GCIV members had an exclusive opportunity to network with recently-elected Nigerian National Assembly members.

 

GCIV Blog: Celebrating 500 Programs

 

GCIV program director Emily O'Harris has reached a significant milestone. She recently completed her 500th international exchange program. Over the past five years, Emily has designed and implemented professional and cultural programs for visiting leaders from over 125 countries. GCIV staff, board members, volunteers, friends and family celebrated Emily's accomplishment and the power of diplomacy in September with a party at Pura Vida.

 

Click here to read the full blog post. We hope you will share your memories/comments about these programs on GCIV's blog.

Network with Leaders from Around the World

Take advantage of the opportunity to network with international leaders from around the world by joining GCIV as a Citizen Diplomat! 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 and host hundreds of distinguished international visitors each year. Becoming a member is easy and offers perks like exclusive members-only receptions and hosting opportunities. Visit our membership page or contact Nicole Rateau at nicole@gciv.org for more information.

GCIV Hosts Fulbright Scholars

GCIV has been selected as one of only three national hosts for a Fulbright Visiting Scholars Enrichment Seminar in the 2011/2012 academic year. The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs has chosen GCIV's proposal on democracy and human rights as "one of the strongest in a strong competition." The seminar will be held in Atlanta November 2-6, 2011 and will focus on democracy, human rights, women's issues and trafficking in persons. Visiting scholars will attend plenary sessions, panel discussions and workshops in partnership with such prestigious institutions as Emory University, University of Georgia, numerous NGOs and reputable scholars on the above topics. In addition, scholars will participate in cultural excursions, walking tours of some of Atlanta's most notable historic sites and plenty of interaction with the GCIV network. GCIV is seeking home hospitality hosts for the group. For more information about the seminar or providing home hospitality for the scholars, please contact Irene Bailey at irene@gciv.org or 404-832-5560 x 13.

Calling All Home Hospitality Hosts

Please help us showcase Atlanta's famous southern hospitality on Saturday, November 5 by hosting a small group of Fulbright scholars for dinner. If you can't host in your home, you can still participate by providing transportation. To sign up as a volunteer host or driver or for more information, please contact Emily O'Harris at emily@gciv.org or 404-832-5560 x 15.

Introducing NCIV's Welcoming Words

The National Council for International Visitors (NCIV) is pleased to announce a new resource for network volunteers to use when welcoming international visitors. Welcoming Words is a series of one-page foreign language guides that provide translations and pronunciations of common greetings. Welcoming Words guides are currently available in ten languages, and more will be added in the coming weeks. To view and download Welcoming Words, follow this link.

How do you picture citizen diplomacy?

Please send us your favorite photos of visitors! GCIV will submit the best photos to our national organization, NCIV, for their annual photo contest. Submissions can feature visitors at home hospitality, school visits, cultural events or in any setting that captures the experiences of the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). We are also collecting stories and anecdotes in preparation for next year's 50th anniversary! Please send photos and stories to nicole@gciv.org.

Win a FREE GCIV Membership!  

If you like GCIV, like us on Facebook! When GCIV accumulates 500 likes, one random lucky fan will receive a free one-year Citizen Diplomat membership or renewal of their current membership for a year! You can also view images, upcoming events, who's coming to town and post your own comments, thoughts, photos, etc. Click here to like us now: www.facebook.com/GeorgiaCouncilforInternationalVisitors!

Facebook is a social networking site where users create a personal profile, add other users as friends, and exchange messages, including automatic notifications when they update their profile. There is no fee to participate. Sign up and "like" us today!

Home-Stay Hosts Needed

 

 

 

GCIV is seeking volunteer home-stay hosts for an Open World delegation from Russia studying social issues and healthcare in the U.S. Five delegates, one facilitator and one interpreter will need to be hosted from December 2-10, 2011.    

