From Friday, April 26 – Saturday, May 4 2013 IVC Detroit welcomed an Open World Program delegation of five visitors from The Republic of Georgia to Detroit to explore Electronic & Print Media. The group attended a number of professional meetings and enjoyed the great cultural activities Detroit has to offer.

The Open World program is one of the most effective U.S. exchange programs for countries of the post-Soviet era. Begun as a pilot program in 1999 and established as a permanent agency in late 2000, Open World conducts exchanges for the U.S. Legislative Branch and, as such, has enabled more than 17,000 current and future leaders from Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Ukraine, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan to meaningfully engage and interact with Members of Congress, Congressional staff, and thousands of other Americans, many of whom are the delegates’ direct professional counterparts. FHI 360 administered this program.

During their week-long stay in Detroit, visitors were graciously hosted by IVC Detroit homestay hosts. Visitors  spent the weekend exploring Eastern Market, the Heidelberg Project, the Belle Isle Conservatory, the Guardian Building, The Henry Ford & Greenfield Village and had a true Detroit lunch at Lafayette Coney Island.

• The visitors spent their first day meeting with representatives of the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan, where they were given an overview of civil rights issues in Michigan and the importance of government transparency.  After a filling lunch at Rub BBQ Pub downtown, the visitors were welcomed to The Detroit Regional News Hub, where they discussed how the Hub serves as a resource for local, national, and international journalists for regional Detroit news stories and information.
• On Tuesday, the visitors were excited to meet with WXYZ-TV ABC Channel 7 News, where they learned about broadcast media in Detroit and were taken on a tour of the studio, complete with a photo-op behind the anchor desk.  After a quick lunch in the Compuware Building, the visitors met with Mr. Jeff Wattrick, columnist for Deadline Detroit. Mr. Wattrick introduced visitors to the innovative new media and social media journalistic ventures at Deadline Detroit.  The long day came to a close with a meeting at New Michigan Media. Professor Hayg Oshagan of Wayne State University discussed NMM’s network of ethnic and minority media across the state of Michigan. The delegates topped off their day with shopping at the Great Lakes Crossing Outlet Mall.
• Wednesday morning began with a fascinating meeting with Editor Nolan Finley of the The Detroit News. The Georgians sat in on an editorial staff meeting to see how the day’s newspaper and website stories are planned.  The day transitioned into a study of diversity in Hamtramck, where visitors met with Birmingham Eccentric Newspaper editor Mr. Greg Kowalski and were given a tour of downtown Hamtramck. The day’s activities concluded in Ann Arbor, where visitors attended a Detroit Symphony Orchestra performance and explored the University of Michigan campus and downtown Ann Arbor.
• On Thursday, visitors met with The Detroit Free Press’  Religion Reporter, Mr. Niraj Warikoo, with whom they discussed his coverage of human rights, religion, diversity, and civil rights issues. The visitors then made their way to Crain Communication, where they sat down with staff to discuss how Crain’s Detroit Business attracts both a large print readership and even larger online subscription base.
• On Friday, visitors met with former Birmingham Mayor Ms. Eleanor (Coco) Siewart to discuss issues of accountable governance.  After some much-needed rest, the visitors and their homestay hosts attended a fun Cinco de Mayo Celebration hosted by the Centro Multicultural La Familia.

IVC Detroit depends on the generosity of internationally focused individuals not only for the success of programs, but for the success of IVC Detroit as a whole. If you are interested in hosting future Open World Program participants in your home, please contact marian@ivcdetroit.org.

Mr. Kassab brought together a group of nearly 30 metro Detroit community leaders of different faiths and backgrounds to give the delegates an overview their roles in the community and discuss with them their concerns regarding the issues surrounding ethno-religious groups in Iraq. Over lunch, the delegates had a chance to have open dialogue regarding the concerns of the community leaders and further discuss the work being done in the United States to address the problems abroad.

The delegates also had the chance to meet Congressman Gary Peters when he stopped by for a surprise visit during lunch to show his support for the efforts of minority populations in metro Detroit.

IVC Detroit thanks all the wonderful community resources for meeting with the delegates. Events like these that bring local leaders together with international visitors are the cornerstone of citizen diplomacy!

IVC Detroit depends on the generosity of internationally focused individuals not only for the success of programs, but for the success of IVC Detroit as a whole. If you are interested in meeting a group of visitors, please contact marian@ivcdetroit.org, ’like‘ us on Facebook and ‘follow‘ us on Twitter for more updates!

During their time in Detroit, the visitors had the pleasure to meet with a variety of local nonprofits, individuals and organizations that focus on youth engagement through education, economic opportunity, sports, and civic participation.

• During their first Detroit meeting, the visitors were welcomed to City Connect Detroit where the group discussed how City Connect works to help fund local nonprofits, particularly those that focus on youth.
• The visitors then had the opportunity to meet with Detroit PAL to learn how the organization helps law enforcement to mentor Detroit youth through sports.
• The group met with ACCESS‘s Youth & Education branch to understand how the organization provides metro Detroit families and youth with enrichment programs, including after-school and summer activities.
• At YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit, the group sat down for a panel discussion with seven YMCA department directors to discuss everything from YMCA’s arts education to career counseling for youth to K-8 enrichment programs.
• Summer in the City, a nonprofit focused on summer volunteer programs for youth, welcomed the visitors to their Detroit headquarters to discuss the advantages of running an organization staffed completely by young adults.
• The visitors spent the day on Wednesday at Focus: HOPE (pictured below), where they were given a tour of the expansive campus, were treated to lunch, then sat down with the heads of Focus: HOPE’s Community Arts Department and Generation of Promise division. The visitors  found many commonalities between the work they do in the UK and the initiatives at Focus: HOPE!
• The visitors had a chance to meet and play with the youth at The Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation (pictured below). After the visitors introduced themselves to the youth, they were challenged to competitive games of basketball and volleyball!
• At Young Detroit Builders, the visitors were given a glimpse into how YDB allows their participants to give back to the community while bettering themselves.
• The visitors met with Racquet Up Detroit to learn about how the organization’s after school program uses the sport of squash in combination with fitness, academic tutoring, community service, and mentoring to better the lives of Detroit youth.
• At Alternatives for Girls, the visitors met with a number of representatives from the organization’s many branches to discuss outreach, prevention, transition and, and health services Alternatives for Girls offers to at-risk girls and women.

