Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
DIRECTORS CHAIR
e are proud to welcome our newly elected directors to the IVCLA Board (see page 8). They all share our enthusiasm for creating international understanding and cooperation between the Los Angeles region and the rest of the world. One way we intend to accomplish this lofty and vital mission is in collaboration with our international alumni who are implementing important projects around the world. As you will read in this issue, a topic of keen concern is the plight of women in developing nations. IVCLA will be focusing attention this year on projects to improve womens health, educate girls and increase womens financial empowerment across the globe. We hope you will also join us in our enthusiasm to be an agent for positive global change. If you are already an IVCLA Citizen Diplomat, we thank you for the role you play in our vision to create a world of peace and prosperity. To learn about becoming an IVCLA Citizen Diplomat visit www.ivcla.org or call me at 213 388-1428 ext 27.
First Lady Michelle Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton presented the award to Ms Guo.
Each year in celebration of International Womens Day, the U.S. Department of States Women of Courage Awards recognize women from around the globe who have shown exceptional courage and leadership in advocating for womens advancement. The ceremony is held in Washington D.C. where a
gala dinner presented by the American Women for International Understanding (AWIU) is also held in honor of the award recipients. The Chinese recipient, Guo Jainmei, traveled to Los Angeles following the ceremonies to participate in an exchange program arranged by IVCLA. Ms Guo, Founding
continued on page 7
(l to r) Alan Kumamoto, former member of the IVCLA board of directors, presented Charlie Woo with the Outstanding Citizen Diplomat Award.
Page 2
T H E C I T I Z E N D I P L O M AT
Winter/Spring 2012
Ila Grobe and her friends hosted Kaori Nasu from Japan for dinner and conversation.
The Zigic family introduced their foreign guests to a typical L.A. outdoor sunset barbeque.
FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY - The Enger family invited filmmakers from Afghanistan & Morocco to their home for dinner with friends. The visitors were warmly greeted by all, even the furry member of the family.
IVCLA members welcomed Javier Figueroa Pereira (center), an animator from Uruguay, back to the City of Angels. Mr. Pereira came to L.A. for the first time as an IVLP participant in 2007. He was invited back as a Gold Star Alumni to share the impact of his experience with the Los Angeles community.
Longtime IVCLA members Ann Radow and Rosalie Lazarus recently traveled to Southest Asia to learn more about the rich cultures, flavors and people in that part of the world. While in Laos they were hosted for dinner by IVLP alumna Ninpaseuth Xayaphonesy, Director of the Lao Womens Union.
IVCLA alumnus Kenan Guengoer from Austria showed IVCLA member Clive Fleissig around Vienna during his European vacation. Mr. Guengoer came to Los Angeles in May 2011. His program focused on Americas MultiEthnic Society and the Role of the Successor Generation.
Winter/Spring 2012
T H E C I T I Z E N D I P L O M AT
Page 3
As autumn rolls around each year, IVCLA members look forward to the Fulbright Luncheon where they and members of the Los Angeles Consular Corps welcome Fulbright scholarship students from around the world. Hosted each year by Dr. and Mrs. Amarjit Marwah, the students enjoy meeting Americans in the beautiful Malibu setting overlooking the Pacific Ocean for some it is their first opportunity to explore the L.A. area beyond their campuses. In addition to IVCLA annual events, mixers and receptions provide wonderful opportunities for global connections. Each one is unique with new and interesting international visitors to meet. Sometimes the event may focus on a particular region of the world. Other times the event might be thematic in nature. At a recent Global Trade Mixer, in cooperation with the Torrance Chamber of Commerce, over 100 people came to welcome a delegation of 24 trade professionals from 19 different countries. Several of the visitors made presentations about current issues affecting trade and commerce in their countries. The atmosphere was lively and the conversation informative. Most of these gatherings are open to the public and take place throughout the greater Los Angeles area. Visit our website at www.ivcla.org/events or join us on Facebook to learn more about our upcoming happenings.
