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[EXCERPTS]

After completing our meetings in the nation’s capital, the IVLP trip continued to Des Moines, Iowa.

In addition to introducing the group to the Midwest, the goal of the visit was for us to gain an understanding of protecting human rights at the municipal level, with a focus on minority groups.

Despite the fact that Des Moines is relatively an homogeneous city, it still addresses a number of civil rights challenges at the local level.

By this point in my journey I have begun to take a particular interest in two main areas: the management of local NGOs and the partnership of NGOs with other like-minded groups and government frameworks.

Our next stop is Salt Lake City, Utah.

To be continued…