Kazakhstan

Four university professors explored the various methods used to build bridges between science, academia and industry. They learned about the tools for collaboration, research and innovation through meetings with organizations such as the Center for Excellence and Innovation in Teaching at Boston University and Boston Science Partnerships.

Russia

Seven Research & Development Professionals visited Boston to learn more about the state government's support of R & D. They examined local tax policy and fiscal incentives, as well as think tanks and federally funded research centers. They looked at local support for business development, engagement of minorities and youth in entrepreneurship, and the role of NGOs in encouraging entrepreneurship.

Two political consultants and a member of State Parliament explored one of the hottest trends in this year's election: the role of the internet in the U.S. political system. They took an inside look at the political races in Massachusetts and the Presidential race, as well as the effect of social media on the election process.

Japan

Three education reformers visited the education hub of Boston for dialogue on the higher education system in the U.S. They examined how international programs, career services and preparations for university are implemented through the examination of such institutions as counseling offices at area secondary schools and universities, and university admissions, financial aid, and student affairs departments.

Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe

Six senior officials who represent their countries in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe examined the role of citizen participation in the democratic process and the way that voters, community groups, and businesses engage with the government to ensure their voices are heard. The OSCE visitors engaged with organizations such as Generation Citizen, The League of Women Voters of Massachusetts, The Harvard Institute of Politics, and the Institute for Global Leadership at Tufts University.

Four professors from Turkmenistan's Institute of International Relations visited Boston to explore curriculum development, research activities, and career services for IR students in the U.S. Meetings with faculty at Northeastern, Tufts, Boston University, UMass Boston, and Harvard focused on teaching methods that promote the study of diplomacy, foreign policy analysis, and an understanding of global development.

United Kingdom

Six Parliamentarians from the United Kingdom visited Boston as part of the annual British American Parliamentary Group (BAPG) exchange between the British Parliament and the U.S. Department of State. Meetings took place at the Massachusetts Governor's Office and Harvard University with their Congressional counterparts to examine the role of the media in the U.S. political process, and domestic and foreign policy issues.

Mr. Jan Hladík, the Chief of the Cultural Heritage Protection Treaties Section of UNESCO based in Paris, visited Boston to learn about U.S. best practices and policies in the area of cultural property protection. Meetings took place with experts in the field covering topics including cultural property protection law, historical property protection investigation, and museum curation.

France

Two security experts from France came to Boston to meet with their counterparts and discuss U.S.- European Security Issues. Meetings were arranged with academic experts in the field based at Harvard's Center for European Studies, the MIT Security Studies Program, and the Institute for Foreign Policy Analysis. Topics of discussion included military strategy and nuclear issues, along with conflict-resolution management.

Oman

Five directors and research associates from Oman visited Boston to establish collaborative links with U.S. research institutions and universities. Meetings included visits to the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, and to Harvard University's Center for Middle East Studies to learn about research management, ethical standards in research, and the creation of new research institutes.

Italy

Five delegates from Italy came to Boston to explore the role of public-private partnerships in promoting alternative, renewable energy sources. A unique site visit to the world-renowned Wind Technology Testing Center in Charlestown, MA took place in partnership with the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center.

Near East and

North Africa

Eight experts in special education from the Near East and North Africa met with the coordinators of the Special Olympics Massachusetts Summer 2012 Games. Meetings also took place at the Executive Office of Health and Human Services and other public agencies to review legislation, policies, advocacy, and funding for special education programs in the U.S.

Multi-Regional

Twenty-three distinguished journalists from around the world attended the annual Investigative Reporters and Editors, Inc. Conference, taking place in Boston. The event included more than 100 panels, hands-on classes, and special presentations on covering business, public safety, government, health care, education, the military, the environment, and other key beats. In addition, WorldBoston arranged meetings with local media experts, including GlobalPost and Northeastern University's Initiative for Investigative Reporting.

Azerbaijan

Nine representatives of the Azerbaijan Customs Committee learned about U.S. Government interagency initiatives to raise awareness on targeting and risk management issues, and implementation concepts for national targeting centers and port environments. A series of meetings and site visits took place with Massport.

Spain

 
Eleven delegates from Spain visited Boston to examine the impact of volunteerism in U.S. communities and how volunteers, particularly young people, are inspired to help foster a culture of service and civic responsibility.

