GCIV will host the National Council for International Visitors' 2008 Southern Regional Meeting next month. 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 meeting GCIV will showcase the best our city and state have to offer our international exchange participants.

GCIV members may register at no cost. Be sure to register as a "Council for International Visitors Representative" and to list GCIV as your organization.

We need your help in hosting this meeting! As part of the conference's agenda, GCIV has offered participants home hospitality. We need all of our hosts to sign up, and will also need a number of volunteers to help transport our guests to the hosts' homes.

We are also looking for a few more volunteers to help prepare registration materials, work the registration desk, and help with administrative duties during the event. We will prepare the registration packets the afternoon of Tuesday, August 5th, and need help at the registration desk and other duties 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on August 6th-8th.

Please contact Katie Davidson at 404-832-5560 x 17 to tell us your availability to host or drive on Thursday, August 7th, or to volunteer before or during the conference. Thank you for your help!

GCIV had the privilege of hosting a delegation of four women from Egypt, Oman, and Yemen this May. The delegation came to Atlanta to explore women's health issues through the U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program. They had the opportunity to meet with a wide range of professional counterparts while getting to know our city and its people. This fulfilling professional and cultural exchange contributed to GCIV's goal of promoting international understanding. Click here to read more about their program in Atlanta.

Nine European visitors came to Atlanta June 21st to 25th to meet with their counterparts working in international aviation and environmental policies. The group was invited to the United States under the auspices of the U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program, and represented Belgium, the European Commission, Finland, Portugal, Russia, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. This delegation of government officials, transportation experts, researchers, and journalists were able to talk with their professional counterparts about the inner-workings of policy-making as it relates to aviation and environmental issues. Click here to read more about their program in the United States.

GCIV Trustee John Parkerson was featured in the most recent issue of the Georgia Bar Journal. The article spans his career, including his childhood in Tifton, GA, his academic journey, a career in the U.S. Army, legal work at Delta Air Lines, and finally his appointment as Honorary Consul of Hungary for the Southeastern United States. Click here to download the June 2008 issue of the Georgia Law Review - the article is on pages 70-71.

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!

Thursday, July 10th - 12:00 - 1:00 PM
GCIV Global Lunch Forum: Women in Pakistani Law Enforcement
Join two GCIV international exchange participants from Pakistan for a lunchtime discussion about their experiences as female police officers in Pakistan. 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.

Sunday, July 20th - 7:00 - 8:30 PM
GCIV Envoy Event: Namibia, The Struggle for Liberation Film
Join GCIV young professionals for this powerful film about the valiant struggle waged by the people of Namibia for their independence. As part of the National Black Arts Festival, this film gives viewers an insight into the harsh reality of conflict and resulting transition to democracy. The film will play in the Rich Theatre of the Woodruff Arts Center, and the price is $8 per person. Please contact Ashley Mastin at 404-832-5560 x 13 to RSVP or with any questions.

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. GCIV members may register for free, and members of the Atlanta community are also welcome to participate. The NCIV Southern Regional Meeting will take place at the Westin Peachtree Plaza, downtown at 210 Peachtree Street. Contact Katie Davidson at 404-832-5560 x 17 with any questions.