A publication of the International Visitors Council of Los Angeles

Volume 28 Number 1 From the Winter/Spring 2012

DIRECTORS CHAIR

The Global Potential of Women

Studies repeatedly illustrate how entire societies benefit when girls and women are healthy, educated and prosperous. Sadly, there are many areas around the globe where women and girls are routinely oppressed, harassed and tortured. Therefore, the importance of working to provide women with opportunity, freedom and basic human dignity couldnt be greater. The international exchange programs IVCLA coordinates often focus on this important issue. The opportunity for women leaders from around the world to come to Los Angeles and meet face-to-face with community leaders, empowers them to continue their own efforts to improve the lives of women and girls.

e are proud to welcome our newly elected directors to the IVCLA Board (see page 8). They all share our enthusiasm for creating international understanding and cooperation between the Los Angeles region and the rest of the world. One way we intend to accomplish this lofty and vital mission is in collaboration with our international alumni who are implementing important projects around the world. As you will read in this issue, a topic of keen concern is the plight of women in developing nations. IVCLA will be focusing attention this year on projects to improve womens health, educate girls and increase womens financial empowerment across the globe. We hope you will also join us in our enthusiasm to be an agent for positive global change. If you are already an IVCLA Citizen Diplomat, we thank you for the role you play in our vision to create a world of peace and prosperity. To learn about becoming an IVCLA Citizen Diplomat visit www.ivcla.org or call me at 213 388-1428 ext 27.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton presented the award to Ms Guo.

Each year in celebration of International Womens Day, the U.S. Department of States Women of Courage Awards recognize women from around the globe who have shown exceptional courage and leadership in advocating for womens advancement. The ceremony is held in Washington D.C. where a

gala dinner presented by the American Women for International Understanding (AWIU) is also held in honor of the award recipients. The Chinese recipient, Guo Jainmei, traveled to Los Angeles following the ceremonies to participate in an exchange program arranged by IVCLA. Ms Guo, Founding
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Celebrating Citizen Diplomacy

IVCLA was proud to celebrate exceptional citizen diplomacy at the annual Citizen Diplomacy Celebration which was held at the Wilshire Country Club in Hancock Park. The IVCLA Outstanding Citizen Diplomat Award was presented to Charlie Woo. Mr. Woo, who is the co-founder and CEO of Megatoys, an international toy manufacturing company headquartered in Los Angeles, has frequently met with IVCLA international visitors on topics ranging from business issues to civic participation of minorities. Mr. Woo is also Chair of the Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE.) He shared insightful
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Janet Elliott Executive Director

(l to r) Alan Kumamoto, former member of the IVCLA board of directors, presented Charlie Woo with the Outstanding Citizen Diplomat Award.

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Welcome a Stranger - Send Home a Friend

Citizen Diplomats Welcome the World into their Homes
The IVCLA home hospitality program brings the world right into the homes of members. IVCLA Citizen Diplomat members have the opportunity to host emerging international leaders in their homes for dinner and conversation, making new friendships around the world that can last a lifetime. International Visitors often say the chance to meet socially with American citizens is the highlight of their program.

Ila Grobe and her friends hosted Kaori Nasu from Japan for dinner and conversation.

The Zigic family introduced their foreign guests to a typical L.A. outdoor sunset barbeque.

FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY - The Enger family invited filmmakers from Afghanistan & Morocco to their home for dinner with friends. The visitors were warmly greeted by all, even the furry member of the family.

IVCLA Citizen Diplomats Continue the Connections

A benefit for IVCLA members is the opportunity to meet International Visitor Alumni when traveling to other countries. In addition, occasionally IVCLA alumni will be invited back to visit the City of Angeles to tell their stories about the impact of the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) on their work back home.

IVCLA members welcomed Javier Figueroa Pereira (center), an animator from Uruguay, back to the City of Angels. Mr. Pereira came to L.A. for the first time as an IVLP participant in 2007. He was invited back as a Gold Star Alumni to share the impact of his experience with the Los Angeles community.

Longtime IVCLA members Ann Radow and Rosalie Lazarus recently traveled to Southest Asia to learn more about the rich cultures, flavors and people in that part of the world. While in Laos they were hosted for dinner by IVLP alumna Ninpaseuth Xayaphonesy, Director of the Lao Womens Union.

IVCLA alumnus Kenan Guengoer from Austria showed IVCLA member Clive Fleissig around Vienna during his European vacation. Mr. Guengoer came to Los Angeles in May 2011. His program focused on Americas MultiEthnic Society and the Role of the Successor Generation.

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Embracing New Friendships

Angelenos Welcome International Visitors at IVCLA Events
Throughout the year, IVCLA hosts a wide variety of events which give Angelinos the opportunity to connect with emerging leaders from around the world. International Visitors are pleased to meet Americans in social settings and learn more about our diverse culture, peoples and traditions. They usually discover that Americans are really nice people, even though they may have the opposite impression from the media they see. Meeting person-toperson makes all the difference - and sometimes special friendships are formed that last a lifetime.
Annual Fulbright Luncheon in Malibu - International Fulbright students studying in Southern California are welcomed by IVCLA members each year at the home of Dr. & Mrs. Amarjit Marwah and are treated to a delicious Indian lunch. This year nearly 200 guests enjoyed the afternoon event.

