Creating international connections.
Cultivating local innovation.
Activating global potential.
August 2019
CITIZEN DIPLOMACY NEWS
Expand Your World Today
In This Issue...
  • Quote of the Month
  • Happy Hour with Visitors from India
  • Welcome New Communications & Events Coordinator!
  • A Catalyst for World Partners Collaborators
  • Save the Date!
  • Community Events
  • Upcoming International Visitors
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Quote of the Month:
"Now I can say with certainty that the USA works hard to care for and protect the environment and promotes sustainable development in the activities, projects, and programs it carries out.”

~ Visitor from Bolivia on a program about Environment Engagement and the Economy
Summer Happy Hour with Visitors from India
IVCLA President Janet Elliott and board members Wendy Gladney and Jerry Silva join journalists from India
at the IVCLA Summer Mixer. Photo Credit: Summer Cheyenne.
On July 12th, IVCLA members and guests welcomed International Visitor Leadership Program participants from India who were in L.A. to discuss their program topic Media’s Ability to Identify and Evaluate Reliable Information. The journalists shared the concerns they are facing in India and how the information they gathered in the U.S. will be useful in addressing this global issue. IVCLA members and guests also shared fascinating conversations with the visitors while enjoying delicious hors d’oeuvres and refreshing drinks at the beautiful Noé Patio at Downtown L.A.’s Omni Hotel

Welcome Our New Communications & Events Coordinator!
Hello IVCLA Friends!

My name is Allen Chung and I am very excited to join the IVCLA team as the Communications and Events Coordinator. Previously, I had interned at IVCLA and I am incredibly grateful to continue to be a part of a thriving organization that allows people-to-people exchanges and international collaboration to occur right here in the heart of Southern California.

I recently returned from my Peace Corps service in Armenia, where I fully experienced the country’s world-renowned hospitality. My home stay experience with my Armenian host family has allowed me to immerse myself in cultural exchanges and the friendships I have made throughout my service will stay with me for many years.

I am very eager to sustain IVCLA’s incredible successes of its past and present and help guide its future successes with the amazing staff we have at the office. The passions and dedication our members have are the key ingredients of what makes our IVCLA community thrive. The excitement of collaborating with such a strong membership base allows our creativity and innovation to flourish and I am thrilled to be starting my journey with you!

Sincerely,

ALLEN CHUNG
IVCLA: A Catalyst for World Partners Collaborators
Forbes 2019 30 Under 30 Europe List
Baia Abuladze (middle) visiting the Office of Congresswomen Karen Bass in 2018
Since 1999, IVCLA has been coordinating the Open World Program , which provides emerging leaders from Eurasia with firsthand exposure to American democracy. Last year IVCLA hosted an Open World program from Georgia for five women entrepreneurs. We are thrilled to report one of our participants, Baia Abuladze , has been named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 European List ! Baia is a 25 year old, fourth generation winemaker who owns a family-run winery called Baia Wine . Her wines all center around indigenous grape varieties of Imereti in the western part of Georgia. IVCLA congratulates Baia on her outstanding accomplishments and wishes her continued successes.

During their program in L.A. the group met with several business organizations, including Women in International Trade and the National Association of Women Business Owners . They discussed best practices and how businesses operate here in the US. They also gained information about the California wine industry during their meeting with Tim Skogstrom, owner of the Cornell Winery in Agoura. At the time of this writing, IVCLA’s former Communications & Events Coordinator Hannah Stoddard is visiting in Georgia and staying at Baia’s winery – a fantastic opportunity to continue the citizen diplomacy connection that began in L.A. 
Surf's Up!: Youth Mentoring Connection
Rahayu Mahzam, Member of Parliament from Singapore, enjoying her first time surfing.

Youth Mentoring Connection provides a unique program that transforms the lives of at-risk youth through a mentoring community which inspires them to become thriving adults. Over the years, Youth Mentoring Connection’s Founder, Tony LoRe, has met with many of IVCLA’s change-makers from around the globe. In 2017, they were presented with IVCLA's Outstanding Resource Award . Due to the inspiring work of Youth Mentoring Connection, several years ago a member of the Singapore Parliament, Masagos Zulkifi, reached out to Tony and they have been collaborating ever since. Singapore has now implemented their own youth mentorship program, the Mentoring Alliance . Last month a delegation led by MP Zulkifi came to Los Angeles to discuss their new program. MP Rahayu Mahzam, who is a former International Visitor Leadership participant, will be leading the program in Singapore.


Of course, while in L.A., they could not resist the surfing portion of the Youth Mentoring Connection program! They had a blast in Malibu experiencing how conquering the waves can be a powerful teaching tool. Nearly all of the Singaporean delegates joined in the surfing fun. We thank Tony and the Youth Mentoring Connection for the impact they are making in the L.A. area and throughout the world. 
Save The Date!

Women in Diplomacy Luncheon

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Location: Luxe Sunset Boulevard Hotel (11461 Sunset Boulevard)

Join IVCLA for a fascinating conversation with women professionals from around the globe as they share their challenges and experiences in public diplomacy.

Panelists: Honorable Consuls General  Ivonne Eulalia Guzmán (Ecuador),
Silvia Chiave (Italy), and Mirna Khawly (Lebanon)
Diplomacy Begins Here!

The San Diego Diplomacy Council , IVCLA’s colleague to the south, is pleased to invite you to their Diplomacy Begins Here Regional Summit and Learning Lab on September 19 th and 20 th . The Summit is in partnership with Global Ties U.S. and the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs .

On the September 19 th they will hold tailored workshops on IVLP programming best practices, fundraising, and other relevant topics for members of the Global Ties Network. On the 20 th the Summit will focus on Innovation in the Cali Baja Region and Beyond, including a U.S.- Mexico Border tour. In 2015 IVCLA hosted the Diplomacy Begins Here Summit in Los Angeles.
Community Events
79th Nisei Week Japanese Festival

August 10 - 18, 2019

In Japanese, the word “Nisei” means “second generation.” Come and celebrate Japanese culture with your friends, family, and neighbors. Little Tokyo's streets will come alive with food, culture, arts, and entertainment. This year festival includes car shows, theatrical events, exhibitions of Japanese arts and culture, and sporting events, along with a big parade, national contests, and a carnival. For more information, please click here .
Upcoming International Visitors
The following are among the arriving guests of the U.S. government whose professional appointments in Los Angeles will be arranged by the
International Visitors Council of Los Angeles.
August 2019
August 7-10: Innovative & Collaborative English Language Teaching Instruction
Japan
August 10-14: Urban Waste Management
India
August 10-14: 21st Century Changemakers: Media Business in the Disinformation Age
Macedonia
August 14-20: Combating Trafficking in People
Egypt
August 17-21: Sustainable Implementation of the Hague Convention
Japan
August 20-24: Data and Criminal Justice in the United States
Georgia
August 20-24: Women & Entrepreneurship
Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Palestinian Territories, Saudi Arabia
August 21-24: Journalism: Research & Investigation
Thailand
August 28-31: Role of Media in Addressing Air Pollution
India
August 28 - September 3: Human & Civil Rights for Marginalized Communities
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan