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Get Social
With Us!
Board of Directors
Honorary Chairs
Mayor Eric Garcetti
City of Los Angeles
Sheila Kuehl
Chair, L.A. County Board of Supervisors
Chairman
Matthew Olsen
Boston Private
Vice Chairs
Mathias Fobi, M.D.
Bariatec Corporation
Michele A. Franchett
Stone Grzegorek & Gonzalez LLP
Michael McDowell
Japan House LA
Secretary
Deanne Neiman
Honorary Consul of Botswana
Legal Counsel
Wafa J. Hoballah
WJH Law Group, APC
Laman Alani
Retired Pharmaceutical Executive
Haifa Azawi, M.D.
New Woman Medical Care
Kathy Jones Irish
Kathy Jones Irish Consulting, LLC
Jonathan Kaji
Kaji & Associates
Patti MacJennett
Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board
Rima Nashashibi
Nashashibi International Consultants, LLC
Stephen Ozoigbo
Relativity Education
Lourdes Saab
L.A. County Office of Protocol
William Jerry Silva
Southern California Edison
David R. Stepp
Bryan Cave LLP
Yael Swerdlow
Women's Empowerment Foundation
Tim Watkins
Watts Labor Community Action Committee
Nivine Woods
Johnson & Johnson
President & CEO
Janet Elliott
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Quote of the Month
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"I got to learn something I had never known existed before. It made me realize we all have the goal of developing compassion and tolerance. Peace for everyone is the essence of every religion. I am impressed with this temple because it offers a sense of tranquility and bliss. I had no idea I would see the U.S. in this light, especially L.A."
--Participant from Thailand on the November 2017 Program "Religious Pluralism and Civil Rights" in reference to a visit to Hsi Lai Temple
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An Angelino Re-Discovers Los Angeles
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Visiting the Hsi Lai Temple in Hacienda Heights
Article written by IVCLA Projects Coordinator, Allison Yang
Last month, I had the pleasure of driving two visitors and an interpreter from Thailand to their meetings in L.A. They were here for a program exploring religious pluralism and civil rights in America. One of the visitors is the president of an organization that works with vulnerable youth, while the other heads a program promoting peace between the Muslim and Buddhist communities in Southern Thailand. I grew especially close with the interpreter (now my adopted grandma) as we exchanged insights about our cultures and talked about everything from beauty pageants to her favorite physicist, Michio Kaku.
While sharing my knowledge of L.A., I also learned a thing or two from the visitors. Apparently the Thai food at Grand Central Market was authentic and delicious, though the Thai restaurant (which shall remain unnamed) in Pasadena served mediocre, over-salted food. The visitors were also a bit puzzled when I ordered pad kee mao (drunken noodles) with tofu in an effort to stay healthy. Back in Thailand, pad kee mao is only served with meat.
Though I grew up in L.A. County, I felt like a visitor in my own region as I drove the guests around. I learned a bit about the Thai Community Development Center's work in L.A. and discovered that Pasadena has an Islamic school in the area. I was especially amazed when we visited the magnificent Hsi Lai temple in Hacienda Heights because I never knew such a grand Buddhist sanctuary existed right here!
The program was meant to educate the visitors about religious diversity and civil rights in L.A. County, but as their driver, I felt I was learning along with them. I also forged a meaningful connection with the interpreter with whom I remain in touch. The two days spent with the Thai guests demonstrated to me the importance of interacting with people of different backgrounds on a personal basis. I joined IVCLA wholeheartedly believing in its mission of cultivating cross-cultural relationships to promote understanding and peace, but it was doubly rewarding to actively participate in the process.
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Happy Holidays IVCLA Community!
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Come by the IVCLA office for an open house to celebrate the holidays! Mingle with IVCLA staff members, professional resources, and members while enjoying holiday treats! Drop in any time between 2:00 and 7:00 p.m. Light refreshments and lots of holiday cheer will be provided!
We would like to thank you for your generous support over the years. Without it, we would not be able to carry out our mission of creating international understanding and cooperation between the Los Angeles region and the rest of the world. We wish you peace, health, and happiness in the coming year!
We hope you can join us on Tuesday!
Please RSVP by Monday, December 11th.
Parking is available behind the building. Entrance off Mariposa Ave. Sorry no validation.
After the Open House:
Young professionals, join us at the
Line Hotel's Pot Lobby Bar (across the street from the IVCLA office) to continue the fun! All are welcome! Happy hour is until 8:00 p.m.
Please RSVP to hstoddard@ivcla.org if you would like to join us!
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Help IVCLA While Holiday Shopping!
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Use the
AmazonSmile link below and Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible purchases to IVCLA!
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Film "Soul" Premieres in the U.S.
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Soul was produced by Fulbright student Pedro Peira, who attended IVCLA's Fulbright Luncheon this fall. The film takes viewers inside the kitchens of two world-famous chefs: Jiro Ono from Japan and Eneko Atxa from Spain and examines parallels between two seemingly different cooking styles. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Soul manages to "
capture the deep traditions that have made Basque and Japanese cuisines two of the most coveted in the world, revealing how recipes and techniques that have been handed down for generations are still the best way to build a perfect meal." Check it out!
Watch the full film:
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International Opportunities
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Combatting Disinformation: A New Fellowship for U.S. and German Journalism Students
Beginning in May 2018, the Journalism in the Era of Disinformation Fellowship will bring together up to eight German and eight American journalism students for a week-long program in Washington, D.C. and New York to exchange ideas and analyze the similar ways disinformation is seen in the media of both countries.
Applications for the program's inaugural year will be accepted until December 31.
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Upcoming International Visitors
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The following are among the arriving guests of the
U.S. government whose professional appointments in
Los Angeles will be arranged by the
International Visitors Council of Los Angeles.
December 2017
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Austria
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U.S. Family Law and Social Services
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December 6-10
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China
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LGBTQ Legal and Social Rights
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December 6-9
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Spain
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Fire Risk and Forest Restoration
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December 6-8
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Thailand
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Civil Rights Advocacy
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December 6-8
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Egypt
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Amplifying Independent Voices Through Film
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December 9-16
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Editor: Hannah Stoddard
Communications & Events Coordinator
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