In May GCIV hosted Dr. Norbert Both, Speechwriter for the Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs. Dr. Both was invited to the United States under the auspices of the US Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program. While in Atlanta he met with key professional counterparts and experienced American culture.

As speechwriter Dr. Both is responsible for all speeches and newspaper columns. A recent series of speeches he wrote for Foreign Minister Bernard Bot laying out innovative ideas for reorganizing the NATO alliance has earned him high regard within the Dutch foreign affairs establishment. During his three-week program in the United States, Dr. Both wished to discuss U.S.-European relations

and learn about the history, current trends and future outlook for cultural diversity in the United States. He also wanted to study the civil rights movement in the United States and the laws and institutions that provide anti-discrimination protections, and look at ways to preserve an open society in a time of transnational terrorism and international crime.

Dr. Both’s trip to Atlanta began with the Memorial Day holiday. He attended the Atlanta Jazz Festival’s closing weekend and saw the Atlanta Braves play at Turner Field. GCIV’s young professionals group Envoy had the opportunity to host our Dutch guest at a Memorial Day barbecue. While grilling out and playing croquet, he experienced one of the United States’ most important holidays.

with Program Coordinator Yotin Srivanjarean to discuss the wide variety of health care, social, and human services that CPACS offers to an ethnically diverse population. Dr. Both gained perspective on the need for comprehensive services to minority populations.

The following day the visitor met with Mr. Joe Beasley, Regional Director of the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition. They discussed the past and present civil rights movements and the need to build bridges among diverse communities. Finally, Dr. Both went to the Georgia Justice Project to learn about the organization’s holistic program to help clients accused of crimes obtain legal representation, learn job skills and reduce the rate of recidivism. Staff Attorney Amy Zaremba detailed GJP’s mission to break the cycle of poverty through their programs.

GCIV was honored to have Dr. Both come to Atlanta as part of the prestigious International Visitor Leadership Program. His experiences here in Atlanta as well as Washington, DC, New York City, Los Angeles, and Rapid City gave him a first-hand view of the diversity of the United States and how Europe might adapt its policies and services. Commenting on his three-week program, Dr. Both said: “I have gained a better understanding of how the US works as a multicultural society. It is clear to me that, in order to keep the trans-Atlantic relationship alive in the longer term, Europe's and America's immigrant communities will have to feel they are a stakeholder in that relationship, more so than many feel today.” We look forward to hearing of his continued progress.