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Creating international connections
Cultivating local innovation
Activating global potential
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October 2023
CITIZEN DIPLOMACY NEWS
Expand Your World Today
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In this Issue...
- Quote of the Month
- Photo of the Month
- Sharing a Global Perspective
- ICDLA Alumni Insights
- Spotlight on ICDLA Resource and Benefactor
- Welcome our new Team Member
- Welcome ICDLA Fall Interns
- Upcoming International Programs
- Are you a U.S. Citizen Exchange Alumni?
- Community Events
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Click the button below to check out our past newsletters: | |
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“How pleasant Americans are, and how open, warm, and welcoming they are towards people of various national origins, ethnicities, races, backgrounds, and more importantly faiths.”
~A visitor from Egypt in August 2023, for the project 'Best Practices for Modernizing and Securing Maritime Ports with Smart Technologies'
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IVLP participants from Chad explored the iconic Walk of Fame and Dolby Theatre while visiting for the project 'Women and Entrepreneurship'. | | |
Sharing a Global Perspective | |
Empowering Women through Leadership | |
IVLP visitors from Chad with Janet Elliott (far left), President & CEO of ICDLA, Mary McCormick (middle), President & CEO of MBI Media, and Victoria Meza (far right), Program Officer at ICDLA. | |
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As part of the IVLP 'Women and Entrepreneurship', four remarkable women from Chad had the opportunity to engage in a transformative leadership session.
This half-day workshop aimed to enhance their leadership qualities by offering insights into effective leadership strategies, internal and external communication techniques, motivation, and conflict-resolution skills.
Guiding this enriching experience was Mary McCormick, a two-time Emmy Award winner and a great leader herself. Mary's diverse experiences, including her role as a field producer for NBC News and her founding of MBI Media, a woman-owned strategic communications company, provided invaluable perspectives during the workshop.
This inspiring session fostered a meaningful conversation that transcended borders and cultures. We're excited to witness the positive impact of meetings like this and how it will help shape the future of our visitors and their work.
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Fostering Global Connections: IVLP Participant's Journey in L.A. | |
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ICDLA is always delighted to showcase the insightful reflections of our distinguished visitors. One of them is Coralía Susana Vásquez Salazar, a lawyer and human rights activist from Colombia. Coralia participated in the IVLP project ‘Migration in the Americas’ for the Western Hemisphere in August 2023. She kindly shared her experiences providing a glimpse into the power of the IVLP.
The group visited the Los Angeles County Office of Immigrant Affairs, UCLA, the International Rescue Committee, and the International Institute of Los Angeles. She described her visit to UCLA as a “dream come true”. Aspiring to be a student at this institution, she was deeply moved by UCLA's commitment to preserving the right to education for the undocumented community.
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The knowledge acquired during the program holds immense value for Coralía's community in Colombia. She emphasized, "Learning about the migration context in different Latin American countries and the reality in the U.S. will help me to have a clear picture when it comes to carrying out projects that promote safe and legal migration from the Venezuelan border where I live."
Participating in the IVLP has profoundly impacted Coralía's career path and personal growth. She mentioned, "The knowledge, contacts, and experiences have helped broaden my perspective on the reality of migration for the entire continent and this has brought valuable personal growth in my life that will undoubtedly impact my professional life significantly."
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Coralía's journey was not just about personal growth; it was also about forging meaningful connections and collaborations. Cultural exchange played a pivotal role in fostering understanding and collaboration among the diverse group of IVLP participants. Coralía noted, "The selection of participants was so diverse and inclusive, it was crucial to understand the contexts, being the only migrant in the group, I was able to share with my peers my migration experience and the reality faced by all migrants. Learning about their cultures and traditions was the most interesting part of the whole exchange." | |
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Coralía for sharing her insights with us. Her dedication to human rights and her commitment to making a difference in the world is truly inspiring. We look forward to witnessing her continued success, and we were happy to welcome her and her colleagues to L.A. | |
Spotlight on ICDLA Resource and Benefactor | |
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Wendy Arnold
Empowering Change through the Peer Education Program of L.A.
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In the eighties, HIV/AIDS was causing devastation around the world and one woman was determined to do something to combat this deadly disease. Wendy Arnold became acutely aware of the horror of AIDS when she witnessed her neighbor's suffering and eventual passing. With the loss of even more friends, she was resolved to make a difference. She began working with AIDS Project L.A. and became aware of the vital need to provide accurate information about the disease, particularly to young people. She realized the best way to get young people to understand the dangers, was hearing it from their peers. | |
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In 1986 she created the non-profit Peer Education Program of Los Angeles (PEP/LA). Her concept was to train multicultural youth as peer educators who would share life-saving messages with their peers in high schools, probation centers, residential facilities, and diverse youth organizations. PEP’s mission is twofold - to reduce the incidence of HIV transmission in teenagers and young adults, and to elevate care, respect, compassion, and hope for people living with HIV/AIDS.
Over the years PEP/LA has expanded to PEP/International and is the model for HIV/AIDS prevention through peer education in 28 countries, and training groups of youth (13-24 years). They also conduct workshops for the trainers who come from multi-disciplinary backgrounds and experiences: clinicians, counselors, teachers, pastors, people with HIV/AIDS, sex workers, home care providers, and more. Wendy's vision and tireless efforts have had a positive impact on the lives of countless individuals.
