Creating international connections

Cultivating local innovation

Activating global potential

November 2024

CITIZEN DIPLOMACY NEWS

Expand Your World Today

In this Issue...

• Quote of the Month
• Photo of the Month
• 35^th Annual Fulbright Luncheon
• Sharing a Global Perspective
• ICDLA Members Highlight
• Upcoming International Programs
• Are you a U.S. Citizen Exchange Alumni?
• Community Events
• International Opportunities

Click the button below to check out our past newsletters:

35^th Annual Fulbright Luncheon

For the 35^th year, Dr. Amarjit Marwah, ICDLA Advisory Board Member, warmly welcomed us to his beautiful home in Malibu for the ICDLA Annual Fulbright Luncheon. As a former Fulbright student, Dr. Marwah hosts this luncheon year after year, fostering lasting connections among students from diverse cultures during their time in the U.S. and beyond.

This year’s luncheon was especially vibrant, with representatives from the Consulates General of Türkiye and Brazil in L.A., the Institute of International Education, and the L.A. Fulbright Alumni Association Board Members joining us.

We were also honored to welcome Farrah N. Khan, Mayor of Irvine, Foreign Service Officers from the U.S. Department of State, ICDLA Board members Rima Nashashibi and Wafa Hoballah, ICDLA members and friends. Thank you to everyone who shared this incredible day with us.

Sharing a Global Perspective

Pacific Islands IVLP Visitors Explore Ocean Innovation at AltaSea

In October 2024, an International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) group from the Pacific Islands, representing Fiji, Kiribati, Tonga, and the Solomon Islands, visited Los Angeles as part of the STEM Education in the Pacific Islands project. Among the highlights of their trip was an inspiring visit to AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles, organized by ICDLA.

At AltaSea, these educators and leaders were introduced to the innovative Ocean STEM Educational Hub, which is helping shape the future of marine science education. AltaSea, a public-private ocean institute at the Port of Los Angeles, develops a collaborative urban campus dedicated to advancing marine science and blue technology. With a cutting-edge campus, complete with research labs, marine life support systems, and hands-on learning facilities, AltaSea offers students unparalleled access to the ocean.

During their visit, the delegates saw firsthand how AltaSea nurtures the next generation of marine scientists, encouraging young minds to lead in fields like aquaculture, ocean conservation, and sustainable blue technology. AltaSea’s programs empower students to become advocates for the ocean, providing essential tools and knowledge to tackle global challenges.

Through this visit, the Pacific Islands delegation left inspired by AltaSea’s vision to position Los Angeles as a central hub for the Blue Economy, demonstrating how education and innovation can come together to protect our oceans and create a more sustainable future.

Home Hospitality Highlights

ICDLA was delighted to welcome international professionals to Los Angeles as part of the IVLP on Climate Crisis: Working Together for Future Generations. Our members opened their homes to international visitors, giving guests a true taste of American life and creating some special moments. Check out the highlights of the experiences hosted by ICDLA members:

Marvin and Susan Klein hosted visitors from the Slovak Republic and Spain for an engaging dinner that quickly evolved into an open exchange of ideas. "They were a lovely group," Susan remarked, "and together we covered a lot of ground from genealogy to politics." The evening underscored connections that can emerge when people from different backgrounds gather and share their stories.

ICDLA members Katie and Luiz Caetano embarked on their first experience of home hospitality by hosting visitors from Estonia, Poland, and Romania. This first-time experience was both enriching and insightful, with conversations that offered a unique perspective on life in Eastern Europe.

Terri Wallace and James Garnett were also hosting visitors for the first time. Their guests from Poland and Bosnia and Herzegovina described the evening as "an exceptional experience, one of the best parts of the program." As someone who works in ESG, Terri shared her passion for sustainability with the visitors, sparking meaningful conversations about shared environmental challenges and the role of the community in addressing them.

ICDLA member Farah Rosier welcomed visitors from the Czech Republic, Germany, and the Republic of Türkiye to her home. Along with sharing values and personal stories, Farah introduced her guests to her unique artwork, showcasing her paintings in the traditional Chinese brush technique. She also prepared a memorable dinner inspired by her Iranian roots, featuring dishes with rich flavors that left her guests with a true taste of her cultural heritage.

Jerry Medway hosted visitors from the Republic of Türkiye, Bulgaria, and Serbia. Everyone was able to enjoy local cuisine while sharing stories and perspectives on the climate crisis and more. Another ICDLA member, Nora Alzahid, hosted professionals from Austria and Hungary in her home for dinner, creating a warm evening filled with laughter and sharing reflections on topics from sustainability to travel.

ICDLA members demonstrated home hospitality's power through these gatherings to create lasting bonds and celebrate cultural diversity. We are grateful to Marvin, Susan, Katie, Luiz, Terri, James, Alan, Barbara, Farah, Jerry, and Nora for their generosity and commitment to building a more connected world.

ICDLA Members Highlight

From Los Angeles to Africa: A Journey Fueled by Purpose

This month, ICDLA shines a spotlight on Dr. Jill M. Humphries, a distinguished educator, scholar, and global activist whose work has impacted both local and international communities. Dr. Humphries is an Assistant Professor in the Africana Studies Program at the University of Toledo. She recently returned from South Africa, where she served as a Fulbright Scholar, designing research curricula and leading workshops to address gaps in postgraduate education at the University Fort Hare in the Eastern Cape. “They didn’t teach their graduate students research methods,” she explains. “Imagine having to teach yourself how to… go out and actually conduct research.” She has also served as an Ambassador Distinguished Scholar to Ethiopia.

