GCIV hosted Mr. Asad Ahmad December 17-20, 2006. Mr. Ahmad is an anchor for BBC London, reporting on issues around the capital and for the national news during elections and key dates in the year. He came to Atlanta to meet with counterparts in the U.S. broadcast television news field, learn more about the American civil rights movement, and interact with leaders of programs which promote racial, ethnic, and religious tolerance. Before this International Visitor Leadership Program, Mr. Ahmad participated in a program sponsored by the UK government, traveling to Washington, DC, Houston, and Chicago.

On his first day in Atlanta, Mr. Ahmad met with Mr. Joe Beasley, Southern Regional Director of the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition. They spoke about past and present efforts in the civil rights movement.

Next, he came to the GCIV office to participate in a Lunch Forum. He spoke about the British Muslim experience in general and then took questions from the audience. He noted key differences between American and British Muslims, discussed the media’s coverage of the Muslim community, and talked about being a role model for youth in the UK.

GCIV was honored to have this distinguished visitor come to Atlanta as part of the prestigious International Visitor Leadership Program. His experiences on this program gave him a first-hand view of the diversity of the United States and inclusion and education programs in place. We wish Mr. Asad the best of luck, and hope his trip to Atlanta will help in his professional endeavors.