 

Home-stay hosts are asked to provide a private bedroom, drop-off on weekdays at a central meeting point by 9:30 a.m. and some meals. Hosts are invited to participate in the professional day when appropriate as well as cultural activities with the delegation and will receive a small stipend to help offset costs. If you are interested in being a volunteer host or would like more information, please contact Irene Bailey at irene@gciv.org or 404-832-5560 x 13.

Since its founding by Congress in 1999, the Open World Program has enabled more than 16,000 current and future Eurasian leaders to experience American democracy, civil society and community life; work with their American counterparts; stay in American homes; and gain new ideas and inspiration for implementing change back home. Some 6,000 American host families and their communities in all 50 states have partnered with U.S. Congress and Open World to make this ambitious public diplomacy effort possible.  

   

Consular Corps-ner: France-Atlanta Returns

 

 

 

After last year's success, the Consulate General of France and Georgia Institute of Technology partner again to present a new edition of "France-Atlanta: Together Towards Innovation." 15 French-American events in the scientific, business, cultural and humanitarian domains will take place between October 26 - November 12, 2011.

 

Prominent figures from France will travel to Atlanta for France-Atlanta 2011 including Dr. Christophe Legendre, world renown adult nephrology-transplantation specialist from Necker Hospital, highly respected French choreographer Pierre Rigal and Sandrine Chopin of the French NGO Handicap International as well as representatives from French businesses like Areva, Veolia and Suez Entertainment.

 

This unique partnership is presented under the high auspices of the Ambassador of France to the U.S., the Governor of Georgia and the Mayor of Atlanta. For more information, visit http://france-atlanta.org.  

 

6th Annual Istanbul Center Art and Essay Contest

 

 

 

Middle and high school students in Alabama, Flordia, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee are invited to submit an original artwork and/or essay in the Istanbul Center's annual contest on the theme "1 Billion Hungry in the World: What's Your Role?" The purpose of the contest is to have students be aware of and involved in solving social problems in our world today. Each year the program theme looks towards global peace and intercultural understanding. The prizes include all-expense paid trips to Turkey and gift cards for both students and teachers! Submissions will be accepted until January 27, 2012. For more information visit www.artessay.org or www.istanbulcenter.org.     

 

International Environment Project Olympiad Returns to Georgia!

 

 

 

Upcoming GCIV Events

 

Wednesday, October 19, 6:30 - 8:30 PM 

International Dining Experience  

Get to know other GCIV members and share your questions, experiences and insights about hosting international visitors in your home. GCIV's International Dining Experiences (IDEs) take place at a different international restaurant around the 15th day of every other month. The meal is prefaced by announcements of GCIV's current and upcoming activities, as well as introductions of international visitors present. Don't forget to bring a guest - this is a great way to introduce your friends and neighbors to GCIV! We are welcoming a world-wide delegation of CNN Journalism Fellows from Australia, Chile, Czech Republic, France, Germany, India, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Malaysia, Nigeria and Palestinian Territories. Meet at Penang Malaysian Restaurant, 4897 Buford Highway, Atlanta, Georgia 30341. The price is $25 per person and includes a three-course meal of Malaysian delicacies, nonalcoholic beverage, tax and gratuity. Reservations are required. For more information and to RSVP, email Nicole Rateau at nicole@gciv.org.

   

Community Events

 

September 25, 2011 - January 8, 2012
"Torn from Home: My Life as a Refugee"

Today, more than 30 million people around the world have been displaced due to war and violence. Of that number, nearly 10 million refugees are children.  Through this inspiring, hands-on exhibit, children ages 8-12 can explore what it means to be a refugee through the eyes of children who are forced to leave their homes and seek safety in a new land. This special exhibit is at the Breman Jewish Heritage and Holocaust Museum in The Selig Center at 1440 Spring St. NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30309. For more information, visit www.thebreman.org.
 

September 29 - October 2, 2011

Atlanta Greek Festival

The Atlanta Greek Festival has been a long-standing Atlanta tradition for 37 years. The event brings all the aromas, sounds, tastes and traditions of Greece to your doorstep. Your admission ticket becomes your passport as you enjoy all the beauty of Santorini and the fun of Mykonos. The festival is at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 2500 Clairmont Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30329. The cost is $5.00 for adults. For more information, visit www.atlantagreekfestival.org.  

