About the Award
The Global Ties U.S. IVLP Alumni Award for Social Innovation and Change Award recognizes alumni of the U.S. Department of State International Visitor Leadership Program for high achievements in driving social change through innovation in their home communities. The 2024 award recognized alumni of the U.S. Department of State’s flagship International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) in the East Asia and the Pacific region who demonstrated social innovation and global leadership in the area of social activism derived directly from their IVLP participation.
The award is sponsored by Global Ties U.S. Advisory Council member and IVLP alumni Vicente Lopez-Ibor Mayor, and presented annually at the Global Ties U.S. National Meeting.
Who Can Submit a Nomination?
Typically, nominations may be submitted by members of the Global Ties Network and U.S. Department and Embassy staff. For 2025, this award is being coordinated with the U.S. Department of State’s Gold Star program in celebration of the International Visitor Leadership Program’s 85th Anniversary. Nominations for 2025 must be submitted via the U.S. Department of State or U.S. Embassy. If you have questions, please email NationalMeeting@GlobalTiesUS.org.
Awardees by Year
2024
Zheng Qing Qu (China) and honorable mention, Sachiyo Sakaguchi (Japan), community building leaders.
2023
Anass Hanafi (Italy) and honorable mention, Jona Rizvanolli (Albania), civic engagement leaders.
2022
Mehwish Abbasi (Pakistan) and Adrian Lasimbang (Malaysia), social justice leaders.
2021
Saad Abid (Morocco) and Raisa Banfield (Panama), environmental leaders and activists
2020
Runcie Chidebe, Founder, Project PinkBlue (Nigeria)
2019
Mine Atli, Activist, KAYAD (Cyprus)
2018
Sophie Lamprou, Founder, Impact Hub Athens
2017
Rebeca Gyumi, Founder and Executive Director, Msichana Initiative