GCIV was honored to host the National Council for International Visitors' 2008 Southern Regional Meeting August 6-8, 2008. The meeting served as professional development and networking opportunity for the national network responsible for implementing the U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program. Participants included representatives from fellow CIV representatives from the southern region and around the country, Washington, DC Program Agencies, and the US Department of State, as well as GCIV's local citizen diplomats. Click here to read more about the NCIV Southern Regional Meeting.

On August 13-17, 2008, GCIV hosted a distinguished guest from Thailand, Ms. Solossa Meesompluem. Ms. Meesompluem has worked with a variety of NGOs in Thailand, and is currently pursuing her Masters' Degree in Women Studies at Thammasart University. 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 women's rights, refugee resettlement, and grassroots movements. Click here to read more about her program in Atlanta.

On average GCIV coordinates programs for 100 delegations every year. We try to stay in touch with our exchange participants, and every so often we have the opportunity to reconnect with them when business brings them to Atlanta. We were fortunate to arrange a second program for a delegation that participated in the US State Department's International Visitor Leadership Program in July 2006. A group of six young men of African descent living in Paris started an organization called Braves Garcons d'Afrique (BGA) or "Courageous Young Men of Africa." BGA works to address the difficult issues facing local youth, many from immigrant families. Their work has focused on artistic, cultural, and sports programs to build solidarity among resident youth of African descent, and help young men end a cycle of falling prey to violence as a reaction to societal marginalization. Three founding members of BGA returned to Atlanta August 22-26, 2008, to reconnect and make new linkages in preparation of upcoming BGA projects. Click here to read more about their program in Atlanta.

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'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!

Thursday, September 11th, 10:00 AM-12:00 PM
IWA September Meeting
The International Womens Associates will hear a presentation from GCIV staff about the U.S. State Department's International Visitor Leadership Program. An IVLP participant from Malaysia will talk about her experience working for various NGOs in her home country. Please contact Ashley Mastin at 404-832-5560 x 13 to receive an invitation.

Friday, September 12th, 12:00 - 1:00 PM
GCIV Global Lunch Forum: Fighting AIDS in Argentina
Join GCIV international exchange participants from Argentina for a lunchtime discussion about their work in HIV and AIDS prevention. 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.

Monday, September 15th, 6:00 - 7:30 PM
GCIV Host Orientation
Learn the "ins and outs" of hosting while getting to know GCIV staff and fellow hosts. GCIV will organize host orientations once a quarter to help experienced and new hosts alike stay informed and become better citizen diplomats. Participation in an orientation is mandatory for all hosts. Please join us for one at your earliest convenience. The orientation will take place at the Regency Suites Hotel, 975 West Peachtree Street in midtown. RSVP to Emily Bushey at 404-832-5560 x 15.

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.