September 29 - October 9, 2011

Theater Emory presents The Lieutenant of Inishmore

Theater Emory's 2011-2012 season kicks off with Martin McDonagh's hysterical dark comedy about "Mad Padraic" who returns to Inishmore after a tour of torture and bombing in Northern Ireland only to find his beloved cat is dead. The rest of the season features "Bloody, Breathless and Bold" performances, including classic plays, new works and a collaboration with Actor's Express. The play is held in Emory's Mary Gray Munroe Theater at Dobbs University Center. For tickets and more information, visit arts.emory.edu.    

  

Tuesday, October 4, 6:30 - 9:00 PM

"Drug Development in the 21st Century: Are We Going to Cure all Diseases?" by Nobel Laureate Aaron Ciechanover  

Nobel Laureate Aaron Ciechanover will address the new era of personalized medicine, where drug treatment will be tailored to the patient's molecular/mutational profile. Characterized by new technologies, this era will require a change in our approach to scientific research and education, where interdisciplinary collaboration will replace the traditional, discipline-oriented approach. Symbolizing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, this lecture is being jointly hosted by the Consulate General of Israel, Georgia Tech's College of Computing and the Integrated BioSystems Institute (Georgia Tech and Emory University's joint biomedical engineering program). The lecture is at Georgia Tech College of Management, 800 West Peachtree Street, Atlanta, Georgia 30308 and is free to attend, but RSVP is required. To RSVP or for more information, visit http://www.cc.gatech.edu/events/distinguished-lecture-nobel-laureate-aaron-ciechanover. 

 

Wednesday, October 5, 7:00 - 9:00 PM

Nawal in Concert 

"Nawal: La voix des Comoros" presented by the Istanbul Center and Alliance Française d'Atlanta features internationally renowned artist, Nawal. Hailing from the Comoros Islands, in the Indian Ocean between Mozambique and Madagascar, Nawal bathed in both popular and spiritual music from a young age. Now based in Paris, France, she is recognized as a key figure from her native islands. Between traditional and contemporary, Nawal's compositions are an acoustic roots-based fusion, inspired by the light of her Sufi heritage founded on love, respect and peace. The concert is at Alliance Française d'Atlanta, Colony Square Plaza Level, 1197 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, Georgia 30361. For tickets and more information, visit www.afatl.com. 

 

Thursday, October 6, 4:30 - 6:00 PM

"Transfer Pricing - What German Companies Doing Business
in the U.S. Should Know"

The German American Chamber of Commerce of the Southern U.S., Inc. (GACC South) presents this business seminar on transfer pricing. The seminar is at the offices of GACC South, 1170 Howell Mill Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30318. The seminar is free for GACC South members and $35 for non-members. Click here for more information.    

 

Thursday, October 6, 7:30 - 9:00 PM

"U.S. Security Strategy in the Pacific"

International Issues Forum (IIF) continues their discussion on the "U.S. Security Strategy in the Pacific." Discussions are free and open to the public. The group meets at Villa International Library, 2nd floor, 1749 Clifton Road (0.4 miles from Briarcliff), Atlanta, Georgia 30329. Additional parking is available across the street. For more information, email mjjohnst@gmail.com.  

 

Friday, October 7, 7:00 PM
"Forgiveness and Living Together: Another Vision of Peacebuilding"

Presented by Alliance Française d'Atlanta and featuring Marguerite Barankitse, Burundi humanitarian activist. On October 24, 1993, Marguerite "Maggy" Barankitse, witnessed an unimaginable event that forever changed her life. Barankitse was working for the Catholic bishop of Ruyigi, in eastern Burundi, when ethnic Tutsis stormed the bishop's residence, killing 72 Hutus. Amid the chaos and confusion, Barankitse managed to save 25 children and, driven by hope, thoughts of peace and a calling from God, set out to provide a safe haven for the youngest survivors of unspeakable violence. What began in 1993 as a home for the 25 orphaned children who survived the attack, has grown into a multi-functional service agency helping heal and support 30,000 young people and families centered on education, health, vocational training and reconciliation and strives to change the lives of children to better the lives of all Burundians. The presentation is at Alliance Française d'Atlanta, Colony Square Plaza Level, 1197 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, Georgia 30361. For tickets and more information, visit www.afatl.com.  

