Check out other international
activities in the region!
FIRST THURSDAY
March 3
Join us this Thursday, March 3rd, at 5:30 p.m. at our new site for this month's lively First Thursday! Again this month, the reception is upstairs on the Mezzanine level of the Courtyard Marriott as they continue renovations of the Annex Grille.
Do join us to welcome our special international guests who are in Philadelphia with several programs: Temple University, University of Pennsylvania, and Philadelphia's Sister Cities Program.
Our guests at this month's reception are from
China, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand & 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.
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.
Sister Cities Program "family"
Join us in welcoming back Mu and her mother, Greta, from Tianjin, China. Mu was our first Sister Cities Scholar and graduated from Drexel University and Temple Law. She is now an Intellectual Property attorney for the law firm, Woodcock Washburn. Greta just arrived in Philadelphia a few days ago and will be here for several months visiting her daughter and assisting our Sister City efforts as a Sister Cities Fellow.
The Philadelphia colleges and universities that offer special Sister Cities Scholarships are the first in the U.S. to do this. Students from our Sister Cities are now choosing Philadelphia for their undergraduate and graduate degrees. Joining us are Yeoun Joo, from Incheon, who is studying business at Temple's Fox School, and Zhao, from Tianjin, who is pursing his Ph.D. in computer science at Temple. Also joining us is Boris, from Nizhny Novgorod's State University.
Discover Philadelphia Guests:
(Are you a maritime law expert?)
Six years ago IVC created "Discover Philadelphia," a program designed to create positive American experiences for Philadelphia's international graduate students through professional and cultural activities. Joining us are several people:
From Penn Law, is a visiting scholar from Germany. She is a Ph.D. student from the University of Heidleberg who is conducting comparative research in maritime law, which is the main topic of her thesis. While in Philadelphia she is looking to meet people who are familiar with maritime law. If you are an expert, please join us!
Coming to First Thursday from Temple University is an international law student from China, and others from Temple's International Business Association program from Vietnam & the U.S.
From the University of Pennsylvania are eight international students enrolled in Penn's International Business Communication Program (IBCP) from China, Japan, Korea, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Taiwan & Thailand. Joining us also are two women from China and Hong Kong pursuing their LL.M. degrees, and representatives from the university'sown citizen diplomacy group, PennDiplomats.
PROTOCOL ADVISOR
Our own expert on protocol, Robert Frye, has begun writing occasional columns for IVC's website with important tips. As Bob says, "Knowing the right protocol and cross cultural etiquette makes the difference in winning or losing an important deal or inadvertently sabotaging a relationship."
This month's tips are about name badges, and if you've ever been to First Thursday, IVC's BBQ or any IVC event, chances are that Nancy has moved your name badge to the correct side. For all the attendees perplexed by what she was doing, this column is for you. Click here to read Bob Frye's second column.
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.
Making friends does lead to peace.
Fulbright
Hosting Alert!
For the fifth year Philadelphia has been chosen as host city for the Philadelphia Fulbright Student Enrichment Seminar. In early April, 136 Fulbright Students 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 Students 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
IVC is looking for ten home stay hosts for an exciting U.S. Department of State program for 20 minority youth from Latin America who will be in Philadelphia for four nights: July 29 - August 2. The students will spend part of their U.S. program in the Philadelphia region examining the social and political movements that obtained civil rights for African Americans. We are looking to place two students per home.
If you are interested in helping us with this important program and helping the students have wonderful American experiences, please email Ann Stauffer, IVC's Executive Vice President: ann.stauffer@phila.gov.
SAVE THE BBQ DATE!
IVC's 25th BBQ is Thursday, July 21st!
This July marks our 25th year of holding the BBQ! It started with 10 Japanese businessmen, and last July we had 550 people from here and all over the world. So save the date and do plan to be a part of the summer's MOST fun event!
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: 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.
NCIV Conference in Washington D.C.
Earlier this month the National Council of International Visitors (NCIV) held its Annual Meeting in Washington. NCIV is our national office and is currently celebrating its 50th anniversary as the private sector partner for the State Department's "International Visitor Leadership Program." All 92 IVCs across the country were represented and Philadelphia's delegation with 18 people was the largest!
Among the highlights of the conference were the 50th anniversary gala, the Ambassadors Luncheon with more than 60 ambassadors attending, and a private reception at the State Department hosted by Hillary Clinton.
This National Meeting was the largest ever, with more than 650 people representing the IVCs, the State Department and the national programming agencies - all of whom are involved with the International Visitor Leadership Program.
* 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!"
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.
the 50th anniversary gala, the Ambassadors Luncheon with more than 60 ambassadors attending, and a private reception at the State Department hosted by Hillary Clinton.
