Promoting Cultural Diplomacy at Global Ties Sacramento
In June 2024, Global Ties Sacramento was honored to facilitate a meaningful connection through the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). The State Department reached out to us to engage with Khanzada Asfandyar Khattak, a recent IVLP alum from Pakistan. His program focused on LGBTQI+ rights, and his visit exemplified the profound impact of cultural diplomacy in fostering understanding and collaboration across borders.
About Khanzada Asfandyar Khattak
Khanzada is the CEO of Teri Nawab Durbar, a rights-based organization in Islamabad, Pakistan, that champions peace and economic prosperity through culture, heritage, art, music, dance, and tourism. As a transgender rights activist and development professional with over 15 years of experience, Khanzada advocates for LGBTQI+ rights, gender and sexual minorities, religious minorities, and other vulnerable communities. His organization promotes awareness and acceptance through multi-stakeholder conferences and cultural programs.
In addition to his activism, Khanzada is a trained dancer and choreographer specializing in classical dance forms from the Indian subcontinent, including Indian Kathak and Bharatanatyam. His unique artistic fusion of Afghan Pashto Khattak Dance and Indian Classical Kathak Dance showcases the rich traditions of South Asia while promoting cultural understanding and peace.
Khanzada’s IVLP Experience
Reflecting on his IVLP journey in the United States, Khanzada expressed heartfelt gratitude for the hospitality and connections he experienced:
“Every moment was a learning moment for me. IVLP liberated me of all the prejudices and stereotypes about the USA. I found people in the USA to be extremely warm, welcoming, and caring. IVLP enabled me to make strong connections with experienced professionals. I will definitely work towards leveraging my IVLP exposure for the mutual benefit of communities in both Pakistan and the USA.”
After completing his program, Khanzada extended his stay in the United States to further im-merse himself in the local culture and environment. The State Department connected him with Global Ties Sacramento, providing him with opportunities to engage with our local programs and international visitors.
Connecting Two IVLP Groups
In mid-June, Global Ties Sacramento facilitated a unique cultural exchange by connecting Khanzada with an all-female IVLP group from Türkiye. This group’s program focused on “Ad-dressing Gender-Based Violence and Vulnerability in Disasters.” Recognizing the regional and cultural ties between their countries, Khanzada eagerly joined the group to share experiences and traditions.
During this exchange, Khanzada offered the group a performance of classical Pakistani dance at the Global Ties Sacramento office. He explained his mission to use art, history, music, and dance to promote peace and economic prosperity, emphasizing that inter-regional cultural activities can foster harmony and mutual respect.
The Power of Cultural Diplomacy
Khanzada’s performance and his message of peace resonated deeply with the international visitors from Türkiye, demonstrating the transformative power of cultural diplomacy. Programs like the IVLP ignite cross-cultural engagement and create global connections through shared experiences in art, dance, and dialogue.
This inspiring moment underscores how International Exchange programs like the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program open doors for cultural connections and shared understanding. We at Global Ties Sacramento are proud to play a role in fostering these meaningful exchanges that strengthen global bonds through the arts and cultural diplomacy.
