|
Get Social
With Us!
Board of Directors
Honorary Chairs
Mayor Eric Garcetti
City of Los Angeles
Mark Ridley-Thomas
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
Kristin McCowan
Office of Mayor Eric Garcetti
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
|
|
|
|
|
Quote of the Month
|
"In this program I personally learned a lot of things from you regarding United States; especially about Religious Lenience, Civil Engagement, Civil Rights, Freedom of Speech, etc. are all admirable and exemplary.
After my U.S. visit, I participated in a workshop where I presented the knowledge I got from your meetings. I explained my experiences to the participants that how you people are solving conflicts in the society. I have trained 60 scholars and social workers on this topic so far. I hope our education and social collaboration will be continued in future to support each other for a noble cause peace."
-- Excerpts from a thank you letter written by a participant in the July 2017 Program "Strengthening Pakistani Youth: Young Academic Leaders and Influencers" to our Outstanding Citizen Diplomat and professional resource Joumana Silyan-Saba, Director of Strategies against Violent Extremism, Mayor's Office of Public Safety.
|
|
Event Recap: August Mixer in Pasadena
|
The Honorable John Kennedy welcomes guests to Pasadena
Through our mixers and receptions, we strive to create an environment where friendships are fostered, exchanges are made, and stereotypes are broken down. Last month, we celebrated our visitors from Afghanistan, Germany, Hong Kong S.A.R., India, Japan, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, and Thailand poolside at the beautiful Courtyard Marriott in Old Town Pasadena. Our inspiring visitors traveled to the United States to discuss global efforts to combat human trafficking and measures to strengthen civil society and build community resilience against violent extremism.
The Honorable John Kennedy, Vice Mayor of Pasadena, welcomed IVCLA members, guests, and our International Visitors to Pasadena and reminded us of the importance of Citizen Diplomacy.
The evening was full of networking, good conversation, and story-telling. We hope our members and visitors enjoyed it as much as we did!
|
|
Educate. Collaborate. Advocate.
Introducing...Global Awareness Days!
|
Now, more than ever, it is crucial to strengthen our cross-cultural relationships, engage each other in discussion, and work together to tackle the world's most pressing challenges. We at IVCLA, continue to dedicate ourselves to informing Angelenos about the issues that are important to our international visitors; and informing our international visitors about the issues that are important to Angelenos. Through our programs and events, we work to challenge isolationist attitudes and increase the role of international dialogue and collaboration in facing these critical issues. As a call to action, IVCLA is proud to introduce Global Awareness Days, a new series of events that will provide a platform for Angelenos to advocate for international issues and initiate change as a community.
The series will:
- Raise awareness for significant global issues, focusing on Immigration and Refugee Issues, Climate Change, Women's Empowerment, LGBTQ Rights, and Religious Dialogue.
- Provide an opportunity to hear from experts on these issues.
- Offer Angelenos and international visitors the chance to get involved in discussions, brainstorming sessions, volunteer activities, and more.
The world is counting on its citizen diplomats to take action! Help us ensure that the Los Angeles area remains a leader in making the world a better place for all. More information to follow. Stay tuned!
|
|
Farewell Message from Mable Kong, Director of International Programs
|
Dear IVCLA Friends,
I want to take a moment to let you know that after six wonderful years I am hanging up my hat at IVCLA. I will be taking time to reflect, explore, travel, and prepare myself for life's next great adventure!
I am truly blessed to have worked with so many passionate people in the network who believe in the impact of professional and cultural exchanges. My time at IVCLA has been nothing short of amazing and I am grateful to have collaborated with such wonderful individuals. I will cherish each and every memory and relationship that I have cultivated. Thank you so much for your support.
I will especially miss my IVCLA family - Janet, Natalia, Danica, Hannah, and Ho. It has been an honor and privilege to work alongside such talented and hardworking individuals!
I will continue to stay involved with IVCLA. Thanks again for everything. I wish you all the best!
Yours Truly,
|
| Help Save Cultural Exchanges! |
|
The Trump Administration is considering substantially limiting its J-1 cultural exchange program that allows young people
from foreign countries to work and study in the U.S. Each year, the exchange program provides the opportunity for hundreds of thousands of foreign visitors to experience American society and culture, and to engage in work and education-based exchanges.
