Creating international connections

Cultivating local innovation

Activating global potential

April 2024

CITIZEN DIPLOMACY NEWS

Expand Your World Today

In this Issue...

• Quote of the Month
• Photo of the Month
• 2024 Perseverance Through Adversity Luncheon
• Global Ties U.S. National Meeting
• Sharing a Global Perspective
• Upcoming International Programs
• Are you a U.S. Citizen Exchange Alumni?
• Community Events
• International Opportunities

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Last month ICDLA had the privilege of hosting our Perseverance Through Adversity Luncheon celebrating the 2024 International Women of Courage Award recipients. This annual award, given by the U.S. Secretary of State, recognizes women from around the globe who have demonstrated exceptional courage while advocating for peace, human rights, women's empowerment, and more. Following their Award Ceremony at the White House, the women traveled to Los Angeles where ICDLA arranged a meeting for them with Peace Over Violence to share their work building healthy families, relationships, and communities free from violence. They also participated in the Women's Leadership and Global Flourishing panel at UCLA Anderson School of Management and were honored by the American Women for International Understanding at their gala dinner.

The ICDLA Luncheon was held in the Tom Bradley Room at L.A. City Hall to celebrate these inspiring women. Deputy Mayor of International Affairs Erin Bromaghim welcomed the women to Los Angeles and a panel discussion followed, moderated by Joumana Silyan-Saba, Director of Policy for the City of Los Angeles Department of Civil and Human Rights. The panel participants, who shared their profound stories with the ICDLA guests, were #IWOC recipients Rabha El Haymar from Morocco, Benafsha Yaqoobi from Afghanistan, and Fariba Balouch from Iran.

IWOC recipients with moderator Joumana Silyan-Saba

L to R: Gasin Shirinli, Consulate of Azerbaijan, Terri Batch, President & CEO of Global LA, Mame Mbaye, Honorary Consul of Senegal

Fariba Balouch from Iran shared, "I'm here to say if you believe in human rights you should speak up about all people in the whole world. It doesn't matter what is their religion, what is their language, if we believe in equality and justice, we should be all the people's voice in all the world." Through the voices of women like Fariba, we are reminded that our collective efforts in championing human rights, equality, and justice can make a significant impact on the world.

ICDLA was also honored to welcome our colleagues from Washington, D.C. from the Office of Global Women’s Issues and Meridian International Center.

ICDLA would like to extend our gratitude to the Los Angeles Mayor's Office of International Affairs for arranging the beautiful Tom Bradley Room for the event.

Thank you to our Bronze Sponsors:

Global Ties U.S. National Meeting

Emerging Leaders at the Global Ties U.S. National Meeting

ICDLA was once again pleased to participate in the Global Ties U.S. National Meeting in D.C. Danica Kreculj, ICDLA Director of International Programs, participated on the IVLP Alumni Engagement Panel, which delved into the importance of alumni outreach. She shared her insights about maintaining meaningful connections with alumni after they leave Los Angeles and return to their countries. 

Danica Kreculj with Andrea Weyneth, former ICDLA Programming Intern

L to R: Danica Kreculj, Amy Storrow, Director of the Office of International Visitors at the U.S. Department of State, and Alison Moylan, Deputy Director of the Office of International Visitors at the U.S. Department of State

Involving students in Citizen Diplomacy is also a focus at the National Meeting. ICDLA was proud our programming intern and Global Ties Emerging Leader nominee, Andrea Weyneth, was selected to attend the National Meeting. She participated in various sessions on the importance of international exchange to promote civic engagement, cultural appreciation, and diversity. She also joined her fellow California Emerging Leaders and our California colleagues to visit the office of Senator Alex Padilla and advocate for international exchange funding.

Representatives from CA CBMs and CA Emerging Leaders met with Senator Padilla's Office

The National Meeting is a wonderful opportunity to connect with international exchange alumni. Jalal Naser from Bahrain was an International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) participant in 2013. He spoke during the National Meeting about alumni engagement and cultural diplomacy. Jalal is one of several IVLP alumni around the world who have created IVLP alumni associations in their countries. He is a founding member of the Bahraini IVLP Alumni Association (B-IVLP). The associations provide an opportunity for members to network and collaborate with fellow IVLP participants in a wide range of fields. They also provide a unified group to continue collaborations with the resources they met while in the U.S. Jalal also presented his paper on The Art of Diplomacy: Cultural Diplomacy of Gulf States at the Gulf Studies Symposium at Georgetown University.

This annual meeting is an important event for organizations engaged in the IVLP and other people-to-people exchanges, bringing together passionate professionals from across the nation and all over the world to discuss the nuances of international exchange and citizen diplomacy.

