International Sports Programming Initiative 2021-2022

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The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State fosters mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries to promote friendly and peaceful relations. This mission is accomplished through academic, cultural, sports, and professional exchanges that engage youth, students, educators, artists, athletes, and rising leaders in the United States and more than 160 countries

The Sports Diplomacy division uses the international language of sports as a tool to promote tolerance, understanding and the peaceful resolution/prevention of conflict; to increase awareness among youth people of the importance of following a healthy lifestyle and physical fitness in order to prevent illness, substance abuse, and negative behaviors; and to increase the opportunities for women and girls around the world, and throughout the United States, to participate in sports.

Women Win Foundation is a tax-exempt non-profit in the United States, established in 2009, with almost a decade in conducting cross-cultural exchanges. Our mission is to advance the playing field that empowers girls and their communities through sport. We leverage the power of play to build leadership and support the development of a more just society. We have impacted the lives of over 2.24 million adolescents in over 100 countries through collaborations with a wide variety of grassroots organizations, corporates, development organizations, sporting bodies and government agencies. 

Women Win (womenwin.org) is fully funding the 2021-2022 ISPI Learning Exchange between the U.S. & Canada in coordination with the U.S. Department of State - Sports Diplomacy Division.

Lisa Catlett, owner/founder of Duglegur Alaska, was selected for this learning exchange based on her work implementing the Icelandic Model in her community.

Focus: Empowering marginalized youth through sport. Thematic Focus: Empowering indigenous youth and address mental wellbeing through sport.

The exchange will consist of two cohorts, 

10 participants from the U.S. and 

10 participants from Canada. The Canadian portion will now be virtual. The U.S. portion will be hosted in Anchorage, Alaska.