The Lincoln Council for International Visitors (LCIV) (lciv.org), a local nonprofit with almost 60 years of fostering international exchange and citizen diplomacy, is excited to announce its upcoming name change to Global Ties Nebraska. This rebranding, set to launch in early 2025, aligns with the organization’s commitment to citizen diplomacy and its role as a member council affiliate of the Global Ties U.S. network, responsible for implementing the flagship International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) for leaders and professionals in other countries. Global Ties U.S. oversees more than 80 nonprofit organizations and serves all 50 U.S. states.
As a Global Ties U.S. member council, LCIV welcomes and connects emerging leaders from countries across the world who visit Nebraska as selected participants on the International Visitor Exchange Program. The organization was established in April 1966 when Mayor Dean Peterson sought to create a committee that would welcome international leaders and offer them a glimpse of heartland hospitality. In order to receive and distribute federal funding to support the hosting of these prominent international visitors, LCIV was established as the companion nonprofit to MCIF in 1997.
“We are thrilled to align more closely with the Global Ties U.S. network and to continue our important work under a new name,” said Crystal Bock Thiessen, Executive Director of LCIV. “This rebranding will allow us to better communicate our mission, expand our reach and create even more meaningful connections between Nebraskans and global leaders who have been chosen to visit us here in the Heartland.” By hosting international delegations, coordinating professional meetings, and organizing cultural events, Global Ties Nebraska will continue to empower local citizens to become active participants in diplomatic and international relations. Visit lciv.org for more information.