GCIV is excited to host the National Council for International Visitors' 2008 Southern Regional Meeting next week, August 6-8. Special guest Ambassador Andrew Young will address the group during Thursday afternoon's luncheon. Ambassador Young started meeting with international visitors through GCIV's programs when he was mayor of Atlanta in the 1980s. We look forward to hearing his comments on the importance of citizen diplomacy.

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. You can now view a copy of the schedule and see bios of the plenary speakers online. We are very excited to also hear from International Community School Principal Emeritus Bill Moon and MedShare International Executive Director Nell Naye Diallo on Friday. Additionally, Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Goli Ameri, Director of the U.S. State Department's Office of International Visitors Brad Minnick, and National Council for International Visitors' President Sherry Mueller will address participants on the value of our professional exchange programs. The conference is sure to be a success, with nearly 150 local and out-of-state citizen diplomats gathering for networking, sharing of best practices, and some old-fashioned southern hospitality.

GCIV hosted a delegation of two female police officers from Pakistan this past July 9-12. As participants in the U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program, the group met with local professionals to discuss community policing, women in law enforcement, domestic violence programs, and human rights. They also had the opportunity to share their experiences with GCIV members during a Global Lunch Forum. You can click here to read about their program in Atlanta.

GCIV member Joan Roberts has enjoyed meeting international visitors through GCIV's community programs. But a few weeks ago, she had the opportunity to accompany a delegation on their professional program after their State Department escort suffered an unfortunate fall. She spent the day with seven civil society and government leaders from Cameroon, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, and Uganda. When the opportunity arises, GCIV will put out a notice to volunteer as an escort or a driver for an international delegation. Click here to read about Joan's experience. Contact Emily Bushey at 404-832-5560 x 13 if you are interested in being a volunteer escort and/or driver.

Are you getting excited about the 2008 Elections? So is GCIV! The State Department has asked us to take advantage of this election year, and give every single one of our international visitors an opportunity to see the American political process. Are you planning to attend a political rally, make calls at a campaign phone bank, go door to door for a candidate, help register voters, or any other political activity? Please consider taking an international visitor with you to see democracy in action! Contact Emily Bushey at 404-832-5560 x 15 to give us your ideas.

GCIV has partnered with Fulton County Chairman John Eaves to bring members of the Fulton County Youth Commission to South Africa. The group will tour historic civil rights sites, stopping in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town, including Soweto. They will also spend time with their Johannesburg counterparts, who will visit Fulton County in October to tour cultural, historic and civil rights sites. You can read more about the Fulton County Global Youth Leadership Program online.

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!

Wednesday, August 6th-Friday, August 8th
NCIV Southern Regional Meeting
GCIV will host 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. Contact Katie Davidson at 404-832-5560 x 17 with any questions.

Thursday, August 14th - 12:00 - 1:00 PM
GCIV Global Lunch Forum: Advocating for Women's Issues and GNH in Thailand
Join a GCIV international exchange participant from Thailand for a lunchtime discussion about her work in women's issues and on the International Conference on Gross National Happiness. GNH looks at defining quality of life in more holistic and psychological terms. This Global Lunch Forum will be at the Regency Suites Hotel in midtown. You can bring your own lunch at no cost, or order a boxed lunch in advance for $10. Registration is 12:00-12:10, and the Global Lunch Forum begins promptly at 12:10 PM. Space is limited, so you must make a reservation to attend. Contact Ashley Mastin at 404-832-5560 x 13 to RSVP.

Friday, August 15th - 12:00 - 1:30 PM
GCIV International Dining Experience at Fire of Brazil
Get to know other GCIV members and hosts and share your questions, experiences and insights about hosting international visitors in your home. We are also inviting the Brazilian delegation focusing on trade issues. The menu is $25 and includes a collection of six meats, a salad bar, non-alcoholic drinks, tax, and gratuity. Contact Ashley Mastin at 404-832-5560 x 13 for more information or to RSVP.

Thursday, August 28th - 12:00 - 1:00 PM
GCIV Global Lunch Forum: European Humanitarian Aid to Africa
Join a GCIV international exchange participant from Italy for a lunchtime discussion about the EU's humanitarian aid to Africa. You can bring your own lunch at no cost, or order a boxed lunch in advance for $10. Registration is 12:00-12:10, and the Global Lunch Forum begins promptly at 12:10 PM. Space is limited, so you must make a reservation to attend. Contact Ashley Mastin at 404-832-5560 x 13 to RSVP.

Tuesdays, September 23rd - November 18th - 7:30-9:00 PM
Great Decisions - Evening at Emory
Increase your understanding of world affairs by joining the last Great Decisions discussion group offered by GCIV in 2008. This eight-week series is based on a briefing book published annually by the nonpartisan Foreign Policy Association. The 2008 topics include: Iraq: Endgame, the European Union at 50, Talking to Our Enemies, Russia, US Defense & Security Policy, Latin America: Shift to the Left?, US-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.