasgow Osama Saeed was a participant on the IVLP.[9]. Osama Saeed has since joined Al Jazeera as Head of International and Media relations.[10]. The John Adams Society Communications Officer, and former IVLP participant Victoria Eastwood also works for Al Jazeera.[11].
Notes
- ↑ [1],US State Department Website, accessed August 2011
- ↑ [2], US State Department Website,accessed August 2011
- ↑ [3],How Do You Spot A Future World Leader?, BBC Online Magazine,accessed August 2011
- ↑ [4],Scott-Smith, G, British Journal of Politics and International Relations, Vol 8 Issue 2, Pages 214-237, 2006,accessed August 2011
- ↑ [5],Scott-Smith,G, British Journal of Politics and International Relations, Vol 8 Issue 2, Pages 214-237, 2006,accessed August 2011
- ↑ [6],John Adams Society Website,accessed August 2011
- ↑ [7],Scotland International Visitor Leadership Program Website,accessed August 2011
- ↑ [8],Scottish Parliament Website,accessed August 2011
- ↑ [9],Glasgow SNP Website,accessed August 2011
- ↑ [10],Osama Saeed Website,accessed August 2011
- ↑ [11],John Adams Society Website,accessed August 2011
