The Georgia Council for International Visitors organized the second Atlanta Summit on Citizen Diplomacy on November 16th, bringing together 300 community members for a day of cross-cultural training, regional briefings, introductory language courses, and conversations with members of Atlanta's distinguished Consular Corps. The event, held at Georgia State University, was the culmination of International Education Week for the city of Atlanta. Click here to read more about the day's events.

The participants at the Atlanta Summit on Citizen Diplomacy were a diverse group - academics, businessmen and women, nonprofit leaders, government officials, volunteers, students, and more. While some companies sent their employees for professional development, Siemens recognized the value of the summit and sent a delegation of twenty-six to the day-long event! Read more.

Please mark your calendars for next year's International Consular Ball, which will take place on March 8th at the new Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center. The International Consular Ball honors the Georgia Consular Corps for its efforts in furthering international relations in Atlanta and the southeastern United States. Now in its 27th year, this is Atlanta's premier international celebration and networking event-you won't want to miss it!

Please contact Shell Stuart at 404-832-5560 x 21 for 2008 corporate partner information. Only GCIV corporate and individual members will receive invitations to the 2008 Consular Ball. Be sure to renew your membership if you haven't already!

In early November, Consul General of Switzerland Ulrich Hunn and Consul General of France Philippe Ardanaz together hosted GCIV's top hospitality volunteers during what has become known as GCIV's annual "Host the Hosts" dinner. Guests were invited to a traditional raclette dinner at the official residence of the Swiss Consul General. GCIV volunteer hosts open their homes to hundreds of visitors from around the world. Some hosts do so once or twice a year, others, like our top hosts of 2007, do so much more frequently. This annual dinner recognizes the valuable contribution volunteer hosts make to fostering international understanding.

GCIV is grateful to the Swiss and French Consulates for their generous hospitality. We would also like to thank our top hosts of 2007: Vicki Van Der Hoek and Allen Freedman, Margaret Pumper, David and Beverly Clyde, Jenni Heerink, Doug Allen and Athena Gemella, and Joel Kollin.

GCIV hosted Mr. Mohammed Khaliel in Atlanta November 7-11. Mr. Khaliel is a candidate for Parliament for the Labour party and also serves as an advocate for Muslims in the United Kingdom. His advocacy work also extends to education, housing and mental health issues. He came to Atlanta to meet with counterparts in politics, diversity education, and civil rights. Click here to read more about his program in Atlanta.

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!

Tuesday, December 11th - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
GCIV Global Lunch Forum: Multiculturalism in Indonesia
Join GCIV visitor Mr. Raja Juli Antoni, Executive Director of the Maarif Institute for Culture and Humanity, for a lunchtime discussion. The Global Lunch Forum will be at the GCIV Office downtown. Participants can bring lunch or purchase a boxed lunch ($10). 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, December 13th - 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
IWA December Meeting
The International Womens Associates will meet for a piano concert with Australian pianist Barry Tognolini. Please contact Emily Bushey at 404-832-5560 x 15 to receive an invitation.

Thursday, December 20th - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
GCIV Global Lunch Forum: Journalism in Eastern Europe
Join GCIV visitor Ms. Maryia Sadouskaya Manager of Radio Belarus, for a lunchtime discussion. The Global Lunch Forum will be at the GCIV Office downtown. Participants can bring lunch or purchase a boxed lunch ($10). 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.

January/February/March 2007
Great Decisions Foreign Policy Discussion Groups
It's that time of year again - GCIV's Great Decisions foreign policy discussion groups will start in January, February, and March 2007. Increase your understanding of world affairs through this eight-week series based on a briefing book published annually by the nonpartisan Foreign Policy Association. GCIV presents this series in order to help participants develop an informed opinion on the role the United States plays in world affairs. The topics of discussion for 2008 include: Iraq, 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. Click here for a list of discussion groups - we will update it as more dates are confirmed. Contact Ashley Mastin at 404-832-5560 x 13 to find out more information, join an existing group, or to start your own discussion group.