About GCIV
What does GCIV do?
Citizen Diplomacy in Georgia. Global Impact Beyond Borders.
The Georgia Council for International Visitors (GCIV) is a nonprofit organization that implements professional bipartisan international exchange programs across the state of Georgia that advance citizen diplomacy through people-to-people connections.
GCIV connects Georgia communities with emerging international leaders to strengthen mutual understanding, exchange knowledge and build long-term global relationships.
Mission & Vision
Mission
The mission of the Georgia Council for International Visitors (GCIV) is to foster professional, cultural, and educational experiences that connect Georgia citizens and international leaders to cultivate positive global change.
Vision
GCIV’s vision is to be the Georgia organization that allows every citizen the opportunity to be more globally engaged through people-to-people connections.
What Is Citizen Diplomacy?
Citizen diplomacy is the concept that any individual—not just governments—can help shape foreign relations, "one handshake at a time." Also known as “people-to-people diplomacy,” citizen diplomacy recognizes that private citizens play a meaningful role in diplomacy and mutual understanding, trust and cooperation between nations are built through direct individual interaction.
Through professional international exchange programs, community engagement, and cultural dialogue, Georgia citizens help shape diplomatic perceptions, share knowledge and best practices, and foster mutual understanding—one conversation, one meeting, and one relationship at a time.
GCIV’s Role in Georgia
Founded in 1962, the Georgia Council for International Visitors (GCIV) is a nonprofit organization that works in partnership with the U.S. Department of State to develop a broad spectrum of professional and cultural exchange programs for emerging global leaders.
GCIV’s non-partisan citizen diplomacy programs provide Georgians with unique opportunities to share best practices, professional insights, and friendship with distinguished international visitors to the United States.
GCIV administers the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) in Georgia. Launched in 1940, the IVLP builds mutual understanding between the United States and other nations through carefully designed professional visits for current and emerging foreign leaders. U.S. ambassadors consistently rank the IVLP as one of the most effective public diplomacy tools available. In 2001, the national IVLP network was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for its role in fostering international understanding.
Interact with Emerging Global Leaders
Anyone in Georgia with an interest in connecting to the world can participate in GCIV programming. Opportunities to engage with international visitors include:
Professional meetings
Special events and more!
Citizen diplomacy thrives when diverse voices and experiences come together.
Small Investment Nets Big Impact
Greatest diplomacy tool available
GCIV creates impact through direct, personal engagement between Georgians and international visitors participating in the U.S. Department of State International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) and other federally sponsored professional international exchange programs.
Connect with a future world leader!
Since its inception in 1940, more than 230,000 international leaders have taken part in the IVLP, including more than 660 alumni who have gone on to serve as heads of state or government.
Local economic impact
12:1 return on federal funding, translating into real economic benefits for local U.S. communities.
The Georgia Council for International Visitors turned $132,740 in federal funds for the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) into $1,066,633 (nearly $1M) in local economic impact in FY 2024.*
GCIV hosted 315 international visitors from 98 different countries and territories to the state of Georgia in 2025. GCIV organized 187 professional meetings for these visitors with 534 local volunteer professional resources. Think about those figures in the amount of knowledge and best practices exchanged on topics as varied as human trafficking and civil nuclear energy.
Each exchange program interaction—whether professional or casual—contributes to stronger international relations and deeper global awareness at a local level.
GCIV operates on a local-to-global model, rooted in Georgia communities and connecting them to the world through professional international exchange programs. By engaging citizens across Metro Atlanta and the state of Georgia, GCIV ensures that international exchange is not limited to institutions alone, but shared broadly across professional sectors, neighborhoods, and civic life.
Local participation creates global understanding. Global engagement strengthens local communities.
Local-to-Global Model
Get Involved
Explore GCIV’s community programs, learn more about citizen diplomacy and discover opportunities to engage with esteemed international visitors in Georgia.