Original article published on bekraf.id

IGP Rahman Desyanta, fondly known as Gede Anta, has been honored with the opportunity to participate in the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), a prestigious professional exchange program organized by the United States Government. He is one of only two delegates selected from Indonesia this year, alongside an academic. Uniquely, Gede Anta did not apply directly; instead, he was nominated by the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta and selected by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.

“My program is titled Promoting Cybersecurity for Smart Cities. It’s a multinational program, so participants come from various parts of the world,” said Gede Anta, who is also known as the CEO of Baliola and founder of Mandala Chain, a blockchain-based technology platform.

During the program, Gede Anta will take part in a series of activities across several major U.S. cities, including Washington, D.C., Raleigh (North Carolina), Minneapolis (Minnesota), and Denver (Colorado). He is scheduled to be in the United States from June 6 to June 30, 2025, with the official program running from June 8 to June 28, 2025.

The IVLP is a flagship program of the U.S. Department of State aimed at building long-term relationships between global leaders and American communities. Since its inception in 1940, the IVLP has been attended by over 230,000 international leaders, including more than 500 heads of state or government, 12 Nobel laureates, and thousands of senior officials from various sectors.

Unlike typical exchange programs, the IVLP does not have an open application process. Participants are exclusively nominated by U.S. embassies and undergo a selection process managed internally in Washington.

This program not only strengthens the United States’ position in fostering global diplomacy but also serves as a vital platform for encouraging cross-cultural dialogue, knowledge sharing, and the development of strategic cooperation in various fields — including cybersecurity, which has become a major global concern.

Several Indonesian figures have previously participated in the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), a professional exchange initiative sponsored by the U.S. Government. Notable participants include:

National Figures

• Megawati Soekarnoputri – 5th President of the Republic of Indonesia, participated in IVLP in 1989.
• Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur) – 4th President of the Republic of Indonesia, participated in IVLP in 1979.

Youth Leaders and Activists

• Fanny Syariful Alam – Regional Coordinator of Bandung School of Peace Indonesia, joined the IVLP on Youth Political Engagement in the Digital Age in January 2020.
• Gregorius Afioma – Director of Sunspirit for Justice and Peace, Labuan Bajo.
• Rudianysah Hermansyah Nanang – Chair of the East Kalimantan Provincial General Elections Commission.
• Titik Nurhayati – Commissioner of the Data and Information Division of the West Java General Elections Commission.
• Mardiana Rusli – Chair of the Indonesian Democracy Network Presidium in South Sulawesi.

Technology and Innovation Leaders

• IGP Rahman Desyanta (Gede Anta) – CEO of Baliola and founder of Mandala Chain, joined the IVLP in June 2025 with a focus on Promoting Cybersecurity for Smart Cities.

Gede Anta’s participation in the IVLP highlights Indonesia’s ongoing contribution to building safe and sustainable smart cities for the future.