Alumni TIES seminars take place in six world regions and the United States; each seminar is three to four days for small groups of alumni. The seminars include expert speakers, capacity development trainings, participant-led discussions, and alumni networking activities. Through the small grants program, alumni have the opportunity to take action and make a positive difference in their communities. Since 2016, the U.S. Department of State has hosted 24 Alumni TIES seminars for 923 exchange alumni.

Learn more about the impact of these seminars here: interactives.worldlearning.org/alumni-ties

Past Seminars

To explore previous Alumni TIES seminars, please visit the Seminars Archive.

SEMINARS ARCHIVE

Upcoming Seminars

November 14-18, 2022 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The Alumni TIES seminar on “Youth & Opportunity: Defending Democracy and Advancing Human Rights” will bring together 60 alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs from the United States and countries around the world who are between the ages of 18-35 and who are active in strengthening democracy initiatives, working as educators, journalists, politicians, community activists, technology innovators, or leaders of civil society organizations. This seminar will feature thematic and regional participant-led sessions, interactive panels with experts in the field, and engagement with prominent organizations. Seminar participants will explore how to support free and independent media, fight corruption, protect human rights, bolster democratic reformers, advance technology for democracy, and defend free and fair elections and political processes. International alumni will be nominated by the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their home country. Alumni living in the United States will be selected based on a competitive, nationwide application process.

February 27 – March 3, 2023 Birmingham, Alabama

The Alumni TIES seminar on “Rural Engagement in Global Affairs” will bring together 40 alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs in Birmingham, Alabama. This seminar is for U.S. citizen alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs or international alumni (currently living in the United States) from all career fields that have experience and/or demonstrated interest in working on issues related to rural engagement in global affairs. This seminar will feature thematic participant-led sessions, interactive panels with experts in the field, and engagement with prominent organizations. Seminar participants will identify the current challenges to outreach and engagement of global affairs in rural communities and strategize solutions on how to support underrepresented voices in their communities. The application deadline for this seminar is November 22, 2022. ExchangeAlumni living in the United States can apply here: https://bit.ly/AlumniTIESFebruary23

Future Seminars

Seminar themes, world regions, and dates are determined by the Office of Alumni Affairs of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State and announced three months before the seminar dates. Stay tuned for information about future seminars!