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Creating international connections.
Cultivating local innovation.
Activating global potential.
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April 2019
CITIZEN DIPLOMACY NEWS
Expand Your World Today
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In This Issue...
- Quote of the Month
- 2019 International Women of Courage Visit Los Angeles
- IVCLA to be Recognized with Bob Kleist Leadership Award
- Ambassador Circle Spotlight: Pelican Products, Inc.
- Around the World in 26.2 Miles
- IVCLA Board Member to Receive Achievement Award
- Community Events
- International Opportunities
- Upcoming International Visitors
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When you shop on AmazonSmile, use the link below and the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to IVCLA!
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Quote of the Month:
"[I will remember Los Angeles] because it tries to leave no one behind. There are interesting programs with former gang members, the detention facility among others. [Los Angeles] believes in hope rather than giving up on a group of people who are being challenged due to their life situations."
~Visitor from the Philippines on a program about Women Leaders Promoting Peace and Security
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2019 International Women of Courage Visit Los Angeles
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The 2019 International Women of Courage pose with Ambassador Nina Hachigian, Deputy Mayor for International Affairs (center), after receiving proclamations from the Los Angeles Mayor's Office
Photo credit: IVCLA Board Member, Yael Swerdlow
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Article by Communications and Events Intern, Raymond Duronslet
On March 18th, I had the pleasure of attending a luncheon celebrating the 2019
International Women of Courage
. The Secretary of State’s IWOC Award recognizes and honors women around the globe who have demonstrated remarkable courage, often at great personal risk and sacrifice. Present at the event were IVCLA members and friends, members of the Los Angeles Consular Corps,
U.S. State Department representatives
and students from Oakwood High School (the school behind the Oscar-winning documentary short
Period. End of Sentence.
). Hailing from Bangladesh, Burma, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Montenegro, Peru, Sri Lanka and Tanzania, the International Women of Courage are leaders in law, human rights advocacy, counter-terrorism, investigative journalism, and more.
During a panel discussion moderated by MyKhanh Shelton, Senior VP for Global Inclusion, Engagement and Diversity for
21st Century Fox,
Mama Maggie of Egypt, Colonel Khalida al-Twal of Jordan, Olivera Lakić of Montenegro, and Marini de Livera of Sri Lanka shared stories about the challenges they have overcome. Each of the women has sacrificed her own safety and comfort for the betterment of others. I was amazed by their stories and inspired by the visions they have for the future of their work. Mama Maggie explained the importance of the restoration of dignity, and Olivera Lakić spoke of the need to do work that no one else will do. Marini explained that as a pro bono lawyer, despite her best wishes and efforts, she is unable to represent every child and woman that approaches her. While they work in different fields, the women were able to appreciate each other’s challenges and support each other through a common commitment to humanity.
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IVCLA would like to extend a special thank you to:
- IVCLA Board Member Wendy Gladney (pictured far right) for supporting the event as a Bronze Sponsor
- Andrea D'Orazio, IVCLA member and Supporting Sponsor
- The Los Angeles Mayor's Office of International Affairs for arranging the beautiful Tom Bradley Tower Room for the event
- IVCLA Board Member Yael Swerdlow for capturing the energy and inspiration of the event in photos
- MyKhanh Shelton, Senior VP of Global Inclusion, Engagement and Diversity at 21st Century Fox for serving as moderator of the event's panel discussion
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IVCLA to be Recognized with Bob Kleist Leadership Award
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IVCLA is proud to receive the
L.A. Area Chamber of Commerce Bob Kleist Leadership Award on May 2nd at the Chamber's World Trade Week Kickoff Breakfast - one of the biggest celebrations of international trade in the nation!
A much-loved and honored member of the Southern California community, Robert Kleist’s achievements as a long-time Board Chairman of IVCLA, an international trade leader, and Chairman of the Sister Cities of Los Angeles distinguish his lifetime of service and inspiration to others. The Bob Kleist Leadership Award recognizes and honors an organization that has showcased inspirational and visionary leadership in the advancement of world trade in Southern California. IVCLA’s 39 years of experience creating intercultural exchanges have
provided unique expertise in fostering beneficial partnerships between the Los Angeles area and the world.
We are truly excited and honored to receive this award.
More than 800 business, government and civic leaders will convene to celebrate the 93rd annual World Trade Week at this year's kickoff breakfast.
Welcome Remarks:
Mayor Eric Garcetti
City of Los Angeles
Invited Guest:
Governor Gavin Newsom
State of California
Emcee:
Carolyn Johnson
Anchor, NBC4
The program will also feature Director of McKinsey Global Institute and Senior Partner, Shanghai, Jonathan Woetzel, as he leads a panel of industry leaders as they share insights on shifting trends in globalization and value chains and how companies can remain competitive in an increasingly complex business environment.
