The Youth Institute hosts IVLP 2025 in Florida, focusing on the role of sport in youth development
As part of its mission to promote young talent and leadership internationally, on December 5, 2025, the Youth Institute welcomed a delegation of participants from the prestigious International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) run by the US Department of State. The meeting was held at Central Broward Park in Florida and coordinated by the organization Global Ties.
For over an hour, participants from more than 20 countries representing all continents learned about the Youth Institute’s activities, strategic directions, and national and international ambitions. This exchange session highlighted the organization’s growing role in promoting young talent and developing projects with a strong societal impact.
The discussions were structured around a central theme of current interest:
“How major sporting events can influence youth development, and how the Youth Institute’s initiatives promote peace, technology, and economic development through sport for the next generation.”
In his opening remarks, Mr. Gabriel Mvogo Saint, President of the International Youth Institute, warmly thanked all participants for their interest in the International Youth Institute. He presented the organization’s core missions, which focus on youth empowerment, inclusive leadership, and the use of sport as a lever for social, economic, and diplomatic transformation.
Following on from the speeches, Ms. Widline Daniel, coordinator of the World Youth Forum 2026 – FIFA World Cup 2026 Special, outlined the forum’s objectives and how the Youth Institute links major international sporting events with the promotion of young talent. She emphasized that the Global Youth Forum is a unique opportunity to link sport to major contemporary issues, including technology, economics, innovation, and international diplomacy.
In turn, Dr. Maurisia Jeffers, Executive Secretary General of the International Youth Institute, reiterated that the institution positions itself as a center of excellence dedicated to promoting youth talent and leadership.
She congratulated the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) participants and expressed the honor it is for the Youth Institute to welcome this international delegation to Florida. Her speech concluded with a question-and-answer session, marked by rich and constructive exchanges with the participants.
Wishing to consolidate and perpetuate the ties established with the international delegations, the Youth Institute, through its President, announced that four places to participate in the World Youth Forum would be granted to each of the delegations represented. Each delegation will be responsible for selecting talented young people from their country to offer them a direct opportunity to participate in the World Youth Forum – FIFA World Cup 2026 Special, which will be held from April 15 to 17, 2026, in Miramar, Broward County, Florida.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Gabriel Mvogo Saint expressed his heartfelt thanks to Dr. Athena Passera, President of Global Ties Miami, praising the remarkable work she and her team have done to connect American leaders with those from around the world. He also expressed his gratitude to Mr. Daniel Mulieri and the entire staff of Central Broward Park for their warm welcome and for providing a high-quality working environment.
The meeting concluded with numerous opportunities for collaboration, particularly with delegations from Brazil, Uruguay, the United Kingdom, and other participating countries, in connection with future major international sporting events.
Finally, the Youth Institute paid tribute to all the countries represented in the IVLP program, namely: Australia, the Czech Republic, Brazil, Bulgaria, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Japan, Malaysia, the Cook Islands, Palau, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Kingdom, Uruguay, Zimbabwe, Norway, and New Zealand.
By the Youth Institute’s Communications Department
