Religious Leaders Arrive in the United States for International Visitor Leadership Program

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Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson [State Department]

Washington, DC

October 17, 2018

Last weekend, 26 community and faith leaders from around the world arrived in the United States to begin an International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) on interfaith dialogue and religious freedom. The participants, representing different religious and faith-based organizations, as well as secular institutions, will engage in discussions with one another and their American counterparts to promote interfaith dialogue and explore ways to ensure the rights of religious minorities are protected.

Promoting and protecting religious freedom is a key foreign policy priority for this administration.

U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo first announced this IVLP at the Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom in July, highlighting how countries that respect religious freedom are more prosperous, peaceful, and secure.

The IVLP began in Washington, D.C. and participants will travel in smaller groups for meetings and events in Indiana, North Carolina, Utah, and Wisconsin before the program closing in California. Each group will examine the impact of religion on public and political life in the United States, explore the role of religious leaders in communities, and demonstrate the U.S. tradition of separation of religion and state.

For further information, contact ECA-Press@state.gov. Follow along on Twitter at #IVLP.