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ICDLA is excited to introduce our redesigned newsletter and website. We hope you enjoy our new look as we continue to share stories of citizen diplomacy, highlight our programs, and connect our community across cultures. Be sure to check out our new website too!
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Our 2026 Open House was a special way to begin the new year for ICDLA. Bringing together members, partners, newcomers, and longtime supporters to celebrate last year’s accomplishments and our plans for 2026 was loads of fun and very energizing.
Thank you to everyone who was able to join us and also to those who continue to stand by ICDLA. Your support, generosity, and belief in people-to-people exchanges strengthen our work in ways that go far beyond any single event.
We look ahead to a year shaped by meaningful dialogue, new partnerships, and many more opportunities to build bridges across borders right here in Los Angeles and beyond.
| Sharing a Global Perspective | | Los Angeles Prepares for the 2028 Olympics | | |
The countdown to the 2028 Olympic Games is underway, and Los Angeles is beginning to feel the momentum. While the world will eventually see a two-week global celebration, the preparation behind it spans many years and touches nearly every corner of the city.
Airports, transit systems, and public spaces are being carefully reimagined. Terminals are redesigned, traffic patterns reconsidered, and entire venues reshaped to support the movement of athletes, visitors, and media through one of the busiest metropolitan areas in the world. The scale of this effort is remarkable, and every detail plays a role in ensuring the city is ready to welcome the world. This is the environment our International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) delegation had the opportunity to explore.
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As part of their project on Mega Sporting Events & Economic Prosperity, ICDLA was thrilled to welcome a delegation from 21 different countries exploring how L.A. prepares for moments that capture global attention. One of their professional meetings was with the Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA).
Nicole Carcel, Director of Major Event Operations, offered an in-depth look at how LAWA is preparing LAX for 2028, from major infrastructure upgrades to improvements in the overall traveler experience and long-term operational planning. Her insights highlighted the complexity of transforming an airport that already serves millions into one capable of supporting the extraordinary demands of the Olympic Games.
| Throughout their program, the delegation explored how large-scale sporting events can shape communities, stimulate local economies, and leave lasting legacies well beyond the closing ceremony. ICDLA is grateful to Nicole and the LAWA team for an engaging conversation and for sharing their expertise with our visitors. We also extend our thanks to LA28 and SoFi Stadium for welcoming the group and offering a firsthand look at how Los Angeles is preparing to host the world. | | ICDLA Young Professional Spotlight: Janika Berridge in Rwanda | | Diplomatic fellows, Janika (left), Michael (center), and Courtney (right) at the embassy’s Independence Day Celebration. Photo by U.S. Embassy in Rwanda photographer, Christian Rutwaza. | |
ICDLA is proud to spotlight Janika Berridge, one of our Young Professionals, whose work and interests reflect a deep commitment to international relations and people-to-people exchange. In 2025, Janika earned her Master of Public Diplomacy (MPD) from USC, marking an important step in her journey in international affairs.
Last summer, Janika completed an internship at the U.S. Embassy in Kigali, Rwanda, an experience that allowed her to engage directly with public diplomacy in action while building meaningful connections across cultures. One especially powerful moment during her time in Kigali was her visit with Timothy Wandulu, a visual artist and founder of Concepts Arts Studio in Rwanda’s Nyamirambo neighborhood.
| | Visual artist Timothy Wandulu of Concepts Arts Studio, in Rwanda’s Nyamirambo neighborhood. | |
Timothy has exhibited his work internationally and is a 2017 alum of the International Visitor Leadership Program. For Janika, meeting an IVLP participant on the other side of the world was a full-circle moment - a reminder of how global networks foster connections long after programs formally end. Janika shared, "Visiting Timothy was both a metaphorical walk through deeply personal stories and a literal stroll through his neighborhood." It offered insight into how art, community, and diplomacy intersect at the local level.