Global Mixer in Santa Monica - IVLP participant from Spain (center) is greeted at a reception by the Honorable Enrique Ruiz Molera, Consul General of Spain (far right) and George Novinger, Regional Dir., Office of Foreign Missions, U.S. State Dept.
Latin Art Reception in Long Beach - IVCLA member Stephanie Esparza (right) chats with IVLP participant Melba Beatriz Escobar de Nogales, General Coordinator of Literature for the Ministry of Culture in Colombia.
Global Trade Reception in Torrance - International trade professionals were presented with scrolls from the County of Los Angeles and warmly welcomed by Torrance City Councilmembers and Mayor Scotto.
Page 4
T H E C I T I Z E N D I P L O M AT
Winter/Spring 2012
Thank You!
Thank You to the Following Donors for Making Our Citizen Diplomacy Celebration a Great Success!
SANDRA J. ANDERSON
MICHELLE KEZIRIAN
CHARLIE WOO
Silent Auction
Aquarium of the Pacific Architecture Tours L.A. BoraBora Jewelry, Inc. Broad Stage - Santa Monica Brook & Hunter Inc. Bryan Cave LLP Cafe Bizou California Karate Club Carmody & Co. Celestino Ristorante - Pasadena Cirque du Soleil City Club on Bunker Hill Consulate General of Belgium Consulate General of Egypt Consulate General of Finland Consulate General of Hungary Consulate General of Sri Lanka Consulate General of Switzerland Courtyard by Marriott Old Pasadena Dance Doctor Delta Air Lines, Inc. Dennis Gray Doubletree Guest Suites Santa Monica Dwayne Gathers Ginger & John Barnard Guy Fox Halper Fine Art Hertz Car Rental Hollywood Academy of Music Hollywood Heights Hotel Huntington Library & Botanical Gardens Ice House Comedy Club Jerry Bianchini Yoga John & Nancy Richardson June & Paul Bilgore Lanie Denslow Legoland Long Beach Westin Hotel Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra Malibu Family Wines Magicopolis Mattel, Inc. Melting Pot Food Tasting Tours Michaeljohn Salon Beverly Hills Michelle Kezirian Mission San Juan Capistrano Morongo Casino Resort & Spa Mulligan Family Fun Center Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP Old Town Trolley Tours San Diego Pacific Asia Museum Pals Around the World Pizza Antica PRP Wine International Premier Cancun Vacation San Diego Zoo Santa Fe Crafts Santa Monica Yoga Soaring Adventures of America Starline Tours Sunset Ranch Hollywood Tembe Elephant Park South Africa The Improv Timeless Gems Toyota Speedway Treasure Island Hotel Las Vegas UCLA Intercollegiate Athletics Universal Studios Wine Crush Woodland Hills Ice Yoga House Pasadena
We are fortunate to have the support of dedicated individuals throughout the greater Los Angeles area who make our work possible. We would like to thank our year-end donors for their generous contributions.
Ginger & John Barnard June & Paul Bilgore Michele Buchanan Pamela Grace Chin Lanie Denslow Mal Fobi M.D. Carol Sapin Gold Tomoko Iwakawa Ann Kerr Michelle Kezirian Sandra & James Kohn Dr. Amarjit Singh Marwah Sherry Mueller Irene Nevil Mark Ryavec Richard St. John Law Offices of Paul D. Supnik Jack Teetor Eric Trules Timothy Watkins
Winter/Spring 2012
T H E C I T I Z E N D I P L O M AT
Page 5
remarks about his many experiences with IVCLA international visitors. Create Now was recognized with IVCLAs Outstanding Resource Award which was presented to Founder & Executive Director Jill Gurr. Create Now serves vulnerable youth from poverty-stricken families throughout Los Angeles County who have histories of violence, substance abuse, neglect or homelessness. Through their five program areas: music, art, writing, performing arts and cultural excursions the youngsters learn positive ways to express themselves. Since at-risk youth are not unique to L.A., but rather a concern for communities throughout the world, IVCLA frequently calls upon Create Now to discuss their programs with International Visitors, who find the information valuable to the work in their countries. IVCLA was pleased to recognize these outstanding honorees dedication to global issues and to the very mission of IVCLA, creating understanding and cooperation between the citizens of the world. During the festive celebration, guests enjoyed wines from around the world donated by the Consuls General of Argentina, Australia, Chile, Germany, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain and IVCLA member Dianelle Lacy. Guests bid on an array of silent and live auction items to support the work of IVCLA. A Bollywood dance performance by the Belly Twins and a charming dance routine by 8 year-old Zland Nunn, one of the young girls served by Create Now, added to the evening celebration. The annual event is also the opportunity to elect new members to the IVCLA Board of Directors. Elected to the 2012 Board of Directors were Michele Buchanan, Ahmad Iqbal, Kenneth McGillivray and Matthew Olsen. Their varied skills and expertise will be invaluable in leading IVCLA into another year of successful exchange programs with international visitors from around the world.
