Exchange Programs

“I learned a lot and built bridges with many new people. When I return, I will continue to work with my new partners in Los Angeles and start a dialogue program between U.S. and Iraqi students.”
Salam Islam Visiting Fellow, Iraq, Spring 2008

“Thanks to my fellowship, I now have support from feminist counterparts living in the US who I will continue to work with to develop some of my organization’s projects.”
Mozn Hassan, Visiting Fellow, Egypt, Fall 2007

EXCHANGE FACTS

• Over 900 visiting fellows from over 20 countries around the globe since 1990
• Over 200 executive volunteers since 1992

Freedom House is a leader in international professional exchanges for human rights defenders and democracy activists. Exchange programs are integral to our mission of supporting the expansion of freedom around the world, and they build on our in-country programs overseas to strengthen human rights, civil society, and independent media.

We provide human rights and democracy activists first-hand experience with the institutions and processes of established and emerging democracies, skills to advance their initiatives at home, and opportunities to collaborate with their counterparts in the United States and in Europe. The exchange programs are tailored to the specific needs of participants and explore a wide range of issues, from accountable governance to advocacy strategies, management of non-governmental organizations, and investigative reporting.

Former participants have gone on to conduct “get out the vote” campaigns, draft reform legislation in their country, build coalitions with other civil society organizations, offer services to victims of torture, document human rights abuses, and advocate internationally on human rights issues. Alumni of Freedom House exchange programs have become foreign ministers, members of parliament, editors of prominent newspapers, and heads of the most influential civic organizations in their countries.

Freedom House offers three types of exchange programs:

Dean Cynthia Nance presents study tour participants from Ukraine, travel certificates from the city of Fayetteville, Arkansas in October 2008.

• The Visiting Fellows Program brings participants to the United States and Europe for professional fellowships with counterpart organizations and dialogue with senior representatives of government, civil society, and media.
• The Study Tour Programs to the U.S. and third countries focus on specific issues of interest to participants. Through high-level policy briefings and training workshops, participants learn first-hand from experienced practitioners of human rights and democracy.
• The International Executive Volunteer Program sends mid- to senior-level executives from civil society, government, or media in the United States and Europe to new and emerging democracies to share their experience and practical know-how.

Sponsors of Freedom House’s exchange programs include the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Agency for International Development, National Endowment for Democracy, and Open World Leadership Center. Additional funds are provided by: Eli Lilly and Company; Lilly Endowment, Inc.; Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation; Open Society Institute; and Schloss Family Foundation.