We are incredibly proud to have members like Janika in the ICDLA network, individuals who actively engage with international affairs, build bridges across borders, and carry the values of citizen diplomacy with them wherever they go. Her experience highlights not only the impact of global exchange programs like IVLP but also the strength of the relationships that connect our community worldwide.
| | Fostering Global Connections: IVLP Participant's Journey in L.A. | | | | ICDLA is delighted to share the experiences and reflections of our international alumni, and this month, we are excited to spotlight IVLP participant Filza Mumtaz from Pakistan. Filza visited Los Angeles last year as part of the IVLP project Advancing Economic Prosperity: Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development, where she explored innovative models supporting entrepreneurship and economic growth. | | | |
During her time in Los Angeles, Filza had the opportunity to meet with a wide range of organizations shaping the future of business and innovation. One of the most impactful moments of her program was visiting Topanga Creek Outpost, where she met founder Chris Kelly. Reflecting on the experience, Filza shared how his journey, from running a bike tour company to building a handcrafted leather business and launching the Belt Brigade mobile workshop, left a lasting impression. “Seeing how resilience and creativity can reshape a business while staying true to one’s values was incredibly inspiring. It reminded me that entrepreneurship is not static - it evolves with purpose.”
Filza’s IVLP experience also deepened her professional vision. Learning from organizations such as UCLA Anderson’s Venture Accelerator and Circular Fashion LA reinforced her belief that heritage craft from her region can be repositioned globally through innovation. These insights encouraged her to more intentionally integrate technology, sustainability, and women's artisanship into her own brand and community initiatives.
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Meaningful connections were another defining element of Filza’s journey. At the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI), she met leaders advancing sustainability and circular fashion, discovering strong parallels between green entrepreneurship and craft revival. She also connected with Robinne Burrell (on the right), founder of RedFlight Mobile Innovation, whose work at the intersection of technology, women in STEM, and social impact sparked new ideas for combining heritage craft with digital storytelling tools such as AR and VR.
| Inspired by these exchanges, Filza is already looking ahead to how she can apply these lessons back home. She plans to adapt models from incubators like UCLA and LACI to support women artisans and youth entrepreneurs in South Punjab, creating mentorship and market-linkage opportunities that empower micro-entrepreneurs while encouraging sustainable practices. | | | | Moments like meeting with Mary McCormick (center), Managing Principal at the MBI Media, for a leadership conversation centered on confidence, decision-making, and strategic thinking for women leaders, left Filza feeling even more grounded and empowered to lead change in her community. | | |
Reflecting on the broader value of cultural exchange, Filza shared that her time in Los Angeles reinforced how deeply connected global challenges and solutions truly are. She mentioned, “Cultural exchange is not just about visiting new places,” she said. “It’s about realizing how diversity fuels innovation. By sharing Pakistan’s craft heritage and learning from global peers, we build understanding, respect, and collaborative growth across borders.”
ICDLA is proud to have hosted Filza and her colleagues, and wishes her continued success as she applies her insights to strengthen entrepreneurship and economic opportunities in Pakistan.
| | Meridian International Center Summer Opportunities | | |
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Meridian International Center is offering two summer professional development opportunities for students interested in citizen diplomacy and public service.
The Future Leaders Academy is a one-week program for high school juniors and seniors (grades 11–12). Participants engage with ambassadors, government officials, and business leaders while developing leadership, negotiation, and crisis management skills.
The Future Leaders Fellowship is a four-week program designed for college students exploring careers in international affairs, diplomacy, and global business. The program offers hands-on experience and exposure to the professional pathways that shape global engagement.
Both opportunities provide meaningful preparation for students interested in public service and international leadership. We invite our community to help spread the word to students who may find this opportunity valuable.
Applications are open through March 15, 2026.
| | International Opportunities | | Transformative First-Year Experiences | | |
ICDLA is happy to share an exciting international opportunity for recent high school graduates looking to begin their college journey in a global setting. The CIEE College First Year Abroad Program allows students to start their first semester or full academic year not on a U.S. campus, but in one of the world’s most vibrant cities.
Students earn transferable college credits while building independence, gaining confidence, and developing global skills that will serve them well throughout college and beyond. Programs are available in 11 international locations and are designed to offer both academic rigor and meaningful cultural immersion.
With flexible scheduling, transfer-friendly coursework, and on-site support from CIEE center staff, students are guided every step of the way. It is a unique opportunity to explore the world, grow personally and academically, and begin college with an experience that is both life-changing and life-shaping.
| | 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. | | © International Citizen Diplomacy of Los Angeles. A non-profit, non-partisan organization. Partial funding is provided by the United States Department of State, the County of Los Angeles, and the City of Los Angeles. | Privacy Policy | | | | |
