Check out other international
activities in the region!
FIRST THURSDAY
November 4th
Join us this Thursday, November 4th, at 5:30 p.m. at the Courtyard Marriott to welcome our special international guests on several programs, including the U.S. State Department's International Visitor Leadership Program, Drexel University, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia's Sister Cities Program and the International Opera Theater.
Our guests at this month's reception are from Cameroon, Chile, China, Croatia, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, Mongolia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Venezuela & Vietnam.
First Thursday is free for IVC members, and just $15 for non-members. If you don't RSVP, it's $20 at the door. Email Alan Hatfield to let him know you'll be joining us.
First Thursday isn't a typical cocktail reception - you have an important mission!First Thursdays are so popular and friendly because everyone has a role to play. When you pick up your name badge, be sure to get the list with our guests' names, their interests & why they're here. It also tells you what color ribbon they're wearing to 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 will be a friendly evening of citizen diplomacy that will create lasting-and positive-impressions of the U.S., Philadelphia and you. Email or call Alan Hatfield at 215-683-0992 to RSVP.
State Department's
"International Visitor
Leadership Program"
Welcome nine mayors and government officials from South Korea. Theirproject is entitled "U.S. Political System and Local Government," and they are in the United States to look at the U.S. political system. Their program has an emphasis on the operations of governments and the relationships among the federal, state and local governments. They will also look at recent trends in U.S. foreign and security policies toward the Korean peninsula and Northeast Asia. They will meet with Mayor Nutter, Managing Director Negrin and other officials as they explore budgetary planning and revenue resources for local governments and look at examples of successful development projects conducted by local governments.
Drexel University &
University of Pennsylvania
Several year's ago IVC created "Discover Philadelphia," a program that creates positive American experiences for Philadelphia's international graduate students. Two schools and three groups are represented at November's First Thursday. In alphabetical order:
1. From Drexel University are graduate students enrolled in the university's MBA program. They represent China, Croatia, Hong Kong, India, Mongolia, Pakistan, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and Vietnam.
2. From the University of Pennsylvania's International Business Communication Program are twelve students from Chile, China, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan and Venezuela.
3. Students from the University of Pennsylvania's PennDiplomats will also be in attendance with their international guests.
Sister Cities Program "family"
Join us to chat with our Sister Cities family from Cameroon, China and Korea who are at Temple and La Salle (and two of their family members!). We have found a new student from Tianjin - a Ph.D. candidate in computer science! The Temple students are in their first semesters, so check in and see how they are enjoying their first months there!
Decameron - International
Opera Theater
Join us to welcome singers who won an international opera competition in Italy to perform in the world premier of Decameron in Philadelphia. The opera is presented by Philadelphia-based International Opera Theater. The singers are from Italy, Japan and South Korea and have been exploring Philadelphia and meeting Americans since they arrived last week. They were hosted for lunch by IVC friend Claire Boasi, a member of the Academy of Vocal Arts Board.
Decameron has been made possible, in part, by a grant from the William Penn Foundation to The American Composers Forum-Philadelphia.
Campaign for Peace and Understanding
We recently sent you a letter about our year-end Campaign for Peace and Understanding and do hope you will contribute to our important international relations work.
Your donation makes it possible for us to make friends around the world by telling the true American story, To make a secure donation please click on this link or call 215.683.0992.
Thanksgiving
Hosting Alert!
Two Dinner Hosting Opportunities
Delegations arrive in Philadelphia every day to meet their professional counterparts. Two upcoming groups have expressed an interest in having the "cultural experience" of being in an American home for dinner hospitality with nice IVC members. Both groups are participating the U.S. Department of State's prestigious International Visitor Leadership Program:
Thanksgiving, November 25th - Russia
Eight Russian managers, researchers and curators of museums and historical sites will be in the Philadelphia region on Thanksgiving Day, November 25th, and are eager to experience your holiday traditions - eating turkey and too much food, watching football games and visiting family and friends. These guests of the U.S. Department of State will be in the U.S. for three weeks studying "The Management of National Historical Sites and Museums." This is the first time in the U.S. for all of them, so you will have the wonderful opportunity to introduce your guests to this most American of holidays.
The visitors will be watching the Thanksgiving Day Parade in the morning, and will be available for you to meet them at their hotel at Noon.
If you are interested in providing a great American experience for our visitors, please email Ann Stauffer, IVC's Executive Vice Present, at ann.stauffer@phila.gov.
Friday, December 3rd - Afghanistan
Afghanistani local government leaders are eager to experience American hospitality on Friday, December 3rd. Dinner hosting is for IVC members only.
Fifteen Afghanistani governors and NGO leaders are visiting the U.S. for the first time as guests of the U.S. Department of State on an important and timely program, "Local Government: Serving Citizens and Planning for Community Needs." They will be studying the operations of Philadelphia City Government, including the Philly 311 System and Youth Commission, plus visiting the University of Pennsylvania Law School and the National Constitution Center.
We would like the Afghanistanis to experience dinner hospitality as part of their Philadelphia area visit during the evening of Friday, December 3rd.The visitors can be picked up at their hotel at 6:00 pm.If you are interested in sharing your American home with our visitors and learning more about life in Afghanistan, please email Ann Stauffer, IVC's Executive Vice President, at ann.stauffer@phila.gov.
Arabic Interpreters Needed
IVC is seeking professional Arabic interpreters & translators for anticipated upcoming U.S. government-sponsored Egyptian education programs from late 2010 through Spring 2011.
Please send an email to Ann Stauffer, IVC's IVP, with your interest and qualifications. Please attach a resume or CV.
First Thursday Details...
We hope you'll join us and others from the Greater Philadelphia area interested in citizen diplomacy, making friends around the world and providing a more accurate picture of the U.S. and the American people.
FIRST THURSDAY @ THE ANNEX: Courtyard Marriott, across from City Hall Free for IVC members & new guest
DATE: First Thursday
- $15.00 for Non-members*
- $20.00 at the door without a reservation
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!
RSVP: to Alan Hatfield, 215.683.0992 or alan.hatfield@phila.gov or go to our website and email us through the First Thursday form.
IVC is Philadelphia's official host for U.S. Government-sponsored visitors. IVC promotes mutual understanding among nations through citizen diplomacy. IVC's network of 92 IVCs across the U.S. was nominated for the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize. 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.
* Not an IVC Member yet?
Do something selfish for world peace today.
If you're not already an IVC member, why not join today and feel great about being involved in something meaningful for the world and your own community.
As an IVC member you're part of the nation-wide network of citizen diplomats nominated for the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize. Plus you'll widen your circle of international friends and enhance your business opportunities.
By joining IVC, also enjoy at least ten receptions each year at no cost - plus be included at private Sister City receptions and have the benefit of hosting an established or emerging leader in your home or at a restaurant through the U.S. State Department.
IVC's upper-level members are also included at private Sister City and State Department receptions. It's easy to join! Just call Alan Hatfield at 215-683-0992 or go online to join today! And IVC members receive special member rates to the Annual "BBQ!"
Citizen diplomacy engages citizens in international relations. Meeting counterparts and experiencing everyday American life provides an authentic & more accurate view of the "real" U.S.
Join us to welcome singers who won an international opera competition in Italy to perform in the world premier of Decameron in Philadelphia. The opera is presented by Philadelphia-based 