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ICDLA is proud to have Wendy as a benefactor and a valuable professional resource. Over the years Wendy has inspired and energized many of ICDLA's international visitors on HIV/AIDS and other communicable disease issues. Her passion, energy, and dedication leave a lasting impact on those she interacts with, creating a ripple effect of change and empowerment.
Wendy shares a deeply personal account of her work in her book MUZUNGU WENDY, delving into both the challenging and rewarding experiences she encountered in Africa while setting up peer counseling groups and providing vital information. It's a testament to the power of the human spirit and the remarkable impact one person can make in shaping a better future for all.
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Welcome our new Team Member | |
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We are excited to introduce Odora, our new Projects Coordinator! Odora McCauley is a first-generation Liberian immigrant who has resided in eight cities spread out across the US, the UK, South America, and Southeast Asia. Her interest in cultural diplomacy dates back to her early years.
She graduated from Kingston University in London with a Master's degree in International Relations. Aspects of her job that she finds enjoyable include learning more about the intricacies of the U.S. State Department that support the development of strong international ties, and interacting with the burgeoning foreign leaders who visit L.A. Odora also enjoys exploring new restaurants, and listening to podcasts.
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Welcome ICDLA Fall Interns | |
Andrea Weyneth is the new International Programming Intern at ICDLA. She graduated from Denison University in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in Biology. Upon graduating, she completed a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship in Ukraine. Later, she worked abroad in France as an Au Pair to develop her language abilities. Andrea was a virtual intern at the U.S. Department of State where she worked for American Spaces at the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Additionally, she is a Programming and Operations Assistant at the Center on Public Diplomacy at USC. Andrea is interested in diplomacy, exchange programs, and intercultural relations with a regional focus in Eastern Europe. After graduating, Andrea aspires to be a Public Diplomacy Foreign Service Officer. | |
Growing up in Manalapan, NJ, Sarah Schornstein loved to travel with her parents. They went from throughout the United States, France, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe. That is what inspired Sarah to study International Affairs and Journalism at George Washington University and to get her Master’s in Public Diplomacy at the University of Southern California. She expanded her education career by interning at the Israeli Mission to the United Nations, FOX News Media, and the U.S. Department of State. Later Sarah interned at the USC Center for Public Diplomacy as an Editorial and Multimedia Intern where she combined her passions in media, communications, and policy and that is the career she hopes to pursue. She is thrilled to join the team and support ICDLA in its communications engagement. | |
Upcoming International Programs | |
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The following are international guests of the U.S. government and other diplomatic organizations whose professional appointments in Los Angeles will be arranged by
International Citizen Diplomacy of Los Angeles
OCTOBER 2023
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| Oct 4 - 7: Public Utility Providers | Palestine | | Oct 12 - Oct 13: Responsible Commercial Space Development in the U.S. | Singapore | | Oct 21 - Oct 25: Open World - Central Asia-Caucasus Institute
Silk Road Studies Program | Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia | | Oct 24 - Oct 28: Public Health and Climate Crisis for the Pacific Islands | New Zealand, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu | | Oct 29 - Nov 1: Countering Violent Extremism | France | | |
ICDLA knows it is important to maintain our connections with our international visitors beyond their programs. As such, ICDLA continues to reach out to our international alumni. If you are an Alumni who would like to share your thoughts about your L.A. experience, or if you are an ICDLA member or resource who has stayed in touch with alumni and would like to share your experience, please contact Kristina Yucel at kyucel@icdla.org. | |
Are you a U.S. Citizen Exchange Alumni? | |
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Did You Participate in a U.S. Government-sponsored Exchange Program?
The Office of Alumni Affairs at the U.S. Department of State is developing new opportunities for U.S. citizens who participated in U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs. ICDLA is assisting by reaching out to our Greater Los Angeles alumni.
- Career Connections Seminar: Nov 2-4, 2023, Charlotte, NC
Save the date for Career Connections Charlotte. Hosted in partnership with the International House, this in-person event will feature professional development workshops and networking opportunities for U.S. Exchange Alumni. Learn More.
The exchange programs include, but are not limited to, these offered by the ECA Bureau. Returned Peace Corps volunteers and Boren Fellows are also qualified alumni. If you are a past participant in a U.S. government-sponsored exchange program contact Kristina Yucel, kyucel@icdla.org. Whether you participated long ago or you recently completed your exchange program, we will keep you informed of opportunities such as events, programs, and grants.
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Don't miss the 3rd annual Long Beach Oktoberfest celebration. Local favorites alongside authentic German beers will be served at the event. The world-famous Festmeister Hans und Die Sauerkrauts will command the stage with music, performances, and games. And don't forget to don your Lederhosen or Dirndl as dressing up for the event is highly encouraged.
- Fridays: 5 pm - 10 pm 21+
- Saturdays: Noon - 5 pm All ages welcome
- Saturdays: 5 pm - 10 pm 21+
- Sundays: Family Day, Noon - 7 pm all ages welcome
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International Citizen Diplomacy of Los Angeles depends on its members and friends to help support its programs. If you are not an ICDLA Citizen Diplomat, please review our membership benefits here and consider joining. We need your support now more than ever! Please make a contribution today. | |
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Editor: Kristina Yucel
Communications & Events Coordinator
Share your comments with me at kyucel@icdla.org
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© International Citizen Diplomacy of Los Angeles. A non-profit, non-partisan organization. Partial funding provided by the United States Department of State, the County of Los Angeles, and the City of Los Angeles. | Privacy Policy | | | | |