  

Saturday, October 8, 7:00 - 10:30 PM

Munich Swing Stars 

Celebrate Oktoberfest season with Bavarian music and food from Der Biergarten! The Munich Swing Stars perform on the rooftop terrace of STATS, located at 300 Marietta Street, Atlanta, Georgia 30313 to benefit the German American Cultural Foundation. $15 for advance tickets, $20 at the door. Click here for more information. 

     

Tuesday, October 11, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
"Georgia Tech Cyber Security Summit 2011"  

Presented by the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs and featuring keynote speaker Admiral William J. Fallon, retired United States Navy, and panelists Dmitri Alperovitch, independent security researcher; Gustavo De Los Reyes, executive director of Technology Security for AT&T; Daniel Schutzer, chief technology officer of The Financial Services Roundtable; Rob Smith, chief technology officer of Mobile Active Defense; Owen Tripp, chief operating officer of Reputation.com; George A. Wright, associate laboratory director and chief of engineering at the Cyber Technology and Security Laboratory of GTRI. The summit is free and open to the public and is in the Lecraw Auditorium at Georgia Tech College of Management, 800 West Peachtree Street, Atlanta, Georgia 30308. For more information, visit http://georgiatechcybersecuritysummit.eventbrite.com.   

  

Tuesday, October 11, 6:00 - 9:00 PM

International Social Mixer 

Co-organized by the British American Business Group, French American Chamber of Commerce and the German American Chamber of Commerce of the Southern U.S., Inc. The social will be at the Glenn Hotel, 110 Marietta Street, Atlanta, Georgia 30303. The event is free but pre-registration is required. Email events@gaccsouth.com to RSVP or for more information.    

    

Wednesday, October 12, 7:00 PM 

CNN Dialogues  

The popular series presents "Living in the Age of Social Media-the Good, the Bad, and the Surprising." The panelists will explore how social media is affecting change in individual lives and global societies. Don Lemon will moderate the discussion among the panelists and audience. Join us for a lively, relevant discussion and support the Center for Civil and Human Rights in the process. Tickets are $25 and a portion of the proceeds helps advance the Center's work. The discussion is at the Ray Charles Performing Arts Center at Morehouse College. Click here for more information.   

 

Thursday, October 13, 7:00 - 8:30 PM 

"The State of Democracy in the Americas"  

According to the Inter-American Democratic Charter, "The peoples of the Americas have a right to democracy and their governments have an obligation to promote and defend it." In the tenth year of this important document, panelists will discuss the state of democracy in the Americas and the Charter's reach. Panelists include Dante Caputo, former foreign minister of Argentina; Eduardo Stein, former vice president of Guatemala; and Mariclaire Acosta, former undersecretary of foreign relations for human rights and democracy of Mexico. Carter Center Americas Program Director Jennifer McCoy will moderate. The event is in the Ivan Allen Pavilion at The Carter Center, Cecil B. Day Chapel, 453 Freedom Parkway, Atlanta, Georgia 30307. Free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.jimmycarterlibrary.gov.   

  

Wednesday, October 19, 6:15 PM 

Women, War and Peace Screening 

Join the National Center for Civil and Human Rights and the Spelman College Women's Research and Resource Center for a special screening of the PBS series, Women, War and Peace with special guest filmmaker Abigail Disney. The free screening is at the Cosby Academic Center of Spelman College, 350 Spelman Lane, Atlanta, Georgia 30314. For more information and to RSVP, visit http://womenwarandpeacescreening.eventbrite.com.  

 

Thursday, October 20, 5:00 - 9:00 PM