Community Connections Ukraine Delegation Feature
On August 4th IVC Detroit welcomed 10 Management & Theatre Professionals from Ukraine for a 3 week Community Connections Program. Executive Director Julie Oldani, Project Director Judy Kebl, and Program Assistant Imke Baumann planned a detailed 3 week program introducing the delegates to metro Detroit’s excellent cultural institution management leaders to learn best practices and to share information about their cultural organizations in Odessa. Project Director Judy Kebl and Interpreter Irina Jesionowski traveled with the delegates during the 3 week program. Honorary Consul of Ukraine Bohdan Fedorak and his wife Donna welcomed the delegates to the Ukrainian Cultural Center. (Their granddaughter Leisa Fedorak assisted the delegates during the program).
Site visits included: The Cranbrook Science Museum, the Detroit Historical Museum, the Detroit Institute of Arts, The Henry Ford, the Detroit Science Center, the Charles Wright Museum, the Mosaic Youth Theatre, the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House, Puppet Art, The Detroit Symphony Orchestra & Orchestra Hall, Michigan Opera Theatre, the Detroit Opera House and the Birmingham Historical Museum with visits to the Michigan Hall of Justice and the Michigan Historical Museum.
The delegates met with Management leaders at these institutions to learn about fund raising, exhibit acquisition, attracting membership, educational programs, marketing and other best practices to help in the administration of their institutions. Leaders from the Michigan Council of the Arts, the Metro Detroit Visitors Convention Bureau and Lawrence Technological University Center for Non Profit Managements met with the Ukrainian delegates to impart information on the role they play in assisting local cultural entities.
Barb Browne, John Bracey, Professor Jerry Lindman, Michael O’Callaghan, Maud Lyon, Jill Murphy of the MEDC and David DiChiera participated lending their expertise. Coco Siewert led the Action Planning process a program requirement for the delegates.
They participated in a variety of cultural activities – a visit to the Frederik Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids where they observed the Chihuly exhibit. After the visit they were invited to visit Lake Michigan which was a priority on their sightseeing junkets. On their visit to Lake Michigan, they were hosted overnight for an evening of swimming, a beach party and cookout by IVC Detroit hosts Jane Curtis & Chuck Hettenbach at their Grand Haven summer residence. Many thanks to Bob Siewert who volunteered as the chauffeur on the trip. Also during the program the Ukrainians visited the Bavarian influenced Frankenmuth village, and enjoyed a relaxed evening at a barbecue and pool party hosted by Sue and Roger Mumbrue.
IVC Detroit is most grateful to homestay hosts: Sue & Bill Ahlstrom, Sue & Roger Mumbrue, Judy Kebl, Coco & Bob Siewert, Mary Healey & Tom Stoughton who opened their hearts and homes to share American customs and culture during the 3 week program.
A cultural highlight for the Ukrainian delegates was the Woodward Dream Cruise. This was a unique experience for them to be able to see many automobiles from so many decades and to observe how metro Detroiters celebrate the important role Detroit has played in the history of automotive industry.
The delegates departed with a positive image of Detroit. First, they were impressed with the number of world class cultural institutions in Detroit. They were impressed by the friendliness of the people who displayed genuine gestures of friendship. They were impressed by the beauty of the city, its rich architecture and its beautiful portside location on the Detroit River. They learned a myriad of practices they hope to implement in their cultural institutions on their return to Odessa. Mostly, they left with a keen affection for Detroit and its citizens and hope to continue linkages with the institutions and warm Americans who shared their friendship.
The delegates were featured in the following article in Hometownlife on Sunday, August 29, 2010.
09/02 Meet & Greet Delegates from Multi Regional
On Thursday, September 2nd IVC Detroit will welcome 6 professionals from China, India, Kosovo, Philippines, Sudan and Tunisia, participating in a U.S. Department of State International Visitor Leadership Program focused on “Sustainable Urban Development in the U.S.” for a 4-day visit to Detroit.
In Detroit they will learn about renewable energy technologies, local government and urban development, and see firsthand the impact of industrial changes.
The delegates professional backgrounds are diverse, including representatives of various government agencies, a university professor, architect, and director of a environmental organization. They will be accompanied by a U.S. Department of State escort officer.
Program Coordinator Regan Watson has planned a detailed program, including requested meetings with organizations such as NextEnergy, Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, Michigan Enironmental Council, Southwest Housing Solutions and Wayne County’s Brownfield Redevelopment Authority.
There is an opportunity for IVC Detroit members & friends to meet the Multi Regional delegates at a social/cultural exchange event on:
Thursday, September 2nd at Quattro Pizzeria & Wine Bar
6:00pm-8:00pm
203 Hamilton Row, Birmingham across from The Palladium with nearby parking
Complimentary appetizers & Cash Bar
Please call the IVC Detroit office at 248-375-7300 to RSVP
Visitor Meet & Greet Social Networking Program
International Visitors Council of Detroit (IVC Detroit) launched the new IVC Detroit Visitor Meet & Greet Social Networking Program on Tuesday evening August 17th
The goals of the IVC Detroit Meet & Greet are to provide members with opportunities to:
- network with IVC visiting international dignitaries
- network with internationally minded Detroiters
- enhance information about international business and connections
- practice foreign language skills
More than 40 metro Detroiters gathered at Angelina’s Italian Bistro in downtown Detroit over cocktails and appetizers to meet 8 Professionals from the People’s Republic of China focusing on “Sustainable Development and Environmental Protection.” The visitors from China were chosen by the US Department of State and the American Embassy in Shanghai for participation in the prestigious International Visitor Leadership Program.
The next IVC Detroit Visitor Meet & Greet will take place on:
Thursday, September 2nd
Watch for details!
08/17 – Meet & Greet Delegates from China
On August 17th IVC Detroit will welcome 8 Professionals from the People’s Republic of China focusing on “Sustainable Development and Environmental Protection” for a 5-day International Visitor Leadership Program.
Program Coordinator Regan Watson has planned a detailed 5 day program in tandem with the University of Michigan International Center in Ann Arbor – Brigitte Maassen, Program Director. The Chinese delegation includes a Project Officer for the Tropical Forest Trust, Two Assistant Professors, a Senior Engineer for the Ministry of Environmental Protection and an Engineer for the Environmental Protection Bureau, a Program Officer for the Global Environmental Institute, a Chief of Experts at the Guangdong Meteorological Bureau, and a Deputy Dean from the Jianke Architectural Design Institute. They will be accompanied by U.S. Department of State Escort/Interpreters.
The group will have meetings in Michigan with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL), Office of the Mayor of Ann Arbor, Friends of the Rouge, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Fisheries Division, Tribal Coordination Unit, and Michigan State University Extension (MSUE).
****There is an opportunity for IVC Detroit members & friends to meet the Chinese delegates at a social/cultural exchange event on:
Tuesday, August 17th at Angelina’s Italian Bistro
1565 Broadway Detroit across from Detroit Opera House with nearby parking
Complimentary appetizers & Cash Bar
Please call the IVC Detroit office at 248-375-7300 to RSVP
