On Saturday, April 22, 2006, more than 400 leaders from Atlanta's international, cultural, civic, and business communities gathered in the elegant ballroom at the InterContinental Hotel in Buckhead to enjoy the annual black-tie affair that GCIV proudly sponsors each spring to honor the men and women serving as consular representatives in Atlanta. Pictures are now posted on the GCIV Web site.

GCIV had the distinct pleasure of hosting eight university administrators from Nigeria. This prominent group of vice chancellors represented universities throughout Nigeria and are involved in the reform of Nigeria's educational system. They had the opportunity to meet with many relevant professional resources while in Atlanta, including former President Jimmy Carter. Read more about the delegation.

Tuesday, June 6, 2006, 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
International Business Women’s Network
Our speaker will be Eleanor Craig of Craig’s Closet, speaking on the topic: “Organizing Your Desk, Organizing Your Life.” We will meet at Basil’s Restaurant and Bar in Buckhead. The price is $25 for GCIV members and $30 for non-members. Please contact Ashley Mastin for more information or to RSVP.

Tuesdays, June 20 - August 22, 7:30-9:00 PM
Great Decisions – Evening at Emory
This GCIV-organized educational program of the Foreign Policy Association involves participants in discussion of world affairs based on a non-partisan briefing book. The 2006 topics include UN Reform, the United States and Iran, Energy, Brazil, Human Rights in an Age of Terrorism, China and India, Turkey, and Pandemics and National Security. Register on Evening at Emory’s Web site or 404-727-6000. For more information, contact Jacobus and Megan Boers.

Tuesday, July 4, 2006, 1:00 PM
WSB-TV Fourth of July Parade
GCIV Members are invited to participate in the annual Fourth of July parade under the banner of the City of Atlanta’s Advisory Committee on International Relations. GCIV members would join other ACIR members to represent the international interests of Atlanta. To participate please contact Shellie Stuart.

Thursday, July 6, 2006, 12:00 - 1:00 PM
Brown Bag Lunch: "Women in Media - A Russian Perspective"
Please join us as we host eight distinguished women journalists and media professionals from Russia. The lunch will be at the GCIV office downtown. Box lunches are available for $8 and must be ordered in advance; otherwise, please remember to bring your own. This event is free and open to the public. Please contact Ashley Mastin for more information or to RSVP.

On Saturday, October 21st, 2006, GCIV will host the first ever Atlanta Summit on Citizen Diplomacy. The goal of the summit is to raise public awareness of the international interests of Atlanta and Georgia, and to provide a forum for participants to exchange perspectives on issues that affect Georgia’s global engagement. Our summit is part of a national movement which is working to globally engage American citizens. It will offer participants several "cultural competency" workshops and sessions focused on reaching out to specific populations and areas of the world. Moreover, a session will be dedicated to group discussions on citizen diplomacy. Please put this exciting event on your calendar and stay tuned for more information!

Did you receive an invitation to the Consular Ball in the mail? If not, you may not be a current member of GCIV. Our 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 for hundreds of international visitors each year. Becoming a member is easy - just visit our membership page to download an application.