Meridian International Center

YLAI 2016 Cohort

YLAI is a four-week U.S. fellowship which aims to empower 250 Latin American and Caribbean business and social entrepreneurs to transform their societies and contribute more fully to economic development and prosperity, security, human rights and good governance in the hemisphere. YLAI Fellows will build networks, linkages and lasting partnerships to attract investments and support for their entrepreneurial ventures.Twenty-four Fellows participated in the pilot program in 2016, and since then the YLAI Professional Fellows Program has gone on to host over 500 Fellows from 36 different countries across the region.

International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) is a United States run professional exchange program the goal of the program is to provide firsthand knowledge about the United States society and culture while also creating professional relationships. Foreign leaders participate in meetings with their counterparts on varying professional interests and supporting the foreign policy goals of the United States. Meridian has been a partner for over 60 years and works with members of Global Ties U.S, administering over 40 percent of all IVLP projects as a result almost 5,000 international visitors have come to the U.S every year.

Pan-Africa Youth Leadership Program (PAYLP) is a developmental exchange program funded by the U. S Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural affairs and implemented by the Meridian International Center. PAYLP brings students from across Africa to the United States and pairs them with an adult mentor. This 3-week U.S based training and cultural exchange provides students with knowledge of civic responsibility and rights, respect of culture and the importance of community engagement. This program also includes a series of workshops, and living with American host family.

The Meridian Center for Cultural Diplomacy (MCCD) was created in 2014 to use visual and performing arts to achieve U.S foreign policy objectives. MCCD’s exhibitions have traveled to over 380 host venues in 44 U.S states and 57 countries. Some of the work done by MCCD includes: working with embassies and ministries of worldwide cultures to tell their stories to Americans; assisting corporations interested in deepening their footprint in other countries; and collaborating with the U.S government to provide content that doubly showcases American heritage and highlights our country’s investments in cultural diplomacy.

Meridian International Center has implemented the U.S. Congress - Republic of Korea National Assembly Exchange program since 1997. The program, initially created by U.S. Representative Ben Gilman and his counterpart in the Republic of Korea National Assembly, David Pong, in 1981 is jointly funded by the U.S Department of State and the Republic of Korea National Assembly through its Committee on Foreign Affairs & National Unification. The program brings together university students and young professionals from Korea and the United States for an opportunity to learn about the legislative process in the two countries. It also provides the participants with an opportunity to experience each other’s cultures and make lifelong personal contacts. Since Meridian begun implementing the program, nearly 500 participants have learned about the history of U.S.-Korean relations and key aspects of the bilateral relationship.

The Meridian House and the White-Meyer House, headquarters of Meridian International Center, are both examples of residential jewels of renowned architect John Russell Pope, who designed the Jefferson Memorial, the National Gallery of Art (West Building) and the National Archives. The houses are adjacent to each other and surrounded by beautiful historic gardens, forming a city block of historic and architectural interest. The houses serve as venues for events, including corporate conferences, weddings, special events and receptions. [3]

Meridian's 46th Ball

In 1969, Meridian launched an annual benefit. Now in its 50th year (2018), the Meridian Ball– with associated dinners at the embassies and residences of foreign ambassadors, and Meridian’s own White-Meyer House – is considered one of the most prestigious social events in Washington, D.C.[4]

The Meridian Global Leadership Summit brings together leaders and decision makers in a neutral forum to discuss global issues. The summit convenes both domestic and foreign leaders, academics, policy makers, and members of the media to explore more effective ways to address global economic and social changes occurring worldwide.

The Global leadership awards were created to honor those who, via their actions exemplify the effect that positive leadership can have on their own communities and communities around the world.