Syria

 
Eight senior editors and reporters from Syria met with counterparts in Boston to explore accurate investigative reporting. Strategies for gaining access to public records, finding the best stories, and managing investigations were discussed with top experts in the field.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Three leaders representing different religions of the Inter-Religious Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina met with their Massachusetts counterparts for a beneficial exchange on how to accommodate the demands of a pluralistic and ethnically diverse society.

Germany

 
Ten state government officials from Bavaria visited Boston to examine public-private business and academic partnerships that support innovation in science and technology, as well as policies that support social entrepreneurship and workforce development.

Iran

 
Sixteen Iranian ophthal-mologists visited Boston to explore leading ophthalmology centers, including the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, the Genzyme Corporation, and the Harvard Stem Cell Institute to examine medical policies and best practices in ophthalmic research and procedures.

United Kingdom

 
Mr. Ciaran Martin of Scotland serves as Director of Constitutional Policy, UK Cabinet Office. While in Boston, he met with leading scholars and policy analysts to discuss U.S. strategic priorities; national security and the rule of law; and the role of international governance in ensuring economic stability. Mr. Martin was the featured speaker at our GREAT DECISIONS forum on Cybersecurity.

Africa

Delegates from Botswana, Cameroon,
Ghana, and Nigeria visited organizations and educational institutions that champion the advancement of women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Following a day trip to the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, they met with the directors of Seeding Labs, Science Club for Girls, and various centers of innovation and learning.

Southeast Asia

Nine delegates from Southeast Asia visited Boston to learn about U.S. agriculture and food production and distribution policies. They met with agencies responsible for food safety and risk assessment, and experts on the U.S. food safety system and the science that supports it.

Project for Europe

Six delegates from across Europe explored opportunities for U.S.-European joint development of green technologies and green markets. They learned about initiatives to stimulate sustainable economic development through innovation, and observed best practices and cross-sectoral partnerships that are driving the green economy.

Brazil

Ten managers from Sao Paolo’s SESC (state's leading social services institution) met with counterparts to learn about U.S. community center administration, youth outreach programs, diversity inclusion practices, and special needs programs. 

Romania

Mr. Stefan Deaconu, Senior Advisor to the President of Romania on Legal Issues, met with judges at different court levels, professors of Constitutional Law, and legislators to exchange views on key legal and constitutional issues.

Japan

Three Japanese government officials from the Trade and Labor ministries visited Boston to examine the roles, efforts, policy evaluations, and outcomes pursued by local governments, private sector firms, and nonprofit organizations to create jobs and revitalize communities.

Indonesia

 
Five Indonesian educators from various universities came to Boston for meetings with school and university administrators and faculty, to learn about Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math education at all levels in the U.S.

Project for Europe

Eleven politicians, party officials, advisers, and journalists from several European countries observed the U.S. political process in an election year.  Just ahead of "Super Tuesday," they met in Boston with senior staff from the Senate campaign offices of candidates Elizabeth Warren and Sen. Scott Brown, polling experts, and political scientists.

 U.S. - Russia Bilateral Presidential Commission

Mexico

 
Law students from Mexico travelled to the U.S. as part of a unique exchange program to examine the U.S. system of training law students. The delegation toured local law schools and met with lawyers and judges from Boston-based bar associations.

Guinea

 
Mr. Bangoura, the newly appointed spokesperson for the Guinean presidential office, engaged with media and communications faculty at universities, as well as representatives from public relations and marketing firms.

Czech Republic

 
Five Czech delegates visited Boston to conduct a case study on anti-corruption and government transparency with counterparts. They met with the District Attorney's office, judges, representatives from the Boston City Council, and journalists.

Russia

Eleven administrators from Russia's Urals State Pedagogical University toured Boston to discuss effective university administration and management strategies.  Meetings took place with public and private universities with existing linkage programs with Russia, or with strong Russian studies programs. 

China

Ten faculty members and administrators from China's Chongqing Normal University visited Boston to discuss university administrative practices, higher education reform, and educational program creation. They met with various universities in the Boston-area, particularly those with strong programs in Chinese language and culture. 

Russia

Two senior professors of world politics and foreign affairs at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation toured Boston to visit universities offering undergraduate and graduate  in international affairs, diplomacy, and public policy.

