Check out other international
activities in the region!
New location for
FIRST THURSDAY
February 3rd
Happy Year of the Rabbit!
If you're as tired of the snow as we are, then join us this Thursday, February 3rd, at 5:30 p.m. at our new site for this month's lively First Thursday! Don't worry, we're still at the wonderful Courtyard Marriott, but during renovations to The Annex for a few months, we'll move First Thursdays upstairs to the Mezzanine level.
Do join us to welcome our special international guests who are in Philadelphia with several programs: Invest Hong Kong, Temple University, University of Pennsylvania, and Philadelphia's Sister Cities Program.
Our guests at this month's reception are from Cameroon,
China, Colombia, France, Hong Kong, South Africa & Vietnam. Plus more!
First Thursday is always 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 join us. (See lower right for great news about Alan!)
In case this is your first First Thursday, it 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.
Invest Hong Kong
Invest Hong Kong, which has an office in New York, is the economic development department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government established to assist American and other foreign companies to set up and expand their businesses in Hong Kong.
Join us in welcoming this representative from the New York office. If you're looking to do business in Hong Kong, this is someone you'll definitely want to know!
Sister Cities Program "family"
The Philadelphia colleges and universities that offer special Sister Cities Scholarships are the first in the U.S. to do this! Thanks to their foresight, students from our Sister Cities are choosing Philadelphia for their undergraduate and graduate degrees. Joining us at First Thursday this month are Haoren from Tianjin, who is studying business at Temple's Fox School, and Cynthia from Douala, who is finishing her M.B.A. at La Salle.
IVC Special Guests
Join us to welcome back to Philadelphia a cross-cultural trainer who just returned to the University of Pennsylvania's English Language Program from Abu Dhabi, UAE, where she built training programs for the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce. She is joined by her new husband from South Africa who is pursuing a degree in Emergency Management and who currently heads the logistics for a medical transport company in New Jersey.
Temple University &
University of Pennsylvania, plus...
Many years ago IVC created "Discover Philadelphia," a program to help create positive American experiences for Philadelphia's international graduate students. At least two schools are represented at this First Thursday, plus we've invited students from area schools who have returned from their exciting semesters abroad to join us, too.
1. From Temple University are representatives from the university's International Business Association program. Included are attendees from Colombia & Vietnam.
2. PennDiplomats from the University of Pennsylvania will also be in attendance with their international guests.
SAVE THE DATE!
IVC's 25th BBQ is Thursday, July 21st!
Yep, this July marks our 25th year of holding the BBQ. It started with 10 Japanese businessmen and last July we had 550 people from all over the world. So save the date and do plan to be a part of the summer's MOST fun event!
Tuesday, February 22nd
"Conversations With"
Discussion & Reception
for the NCIV Gold Star's Tour:
Alumni Connecting the World
Sponsored by Dilworth Paxson LLP
February 22, 2011
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Join us to meet & hear from a visitor from Burma (Myanmar) who participated in 2001 on an IVLP program about multi-cultural education. She is returning to the United States as a part of the NCIV Gold Star's Tour: Alumni Connecting the World project and is one of 20 distinguished alumni visiting cities throughout the United States.
The two-week Gold Star project will begin in Washington, D.C., and will coincide with the NCIV 50th anniversary conference. NCIV is IVC's national office. This project was developed to help celebrate the 50th anniversary of the ongoing partnership between the Department of State and the National Council of International Visitors. After the conference our guest from Burma/Myanmar will travel to Philadelphia and share with us the very real impact of the program on her work and life in her country, and will re-connect with key organizations and interlocutors who were inspirational and/or instrumental in her accomplishments.
Please join us for this special event
An informal reception follows her talk
There is no charge** to attend Seating is limited,*** so register today!
**Everyone who RSVPs but does not
attend will be charged $15.
***IVC members & their guests have priority admission. If you RSVP and cannot attend, tell us by Noon the day before the session so we can open it to someone
else and not have to charge you.
Fulbright
Hosting Alert!
