More than 100 community activists, government officials, nongovernmental organization leaders, educators and journalists from 97 countries traveled to the United States for a three-week volunteer program.

Inspired by the call from President Obama for a renewed commitment to public service, this people-to-people exchange initiative of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ (ECA) International Visitor Leadership Program demonstrated the importance of civic participation in developing a strong civil society.

The program began in Washington D.C. and extended to more than 50 cities throughout the United States. Participants were so inspired by their experiences that they founded a global network, VOLiNTEER, which promotes peer-to-peer volunteer initiatives.