Iraq

Six advisers and government officials from key ministries in the fields of science and education visited Boston to examine social, political, and economic aspects of developing and implementing national science policy. Meetings were arranged with local scientific research institutions, laboratories, and university-driven innovation initiatives. 

China

Four Chinese library management professionals visited Boston to share best practices in library management and explore citizens' access to information in the U.S. Visits were arranged with the Harvard Yenching and Widener Libraries, as well as the Boston Public Library.    

Bermuda

Nine members of Bermuda's Interagency Gang Task Force visited Boston to examine model community programs and public policies that address gang violence.  Participants in this IVLP project will spend time with a working anti-gang task force.

Japan

Four Japanese university administrators, professors, and government officials examined the diversity of Boston-area campuses, to share best administrative practices for establishing exchange and dual-degree programs with universities overseas, and to network with government and university administrators engaged in the globalization of American higher education.

Thailand

Mr. Thi-Wa-Wat Pattaragulwanit, a popular illustrator and writer from Thailand, is well know for his political cartoons and politically-motivated art. During his visit to Boston, Mr. Pattaragulwanit focused on the American tradition of political activism, civic engagement, and freedom of expression through both historical and cultural perspectives. Meetings were arranged with local writers, artists, and museum curators.

Brazil

Mr. Roberto Alzir das Chaves and Mr. Antônio Roberto Cesário de Sá, two senior Brazilian security officials from the State of Rio de Janeiro, visited Boston to explore topics related to civil affairs and public security in preparation for Brazil's hosting of the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics.  While in Boston, Mr. Alzir and Mr. Sá met with local law enforcement, public security management, and security staff for major sporting events.   

Japan

Mr. Hiroyuki Sakurai, Deputy Director of the International Policy Division at the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, arrived in the U.S. in September as a Japanese National Personnel Authority (NPA) Fellow. The focus of Mr. Sakurai's research is Internet policy in the U.S.  While in Boston, he met with state officials and academic experts at Harvard and MIT on the development of Internet policy.

Poland

A delegation of judges, criminal prevention specialists, and NGO leaders from Poland visited Boston to examine how social service agencies work with legal authorities to prevent domestic abuse. The delegation met with law enforcement officials, criminology experts at universities, and nonprofit leaders engaged in aiding victims of domestic violence.

Dec. 3 - 6

Emergency Operations

Laura Tiberi, an emergency operations and rehabilitation officer at the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization in Rome, visited Boston to meet with experts at BU, Harvard, Tufts, and Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital on human resilience in the face of complex emergencies.
 

Nov. 28-
Dec. 2


Brazll

Nuclear Nonproliferation

Viviane da Silva Simões, an international relations analyst for Brazil’s National Nuclear Energy Commission, visited Boston to meet with experts on nuclear nonproliferation, safety, and disarmament at MIT’s Security Studies Program and Harvard’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs. Accompanied by a U.S. Foreign Service Officer, she also met with Doug Koplow, founder of EarthTrack, a local firm specializing in research on energy subsidies.
 

Nov. 15 - 18


Germany
 

Workforce Development in
Renewable Energy

Distinguished German representatives from
solar and wind energy firms, technical colleges, and nonprofit organizations engaged in workforce development examined Boston's “green collar” industry and discussed the Transatlantic Climate Bridge, an effort to develop German and American approaches to climate change.
 

Nov. 15 - 18


Brazil

Music Administration

Officials from the Secretariat of Culture of Sao Paulo State visited Boston-based conservatories to build relationships for the exchange of students, faculty, and artists.

Dean Wayman Chin of the Longy School of Music and Assistant Director of Admissions Gojko Damjanic of the Berklee College of Music hosted the visitors in their respective institutions, introducing them to their facilities and operations. Joseph Auner, Chair of Tufts University's music department, also hosted the group at the new Granoff Music Center. The Brazilian visitors also visited the North Bennet Street School's Piano Technology Program, the Community Music Center of Boston, and the Boston Symphony Orchestra, where they discussed sales, marketing, development, and personnel strategies.
 

Oct. 25 - 28


Russia

Technical Education

Two senior administrators from Russian universities visited Boston to learn about the development of leading science and education centers, business incubators at technical universities, and programs that stimulate students' involvement in research projects.
 