A Los Angeles native, Dr. Humphries has dedicated her life to bridging cultures and advocating for social justice worldwide. Her worldview began forming during her childhood in Los Angeles, but a pivotal moment came during her years at UCLA when she saw television coverage of the youth-led anti-apartheid movement in South Africa. Recalling the impact of that moment, she says, “I remember standing in my parents' den watching young people in South Africa’s townships literally throwing rocks at tanks… I had never seen anything like that in my life before.” This powerful image ignited her determination to engage directly with Africa, vowing, “I don’t care where I go or how I get there… I’m going to Africa.”

Dr. Humphries began her transformative journey through the United Methodist Church’s mission intern program, working in Zimbabwe. There, she taught at Hartzell High School, documented the impacts of regional conflict, and witnessed the human cost of low-intensity warfare. “I got exposed for the first time to war,” she recalls. “I was in a hot zone… and I learned about how people, internally displaced in their own country, could not receive assistance because they weren’t considered refugees.”

As a scholar-activist, Dr. Humphries prioritizes experiential learning, often blending academic rigor with hands-on approaches to address social challenges. One of her proudest accomplishments was developing tailored learning strategies for high-needs students in the U.S., where she introduced therapeutic and self-governance techniques. Reflecting on her teaching approach, she states, “I am not a traditional lecturer… I try to be more of a facilitated, engagement-based instructor. People learn in different ways.”

For Dr. Humphries, diplomacy is not just about formal exchanges but about fostering connections and empathy. Her international work has underscored the importance of listening and learning from others, regardless of background or circumstance. “I saw the dislocation camps in Mozambique where the people said, ‘These are our children. We are not going to stigmatize them…’ That understanding of people’s humanity, even when they’ve done horrible things, shaped how I interact with my students,” she shares.

She emphasizes that the most meaningful diplomacy happens through “engaging people where they are,” a philosophy she applies to students and communities alike. Recalling her time in Southern Africa, she says, “For me, it was so significant… to be able to say to the students, ‘I was influenced by your struggle, and now I am here as a professor.’”

Through her words and actions, Dr. Humphries exemplifies the spirit of ICDLA, inspiring us to view diplomacy as a shared responsibility. Her journey from Los Angeles to Africa and beyond is a testament to the power of education, activism, and a life dedicated to bridging divides.

The Power of People-to-People Diplomacy

Open World is ICDLA's unique program requiring participants to stay in homes during their time in L.A. When our members open their homes to international visitors, they share a part of American life and sometimes create bonds that continue overseas.

One such example is the connection formed between Sophie Berishvili from Tbilisi, Georgia, and ICDLA members Nancy and John Richardson. Sophie visited Los Angeles in October 2023 as part of the Open World Program on Accountable Governance. ICDLA arranged her homestay with our long-time members Nancy and John, who hosted Sophie and introduced her to life in Los Angeles. This exchange sparked a genuine friendship that continued after she returned home.

Nearly a year later, when Nancy and John traveled to Georgia on a Road Scholar trip titled "Georgia: Tbilisi, Winelands & Highlands," they had the chance to experience Sophie’s hospitality firsthand. This time, Sophie hosted them for a dinner featuring traditional Georgian dishes and introduced them to her family. Their visit also included a lunch with Sophie’s mother, Maia Kipshidze, the former Ambassador of Georgia to Norway. They enjoyed lively conversations, swapping stories about travel, local Georgian culture, and even a bit of politics on both sides of the world.

This meaningful exchange illustrates how ICDLA’s efforts can help to build enduring friendships. Through such experiences, ICDLA contributes to a more connected world, one friendship at a time.

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

November 2024

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?

Applications for the 2025 Citizen Diplomacy Action Fund (CDAF) open on December 4.

#CDAF2025 projects will need to relate to one of the following five themes:

• Strengthening democratic institutions & promoting media integrity;
• Protecting the environment;
• Building community through arts, sports, or technology;
• Human rights, refugees, and migrants;
• Promoting English language.

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.

Community Events

Join the Tiyya community for a night of culinary storytelling and diasporic memories.

Parisa, an Iranian-born visual artist & culinary creative will create a sumptuous edible food art tablescape that evokes deep memories of home and heritage while collaborating with our refugee chefs who will present global bites inspired by their unique journeys. 

This is not just an event—it’s a memorable experience where flavors, art, and culture meet to celebrate diasporic nostalgia. A portion of the proceeds will support the work of the Tiyya Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit dedicated to empowering refugee and immigrant communities.

Come experience a night of food and culture like no other! Tickets are limited.

International Opportunities

Applications are open for the BIE-Cosmos Prize at Expo 2025 Osaka. This prize supports not-for-profit projects that align with the Expo’s theme, Designing Future Society for Our Lives. Interested applicants should submit their projects by Wednesday, November 20. The winning project announced on BIE Day on Sunday, October 12, 2025, will receive 20,000 euros.

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

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