|
|
|
Creating international connections
Cultivating local innovation
Activating global potential
| |
|
July 2024
CITIZEN DIPLOMACY NEWS
Expand Your World Today
| |
|
In this Issue...
- Quote of the Month
- Photo of the Month
- Sharing a Global Perspective
- ICDLA Alumni Insights
- Upcoming International Programs
- Are you a U.S. Citizen Exchange Alumni?
- Community Events
| |
Click the button below to check out our past newsletters: | |
|
“The perception for me was a level of protection of human rights and freedoms. And after the visit, I understood that the level of protection is actually much higher."
~A visitor from Ukraine in June 2024, for the IVLP project 'Clean Energy'
| |  |
IVLP visitors from Ukraine enjoying the Warner Brothers Studio tour. | | |
Sharing a Global Perspective | |
On June 11th the City of Torrance welcomed ICDLA and our participants from India, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka with their warm hospitality and our name in lights at the Mary K. Giordano Transit Center. The mixer, which was in honor of our international participants who were here on the program Sustainable Infrastructure for Ports project, was a fun evening of sharing and building relationships. | |
Capt. Harsha Sandamal Weerasuriya from Sri Lanka (left) and Mayor Pro Tem & ICDLA Board Member Jon Kaji (right). | |
International participants from Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, and the Philippines in the City of Torrance. | |
|
A huge thanks to the City of Torrance for their support which made the mixer possible. We were privileged to have members of the Torrance City Council join us. Mayor George Chen and Jonathan Kaji, Mayor ProTem & ICDLA Board Member each delivered welcome remarks. Vivek Mishra from India shared his and his colleagues’ impressions from their professional meetings with the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, International Longshore Warehouse Union – Local 13, and Christine Peterson, Director of International Trade and Investment for the City of Los Angeles.
As the evening drew to a close and transportation awaited to return our guests to their hotel, there were still last-minute exchanges of contact information and heartfelt farewells to new friends, highlighting the meaningful connections through citizen diplomacy.
| |
|
The Importance of Intellectual Property Protection
in the Creative Industry Ecosystem
| |
|
In June ICDLA welcomed visitors from Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria for the Intellectual Property and the Creative Economy project. The IVLP participants met with the Songwriters of North America (SONA) education committee co-chairs, Dr. Andrae Alexander and Erin McAnally, to discuss the vital role of intellectual property (IP) protections for American songwriters and music creators.
SONA, founded in 2015 to address unfair streaming licensing rates, highlighted the role of IP in ensuring fair compensation and market growth. International visitors shared their experiences with IP challenges and successes in their countries, enriching the discussion with diverse perspectives. This exchange highlighted the global importance of strong IP frameworks to support creative industries and foster international collaboration.
| |
Happy 4th of July from Bahrain! | |
|
Jalal M. Naser, IVLP alumnus and Co-Founder of Bahrain IVLP Alumni Association, shared with ICDLA the July 4th celebration he attended in Bahrain. U.S. Embassy Deputy Public Affairs Officer Nicholas Von Mertens and his family hosted a July 4th BBQ to celebrate the five outstanding Bahraini Fulbright students who received scholarships at U.S. universities. Members of the Bahrain IVLP Alumni Association (B-IVLP), IVLP alumni, Fulbright alumni, and Humphrey alumni came together for a fun celebration with traditional hamburgers and hotdogs.
We are always happy staying in touch with our IVLP alumni and receiving such warm photos. It’s inspiring to see how connections built during exchange programs continue to grow abroad, long after participants returned home.
| |
Fostering Global Connections: IVLP Participant's Journey in L.A. | |
|
ICDLA is delighted to share the experiences and insights of our international visitors, and today, we want to showcase IVLP participant Kristina Jariene from Lithuania. Kristina visited Los Angeles in December 2023 for the IVLP project Hospital Services for Victims of Rape and Sexual Assault.
As part of the IVLP program, Kristina and her colleagues visited various organizations that work with survivors of sexual assault. Reflecting on her experience, Kristina shared, “The system that helps the survivors in L.A. probably was the best and most progressive that I would like to transfer to Lithuania. Survivors in L.A. not only receive highly specialized emergency medical care, forensic services, counseling, and advocacy, but also information about their rights and options to support them in making informed choices and decisions 24 hours a day. All the institutions work as one or very close to each other.” This comprehensive support system made a significant impact on Kristina, underscoring the gaps in her home country’s approach and encouraging her to advocate for similar advancements in Lithuania.
| |
|
Kristina shared, "IVLP helped us to understand how to find the possibilities to work together. And the most exciting news is that we started to do that as soon as we came back home." Inspired by the program, Kristina and her colleagues, including emergency doctors, OBGYN specialists, police authorities, and members of the Lithuanian Parliament, have initiated a collaborative effort to improve services for survivors in their country.
| |
Kristina also enjoyed the home hospitality experience during her visit. She shared, "I was blessed to meet a wonderful woman – Farah Rosier. Her warm hospitality made a huge impression on me. She has visited a lot of countries and wrote a book. Keeping in mind my way of living, you can probably imagine we had so much in common to discuss and talk about, that I even forgot the time. I am extremely grateful to her and keep all the memories with love.” These personal connections and cultural exchanges have enriched Kristina's experience, reinforcing the value of international collaboration.
Kristina’s IVLP journey underscores the impact of international exchange programs on both individuals and communities. We wish her continued success with her professional growth and the implementation of her newfound insights in her homeland.
| |
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
| |
| July 2 - July 8: Inclusive Entrepreneurship Ecosystem | Israel | | July 19 - July 25: Empowering Germany's LGBTQI+ Policy Engagement and Community Support | Germany | | July 23 - July 27: Enhancing Japan's Academic Research Integrity through Export Controls and Visa Screening | Japan | | July 30 - Aug 3: Advocacy through Social Media | Algeria, Burundi, Cote d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Republic of the Congo, Senegal, Somalia, Togo, Uganda, Zimbabwe | | July 31 - Aug 3: Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development | People's Republic of China | | |
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. | |
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's one in-person event planned this year:
- 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.
| |
|
Join the Flavors From Afar on Friday evenings in July for a memorable global dinner series to explore cuisine from around the world.
Flavors From Afar is excited to introduce its rotating global menu for a limited time. Each Friday in July, explore a new country and enjoy dishes crafted by their partner refugee chefs. Choose between a tasting menu or a full-course dinner experience. Seats are limited. Adding to the excitement, the featured 5-course menu for the nights you select will be revealed after you order your tickets!
Schedule:
Friday, July 5th: Guatemala
Friday, July 12th: Sudan
Friday, July 19th: Congo
Friday, July 26th: Ukraine
| |
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. | |
|
Editor: Kristina Yucel
Communications & Events Coordinator
Share your comments with me at kyucel@icdla.org
| |
© 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 | | | | |
