World Affairs Council 75
Global Leadership Exchange
Where Seattle Engages the World
The World Affairs Council’s Global Leadership Exchange (GLX) connects the Greater Seattle community with global leaders through professional and youth exchanges. As we celebrate our 75th anniversary, we invite you to explore the connections that scale mutual understanding and address critical global issues, one conversation at a time.
Our Exchange Programs
International Visitor Leadership Program
The World Affairs Council is the only organization in Washington state that manages the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) for the U.S. Department of State. IVLP is a professional development exchange program that advances U.S. foreign policy and builds long-term relationships between Americans and international leaders in government, business, academia, and other fields. Alumni include over 500 current and former heads of state, 12 Nobel Laureates, 1,600+ Cabinet Ministers, and 1,000+ Members of Parliament. Every year, we welcome hundreds of these international visitors to Seattle and connect them with local leaders in an exchange of expertise, ideas, and cultural understanding.
Professional Fellows Programs
The Global Leadership Exchange arranges Professional Fellowships for entrepreneurs and civil society leaders on behalf of the U.S. Department of State’s Professional Fellows Program. Professional Fellows Programs provide the participants an opportunity to embed in a local company or organization for a 2–4 week fellowship, where they work alongside their peers contributing their skills and expertise while learning new systems and procedures as well as creating a global network of entrepreneurs and civil society leaders.
The Global Leadership Exchange has welcomed hundreds of youth leaders from countries throughout the world to participate in exchange programs designed to empower the next generation of global leaders. These high school and college-aged youth leaders are selected through a highly competitive application process and receive full scholarships sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and private sector partners. During their Seattle-based program, youth leaders live with volunteer host families, participate in engaging workshops, site visits, and discussions with local leaders and youth, and connect with the Seattle community through volunteer projects and cultural outings. Each youth exchange program also focuses on a specific theme such as interfaith dialogue, peacebuilding, entrepreneurship, environmental stewardship, digital storytelling, and more; and the greater Seattle area is used as a learning lab to explore these topics in depth.
Global
Youth
Exchanges
Custom Exchanges
Reach out to us to develop your own custom exchange program! We arrange short-term professional and youth exchange programs or sector-specific industry tours upon request for NGOs, governments, businesses, and higher education institutions.
Be a part of the Global Leadership Exchange!
Questions? Contact us at glx@world-affairs.org