Congress has returned to Washington after August recess and it's time to take action. Hold Members of Congress accountable by calling your Senators and Representatives and making them aware of the harm that cuts of this magnitude will do to America's public diplomacy efforts, local economies, and national security!
|
| Mayor Garcetti Names Nina Hachigian Deputy Mayor of International Affairs |
IVCLA welcomes Nina Hachigian, who will lead the newly-created Mayor's Office of International Affairs. The Office will work to strengthen the city's presence in global affairs such as trade, foreign investment, and cultural exchanges. It will also assist with preparations for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Nina joins the Mayor's Office after serving as U.S. Ambassador to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) during the Obama Administration. Prior to that, Nina was the director of the RAND Center for Asia Pacific Policy for four years. She also served as a staff member of the National Security Council during the Clinton Administration.
"Nina will be an outstanding leader for my Office of International Affairs, an Angeleno with the right experience, and who understands how deeper engagement with the world can lift up all of our communities," said Mayor Garcetti.
We look forward to working with Nina and the entire Office of International Affairs and anticipate our continued collaboration will enrich the city's engagement on the global stage.
|
|
Community Events
|
Cuba Is...opening September 9th! Free Admission!
Annenberg Space for Photography
2000 Avenue of the Stars
Los Angeles, CA 90067
Revealing complexities both on and off the island,
Cuba Is
explores aspects of Cuba not easily accessed by foreigners, and sometimes not even by Cubans themselves. Over 120 photos feature subjects ranging from defiant youth known as "Frikis" to the hard-partying children of the 1%, the underground system of sharing digital content-"El paquete"-to Miami's Chonga girls. Read more
|
|
International Opportunities
|
Claremont Lincoln University's Center for Religion, Culture and Foreign Affairs is hosting its first virtual conference on September 12-13. 25+ leading experts in foreign affairs will be tackling issues such as Faith & Culture, International Security, Minority Leadership, Women of Faith in Peacebuilding, Religion in Public Life, and more. Registration is free!
|
|
Upcoming International Visitors
|
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.
September 2017
|
|
Belarus
Russia
|
Religious Leaders as Social Workers
|
September
16-20
|
|
Benin
Côte d'Ivoire
Morocco
Nigeria
Tanzania
Zimbabwe
|
Wildlife Conservation:
Anti-Poaching and Anti-Trafficking
|
September
16-20
|
|
Afghanistan
|
Organizing Communities for Countering Violent Extremism
|
September
18-23
|
|
Jordan
|
Youth Inspiring Leadership and Civic Participation
|
September
20-26
|
|
Lithuania
|
Scriptwriting, Film, and Building Community Identity
|
September
20-30
|
|
Iraq
|
Rehabilitation for Youth in War Zones
|
23-27
|
|
Turkey
|
Countering Violent Extremism - The Role of Law Enforcement
|
September
23-27
|
|
Cambodia
Curacao
Egypt
Guyana
Hungary
India
Libya
Malaysia
Mauritius
Mexico
Mozambique
Nigeria
People's Republic of China
South Africa
Suriname
Thailand
Turkey
Uzbekistan
Venezuela
Vietnam
|
Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation
|
September
26-30
|
|
Bangladesh
People's Republic of China
Fiji
India
Indonesia
Kazakhstan
Malaysia
Marshall Islands
Pakistan
Palau
Philippines
Samoa
Sri Lanka
Taiwan
Vietnam
|
Emergency Response Preparedness
|
September
27-October 3
|
|
Bangladesh
|
School and University Counselors on the Frontlines of Countering Violent Extremism
|
September
28-October 4
|
|
Belgium
Bulgaria
France
Ireland
Netherlands
Poland
Russia
|
America's Multi-Ethnic Society
|
September
30-October 4
|
|
Kuwait
|
Educational Advising
|
September
30-October 4
|
|
Editor: Hannah Stoddard
Communications & Events Coordinator
Share your comments with me at hstoddard@ivcla.org!
|
|
|
|
|
