Programs for the balance of October and November (and perhaps longer) have been cancelled due to the government shutdown. We hope they will be rescheduled once the shutdown is lifted and life can get back to normal for all of us Community Based Member organizations that program for the International Visitors Leadership Program.
CDA is moving forward with other plans to keep you engaged and to help with the funding for CDA to continue to function. We are planning a dinner/speaker/silent auction for December 11 at Desert Diamond Casino. More information will be coming soon. We appreciate your support in our mission and our work.
Here are things to think about:
Immediate impact on the IVLP
- Program suspension: The program will likely be frozen, with new invitations and logistical arrangements ceasing to be processed.
- Furloughed staff: Staff involved in managing these programs are likely to be furloughed, further halting operations.
- Impact on participants: Current and prospective international participants may face confusion and disruption, with their travel plans and exchange experiences put on hold.
Broader consequences
- Financial strain: The suspension jeopardizes the financial stability of U.S. organizations that host and support the programs, potentially putting American jobs at risk.
- Diplomatic relations: Halting the program damages relationships with current and future leaders from around the world, a key component of U.S. public diplomacy efforts.
- Economic loss: The U.S. misses out on the economic benefits from the program, as the IVLP community contributes to American communities through its activities and spending.
What happens next
- Awaiting funding: The program can only resume once Congress passes a new funding resolution to restore its budget.
- Backlogs: Once funding is restored, there will likely be a significant backlog of work to process, causing further delays even after the shutdown ends.
CDA asks that you continue to support the work we do with the visitors and students of southern Arizona.