World Cup with International Chambers | | World Cup, Pizza, and Good Company | |
| On a beautiful summer evening in downtown Los Angeles, ICDLA joined the British American Business Council, Italian American Chamber of Commerce West, German American Business Association, Swiss-American Chamber of Commerce, Czech Chamber of Commerce, and the U.S.-Mexico Chamber of Commerce California for a Team USA vs. Türkiye World Cup watch party at Rossoblu Italian Restaurant. | | |
Rossoblu's outdoor garden provided the perfect setting for business leaders, students, international professionals, and football fans to gather over pizza, drinks, and plenty of conversation. A fun touch of the evening was the USA- and Türkiye-inspired pizzas, created especially for the match.
While some guests cheered for Team USA and others simply enjoyed the excitement of the game, everyone celebrated when Türkiye scored the dramatic last-minute winning goal. For a few moments, the entire garden was united in applause, proving that sometimes the best part of watching sports together is sharing the excitement, no matter which team you're supporting.
| Events like these are a wonderful reminder that some of the best connections are made in simple ways, over good food, lively conversation, and a memorable game. We look forward to many more opportunities to gather with our friends and partners as Los Angeles welcomes the world. | | Sharing a Global Perspective | | Supporting Small Business in Torrance | |
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How can a city create an environment where entrepreneurs and small businesses have the resources they need to succeed? That was the focus of an engaging roundtable discussion at Torrance City Hall, where an International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) delegation from Australia, Brunei, Egypt, Malawi, Romania, and Thailand met with local government officials, economic development professionals, and business leaders to learn how Torrance supports entrepreneurship and long-term economic growth.
The discussion highlighted how city government, chambers of commerce, workforce development organizations, economic development agencies, small business support centers, and private industry work together to foster innovation, attract investment, and help businesses succeed.
The delegation heard from an outstanding panel of local experts, including Donna Duperron (Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce), Chris Cagle (South Bay Workforce Investment Board), Mevan Randeniya (LAEDC), Sharon Peterson (Small Business Development Center), Minal Mondkar and Sanjay Murty (Aura Seating), Francessca Renderos (PEL Manufacturing), Fran Fulton, and Jin Chun (City of Torrance).
Participants learned how Torrance prioritizes business attraction, retention, and expansion while maintaining a balance between its industrial, commercial, and residential sectors. They were also introduced to Pitch Torrance, an innovative initiative that connects local entrepreneurs directly with city departments, helping small businesses navigate the municipal procurement process and compete for government contracts.
Business leaders shared their own entrepreneurial journeys, offering valuable insights into the opportunities and challenges of growing companies in Southern California and emphasizing the importance of strong public-private partnerships.
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We appreciate ICDLA Board Member and Torrance City Councilmember Jon Kaji for his assistance in facilitating the meeting. He was joined by Mayor George Chen and Mayor-Elect Sharon Kalani in welcoming the delegation and sharing their perspectives on economic development and the City's commitment to supporting local businesses.
Throughout the discussion, visitors exchanged ideas on entrepreneurship, workforce development, business financing, and innovation while exploring the important role small businesses play in strengthening local and regional economies. The conversation reinforced the value of citizen diplomacy in building international partnerships through the exchange of ideas and best practices.
Thank you to the City of Torrance, its community partners, and local business leaders for hosting such an informative discussion and for demonstrating how cross-sector collaboration helps entrepreneurs and strengthens local economies.
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| Preparing for Future Olympic and Paralympic Village | |
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As Los Angeles prepares to welcome the world in 2028, the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is undertaking one of the most significant transformations in its history. During a recent International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), members of the National Olympic Committee of Indonesia visited UCLA to gain firsthand insight into how the university is preparing to serve as the official Olympic and Paralympic Athlete Village for the LA28 Games.
The group met with Chansoth Hill, Senior Director and Chair of the UCLA Olympic & Paralympic Village Coordination Committee, who shared an overview of the extensive planning efforts already underway across the university. The discussion highlighted the collaborative nature of Olympic planning, demonstrating how successful Games depend on close coordination among university leadership, event organizers, public safety officials, housing services, transportation teams, hospitality professionals, and countless other campus partners.
