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First Thursday - June 4th
The region's friendliest networking - it's how international relations should be!t!
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IVC is celebrating its 55th year as the region's international relations organization. Join IVC for another interesting evening of "citizen diplomacy" where you can build your international network, promote Philadelphia and improve the image of the U.S. abroad - all in just two hours!
And with our 55th year of doing this, we thought you'd enjoy a look at what was happening in 1954 as we were getting started. So scroll down and see what was happening in pop culture in June, 1954!
June's First Thursday international reception has quite a large group to meet! Meet guests of honor from Algeria, Cameroon, China, France, Germany, Israel, Japan, Lebanon, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates & West Bank, plus lots of interesting, internationally-minded Americans. Read below for details on each. Some are on professional exchange programs, some are part of university programs, while others represent foreign businesses that recently established a presence in Philadelphia. AND, we'll say good-bye to two good friends who will be sadly missed. But in the meantime...
Scroll down to check out our HOSTING ALERTS for an afternoon of hosting guests from Cyprus and 2 1/2 week homestays for guests from Ukraine!
BUT FIRST...DON'T MISS IT: IVC's International BBQ is coming up quickly! It's our 23rd BBQ on the 23rd. Of July, that is - at the College of Physicians. It's IVC's only fund-raising event, and we need the support to continue our work and keep our events free or (very, very inexpensive) to engage as many people as possible in citizen diplomacy.
But first, here's your "job description" for IVC's receptions: On Thursday, when you pick up your name badge, don't forget to ask for the sheets that list our guests' names, their interests & why they're here. It also tells you what color ribbon they're wearing so you can easily identify them in the crowd. Then walk up, say hello and you'll see how easy it is to start a conversation! We guarantee this friendly citizen diplomacy will create lasting positive impressions of the U.S. and Philadelphia. It's really that simple!
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| Middle East Partnership Initiative |
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Empowering Middle East Women
 
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Eight interesting women from the Middle East and North Africa have just started their fellowships with Philadelphia companies and law firms, and they'll be among our guests at June's First Thursday. If you didn't meet them at our 55th Annual Meeting, then join us on Thursday and learn their impressions of Philadelphia and the U.S.! They are from Algeria, Israel, Lebanon, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates & West Bank.
The following seven generous Philadelphia firms/organizations are providing their internships. All but two have hosted Fellows in the past two years: BDP Int'l Global Logistics, Community Legal Services, Dilworth Paxson's Intellectual Property Department, the Federal Reserve Bank, PECO, Tierney Communications, and Wachovia . Our thanks to CLS and the Federal Reserve Bank for participating in this important Initiative for the first time.
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Sister Cities Program
Say hello to...
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 TIANJIN, CHINA Four people arrived in Philadelphia a few days ago with Temple's Law School with its LL.M. program for China. One of them is an official with Tianjin's Foreign Affairs Office - IVC's liaison for the Sister Cities Program. You'll be seeing them at our events, so welcome them now!
DOUALA, CAMEROON - Joining us again is one of two sisters in graduate school in Philadelphia. Daniele is getting her Master's in Biology at Temple. She's fluent in English but enjoys speaking French at the First Thursdays, so join us and practice your French!
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... and say good-bye to our friend...
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Sadly, this will be the final First Thursday for Aneta Komendarczyk, our friend and staff member from Torun, Poland. Aneta single-handedly did much to strengthen our relationship with Torun! In additional to handling two recent exchanges with a high school and teachers, she also worked daily on our website, helped Nancy pull together the First Thursday emails (except this part!), researched all the interesting pieces for our 55 Fun Facts, as well as much, MUCH more. Thank you, Aneta!
In just a few weeks she's heading off to New Orleans, where her husband will teach Mathematics at Tulane. She's due with their first baby (also within the next few weeks), so if you haven't met her yet, you'll easily find her to say goodbye! And if you have connections in New Orleans, do let Aneta know!
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Japan - Rotary Scholar
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Each month we welcome people from around the world who are in Philadelphia for a variety of reasons. Among this month's First Thursday guests is a young woman from Japan who's studying at Penn as a Rotary Ambassador Scholar. She's looking forward to meeting you and making some new friends in Philadelphia!
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France & Germany - two countries with two new businesses in Philadelphia!
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The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Center for Direct Investment has been hard at work attracting foreign companies to the region. Two have recently opened offices in Philadelphia, and representatives from each will be at First Thursday.
FRANCE: Meet the COO of Language Routes, a company that makes it easy to learn French and Spanish with their unique products. Based in Lyon, its U.S. subsidiary is in Center City Philadelphia. The CEO attended the March First Thursday and now her COO is joining us to connect with Philadelphia's international community.
GERMANY: Meet a representative from Germany's GADORE, German American Dialog on Renewable Energy, which opens it offices in Philadelphia this week at the University City Science Center. GADORE will help Germany renewable energy companies begin doing business in the U.S. and Canada.
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HOSTING ALERT - CYPRUS!
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MEMBERS ONLY! Hosting Alert for Saturday, July 18th
IVC invites members to host two or more guests from Cyprus for day-long hospitality, such as sightseeing, museum visits, baseball games and family picnics, on Saturday, July 18th.
