GCIV hosted a distinguished guest from Malaysia, Ms. Sabina Arokiam, September 10-14, 2008. Ms. Arokiam works with several NGOs in Malaysia, and champions the causes of refugee resettlement, media literacy, HIV/AIDS awareness, youth development, and fine arts. She traveled to Atlanta under the auspices of the US State Department's International Visitor Leadership Program, and hoped to meet with NGO leaders working in refugee resettlement and permaculture. GCIV's International Women Associates welcomed Ms. Arokiam to their September meeting and enjoyed hearing about her work and her life in Malaysia. Click here to read more.

From September 27 to October 1st, GCIV hosted a delegation of six civil society, government, and media representatives for a professional exchange program. The members of the group work in various capacities to promote equal rights and participation of Afro-Brazilians. They traveled to the U.S. under the auspices of the U.S. State Department's International Visitor Leadership Program, and met with a wide variety of professional resources in Georgia and throughout the country. Click here to read more.

Our colleagues at NCIV have posted photos from the NCIV Southern Regional Meeting. Click here to see photos from the three days of professional development and networking for the NCIV network in Atlanta. Thank you again to our sponsors - the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Atlanta City Council's Advisory Committee on International Relations, the Regency Suites Hotel, and D&A Transportation Services.

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 participate in 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 seeks a qualified intern to start in mid-January 2009. The intern would work a minimum of fifteen hours per week for a twelve-week period. A stipend is available upon successful completion of the internship. If applicable, the internship can also be used toward course credit. S/he will work directly with GCIV staff, and will assist in coordinating international exchange programs, among other responsibilities. Interested candidates should send a resume and cover letter to Ashley Mastin.

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 for 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!

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 page, or contact Ashley Mastin at 404-832-5560 x 13 with questions.

Tuesday, October 7th, 12:00 - 1:00 PM
GCIV Global Lunch Forum: The Face of the New Conservative Party in the United Kingdom
Join GCIV and an international exchange participant from the United Kingdom for a lunchtime discussion about the political landscape in the United Kingdom, courtesy of an up-and-coming leader of the Conservative Party. This Global Lunch Forum will be at the Regency Suites Hotel, 975 West Peachtree Street 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.

Thursday, October 9th, 10:00 AM-12:00 PM
IWA October Meeting
The International Womens Associates will hear a presentation from Mr. Rob Hill, an expert on Atlanta's history. Please contact Ashley Mastin at 404-832-5560 x 13 to receive an invitation.

Wednesday, October 15th
Dine Out for International Understanding!
GCIV presents an exciting new opportunity to support our work. Restaurants around the metropolitan area will donate a percentage of their proceeds from Wednesday, October 15th. Keep an eye out for a forthcoming announcement of participating restaurants and details!

Monday, October 27th, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
GCIV Envoy Event: Carter Center Lecture
Join GCIV young professionals at a lecture and book signing at the Carter Center. Sarah Vowell's new book, The Wordy Shipmates, details political, religious, and social movements in seventeenth century New England that would shape a nation. In particular, Vowell studies the Puritan effect and finds their beliefs about church and state more interesting than their buckles and corn reputation would suggest. Envoy members will meet at 6:45 in the Carter Center Chapel. Contact Ashley Mastin at 404-832-5560 x 13 to RSVP.