Participants also learned how UCLA is preparing to balance the security and operational requirements of an Olympic and Paralympic Village while maintaining a safe environment for students, faculty, staff, and surrounding communities.
Beyond the operational planning, the visit illustrated how institutions can leverage global sporting events to strengthen partnerships, foster innovation, and create lasting international relationships. As preparations continue for LA28, UCLA's work serves as an example of how universities can play a vital role in hosting the world's largest sporting events while advancing collaboration across borders.
The delegation also met with Terri Batch, President and CEO of Global LA, to explore how Los Angeles is leveraging LA28 to attract foreign direct investment, create business opportunities, and strengthen its position as a global hub for sports, culture, and innovation. The discussion highlighted Terri's and Global LA's efforts to connect international partners with the region's growing economy while ensuring that the Olympic and Paralympic Games leave a lasting legacy of economic development, international collaboration, and regional growth well beyond 2028.
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| Celebrating 100 Years of Route 66 | | |
This year is Route 66’s 100th Anniversary, which was commissioned on November 11, 1926. The legendary “Mother Road” spans over 2,400 miles, beginning in Chicago and ending in Santa Monica. Although Santa Monica Pier wasn’t the actual endpoint of the highway, that was at the intersection of Lincoln and Olympic Boulevards, it is the perfect ceremonial spot to commemorate the end of the “Mother Road.”
It is also the perfect spot for our International participants to snap a fun photo. The IVLP group pictured are emerging music professionals from Azerbaijan, Japan, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Taiwan. Over the years, many other international participants have enjoyed visiting Santa Monica Pier, and no visit is complete without that classic photo.
In honor of the 100th Anniversary, Global Ties U.S. created the National Route 66 Roundup, which highlights ICDLA and our fellow organizations that share being on the historic route. We invite you to explore the full article and discover their stories celebrating Route 66.
ICDLA’s contribution highlights the music professionals pictured, who were on the IVLP project 'Promoting Social Change Through Music'. They took their “End of the Trail” shot after a busy day of meetings, including the Grammy Museum and the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, which seems the perfect moment for a rendition of Get Your Kicks on Route 66!
To learn more about the 100th Anniversary Celebrations from Chicago to Santa Monica, check out THIS LINK.
| | Fourth Annual Afro-Latino Culture Fest | | | |
Dance, connect, and celebrate at the 4th Annual Afro-Latino Culture Fest at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, a high-energy, open-air festival filled with music, food, art, and community. Free and open to the public, this joyful gathering invites you to spend the day vibing under the sun and on the lawn.
Throughout the day, enjoy live performances, DJs, cultural activations, artisan vendors, and delicious food that showcase the rhythms, creativity, and traditions of Afro-Latino and Afro-Caribbean communities. Gather with friends at the 21+ Tropical Cocktail Bar to sip Caribbean-inspired cocktails, dance to soul-moving sounds, and soak in the festival atmosphere.
The Afro-Latino Culture Fest centers Afro-Latino and Afro-Caribbean communities while inviting everyone to take part in shared cultural experiences and exchange.
August 1, 2026
4 pm
Free with RSVP
LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes
| | International Opportunities | | |
For students dreaming about studying abroad, this could be the opportunity that turns inspiration into action. A new international education giveaway from CIEE is offering one lucky recipient the chance to win a fully funded Spring 2027 study abroad experience, including program fees and round-trip flights, with a total value of up to $25,000.
More than just travel, studying abroad offers students the opportunity to build cross-cultural understanding, gain global perspectives, and experience daily life in another part of the world firsthand. Whether it’s learning a new language, navigating a new city, or forming friendships across cultures, these experiences often shape students both personally and professionally long after the program ends.
Applications for Spring 2027 programs are open now, with entries accepted through October 1, 2026.
| | 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 | | | | |