If you would like to celebrate with IVCLA on May 2nd, please contact Hannah Stoddard at (213) 388-1428 ext. 26 or
hstoddard@ivcla.org
to receive a special rate of $85.
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Ambassador Circle Spotlight: Pelican Products, Inc.
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IVCLA is pleased to introduce our Ambassador Circle member
Pelican Products, Inc. Pelican Products is a leading design and manufacturing company for high performance protective cases, temperature controlled packaging solutions, advanced portable lighting systems and rugged gear for professionals and outdoor enthusiasts. With their corporate headquarters located in Torrance, they also maintain 22 international sales offices, most recently opening offices in South Korea, Israel, India, Turkey, UAE, South Africa and Mexico.
IVCLA Ambassador, Scott Ermeti (pictured left), is Pelican Products' President of International Business, overseeing all international operations, which include sales, marketing, manufacturing and distribution in more than 100 countries around the globe. Scott has also been appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce to the Industry Trade Advisory Council and the District Export Council, and serves on the Outdoor Industry Association's Trade Advisory Council.
His service on these boards helps the U.S. government form its foreign trade policies and helps small and medium-sized U.S. companies improve their international business.
Scott believes IVCLA's work fostering global dialogue is vital. As he stated, “The importance of international dialogue cannot be understated or underestimated; regardless of whether it is for political, business or humanitarian purposes. International cultural differences and perceptions can initially appear enormous and insurmountable, however they can be overcome but only through frank and earnest dialogue.”
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Around the World in 26.2 Miles
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On March 24th, hundreds of international exchange visitors shared in the spirit of volunteerism at the
Los Angeles Marathon
! Thanks to a collaboration between the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Office of International Visitors' in New York and the Office of Private Sector Exchanges; au pairs, interns and other international exchange participants had the opportunity to give back to the community by passing water to runners during the marathon.
The program began with the New York Marathon four years ago and was extended to the Los Angeles Marathon last year. International volunteers experienced the important role of volunteerism and participation in civil society.
Read more about the program
here
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IVCLA member Lee Rappaport (pictured far right) works with
Cultural Care Au Pair to match au pairs with host families in the Santa Monica and Pacific Palisades areas. Lee helped coordinate the au pair volunteers and four of her au pairs ran in the marathon!
Keep an eye out! IVCLA plans to organize a group of members to volunteer alongside international exchange visitors at next year's marathon!
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IVCLA Board Member to Receive Achievement Award
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The Arab American Civic Council will present IVCLA board member Rima Nashashibi, with the 2019 Joseph R. Haiek Lifetime Achievement Award at the Arab American Heritage Gala on April 20th. The award recognizes Ms. Nashashibi's commitment and dedication to the Arab American community and her positive impact on building a stronger and more empowered community. We congratulate Rima on this well-deserved honor!
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Earth Day L.A. 2019: April 11, 2019, 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Come celebrate Earth Day and get tips on how to live clean and go green at Grand Park! The event features performances, children's recycled-art projects, e-waste collection, drought tolerant plant tours, plant giveaways and demonstrations of the latest in green technology! All activities are free and open to the public!
Where:
Grand Park
200 N. Grand Ave. Los Angeles
CA 90012
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International Opportunities
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Spend the summer living and working alongside international college students!
Spend the summer living and working in an iconic U.S. vacation area alongside international college students. Build your resume, develop global workforce skills, earn money, make friends from around the world, and explore a part of the U.S. you’ve never been.
Locations include the Santa Cruz, CA boardwalk; Acadia National Forest in Maine; the Blue Ridge mountains in NC; the Jersey Shore; and the lakes of the Wisconsin Dells. Work between 32-40 hours per week and earn at least minimum wage. Your host employer will arrange accommodations. The program is for enrolled U.S. college students over 18.
Application deadline: April 15, 2019
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The Center on Public Diplomacy at the University of Southern California is once again offering its two-week training program on public diplomacy practice from July 14-16.
Application deadline is April 15.
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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.
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April 3-9: Empowering Youth to Strengthen Communities
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Algeria, Cameroon, Gabon, The Gambia, Kenya, Mali, Morocco, Niger, South Sudan, Togo
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April 4-9: Transparency and Accountability
in Government
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Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Libya, Tunisia
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April 4-9: Entrepreneurship and Innovation
for Women
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April 10-13: Community Engagement
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April 10-13: Disaster Preparation
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April 10-13: Promoting Pluralism and Tolerance
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