Ten Greek and ten Turkish Cypriot high school counselors will be in the United States for ten days in July through the Cyprus Fulbright Commission. Their program goal is to learn about the U.S. system of higher education, the admissions process and campus life through local campus visits and meetings. Currently, they are sending students to study abroad in the UK and Australia and we hope that this program will show them the advantages of a U.S. education.
If you'd like to host two or more, and can pick up and return them to their hotel in Center City, please email Jennifer McGinn or call her at 215-683-0993.
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| First Thursday RSVP: |
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Just call Alan Hatfield at 215.683.0992 to register, or email him, or go to our website and fill out the form online on the First Thursday page.
* Not a member yet?
Just join & attend ten receptions
each year at no cost!
IVC is a citizen diplomacy organization. "Citizen Diplomacy" is the right - if not the obligation - of the individual citizen to help shape U.S. international relations - "one handshake at a time."
A copy of IVC's official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free, within Pennsylvania, 1.800.732.0999.
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Arriving Soon in Philadelphia on the
International Visitor Leadership Program
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IRAQ - June 14-17, Seven guests with a program theme “Combating International Crime”.
BRAZIL - June 9-10, ten participants “Abraceel-Electric Energy Traders”.
UNITED KINGDOM - June 6-10, Metropolitan Police Service Officer will explore the diversity of the American culture and its variety of ethnic, religious, linguistic and racial groups and examine the concepts of democracy, pluralism, tolerance and volunteerism as components of civic life in the U.S. |
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| Fifty-Five Fun Facts |
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 As we celebrate 55 years of citizen diplomacy, we thought you'd enjoy seeing what was happening back in 1954 when we began. Each month we'll offer some Fun Facts about the U.S. and the world in 1954.
Pop Culture
The Cha-cha is introduced to U.S. dance floors; based on the classic Cuban Danzon, it will be a standard Latin dance step.
"On the Waterfront" earns 8 Academy Awards, including best actor for Marlon Brando released Aug. 6th 1954
American Bandstand, still a local show is broadcasted out of Philadelphia
Top Television shows: I Love Lucy, Dragnet
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Farewell to Ron!t!
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 After 15 years with IVC, we must say good-bye to Ron D'Alonzo, who retires at the end of June. Ron has been in charge of the professional counterpart meetings and positive American experiences for more than a thousand delegations (!) visiting Philadelphia as guests of the U.S. Department of State's prestigious "International Visitor Leadership Program." He should be at the BBQ, but this is his final First Thursday in his role as IVC's Senior Program Officer. Joining our attendees to say good-bye is Mark Rebstock, Vice President of NCIV, our national office - the National Council for International Visitors. We'll miss you, Ron!
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Coming up Next!
IVC's 23rd
Annual
Int'l BBQ!
IVC's only annual fundraiser is Thursday, July 23rd. This year, it’s again at our favorite, beautiful and air-conditioned location - College of Physicians! No need to wait for a weather repor - it's nice inside!
What to expect? We'll still have friendly people, international guests, great food (Catering By Design), French & Italian wines, a terrific drawing, our wonderful live band & dancing (the Mark Michael Orchestra) but this year we've added another fun way to meet people (don't worry, we won't give up
S-P-E-E-D Networking!)
This year we've added a fun
"I don't know anyone table" for first-timers and others pretending to be!
Watch for our email
and snail mail invitations!
Contact Nancy Gilboy
at 215.683.0997 for sponsorship opportunities, or
Alan Hatfield at
215.683.0992
or email him today
for table information. |
HOMESTAY HOSTING ALERT - UKRAINE!
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IVC needs your help! We are pleased to have been awarded a grant from USAID to develop and manage a 3-week training program in October 2009, for ten Ukrainians with the topic of "Performance Arts Management - Classical Music." The participants will be managers of classical music artists, orchestras, ensembles and venues. The training program will take place in the Greater Philadelphia area, New York City and Harrisburg.
We're looking for homestay hosts! If you're interested in providing positive American experiences by hosting one or two participants in your home for 2 and a half weeks (from October 3 to October 22), contact Ann Stauffer, IVC's Executive VP. Email Ann or call her at 215-683-0988 with questions or to let her know you'll host! |
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| First Thursday Details.. |
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We hope you'll join us and others from the Greater Philadelphia area who are interested in citizen diplomacy, making friends and improving the U.S. image abroad.
FIRST THURSDAY @ THE ANNEX:
Philadelphia Courtyard Marriott,
across from City Hall
No Cost for IVC members & their new guest
- $15.00 for Non-members*
- $20.00 at the door without a reservation
DATE: First Thursday
TIME: 5:30 to. 7:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Annex Grille - Courtyard Marriott - East of City Hall
MORE: Hors d'oeuvres, cash bar & interesting people!
IVC is Philadelphia's official host for U.S. Government-sponsored visitors. IVC promotes mutual understanding among nations through citizen diplomacy.
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IVC's 55th
Annual Meeting
Photos from this event are on our website.
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Make friends. Make contacts. Make peace.
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Support IVC's citizen diplomacy work to engage the public in making friends around the world. The best time to make friends is before you need them.
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