In addition to an itinerary packed with informative meetings, the group spent their weekend in Detroit exploring the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Motown Historical Museum, and The Heidelberg Project. The group was graciously welcomed to dinner at the home of IVC Detroit Board Member and Vice President/General Manager of Infinity and Ovation Yacht Charters Mr. Steven Rybicki (pictured below). Steven’s hospitality did not stop with dinner, as later in the week he invited the visitors to experience the unique Detroit game of feather bowling at Cadieux Cafe and took the group to the Detroit Athletic Club. 

IVC Detroit depends on the generosity of internationally focused individuals not only for the success of programs, but for the success of IVC Detroit as a whole. If you are interested in meeting a group of visitors, please contact marian@ivcdetroit.org, ’like‘ us on Facebook and ‘follow‘ us on Twitter for more updates!

IVC Detroit’s delegation included Director Marian Reich, Program Coordinator Karly Wagner, Board President Connie Hogan, Board Member Leslie Touma and Russian Interpreter Irina Jesionowski. The group attended daily sessions on organization-building, foreign policy, and networking. Highlights included:

•  A pre-meeting Art of Programming session which gave insight into best practices for crafting effective and engaging programs.
• An opening breakfast featuring speakers Lee Satterfield, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Professional & Cultural Exchanges,  Undersecretary of State for Public Diplomacy & Public Affairs Tara D. Sonenshine and 5-time World Figure Skating Champion and Senior Adviser at the U.S. Department of State Michelle Kwan.
• Director Marian Reich  speaking on the ‘Writing Effective IVLP Proposals and Marketing your CIV to NPAs’ panel.

In addition to these wonderful speakers, events, and opportunities for connecting with other nationwide CIVs and National Program Agencies, group members attended receptions at the embassies and residences of the ambassadors to Iceland, the Netherlands and Finland, met with Representative Gary Peters and Congressman Sander Levin, and attended a U.S. Department of State Reception at the National Museum for Women in the Arts.

For more information, please visit the NCIV National Meeting website

After a busy Monday, the visitors attended an early meeting with Michigan State Representative Rashida Tlaib with whom the visitors discussed the challenges of a new international bridge border crossing to security in Michigan. The visitors then attended a meeting at Southeastern Michigan High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Program with Executive Director Abraham Azzam, Deputy Director Craig Summers and Detective Lieutenant Emmitt McGowan of the Michigan State Police Department. Here, the visitors gained insight into how drug trafficking crime exacerbates other crime in the Midwest, and the efforts HIDTA is taking to curb illegal drug activity at a local and international level. Finally, the visitors met with Judge Craig S. Strong of Michigan’s 3rd District Circuit Court, where they were able to sit in on court proceedings. The judge graciously invited the visitors to spend an evening with him around Detroit, including giving the visitors a tour of the city, welcoming them into his home, and accompanying the visitors to a lovely dinner downtown.

IVC Detroit hosts a number of IVLP visitors each month. The often short programs allow visitors to be completely immersed in their subject through a series of relevant, fast-paced meetings and home hospitality opportunities with Detroit natives. IVC Detroit posts all of our upcoming IVLP delegations on our homepage.

IVC Detroit depends on the generosity of internationally focused individuals not only for the success of programs, but for the success of IVC Detroit as a whole. If you are interested in meeting a group of visitors, please contact marian@ivcdetroit.org and ‘like‘ us on Facebook for more updates!

For more information please visit the Global Trade Mission website or Facebook page.

• Pre-meeting Capacity Building Workshop with Gail Perry designed to provide attendees with tips and guidance on crafting an effective message about citizen diplomacy
• NCIV Luncheon with the Ambassadors featuring the opportunity for America’s citizen diplomats to network with Washington’s official diplomatic community. In addition, the Keynote Speaker for the Luncheon was Senator John McCain
• NCIV Breakfast on the Hill attended by staffers from Senator Stabenow’s and Senator Levin’s office. In addition, IVC Detroit’s Program Coordinator Imke Baumann, was able to secure Congressman Hansen Clarke as one of only four Congressional Speakers at the Breakfast

The conference attendance was close to 600 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. In addition, IVC Detroit staff and Board members attended Receptions at the State Department and various foreign embassies.

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

Highlights of the conference included:

• Concurrent and plenary sessions that provided excellent knowledge of U.S. public diplomacy and the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program, understanding of current U.S. foreign policy and its impact on local communities, and how to strengthen the programming skills of NCIV members, their public sector partners, and other leaders in the field of international exchanges.
• Opening reception at Mount Rushmore with a presentation by the Hon. George McGovern.
• Dinner hospitality in the homes of volunteers in Rapid City.
• Excellent opportunities to network with colleagues.
• Optional trips to Historic Deadwood and the Black Hills.

Photos of the NCIV Midwest Regional Conference