GCIV hosted four international visitors who came to Atlanta to study civil conflict resolution. The four delegates represented Croatia, Nigeria, the Philippines, and Zimbabwe. With different experiences and situations in their home countries, the visitors came together as part of the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program to examine the role of the U.S. government, non-governmental organizations, and citizens in mediating and negotiating conflict. They were able to meet with a wide variety of professionals in Atlanta March 20-25, 2007.

The group began their professional program by meeting with Mr. Joe Beasley, the Director of the Rainbow/PUSH Southern Regional headquarters. Mr. Beasley spoke of his efforts in the civil rights movement, past

and present. Next, they met with Ms. Joan Baptist and Ms. Cheryl Odeleye of WRFG Community Radio to learn about how the radio station uses music as a tool to promote understanding in the community. Later that afternoon, they had the opportunity to meet with Ms. Channa Threat and Ms. Shauna Carmichael of Kennesaw State University’s Center for Conflict Management. They were provided with an overview of some of the research that occurs at the Center.

On Thursday, the visitors began their day with the Boys and Girls Club of America. Mr. Frank Sanchez and Mr. David Reid of the Delinquency Prevention Program spoke about aspects of the Gang Prevention through Targeted Outreach Programs and its role in promoting tolerance and understanding in the community. Mr. Allen Shaklan of Refugee Family Services met the group afterwards to discuss his work to help refugees adapt and become acculturated to life in Atlanta and the U.S. as well as some of the challenges that the refugee families face in the community. Finally, Reverend Theron Stuart of Atlanta Interfaith AIDS Network discussed the ways in which his organization uses faith-based attitudes towards the disease by focusing on the spiritual and emotional needs of individuals. That evening, the international visitors had the opportunity to experience true Southern Hospitality by having dinner in the homes of local Atlantans.

Faith and the City was their first stop Friday morning. Mr. Doug Gatlin spoke about how they encourage religious leaders to take a more informed role regarding community issues as a way of promoting cooperation and collaboration in the community. Afterwards, GCIV was proud to host them as our distinguished guest of our lunch forum. Here, GCIV members got a chance to meet with the visitors first hand and hear about each of their individual experiences in their home countries. Be sure to look out for other opportunities to attend a lunch forum! The delegation ended their program with a meeting with Georgia State Representative Tyrone Brooks to hear about his involvement in the Civil Rights Movement.

GCIV was honored to have these distinguished visitors come to Atlanta and meet with our many valuable professional resources. Their experiences here in gave them a first-hand view of the diversity of the United States and gave them some ideas on how administer higher education in their own countries. To quote Mr. Drazen Miocic of Croatia: “My experience in Atlanta, GA is really one thing that I will remember for the rest of my life. . . the Atlanta program fulfilled my expectations 100%!”