Members of IVC Detroit meet with Assistant Secretary of State Ann Stock at the U.S. Department of State

Members of the International Visitors Council of Metropolitan Detroit meet with Assistant Secretary of State Ann Stock at the U.S. Department of State on February 17, 2011. The members were in Washington, DC attending the annual National Council for International Visitors’ (NCIV) National Meeting.

This year marks NCIV’s 50th anniversary and its half century partnership with the US Department of State. Members and volunteers from 90 community based organizations around the country spent three days sharing best practices, exchanging ideas and learning more about the International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP) exchanges.state.gov/ivlp one of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ Premier Exchange Programs.

The International Visitors Council of Metropolitan Detroit hosts International Visitors who travel to the United States on this program. They arrange professional meetings, cultural activities and home hospitality for visitors from around the world.

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NCIV 2011 National Meeting

The 2011 NCIV National Meeting took place February 16-19, 2011, in Washington, DC.  The annual NCIV National Meeting has long served as an opportunity to exchange ideas, develop knowledge, and cultivate skills in support of the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) and other exchanges.  This year’s Meeting was particularly memorable and significant as it culminated NCIV’s observance of its 50th Anniversary and provided opportunities to both celebrate our past and look forward to our future.  The IVC Detroit chapter was well represented by a contingent of 9 members comprised of staff, board members, members and volunteers.

Interesting highlights of the conference included:  The NCIV 50^th Anniversary Gala on February 16, which provided an opportunity to celebrate 50 years of leadership in citizen diplomacy, 18 alumni of the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP Gold Stars Alumni) who shared their experiences on the program and met with National meetings participants, and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton who spoke at a U.S. Department of State Reception. Secretary Clinton stressed the importance of citizen diplomacy in the 21st century and celebrated the major milestones of the network:  the 50th Anniversary of NCIV and the 70th Anniversary of the IVLP. To read her full remarks and watch the video please visit the website: http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2011/02/156772.htm

Furthermore, IVC Detroiters were able to connect with Senator Richard Lugar of Indiana, Co-sponsor of the Senate Resolution recognizing the 50^th anniversary of NCIV, Michigan Congressional Representatives Hansen Clarke and Gary Peters and exchange ideas with NCIV Colleagues from across the country.

The conference attendance was over 1,000 and the informative sessions included topics on fund-raising ideas and diverse sources of funding, collaboration with governmental leaders both locally and nationally, regional reports of U.S. Department activities etc.

For more information about the NCIV 2011 Conference please visit the NCIV website: http://nciv.org/National-Meeting/national-meeting.html

IVC Assists Oakland Schools’ 2011 Global Trade Mission

Imke Baumann, IVC Detroit Program Assistant, is proud to be assisting IVC Detroit Board member Faris Alami (GTM Champion/Coordinator) with the planning of Oakland School’s 2011 Global Trade Mission.(Many thanks to Faris for arranging this  Fees for Services opportunity for IVC Detroit.) This year the Global Trade Mission will take place March 3- March 5 at Oakland Community College.

Since 1998, Oakland School’s Global Trade Mission (GTM) has provided more than 2,000 high-school students with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in today’s dynamic world economy. GTM is an intensive, three-day, hands-on virtual learning experience that simulates an international trade mission. Through this extraordinary opportunity, awareness is being created among students about exciting careers in international business and in high-tech industries, emerging technologies and disciplines with the most promising future growth overseas. With collaboration from business, education, and government, working in cross-functional and cross-district teams of four (with dedicated business experts and coaches to guide them along the way), students are presented with a real-world case study on how to best market and sell a U.S. company’s product, service, or technology overseas based on the opportunities, challenges and unique characteristics of doing business in a particular country. For more information please visit: http://myglobeislocal.org/

Educators from Uzbekistan in IVC Detroit’s Community Connections Program for “Inclusive Education in the USA” will participate as observers and provide pertinent information on Uzbekistan for the students involved in the GTM on Saturday March 5th.

House Resolution 1402 Passes

House Resolution 1402 Passes!

On December 8, 2010 the U.S. House of Representatives passed House Resolution 1402; which recognized the 50th anniversary of the National Council for International Visitors and expressed the support of the designation of February 16, 2011, as “Citizen Diplomacy Day”.  The Resolution, backed by a bipartisan group of 44 co sponsors passed the House with 394 votes in favor.  House Resolution 1402 along with Senate Resolution 603 (which passed in September) are major advocacy achievements for the NCIV network.

Community Connections Uzbekistan Delegation: “Inclusive Education”

Community Connections: Inclusive Education program March 3-23, 2011 IVC Detroit is administering a program focusing on “Inclusive Education” for 10 participants from Uzbekistan March 3-23, 2011. IVC Detroit has received assistance from Former State Board of Education Member Elizabeth Bauer who is participating as a Consultant to the Planning Committee. Even though the program had been postponed 2 times due to challenging governmental conditions in Uzbekistan, IVC Detroit submitted its 3 week draft of the Professional Program Schedule to World Learning and it has been approved. Professional meetings with include: A day spent in Lansing at the Department of Education and participation in a State Board of Education meeting, meetings with various local NGO’s including ARC Michigan, BBAC, BHASE, Friends of Different Learners and SCAMP. Furthermore, site visits to various local schools/school districts including Berkley Schools, Birmingham Schools, Bloomfield Schools, Oakland Schools, Royal Oak Schools and Wayne State University are scheduled. The program will also offer various cultural activities including a visit to the Henry Ford Museum and Detroit’s 53rd Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Project Director Judy Kebl is assembling the host families for the delegations’ 3 week stay.

Spotlight on IVLP Programming: Ukraine

IVC Detroit will welcome 5 faculty members from legal training academies from Ukraine invited to the United States under the auspices of the Department of State participating in an International Visitor Leadership Program focused on “Initial and Continuing Education for Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Professionals” for a 6 day visit to Detroit, beginning 02/09/2011. The program has been crafted at the direction of an attaché from the Department of Justice who is assigned to the Embassy in Kiev whose career has included 20 years working for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Detroit

Spotlight on IVLP Programming: Canada

IVC Detroit welcomes 4 religious leaders from various traditions from across Canada, invited to the United States under the auspices of the Department of State. Their 4-day program focusing on “Promoting Moderate Voices” begins 02/02/2011. Meetings in Detroit will allow delegates to learn more about Muslim Community Involvement, religious organizations and youth, and Islam and the African American Community.