Oct. 8 - 10
 

Indonesia
 

Comparative Higher Education

Two Indonesian academics engaged faculty in the political science and anthropology departments at BU, Northeastern, and UMass Boston. A key goal of the visitors was to establish the first departments of political and social science at State Islamic University Syarif Hidayatullah in order to promote higher learning about democracy in the world's most populous Muslim nation.
 

Sept. 16 - 20



Japan
 

Technology & Industry Management

Taking advantage of Boston's biotechnology and high-tech industry assets, Japanese visitors from a national research institute and a prefectural government met with Harvard's and Boston University’s technology development Offices, the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council, and other institutions working to connect researchers and inventors with sources of venture capital.

Sept. 12 - 16




Mexico and Canada
 

Leadership and Conflict Resolution
 

In this single-region project, six English-speaking environmental experts from Canada and Mexico explored Massachusetts' participation in regional environmental compacts, including the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, the first mandatory cap-and-trade initiative within the U.S. The visitors also discussed current research on climate change with academics at local universities.

 

Sept. 2 - 5
 

China

Domestic Violence
and Protection Order Study 

Nine Chinese legal experts, including judges, research fellows, and court officials, connected with the Massachusetts Judges' Conference at UMass Boston. They learned about the history and practice of domestic violence protection orders, the court and trial procedures for justifying and applying them, and observed such cases in action.
 

Aug. 26 - 29
 

Thailand

Public Broadcasting in the U.S.

Five delegates from the Thai Public Broadcasting Service visited Boston last week to gain a better understanding of public broadcasting, public access television, and Web-based citizen journalism in the United States. Their professional visits included the studios of WBUR, WGBH, Cambridge Community Television, and the Boston Neighborhood Network.
 

July 25 - 31


Russia

Law and Order

As part of the Open World citizen diplomacy program, a Russian judicial delegation visited Boston for professional exchanges concerning judicial ethics, court administration, jury trial procedures, case management, and other judicial topics. WorldBoston arranged home-stay hospitality for each visitor so they could experience life in an American household.

Europe and International Development

Farah Karimi, Executive Director of Oxfam Novib and former Member of the Dutch Parliament, visited Boston as a participant in the U.S. State Department's International Visitor Leadership Program. Iranian-born Karimi spoke on global development issues at a WorldBoston-Oxfam luncheon.
 

July 11 - 15


China

Law and Order

A group of Chinese legal experts, including a law professor, a prosecutor, and a senior partner in a law firm, met with the Massachusetts Judges' Conference at UMass Boston to explore current issues in legal education and learn about judicial transparency and the criminal procedure in the American legal system.
 

June 23 - 27

Multi-country project for South Asia

Environmental Protection

This program included 10 conservation and environmental practitioners who work in government, academia, NGOs, business, law, and journalism in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Uzbekistan. Participants met with university professors to discuss the significance of international law for environmental protection. Following a tour of a waste-to-energy facility in Millbury, they also observed local efforts to promote environmental education and inform future generations about conservation and recycling.

 

June 21 - 24

Haiti

Dominican Republic

Leadership and Conflict Resolution
 

Sixteen community organizers, members of youth organizations, and government workers from Haiti and the Dominican Republic came to Boston to explore the work of local nonprofits in underserved communities. Their visit included a day-long workshop with Facing History and Ourselves and meetings with several organizations that are active in youth leadership training, public health advocacy, conflict resolution, and community development.

 

June 9 - 11



Iceland

Diversity and Bilingual Education

Ten secondary school teachers from Iceland visited three diverse Boston schools with successful programs in bilingual education. They observed teaching methods and learned about multi-cultural and diversity education in the U.S. by touring the schools, speaking with administrators, and meeting teachers and students.
 

June 2 - 6


Georgia

University Development

Six university administrators from Georgia met their counterparts in Boston area universities to examine funding, philanthropy, and financial planning. They were also offered opportunities to see how diversity contributes to dynamism and resilient pluralism in the U.S. political system.
 

May 27 - 30


South Africa

Urban Crime Prevention

An official from Business Against Crime, a South African company, visited Boston to meet with law enforcement officials, government and NGO leaders, and business people to learn about crime prevention and community policing.
 

