Check out other international
activities in the region!
IVC's First Thursday, November 3rd
Plus hosting opportunities &
interesting IVC news!
Make friends. Make contacts. Make peace.
One person, one handshake at a time.
Nobel Peace Prize Winner an IVC Alumna
If you haven't visited our website recently, you probably don't know that the journalist from Yemen sharing the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize was in Philadelphia on the State Department's "International Visitor Leadership Program" in 2005. Tawakkol Karman was among a group of journalists who came to Philadelphia during the Fourth of July. You can read more on IVC's website and see the many people she met (including now-Mayor Nutter), and find out which nice IVC family hosted her for dinner! And to see other IVC members who hosted two sitting heads of Government, scroll down to "Guess Who Came to Dinner." As of this writing they don't know who their guests have become!
ivc
FIRST THURSDAY!
The region's friendliest receptions!
At this week's First Thursday we have another interesting and lively group of people from 25 countries waiting to meet you!
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. So email Alan Hatfield to let him know that you'll join us.
If you've been here before you know how it works... but in case this is your first First Thursday, you need to know that it isn't a typical cocktail reception - you have an important mission!First Thursdays are so popular and friendly because everyone hasa role to play. When you pick up your name badge, be sure to get the list at the registration desk 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.
U.S. State Department's "Contemporary Challenges
in Higher Education"
Join us to welcome 21 university officials from:Afghanistan, Angola, Bhutan, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Japan, Nigeria, Palestinian Territories,Portugal, South Sudan, Russia, Slovak Republic, Sudan, Tanzania, United Arab Emirates and Venezuela. This multi-regional project is in Philadelphia through the State Department's highest exchange, the "International Visitor Leadership Program." The program's theme is "Contemporary Challenges in Higher Education," and the group will examine the U.S. system of higher education, its structure, administration and support services, and explore the changing relationships between colleges and universities and government, the business community and the non-profit sector.
Fulbright Visiting Scholar Enrichment Program
IVC was awarded this prestigious State Department program for the 2011-2012 academic year for Eastern Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey and Delaware. We look forward to getting our members involved with the Fulbright Visiting Scholars, beginning with our First Thursdays. Locally there are twenty-nine visiting Scholars from twenty-two countries attending twelve universities, colleges and institutions (one is at the Art Museum). At "press time," the countries to be represented at the First Thursday receptions include India, Philippines, Cyprus and Moldova.
The Fulbright Visiting Scholar Enrichment Program is funded by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Under a cooperative agreement with the Bureau, the Council for International Exchange of Scholars - CIES - assists in the administration of the Fulbright Scholar Program for faculty and professionals.
In Philadelphia, our goal is to engage these Fulbright Visiting Scholars with IVC members in many cultural, professional and networking activities to show the diversity of our region and provide positive American experiences. To get involved, email Ann Stauffer.
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 for your own community.
As an IVC member you're part of the nation-wide network of citizen diplomats that was nominated for the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize. Plus you'll widen your circle of international friends and enhance your business opportunities.
By joining IVC you'll also enjoy at least ten receptions each year at no cost - AND if you join at the Cabinet Level you'll also be included at private Sister City receptions. All members also have the exclusive benefit of hosting a guest of the State Department's "International Visitor Leadership Program" in their home or at a restaurant.
It's easy to join! Just call Alan Hatfield at 215-683-0992 or go online to join or renew today! IVC members not only receive special member rates to the Annual "BBQ," they also know that they're supporting a great organization and doing something meaningful for world peace and how the U.S. is viewed around the world.
Make friends. Make contacts. Make peace.
Make IVC a part of your life.
Hosts needed for one-night overnight hosting for Japanese
business men & women
Our thanks to all who contacted us so quickly to host an overnight for our guests from Japan! Just a few hosts are still needed for this annual event, which is considered the ultimate "American experience." This year's date isFriday, November 18th. If you're interested in hosting and creating this memorable American experience, emailJennifer McGinn, or give her a call at 215-683-0993.
Weekend Hosts Needed for
English-Speaking Brazilian
University Student Leaders Friday, January 27 - Tuesday January 31
We still need a few more friendly people to open their homes for four nights to one or two Brazilian university student leaders. These English speakers will be in the U.S. with a prestigious U.S. Department of State program for student leaders studying American history and politics. These twenty Brazilians will spend a few days in the Philadelphia region after their academic program at Wheelock College in Boston where they'll look at the African American experience throughout our history. This is our second group on this program, and the first group was wonderful to work with and really enjoyed their warm American home stay experiences. If you can host one or two of these student leaders, please contact Ann Stauffer at 215-683-0988 or ann.stauffer@phila.gov.
Share Your Thanksgiving!
An American Thanksgiving is known around the world as a special holiday for us. People are curious as to what it's all about, so over the years many of IVC's nice members created this unique November experience in the middle of July! Since the real Thanksgiving is coming up soon, do let us know if you have room for one or two of our guests on Thanksgiving day at your table. Guests would be a Fulbright Visiting Scholar. We don't know yet who will be here or how many, but to get onto the list now, please email Ann Stauffer to let her know.
PLEASE NOTE: We ask that you, a family member or friend, provide transportation to and from a Center City location for our guests.
Sister Cities Program
At First Thursday you can welcome back Cynthia from Douala, Cameroon. She completed her graduate studies at La Salle as a Sister City Scholar. Also, welcome back Haoren from Tianjin, China who is a Sister City Scholar at Temple University, and Yeoun Joo from Incheon, Korea also a Sister City Scholar at Temple.
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 COURTYARD
Courtyard Marriott, across from City Hall It's free for IVC members & 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: -Nineteen 26 restaurant (Formerly Annex Bar & Grill)
- Courtyard Marriott - across from City Hall
MORE: Hors d'oeuvres-cash bar & lots of 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.
Guess Who Came to Dinner?
We're so busy that some really interesting news slipped past us, but thanks to Ashley, our eagle-eyed Drexel intern, we learned this week that two of our past visitors became heads of Government in 2010! German President Christian Wulff had been in Philadelphia in July of 2000, and Montenegro's Prime Minister Igor Luksic was here in March, 1999. Both were on the State Department's "International Visitor Leadership Program," and had meetings with local Philadelphians, arranged by IVC. Now-President Wulff was in Philadelphia looking at elections in the U.S. and spent an evening with IVC Vice Chairman Richard Atkins, Esq., who took him to a Shadow Convention Party at White Dog Cafe; Prime Minister Luksic's program was on politics and the economy, and on one evening he enjoyed the American experience of having dinner in the home of Tom & Catherine Hooper.
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.
sts from Japan! Just a few hosts are 