FUN WITH BIDDING - IVCLA member Peggy Jo Tashima shopped for gifts at the silent auction. The auction included travel packages, jewelry, museum memberships and so much more.
CREATE NOW - (l to r) Jill Gurr, Founder and Executive Director of Create Now, received a commendation from Lourdes Saab, Deputy Chief of Protocol for the County of Los Angeles.
PAST BOARD REUNION - (l to r) Jerry Silva, IVCLA Executive Director Janet Elliott, Wafa Hoballah, Haifa Azawi and Alan Kumamoto enjoyed the evening camaraderie with old friends.
WELCOME NEW BOARD MEMBERS - IVCLA Board President Hud Warren (2nd from right) welcomed newly elected directors (l to r) Ahmad Iqbal, Michele Buchanan and Matthew Olsen at the celebration.
Page 6
T H E C I T I Z E N D I P L O M AT
Winter/Spring 2012
Sponsored by the Open World Leadership Center at the Library of Congress, the Open World Program seeks to foster lasting ties of cooperation and collaboration between Eurasia and the United States. This past year, IVCLA hosted four Russian education professionals participating in an Open World Program. The delegates meetings included: Harbor College, Loyola Marymount University, Metropolitan Skills Center, Office of Congressman Henry Waxman, Phineas Banning High School and UCLA Center for Information Studies. Their professional meetings exposed the delegation to the educational system in the U.S. and gave them new ideas to implement in their universities in Russia. IVCLA also arranged an Open World Program for leaders of non-profit organizations in Ukraine. The delegation learned about best practices in organizational
IN THE CLASSROOM - Interacting with students and teachers at Phineas Banning High School was one of the highlights for the Russian delegation. IVCLAs International Classroom program gives Los Angeles youth the opportunity to meet people from other countries and learn about their cultures.
management, outreach and professional advocacy. Since non-profit managment is still a relatively new concept for most of the former Soviet bloc countries, it was fascinating for them to discuss shared challenges and concerns with non-profit professionals in L.A. including Five Acres, Ralph M. Parsons Foundation, Homeboy Industries and Community Partners.
In addition to the professional component of the program, an important aspect of the delegates experience in L.A. was the opportunity to stay in the homes of Angelinos. This gave them the chance to learn about day-to-day life in Los Angeles. IVCLA is grateful for the generous hospitality and continued support of all the home stay hosts.
TRADITIONAL KAZAKH STYLE - LAPD Sergeant Joseph Kuns (left) received a traditional Kazakh robe and hat as a gift from Judge Birzhan Karibzhanov from Almaty after meeting with the delegation to discuss specialized practices for youth offenders.
Los Angeles to meet with their professional counterparts and gain knowledge of the U.S. juvenile justice system. Kazakhstan, like other countries that were part of the USSR, did not have a juvenile justice system at the time of their independence in 1991. There were no juvenile justice laws, nor specialized courts or judges. Juveniles were tried in ordinary criminal courts. Since then, two juvenile courts have been established in
Almaty and Astana, which were started as pilot sites for the expansion to 14 other regions. During their program, the delegation gained insight into the U.S. juvenile justice systems best practices. The primary focus was on measures that work toward reducing bureaucracy and the need to treat juvenile offenders differently than adult offenders.