May 20 - 23

Sweden

Muslim Citizen Exchange

This exchange program for Swedish Muslims, aimed at fostering cross-cultural dialogue, began in 2008 when several American Muslims visited Sweden to share the experience of Islam in the U.S. Our Swedish visitors met with Boston organizations dealing with integration of immigrants and with representatives from Muslim student and other youth-oriented organizations.
 

May 14 - 17

Ukraine

Community Support for Youth

Executive directors and managers from Ukrainian youth centers and charitable foundations visited Boston to explore local programs that foster youth engagement in civil society by providing education, training, mentoring, and safe-haven opportunities.
 

May 6 - 9

Ukraine

March 22 - 25

Turkey

Higher Education System

Five senior officials from Turkey's Ministry of Education visited Northeastern, Tufts, Harvard, and MIT to learn about graduate admission processes and international student life. Turkey plans to send several hundred students a year on full scholarships to M.A. and Ph.D. degree programs in the U.S.
 

March 3 - 7


Kyrgyzstan
 

Health Care & Policy

During their trip to Boston, two health care specialists from Kyrgyzstan learned about health care administration, insurance, and policies to improve the U.S. health care system.

Feb. 8 - 12

China

U.S. Foreign Policy

Four Chinese professors engaged counterparts in Boston universities in discussions about U.S. policies, values, and decision-making mechanisms in international relations. The group also examined how colleges and research institutes develop curricula for teaching foreign-policy courses.
 

Jan. 28 - 31

Germany

Climate Change & Clean Energy

A group of German governmental officials, business professionals, and academics met with counterparts in the Boston area to gain an understanding of clean-energy policy development in the U.S.
at the federal, state, and local levels.
 

Dec. 17 - 20

France

Social Entrepreneurship &
Career Development

Said Hammouche, Founder and Director of Paris-based Mozaik RH, learned the role of foundations and advocacy groups in promoting social reforms. Talks focused on best practices for diversity, youth access to the workplace, and career development.
 

Nov. 20 - 23

Japan

Economic Revitalization &

Business Development

Visitors from Osaka and Kyushu exchanged views with Boston urban planners and other city and state officials tasked with promoting investment and business development.

Nov. 19 - 22

Ukraine

The U.S. Experience in Combating
Child Exploitation

Meetings examined emerging trends in conducting internet investigations and methods of cooperation among international, federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.

 Oct. 26~Nov. 8


 I-VOTE

 

Oct. 21 - 26


Japan

EMERGING LEADERS FROM 76 COUNTRIES Observed U.S. Electoral System Firsthand in State Department's I-VOTE 2008 Initiative:

On Nov. 5, Election Fellows gathered in Boston for a symposium at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government to analyze outcomes of the presidential and congressional races, as well as share their I-VOTE experiences and insights.



JAPAN INTERCULTURAL ACADEMY OF MUNICIPALITIES (JIAM) DELEGATION:
City revitalization ~ Community building based on regional strengths
(A WorldBoston fee-for-service project)

Press: How the City of Lawrence became a classroom for JIAM
 

WEST AFRICA: Democratic Governance and Civil Society (Oct. 14-18)

TURKEY: Teaching Media Literacy (Oct. 7-11)

FRANCE: At-Risk Youth Programs (Oct. 8-11)
 

Sept. 24 - 27

Sept. 21 - 24


Pakistan

British-American Parliamentary Group

Sept. 3 - 6

 July 9 - 30



Ukraine

USAID COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

WorldBoston hosted 10 professionals from the Chernihiv region of Ukraine. Participants explored various aspects of historic and cultural preservation issues in the U.S.  Enjoying homestays with local Massachusetts families, they experienced the diversity of American culture. Ukraine's Chernihiv region is home to many churches, cathedrals, and monuments of architectural or historical significance.

Spain

Three police officers and special investigators from Spain came to Boston to explore U.S. policy initiatives in identifying, protecting, and assisting the victims of human trafficking.  Visits took place with law enforcement officials as well as with local victim assistance groups.

Ukraine

Five technology officers and senior scientists from Ukraine visited Boston to learn more about U.S. approaches to innovation and technology transfer, and to acquire a better understanding of the research-to-market process for technology development.  Meetings took place with technology licensing and development offices at local universities.