In April GCIV had the pleasure of hosting Ms. Fatma Kaya, a diversity consultant and founder of her own NGO from the Netherlands who was participating in the U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program. During her visit, Ms. Kaya studied NGO management practices, including how to promote diversity, build leadership, and grow businesses. She also examined the policies for the career advancement of female employees, programs aimed at empowering youth, laws that protect against discrimination in the workplace, and fundraising best practices.

While in Atlanta, Ms. Kaya met with representatives from Georgia Department of Economic Development, Karen Handel's office, Georgia State University's Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, Azizah Magazine, Georgia Center for Nonprofits, and Agnes Scott College's Center for Women's Global Leadership. She also spent a day in Columbus, meeting with mayoral candidate Teresa Tomlinson and Neighbor Work's CEO Cathy Williams. In addition, Ms. Kaya enjoyed touring the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site and home hospitality with GCIV volunteer hosts Dana Greene and Richard Roesel. Ms. Kaya is pictured above with GCIV Columbus representative Mrs. Richard Hallock and Cathy Williams.

Bi-National Chambers of Commerce have collaborated to organize Atlanta International Soccer Fest, celebrating 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ and benefiting SOS Children's Villages. SOS Children's Villages USA is the world's largest organization dedicated to orphaned and abandoned children.

The South African-American Chamber of Commerce (SAACOC) and the German American Chamber of Commerce of the Southern US, Inc. (GACC South) have spearheaded the campaign, which includes game viewing parties at numerous venues across the city and a round robin soccer tournament between twenty teams, each representing a different country. Atlanta based consulates, bi-national chambers, trade associations, and community organizations have entered their soccer teams for the tournament on June 12 at the Atlanta Silverbacks RE/MAX Greater Atlanta Stadium.

According to Derrick Jackson, executive director of the South African-American Chamber of Commerce in Atlanta, "As South Africa prepares to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ this summer, and Atlanta vies for the games in 2018 or 2022, we are tapping into metro Atlanta's growing enthusiasm for the sport. It's a perfect way to support SOS Children's Villages, with its longstanding connection to soccer."