Winter/Spring 2012
T H E C I T I Z E N D I P L O M AT
Page 7
Many Los Angeles professionals recognize the importance of connecting with individuals in their field from around the world. From leaders in the film industry, to environmental activists, to law enforcement officials - they all share one thing in common: the desire to understand the issues affecting their counterparts in all corners of the globe. IVCLA is proud to coordinate the U.S. Department of States International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). From its launch in the 1940s, the IVLP has provided emerging leaders from around the globe the opportunity to exchange knowledge and ideas in their professional fields and to build lasting relationships with those they meet. The open, spontaneous dialogue that occurs, makes these exchanges vital for greater international understanding and cooperation. Program topics are determined by the U.S. Embassies abroad based on current U.S. foreign policy and the needs of the visitors country. For more information about meeting with international visitors in a particular field of expertise, contact the IVCLA office.
Director and Lawyer for the Womens Law Studies and Legal Aid Center based in Beijing, was born in an impoverished area of China and has risen to become the countrys best known female lawyer and pioneer of legal advocacy. She founded the Womens Law Center at Peking University, taking cases other mainstream lawyers would not. She created a corps of lawyers to defend public interest cases, especially in areas affecting women and other vulnerable groups. When the university appeared to bow to official pressure, and closed her center, Ms. Guo responded by establishing her own law firm, which is continuing the fearless legal advocacy that has characterized her career. The memory of the hardships women in her village endured drives her to continue to fight for the under-privileged. IVCLA is proud to connect international visitors like Ms. Guo with local organizations who share a common goal to help women and girls. To build awareness about the courageous women and organizations around the world who are working to address this issue, IVCLA held a Citizen Diplomacy Summit entitled the Global Potential of Women. The summit focused on three key issues: girls education, womens health and micro-financing. Women from Haiti and India who were participants in the International Visitor Leadership Program joined in the dialogue.
UPHOLDING THE LAW - LAPD Chief Charlie Beck met with senior level detectives from Germany to discuss local law enforcement strategies.
OZOMATLI - Members of the band Ozomatli met with IVCLA visitor Flora Natacha Sonloue, a singer/ rapper from Cote dIvoire.
AND THE WINNER IS - Documentary filmmakers from around the world met with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences to discuss the Academys ongoing international outreach efforts.
Womens Global Summit - Lilia Navarette, LKN Global Services; Mary Ripley, AWIU; and Jane Roberts, founder of 34 Million Friends spoke about the important work being done to improve the lives of women around the world.
Page 8
T H E C I T I Z E N D I P L O M AT
Winter/Spring 2012
Kenneth McGillivray
USC Global Initiatives
International Visitors Council of Los Angeles 3540 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 910 Los Angeles, CA 90010
PAI D
LOS ANGELES, CA PERMIT NO. 31852
Ginger Barnard
Dwayne Gathers
President
Michael Bautch
FedEx Services
Gary Rhodes
Hud Warren
Michele Buchanan
Center for Global Education UCLA Graduate School of Education & Information Studies
Lourdes Saab
Guy Fox
Lanie Denslow
Michelle Kezirian
Ahmad Iqbal
BPM Advisors
Steves Jones
Andrew Leeka
Michael McDowell
David Stepp
Staff
Janet Elliott
Executive Director
Karen Ramirez
Project Assistant
Published by the International Visitors Council of Los Angeles, 3540 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 910, Los Angeles, CA 90010. IVCLA is a private, non-profit, non-partisan organization. Partial funding comes from the U.S. Dept. of State, the County of Los Angeles and the City of Los Angeles. IVCLA is a member of the National Council for International Visitors (NCIV). Phone: (213)388-1428 Fax: (213)388-5879 E-mail: info@ivcla.org Website: www.ivcla.org
Helen Thomas
Program Officer
Ho Lo
Accounting Manager