Sharing a Global Perspective

IVLP's Stellar Journey

International collaboration in space exploration is essential to its future and stability. One important example of international collaboration is the U.S.-India Commercial Space Partnership. ICDLA was proud to be a part of the International Visitor Leadership Program that fostered that partnership when we welcomed nine Indian space industry leaders to Los Angeles.

IVLP group from India at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

ICDLA organized professional meetings for the IVLP group connecting these leaders with American counterparts in both the private and public sectors. Their meetings included discussions with Viasat, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the University of Southern California Information Sciences Institute, and SpaceX.

IVLP group from India at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

These meetings were not only an exchange of ideas but also stepping stones toward future projects that could impact global space exploration efforts. The synergy between the U.S. and India in space endeavors highlights the power of international cooperation. By combining resources and expertise, ICDLA is helping to pave a path for innovations that transcend national boundaries. These collaborations are vital for tackling the vast challenges of space, demonstrating that united efforts can lead to groundbreaking achievements.

Upcoming International Programs

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

April 2024

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.

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.

Are you a U.S. Citizen Exchange Alumni?

Did You Participate in a U.S. Government-sponsored Exchange Program?

Career Connections brings together U.S. Exchange Alumni and leaders in business, government, civil society, and other diverse fields to leverage their skills and networks. Programming is offered in two formats: virtual (Career Connections Global+) and in-person (Career Connections) as part of the U.S. Exchange Alumni Network and Capacity Building Program, which is implemented in partnership with the Office of Alumni Affairs in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State. ICDLA is assisting by reaching out to our Greater Los Angeles alumni.

There are three in-person events planned this year: 

• April 25-27 | Miami, FL | Forging Your Own Path

Hosted in partnership with Global Ties Miami

• Late June | Washington, DC | Careers in Federal Government

The Washington, DC event occurs annually at the U.S. Department of State. 

• September 26-27 | Detroit, MI

Hosted in partnership with Global Ties Detroit 

To participate in Career Connections and Career Connections Global+ programming, attendees must be U.S. citizen Exchange Alumni. You will be asked about your U.S. alumni program when applying for these events.

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.

Community Events

2024 Cherry Blossom Festival

Looking to enjoy the arrival of spring while celebrating Japanese culture?

This annual festival marks the beginning of spring; the newly emerging blossoms represent hope, beauty, and new life. Learn more about Japanese culture, indulge in exquisite Japanese and Japanese-American flavors, enjoy traditional music and dance performances, shop at an array of different vendors, and watch Japanese taiko drums and martial arts performances. Bring your friends and family to enjoy the outdoor festival.

Celebrate Japanese Culture at the Cherry Blossom Festival

Check out the link below to learn more!

International Opportunities

Embark on a Career Path to Become a Diplomatic Security Service Special Agent in the U.S. Foreign Service

Through the William D. Clarke, Sr. Diplomatic Security (Clarke DS) Fellowship, you will embark on a career path that will take you around the world, providing protection to U.S. personnel, facilities, and information, while supporting diplomacy.

Funded by the U.S. Department of State, the Clarke DS Fellowship is a two-year graduate fellowship program designed for individuals who want to pursue a master’s degree and a career as a Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) Special Agent in the Foreign Service. DSS Special Agents are sworn federal law enforcement officers.

The application for the 2025 cohort is open from February 12, 2024, to April 29, 2024, at 11:59 pm (EDT). To apply for the 2025 cohort, you must meet the eligibility requirements.

A high-profile State Department diversity recruitment program, the Clarke DS Fellowship aims to attract qualified candidates to the Diplomatic Security Service who represent ethnic, racial, gender, social, and geographic diversity. Women, members of minority groups underrepresented in the Foreign Service, and those with financial need, are encouraged to apply.

The Foreign Affairs IT Fellowship is an Opportunity of a Lifetime

If you want to use your tech skills to make a difference, see the world, and experience different cultures, then the Foreign Affairs Information Technology (FAIT) Fellowship is an amazing opportunity for you.

Funded by the U.S. Department of State, this two-year Fellowship program is a path to a career in the Foreign Service by providing academic funding for an IT-related degree, internships, professional development, and mentorship – culminating in an appointment in the Foreign Service as a Diplomatic Technology Officer (DTO).

To be eligible to apply for the 2025 cohort, you must meet all the criteria (eligibility requirements).

The 2025 cohort application will open in fall 2024.

Editor: Kristina Yucel

Communications & Events Coordinator

Share your comments with me at kyucel@icdla.org

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