World Music Celebration feat. Sean Blackman

IVC Detroit’s World Music Celebration on April 7th at Fishbone’s in Greektown featuring Detroit musical artist & composer Sean Blackman was a unique event attended by a diverse audience of young professionals and veteran IVC Detroit supporters. They enjoyed an eclectic mix of music from around the world specifically Armenia, Brazil, West Africa and Detroit Jazz and Rock& Roll. Host Committee member Bernadette Lussier comments “The World Music Celebration was a wonderful success. Thanks to Chairs Steven Rybicki & Ellena Gatzaros and their Committees for all of their hard work. It really paid off. We had such a wonderful turnout of new friends and faces that will sure to be interested in joining IVC and/or attending our events.” IVC Detroit event supporters enjoyed the Concert, cocktails and hearty Fishbone appetizers in a bistro setting affording opportunities for networking and even dancing to the sounds of Senegal. Guests followed the lead of longtime supporter Sophia Holley Ellis along with Sandra Richardson-Smith (in her African headdress) as they encouraged young professional Marie Alexander to get up and dance during the evening’s festivities. The success of the event was also due to the generous sponsorships: Greektown Casino-Hotel, Detroit Medical Center (DMC), Mango Language Services, Charter One Bank, Compuware, Erick Reickert & Lady Susan Willis-Reickert, La Fontaine Import Center, DTE Energy, Infinity & Ovation Yacht Charters, Fishbone’s and Styleline Magazine.

Inclusive Education-Uzbekistan

On March 23^rd after an intensive 3 week IVC Detroit designed program on “Inclusive Education in the US.” participants from Uzbekistan bid a sad farewell to their IVC homestay hosts: Coco & Bob Siewert, Judy Kebl, Py & Jim Wolfe, Jann Devereux, Bill & Sue Ahlstrom, and Sheila Roebke who opened their hearts and homes to them. Besides providing transportation to cultural events (DIA, the Zoo, the Gem Theatre, the Henry Ford) these generous hosts planned St. Patrick Day events, candlelight dinners, shopping trips to the malls (Kohl’s & Marshall’s are favorite) prepared a typical American birthday party with cake, magic tricks & balloon animals thanks to interpreter Irina Burris & her husband. The hosts took them to Sunday church services, made sure they had the appropriate luggage for transporting souvenirs and gifts back to Uzbekistan, introduced them to their children & grandchildren and took the medical doctor in the group (Dr. Anisa Minullina) for a hospital tour, and accompanied them on a technology shopping tour to purchase laptops and other equipment to use on their return to Tashkent & Samarkand.

The program’s successful implementation depends on Project Director Judy Kebl and Interpreter Irina Jesionowski who make themselves available 24-7 meeting all needs of the participants. Irina states: “Our participants praised the design and the organization of the program on Inclusive Education that Julie Oldani, Imke Baumann & Liz Bauer arranged. Participants appreciated the fact that they were provided with an academic overview first (WSU), and next, with the perspective at the state (Lansing), county (Oakland Intermediate Schools), and local school district levels (Royal Oak, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills)They found the program to be remarkably comprehensive and diverse, allowing them to study various aspects of inclusive education: legal background and government policies, parent involvement, innovative technology and methodology, best practices of working with children of various ages and socio-economic backgrounds who have a range of disabilities and special needs.”

Participant Nazira Yusupova commented, “This program provided me with the answers to a multitude of questions that have tormented me for many years of my professional practice.  I have received the validation of many of my own ideas, and I also learned about a plethora of innovative methods and educational concepts I was not aware of before.” All of the participants expressed gratitude for a comprehensive program. Hayrulla Mashrabov, Program Manager in Uzbekistan sends a message “Please extend my appreciations to IVC Detroit for their great work.”

Daily Tribune Article: Uzbekistan educators study Royal Oak Special Ed Program

By:  Catherine Kavanaugh
Daily Tribune Staff Writer

ROYAL OAK - When teacher Julie Barrett asked her students to count by 10s, they took turns speaking into a microphone or typed into a small communication device that turns touch-screen choices into words.

After 100, the children kept counting, but by ones to 120. All the while, a group of educators from Uzbekistan took photos and videos. The math lesson for the students who have physical and other health impairments (POHI) also was a lesson in inclusive education for the policy makers and administrators from central Asia.

“Someone with the State Board of Education who knows about the Royal Oak program felt they would be interested in this,” said Judy Kebl, project director for the International Visitors Council of Detroit, which arranged Thursday’s tour at Keller and Addams Elementary School.

The delegation from the independent Turkish state, which was part of the Soviet Union until 1991, wants to learn how government supports inclusive education and how children with physical and cognitive disabilities are mainstreamed into schools.

In Barrett’s high-tech class they met 11 students in kindergarten through fifth grade who are dealing with cerebral palsy, seizure disorders and other challenges. The students who are non-verbal use devices called Dynavoxes to answer questions. Three paraprofessionals help the students who use wheelchairs. The POHI students take all their classes together except for music, when they join their prospective grade levels.

The 10 visitors and their interpreter also went to a more traditional first-grade class with 18 students. One of the 6-year-olds is a bright boy with muscular dystrophy. He has no trouble keeping up with lessons and a paraprofessional offers one-on-one assistance with other tasks, such as writing and getting materials.

After Keller, the group moved on to Addams, where about 30 toddlers and 45 preschoolers are enrolled in the Early Childhood Special Education program.

To read the full article published in the Daily Tribune (Friday, March 18) — Please visit the link below: http://www.dailytribune.com/articles/2011/03/18/life/doc4d829cf75c94f736720196.txt?viewmode=fullstory

A delegation of educators from Uzbekistan visited Keller Elementary School in Royal Oak to learn how the school system meets the needs of children with physical and cognitive disabilities at its general education schools. Catherine Kavanaugh/Daily Tribune

Spanish Delegation: Combating International Crime

On Tuesday, March 15^th IVC Detroit will welcome three delegates from Spain, invited to the United States under the auspices of the Department of State participating in an International Visitor Leadership Program focused on “Combating International Crime”, for a 4-day visit to Detroit.

IVC Detroit preparations for visitor programs include arranging professional meetings with metro Detroit professional counterparts, cultural activities and dinner hospitality with an IVC Detroit member.  The program in Detroit will allow the delegates the opportunity to examine the issues of balancing law enforcement and security with civil liberties in a democratic society, examine the structure of the U.S. criminal justice system and to review how its principles are applied to the prosecution of international crime, and to explore U.S. foreign policy priorities to build global cooperation against international crime.  

Delegates include a Special Prosecutor against Corruption and Organized Crime, a Sergeant and Director of the Strategic Analysis Group and Information Division, and a Major of the Civil Guard.

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.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/exchangesphotos/5474949546/

NCIV 2011 Conference

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.

CC-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.

Ukrainian Delegation: “Education for Law Enforcement”

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

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