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September 2024

CITIZEN DIPLOMACY NEWS

Expand Your World Today

In this Issue...


  • Quote of the Month
  • Photo of the Month
  • Exclusive Boat Tour & Networking Mixer
  • Sharing a Global Perspective
  • ICDLA in the Media
  • Upcoming International Programs
  • National Voter Registration Day
  • Community Events
  • Are you a U.S. Citizen Exchange Alumni?

Click the button below to check out our past newsletters:

Past Newsletters

Quote of the Month

“Do not accept that what we have today is inevitable. Do not accept that you cannot transform things. If we want to change the world, we need to unite, mobilize, and fight for a better future for all."


~Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the UN, said in a message to young people ahead of the Summit of the Future

Photo of the Month

IVLP visitors from the Western Hemisphere visiting the Los Angeles County Office of Education, as part of their Combating Trafficking in Persons program.

Exclusive Boat Tour & Networking Mixer

Join us for a private tour of the Port of Long Beach.


ICDLA invites you to a unique evening of networking and adventure at the vibrant Port of Long Beach, one of the busiest ports in the world. This exclusive event offers a unique opportunity to network with international business professionals while enjoying a scenic tour.


Boat Tour Duration: 5:30 - 7:30 pm

(Please arrive by 5:00 pm for check-in)


Port of Long Beach, Dock 2

99 Golden Shore, Long Beach, CA 90802


Space is limited. Registration is mandatory.

Event is 21+. Photo ID required.

Learn More

Sharing a Global Perspective

Human Trafficking Prevention in Los Angeles

Human trafficking is happening everywhere and does not discriminate against ethnicity, gender or age. ICDLA recently had the honor of hosting an International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) group from the Western Hemisphere for a program on Combating Trafficking in Persons. During their time in Los Angeles they met with various local organizations to explore initiatives to recognize, protect, and assist victims of abuse and trafficking.


One of their key meetings was with the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE), where Dr. Lakeah Dickerson, Interim Project Director, and Dr. Kimberly Faulkner-Camacho, Coordinator for the Foster Youth Services Technical Assistance Program, provided an overview of the Human Trafficking Youth Prevention Education (HTYPE) Program.

Dr. Dickerson shared her appreciation after the meeting, saying, "I wanted to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude for the opportunity to provide an overview of our Human Trafficking Youth Prevention Education (HTYPE) Program to your group. It was truly an honor to share our work with such a passionate and dedicated audience. Hearing about the incredible work you all are doing around the world has filled my heart with inspiration."


The HTYPE Program focuses on equipping educators, school staff, and students in Los Angeles County with skills-based prevention education to combat human trafficking. The exchange was not only informative for the international visitors but also a meaningful experience for the hosts, reflecting the power of shared learning in tackling global issues. We are grateful to LACOE for their invaluable contribution to this important discussion.

Exploring Intellectual Property Rights with SAG-AFTRA

Last week ICDLA welcomed an International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) group from Iraq focused on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Enforcement and Development. During their visit to Los Angeles, their program included a meeting with SAG-AFTRA, the union representing approximately 160,000 media professionals, including actors, journalists, and recording artists.


The meeting, facilitated by ICDLA, centered on intellectual property protections for American actors and media professionals. SAG-AFTRA, formed from the merger of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, has a long history of securing and expanding protections for its members. The discussion provided the Iraqi delegation with valuable insights into how the U.S. safeguards the intellectual property of media professionals, highlighting the global importance of strong IPR enforcement.


This visit underscored the critical role of intellectual property rights in fostering creativity and protecting creators worldwide.

ICDLA in the Media

Citizen Diplomacy in Action

We are excited to share an article about ICDLA in the latest edition of the USC Public Diplomacy Magazine. Written by Nora Alzahid, Co-editor-in-chief and a valued ICDLA member, the article is titled Citizen Diplomacy in Action: The ICDLA’s Role in Strengthening Global Connections with the Muslim World. In her piece, Nora highlights the powerful role of citizen diplomacy as a key component of public diplomacy, emphasizing its ability to foster authentic engagement with local communities, challenge misconceptions, and build mutual understanding.


Nora also delves into the significant economic impacts of citizen diplomacy, particularly in facilitating international business exchanges and partnerships, which in turn promote trade and investment.


Read the Article

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

September 2024

Sept 11 - Sept 14: U.S. and Vietnam Combating Transnational Organized Crime

Vietnam

Sept 26 - Oct 1: Climate-Smart Sesame Cultivation

Uzbekistan

Sept 30 - Oct 5: Promoting Social Change Through Music

Belarus, Belgium, Bolivia, Brunei, Cuba, Estonia, Latvia, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Qatar, Sierra Leone, The People's Republic of China, Uganda

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.

National Voter Registration Day

National Voter Registration Day is September 17th. This nonpartisan civic holiday encourages voter registration across the country to ensure every voice is heard.

 

Democracy requires citizen participation, and your vote is a powerful tool for shaping the future. National Voter Registration Day reminds us to make sure we are registered to vote and to encourage others to do the same.

 

Here are links to get the facts on local voter registration and information about volunteering to spread the word: Los Angeles Area Voting Information, Nonprofit, Non-partisan Get-Out-The-Vote Organizations.


Community Events

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.

Learn More

Public Speaking Opportunities

Are you interested in speaking to other alumni who are earlier in their careers about your professional or academic journey? Fill out the brief interest form to be added to the U.S. ExchangeAlumni speaker library and you may be called upon for potential career development speaking engagements such as speaking at future Career Connections seminars.

Interest Form

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.

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.

Donate

Editor: Kristina Yucel

Communications & Events Coordinator

Share your comments with me at kyucel@icdla.org

International Citizen Diplomacy

of Los Angeles

213-388-1428

info@icdla.org

www.icdla.org

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