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Creating international connections
Cultivating local innovation
Activating global potential
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February 2024
CITIZEN DIPLOMACY NEWS
Expand Your World Today
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In this Issue...
- Quote of the Month
- Photo of the Month
- #IWOC Luncheon 2024
- Dr. Amarjit Marwah's 98th Birthday Celebration
- Sharing a Global Perspective
- ICDLA Alumni Insights
- Upcoming International Programs
- Community Events
- International Opportunities
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Click the button below to check out our past newsletters: | |
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“Every person we met, every organization we attended, all of them are real professionals with passion and care taking responsibilities to help.”
~A visitor from Lithuania in December 2023, for the IVLP 'Hospital Protocols for Sexual Assault Victims', a project for Lithuania
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IVLP visitors from the Near East and North Africa on the Edward R. Murrow Program for Journalists enjoy the workshop with Michele Johnsen,
Center for Media Literacy.
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Join us for ICDLA’s Perseverance Through Adversity Luncheon on March 12th. The luncheon will celebrate 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. Often at great personal risk, these amazing women have dedicated their lives to making our world a better place. Following their Award Ceremony at the White House, the women will travel to Los Angeles where they will meet with Los Angeles organizations and be our honored guests at the luncheon, which will include a panel discussion with several of the #IWOC recipients.
Details about the awardees will be coming soon.
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Dr. Amarjit Marwah's 98th Birthday Celebration | |
Dr. Amarjit Marwah with Scott Abrams, District Director for U.S. Rep. Brad Sherman | |
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ICDLA President Janet Elliott joined a celebration for Dr. Amarjit Marwah’s 98th birthday at the Hollywood Sikh Temple. During the ceremony, Scott Abrams, District Director for Congressman Brad Sherman, presented Dr. Marwah with a Certificate of Appreciation from the 32nd Congressional District.
Dr. Marwah was a key figure in establishing the temple in 1969, which was the first Sikh temple in the United States. Dr. Marwah serves as an ICDLA Advisory Board Member and each year he hosts our Fulbright Luncheon to honor international Fulbright students. In 1950, he himself was a Fulbright student from India. His philanthropic efforts are celebrated far and wide, touching lives not just in Los Angeles but also in his homeland of India. From constructing schools to offering scholarships and lending a hand to those in need, his contributions are numerous and impactful. At his birthday party, everyone who came to celebrate brought with them warm wishes for this incredible man who's made a real difference both here in Los Angeles and around the world.
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Sharing a Global Perspective | |
Home Hospitality Highlights | |
ICDLA was proud to facilitate the Edward R. Murrow Program for Journalists – U.S. Foreign Policy. The IVLP participants from Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Tunisia had a chance to feel the warm, welcoming vibes of American hospitality. | |
L to R: ICDLA members Paul and Ginny Hatfield, Asma Rabhi from Algeria, interpreter Hasanain Alsabea, and Rami Alsubaihe from Jordan. | |
In Los Angeles, a city known for its mix of cultures, ICDLA members have shown how welcoming they can be. Our IVLP visitors from around the world felt like they were part of a big family thanks to our members. They got to try different local foods at members' homes and favorite restaurants and engage in heartfelt conversations around their dining table. The shared laughter and stories transcend cultural and linguistic barriers, creating a strong bond of friendship and understanding that is at the heart of home hospitality. | |
Victoire Auguste-Dormeuil with Khaled Mohamed Elshamy from Egypt. | |
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We thank ICDLA members Nora Alzahid, Victoire Auguste-Dormeuil, Ginny and Paul Hatfield, Pam and Clive Fleissig, Tommy and Gwendolyn McMullins for hosting our IVLP visitors and showing them American culture. By inviting an international visitor into their home, they did more than just share a meal; they started friendships and gained new perspectives through the eyes of international leaders.
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Fostering Global Connections: IVLP Participant's Journey in L.A. | |
 |  | ICDLA is happy to share the experiences and insights of our international visitors, and today, we want to showcase IVLP participant Viery Joselyn Franco Cordero from the Dominican Republic. Viery Franco participated in the IVLP project Migration in the Americas for the Western Hemisphere in August 2023. She kindly shared her impressions with us. As part of the IVLP program, Viery Franco and her colleagues visited the Los Angeles County Office of Immigrant Affairs, UCLA, the International Rescue Committee, and the International Institute of Los Angeles. She noted, “Particularly in Los Angeles, two things impacted my vision. The first is the opportunity UCLA offers to migrants to prepare themselves in the professional field, to have a career, and to be able to pursue it. The second thing is the wonderful work the International Institute of Los Angeles does there to support people in the workplace who have just arrived to live in another country and need to start from scratch all their lives.”
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Participating in the IVLP has profoundly impacted Viery's career path and personal growth. She mentioned, "My participation in the program has opened my vision and my professional objectives much more. It has made me analyze and subsequently broaden my spectrum on migration issues applied to public health, and it motivated me to strengthen and revolutionize my work in favor of migrant health not only in my country but in Latin America."
Viery Franco emphasized the role of the IVLP program in promoting understanding and collaboration among diverse communities. She summed it up by saying, "I believe that these cultural exchanges are essential for the growth of nations. Growing to make others grow.”
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Viery's IVLP journey highlights the significant impact of international exchange programs on both individuals and communities. We wish her continued success with her professional growth and the implementation of newfound insights in her homeland. | |
Upcoming International Programs | |
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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
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| Feb 7 - Feb 13: Edward R. Murrow Program for Journalists-U.S. Foreign Policy | Algeria, Egypt, Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia | | Feb 13 - Feb 17: Establishment of a National Public Health Institute | Uzbekistan | | Feb 18 - Feb 24: Supporting Integration and Human Rights of Displaced Persons | Armenia | | Feb 19 - Feb 25: Sports Visitor Program | Indonesia | | Feb 27 - Mar 2: Human and Civil Rights Advocacy for Marginalized Communities | Bangladesh, Hong Kong S.A.R., India, Kyrgyz Republic, Malaysia, New Zealand, Republic of Korea | | |
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 Opportunities | |
U.S. to Armenia Women's Basketball Exchange | |
Do you know any high school students? Then share the news! We encourage students to join CIEE for the CIEE College Prep Fair, which will take place virtually from March 5th to 7th. Whether they are just starting their exploration or are curious to hear about innovative alternatives to starting college in the U.S. or abroad, this FREE virtual event offers valuable insights and resources to guide their path. They will get to hear from college representatives, experts in college planning, college students, and CIEE advisors who will answer their questions live. | |
Study Tour on Social Cohesion | |
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The American Council of Germany (ACG) is currently seeking applications for the Study Tour on Social Cohesion: Creating Inclusive Communities in the United States and Germany.
The ACG will convene a group of approximately 20 young professionals – ten from each country. The cohort will meet once in Germany and once in the United States for two one-week-long study tours designed to focus on how communities tackle social inequity and provide better lives for their citizens. This exchange program is designed to help create a new forum for transatlantic dialogue around these issues.
The first study tour will be from June 9 to 15, 2024, in Erfurt and Frankfurt. The second will be in Atlanta and Denver from September 15 to 21, 2024. Participants must be able to commit to both parts of the program.
Candidates for the Study Tour on Social Cohesion must:
- Either a U.S. citizen or permanent resident living in the United States or a European citizen living in Germany
- Be in the relatively early stages of their career
- Hold at least a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent professional experience)
- Have a sincere commitment to furthering the transatlantic relationship and DEIA
The application due date is March 8, 2024
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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. | |
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Editor: Kristina Yucel
Communications & Events Coordinator
Share your comments with me at kyucel@icdla.org
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© 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 | | | | |
