The roots of IVLP were planted in 1939-40 by then Secretary of State Cordell Hull and President Franklin D. Roosevelt. They named Ben Mark Cherrington to head a newly created Division of Cultural Relations in the U.S. Department of State. It was part of an effort to improve relations between the United States and Latin American nations and to help check the spread of fascism in the wake of World War II. The Division hosted four conferences on Inter-American Relations, each focus on a different topic: Art, Music, Education, and Publications & Libraries.

The division of Cultural Relations led to the Fulbright Act signed by President Truman in 1946 and then the Smith-Mundt Act which established a program to "promote a better understanding of the United States in other countries, and to increase mutual understanding." This led to the first IVLP in 1948.

In 1961, President John F. Kennedy founded what is now called the Global Ties U.S. network as COSERV under his Peace Corps initiative. As Kennedy wrote, “The formation of the National Council for Community Services to International Visitors [COSERV] is a most encouraging indication of increased citizen concern and acceptance of responsibility for development of good international relations… I am convinced that increased participation by dedicated Americans in international exchanges will help up to achieve our Common hope for a durable and just peace.”

In summer 2024, Global Ties ABQ hosted 6 fellows under the Young Transatlantic Innovation Leaders Initiative (YTILI) Fellowship Program. This U.S. Department of State sponsored program brings young European business professionals in the U.S. to expand their networks, gain perspective, and engage with the U.S. business sector to exchange innovative ideas and best practices. GTABQ has now been selected 4 years running to be a “Hub City”, with our last group coming from Austria, Kosova, Georgia, No. Macedonia and Slovakia.

GTABQ Executive Director, Melora Palmer, recently interviewed Jeff Bargiel of CNM Ingenuity on his experience being a Placement Host for one of this year’s fellows, Enis Qafëleshi from Kosovo. Enis is co-founder and executive director of "Makerspace – Innovation Center Prizren" (MICP), a nonprofit that serves as a vibrant hub for innovators, entrepreneurs, tech enthusiasts, and students in the city of Prizren, Kosovo.

I’m the Senior Director of Entrepreneurship. CNM ingenuity offers comprehensive accelerated workforce and entrepreneurship training, providing guidance and hosting events that empower individuals to develop skills and promote successful careers or businesses. I oversee programs for entrepreneurs, with a focus on novel and innovative solutions.

I've always been interested in how similar organizations are run, in the case of Enis I was really curious to learn about the makerspace that he had created in Kosovo. I was also curious about any venture opportunities for us, in fact CNM Ingenuity licenses their programs to other entities, and I thought there might be some opportunities for us to collaborate with Enis' initiatives.

I've always been curious and open to learning about other cultures, how they operate, what are the similarities, what are the differences. I’m also always fascinated with how new initiatives are pursued and created in other countries. We can always learn from each other.

How did you structure your time with Enis? Did you find it easy or rather difficult?

Enis was really easy to work with, he was so engaging and enthusiastic about learning from us! We met two to four days a week, scheduled our times, when he always had clear objectives on what he wanted to accomplish. We explained one another's programs and then developed a project together for which Enis made an action plan. My role was to help brainstorm ideas and guide him through that plan. Once the plan was created, we spent the next 2 to 3 weeks developing it.

Enis has created a makerspace and training center similar to what we have at CNM Ingenuity and in our Deep Dive Tech Bootcamps and FUSE Makerspace. But what he was really interested in was how to create ways for students to develop their innovative ideas into companies or organizations and how investors would scrutinize their companies. We thought that an effective way to prepare student entrepreneurs for investor due diligence was to have them do due diligence on companies seeking investment. So, we looked into creating a “student venture fund.” It was really interesting, because the Kosovo market is so eager, ambitious and innovative in its thoughts and seeking ways to transition away from foreign aid and grants for entrepreneurs to modern private investment markets.

So, what was really fun, is I could share some of my experiences when I was a young entrepreneur and I received an investment from a student venture fund in Ohio. Entrepreneurs would apply for investment and student groups at participating colleges in Ohio would perform the due diligence and recommend companies for investment. Finalists would then compete in a pitch day where the prize was an equity investment. It was really satisfying to know that I could contribute to what Enis hopes to develop in his country!

I'm really happy that I was able to instill the idea of a student venture capital fund, I think I helped Enis think more broadly and creatively. And, to look at sustainability, because a student venture fund could get returns on their investment that go back into the fund and perpetuate the model.

By far the best experience was Enis himself, he was so open and eager to brainstorm and experiment, it was really refreshing!

My visit to Kosovo was fantastic! Enis was a remarkable host, welcomed me into his country, even introduced me to the mayor of his city and the local University president. We attended cultural events and took a side trip into Albania. It was even more rewarding than I anticipated, and I had high expectations! Mostly, I'm just thrilled that we'll be able to continue to work with Enis, supporting his initiative but also, his contributing to our organization. We have created a lasting bond with Kosovo. And absolutely, we would love to host another fellow in the future!

*As thanks for their commitment, the US Department of State offers a reciprocal visit to YTILI placement hosts, this year two of our hosts took a 10 day, all expenses paid visit to their fellow’s home country.

Members! There may be homestay opportunities and certainly will be occasions for dinner hosting and/or cultural exchange events. We will keep you posted as the time comes closer!

The "Amplifying Indigenous Voices in Climate and Conservation Policy" was a three-week project designed to enhance the advocacy and leadership skills of indigenous communities in Nepal, particularly focusing on youth. Participants attended meetings, workshops, and site visits across the United States-Washington, D.C., Albuquerque, NM, Santa Fe, NM, Rapid City, SD, and Portland, OR. They went to Acoma Pueblo in Albuquerque to learn about its culture and heritage, support its community, and protect its unique cultural legacy. They visited UNM and met with experts in environmental science, policy, and indigenous perspectives. At Pueblo of Isleta, they learned about the Department of Defense’s Native American Lands Environmental Mitigation Program. The program covered themes such as the role of Indigenous knowledge in climate policy, community organizing, leadership development, and partnership building with NGOs. The initiative aims to strengthen Indigenous participation in policy formulation and international forums while fostering collaboration with U.S. counterparts and NGOs to promote sustainability and conservation.

Oct 9th - The Climate Crisis: Working Together for Future Generations (Spanish)

These delegates from across Latin America participated in discussions on climate resilience, sustainable forestry, and environmental protection. Highlights included tree planting with NM Tree, a tour of Santa Clara Pueblo to learn about Indigenous ecological practices. At the Bosque Ecosystem Monitoring Program, they explored how citizen scientists and students contribute to monitoring forest health along the Rio Grande. The week concluded with engaging dialogues on sustainable water management at the USGS New Mexico Water Science Center and a memorable cultural experience at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

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