World music was the theme of the evening on Saturday, March 8, when 400 leaders from Atlanta's international, cultural, civic, and business communities arrived at the beautiful new Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center to enjoy the annual black-tie affair that GCIV proudly sponsors each spring to honor the men and women serving as Consular representatives in Georgia.

Guests of honor were 38 members of the Georgia Consular Corps. Georgia Commissioner of Economic Development Ken Stewart presented a toast in honor of the Consular Corps. In response, the Honorable Carlos Layus, Consul General of the Argentine Republic and Dean of the Consular Corps, thanked the state of Georgia and GCIV for hosting Georgia's diplomatic community at the event.

Exciting live and silent auctions raised funds to support GCIV's work to promote international understanding through citizen diplomacy. This year, GCIV partnered with the Consular Corps to offer many exciting travel packages and exclusive items for auction. Proceeds from the evening benefitted both GCIV and the Consular Corp's Habitat for Humanity project.

Young Audiences, Woodruff Arts Center, provided the evening's surprise entertainment. World percussion ensemble Ritmo Blu's lively performance brought many guests to their feet. In addition, each guest went home with a music CD from one of the countries represented at the ball.

You can read more about the event or see pictures from the evening.

GCIV is proud to announce that Atlanta has been selected as the host city for the National Council for International Visitors' 2008 Southern Regional Meeting. This event will bring together the national network responsible for implementing the U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program. Fellow CIV representatives from the southern region and around the country will join Washington, DC Program Agency and Department of State colleagues in Atlanta August 6-8, 2008. In hosting this event GCIV hopes to showcase the best our city and state have to offer our international exchange participants. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Please contact Ashley Mastin for more information.

GCIV recently had the privilege to host Ms. Lumka Oliphant of South Africa. Ms. Oliphant is an up-and-coming reporter with the Sunday weekly City Press newspaper. She covers political topics and also writes regular pieces on individuals and groups who are civil society leaders in their communities. She traveled to the U.S. under the auspices of the Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program to learn about media coverage of the U.S. presidential elections and civil rights issues. Click here to read more about her program in Atlanta.

GCIV recently hosted Ms. Samantha Watson, Public Relations Officer with Operation Black Vote in the United Kingdom. She came to Atlanta February 2-6, and had the opportunity to meet with professional counterparts working in voter outreach, minority participation, and the protection of elections' validity. Ms. Watson was lucky enough to visit Georgia during "Super Tuesday," and was able to visit a polling place as an official observer. After visiting Atlanta, she had the opportunity to see New Orleans, San Antonio, and Dallas before returning home to England. Click here to learn more about her program in the United States.

GCIV's membership is critical to the success of our organization, as it serves as an important indicator of community support for the U.S. Department of State and other agencies that rely on us to arrange programs or hundreds of international visitors each year. Becoming a member is easy - just visit our membership page to download an application. You can now pay for your membership online using paypal!

Tuesdays, April 1st-May 27th, 7:30-9:00 PM
Evening at Emory Spring Great Decisions
There's still time to join this upcoming discussion group and increase your understanding of world affairs. This eight-week series is based on a briefing book published annually by the nonpartisan Foreign Policy Association. The topics of discussion for 2008 include: Iraq: endgame, the European Union at 50, talking to our enemies, Russia, U.S. defense & security policy, Latin America: shift to the left?, U.S.-China trade policy, and private philanthropy. Register for the course at the Evening at Emory web site, or contact Ashley Mastin at 404-832-5560 x 13 with questions. The group will distribute briefing books during the first meeting on April 1st, and will begin the eight weeks of discussion next week.

Thursday, April 10th - 10:00 AM-12:00 PM
IWA April Meeting
The International Womens Associates will hear from Gillian Horsley with the Atlanta International School on the topic of human trafficking. Please contact Emily Bushey at 404-832-5560 x 15 to receive an invitation.

Wednesday, April 16th - 12:00-1:00 PM
GCIV Global Lunch Forum: Religious Diversity in Australia
Join a GCIV international exchange participant from Australia for a lunchtime discussion about her experiences as the first woman to serve as both president of the Islamic Council of Western Australia and principal of the local Islamic school. The Global Lunch Forum will be at the GCIV Office downtown. Participants can bring lunch or order a boxed lunch ($10) in advance. Registration is 12:00-12:10, and the Global Lunch Forum begins promptly at 12:10 PM. Contact Ashley Mastin at 404-832-5560 x 13 to RSVP.

Thursday, April 17th - 6:30-8:00 PM
GCIV International Dining Experience
Get to know other GCIV members and hosts and share your questions, experiences and insights about hosting international visitors in your home. We will host our Australian visitor at this dinner. The restaurant and menu will be announced next week in a separate email. Contact Ashley Mastin at 404-832-5560 x 13 for more information or to RSVP.