For the fifth year Philadelphia has been chosen as host city for the Philadelphia Fulbright Enrichment Seminar. In early April, 136 Fulbright Scholars from 70 countries converge here for a four day program, the highlight of which is dinner with IVC host families and individuals. Previous Fulbrights had such a great time with their hosts that we've been asked to arrange dinners again this year. We look to our IVC members to host two, three, four or more Fulbright Scholars for dinner on Friday evening, April 8th.
These Fulbrights are their country's best and brightest women and men studying in universities across the U.S. Their visit gives us an opportunity to showcase our region, make some new friends and improve the U.S. image abroad - all in one evening.
This interesting evening is a hosting opportunity reserved only for IVC members and donors. If you're not yet a member, this is a great reason to join! Details are below.
The evening can be a typical family dinner in your home, a pot luck dinner with neighbors and friends, or at your favorite neighborhood restaurant (your treat).
Some Fulbrights are already spoken for, but you can choose the countries of your guests (see below), and first choice will go to members who contact us first!
Afghanistan - Algeria - Argentina - Australia - Austria - Azerbaijan - Bangladesh - Belgium - Bosnia and Herzegovina - Brazil - Bulgaria - Burkina Faso - Burma - Cambodia - Canada - Chad - Chile - China - Colombia - Congo (Democratic Republic of the) - Cote d'Ivoire - Cyprus - Czech Republic - Dominican Republic - Ecuador - Estonia - France - Germany - Greece - Haiti - Honduras - Hungary - India - Indonesia - Iraq - Ireland - Israel - Italy - Jamaica - Kosovo - Laos - Lebanon - Lithuania - Mexico - Netherlands - New Zealand - Nicaragua - Norway - Oman - Pakistan - Panama - Paraguay - Peru - Philippines - Poland - Portugal - Romania - Russia - South Africa - South Korea - Spain - Swaziland - Syria - Taiwan - Turkey - Ukraine - United Kingdom - Uruguay - Venezuela - Vietnam
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: 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: Courtyard Marriott - East of City Hall
Mezzanine Level
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.
Newest Member of IVC's family!
IVC's Alan Hatfield and his wife, Suzanne, have added another member to the IVC family. The blue background is our way of saying that it's a boy! Zachary Perth Hatfield arrived on January 26th, weighing in at 8.2 pounds at Pennsylvania Hospital. His sister, Molly, is understandably smitten. Let's hope Alan brings photos (or Zachary) to First Thursday! Congratulations Alan & Suzy!
* 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 nationwide 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. (And can host Fulbrights!)
By joining IVC, you will also enjoy at least ten receptions each year at no cost - plus 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!"
Call your Elected Officials!
The new Congress will be voting on the budget and it's important they know of the tremendous impact that international exchanges have on our country's global competitiveness - and our safety.
So far they aren't looking at international exchanges as "national security spending" as both the Bush and Obama administrations have done, so we need you to help educate them. Here's some info on IVC's core program:
The International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), for which IVC was created 57 years ago, has been repeatedly ranked first among the 63 U.S. public diplomacy programs by U.S. Ambassadors. Philadelphia's Council is one of 92 Councils across the U.S. that administer the IVLP in their community.
All of the IVLP budgetis spent in the United States at hotels, restaurants, shops, and on domestic airfare.
More than 320 current and former heads of government, 1,700 cabinet-level ministers, and many other distinguised world leaders in the public and private sectors have developed connections in the U.S. and our region through the IVLP.
The IVLP is a vital investment in U.S. national security and builds enduring relationships between foreign leaders and U.S. decision makers. First-hand exposure to U.S. democratic institutions improves understanding of the United States and is the best asset for winning "hearts and minds."
The IVLP helps generate economic development and cultivate a globally literate workforce in the U.S. communities. Throughout the U.S. the IVC's raise $6 for every $1 received in federal grants.
Please urge your Congressional Representative to continue strengthening U.S. public diplomacy efforts for FY 2011 and 2012 by supporting the Senate Subcommittee's recommendation of $654.277 million for U.S. Department of State Educational and Cultural Exchanges, which includes $101 million for the IVLP. This is only a 3% increase over FY 2010.
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.