As autumn rolls around each year, IVCLA members look forward to the Fulbright Luncheon where they and members of the Los Angeles Consular Corps welcome Fulbright scholarship students from around the world. Hosted each year by Dr. and Mrs. Amarjit Marwah, the students enjoy meeting Americans in the beautiful Malibu setting overlooking the Pacific Ocean for some it is their first opportunity to explore the L.A. area beyond their campuses. In addition to IVCLA annual events, mixers and receptions provide wonderful opportunities for global connections. Each one is unique with new and interesting international visitors to meet. Sometimes the event may focus on a particular region of the world. Other times the event might be thematic in nature. At a recent Global Trade Mixer, in cooperation with the Torrance Chamber of Commerce, over 100 people came to welcome a delegation of 24 trade professionals from 19 different countries. Several of the visitors made presentations about current issues affecting trade and commerce in their countries. The atmosphere was lively and the conversation informative. Most of these gatherings are open to the public and take place throughout the greater Los Angeles area. Visit our website at www.ivcla.org/events or join us on Facebook to learn more about our upcoming happenings.

Global Mixer in Santa Monica - IVLP participant from Spain (center) is greeted at a reception by the Honorable Enrique Ruiz Molera, Consul General of Spain (far right) and George Novinger, Regional Dir., Office of Foreign Missions, U.S. State Dept.

Latin Art Reception in Long Beach - IVCLA member Stephanie Esparza (right) chats with IVLP participant Melba Beatriz Escobar de Nogales, General Coordinator of Literature for the Ministry of Culture in Colombia.

Global Trade Reception in Torrance - International trade professionals were presented with scrolls from the County of Los Angeles and warmly welcomed by Torrance City Councilmembers and Mayor Scotto.

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Thank You!
Thank You to the Following Donors for Making Our Citizen Diplomacy Celebration a Great Success!

SANDRA J. ANDERSON

MICHELLE KEZIRIAN

CHARLIE WOO

Silent Auction
Aquarium of the Pacific Architecture Tours L.A. BoraBora Jewelry, Inc. Broad Stage - Santa Monica Brook & Hunter Inc. Bryan Cave LLP Cafe Bizou California Karate Club Carmody & Co. Celestino Ristorante - Pasadena Cirque du Soleil City Club on Bunker Hill Consulate General of Belgium Consulate General of Egypt Consulate General of Finland Consulate General of Hungary Consulate General of Sri Lanka Consulate General of Switzerland Courtyard by Marriott Old Pasadena Dance Doctor Delta Air Lines, Inc. Dennis Gray Doubletree Guest Suites Santa Monica Dwayne Gathers Ginger & John Barnard Guy Fox Halper Fine Art Hertz Car Rental Hollywood Academy of Music Hollywood Heights Hotel Huntington Library & Botanical Gardens Ice House Comedy Club Jerry Bianchini Yoga John & Nancy Richardson June & Paul Bilgore Lanie Denslow Legoland Long Beach Westin Hotel Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra Malibu Family Wines Magicopolis Mattel, Inc. Melting Pot Food Tasting Tours Michaeljohn Salon Beverly Hills Michelle Kezirian Mission San Juan Capistrano Morongo Casino Resort & Spa Mulligan Family Fun Center Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP Old Town Trolley Tours San Diego Pacific Asia Museum Pals Around the World Pizza Antica PRP Wine International Premier Cancun Vacation San Diego Zoo Santa Fe Crafts Santa Monica Yoga Soaring Adventures of America Starline Tours Sunset Ranch Hollywood Tembe Elephant Park South Africa The Improv Timeless Gems Toyota Speedway Treasure Island Hotel Las Vegas UCLA Intercollegiate Athletics Universal Studios Wine Crush Woodland Hills Ice Yoga House Pasadena

International Year of Dining Drawing

Bar Celona - Spanish (Pasadena) Berlin Currywurst - German (Downtown) Border Grill - Mexican (Downtown) Forbidden City - Chinese (Long Beach) Gonpachi - Japanese (Beverly Hills) Il Fornaio - Italian (Santa Monica) Maison Akira - French (Pasadena) Messob - Ethiopian (Fairfax District) Papa Cristos - Greek (Mid-city) Tagine - Moroccan (Beverly Hills) Upper West - American (Santa Monica) Xiomara - Latin (Hollywood)

We are fortunate to have the support of dedicated individuals throughout the greater Los Angeles area who make our work possible. We would like to thank our year-end donors for their generous contributions.
Ginger & John Barnard June & Paul Bilgore Michele Buchanan Pamela Grace Chin Lanie Denslow Mal Fobi M.D. Carol Sapin Gold Tomoko Iwakawa Ann Kerr Michelle Kezirian Sandra & James Kohn Dr. Amarjit Singh Marwah Sherry Mueller Irene Nevil Mark Ryavec Richard St. John Law Offices of Paul D. Supnik Jack Teetor Eric Trules Timothy Watkins

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Citizen Diplomacy Celebration

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remarks about his many experiences with IVCLA international visitors. Create Now was recognized with IVCLAs Outstanding Resource Award which was presented to Founder & Executive Director Jill Gurr. Create Now serves vulnerable youth from poverty-stricken families throughout Los Angeles County who have histories of violence, substance abuse, neglect or homelessness. Through their five program areas: music, art, writing, performing arts and cultural excursions the youngsters learn positive ways to express themselves. Since at-risk youth are not unique to L.A., but rather a concern for communities throughout the world, IVCLA frequently calls upon Create Now to discuss their programs with International Visitors, who find the information valuable to the work in their countries. IVCLA was pleased to recognize these outstanding honorees dedication to global issues and to the very mission of IVCLA, creating understanding and cooperation between the citizens of the world. During the festive celebration, guests enjoyed wines from around the world donated by the Consuls General of Argentina, Australia, Chile, Germany, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain and IVCLA member Dianelle Lacy. Guests bid on an array of silent and live auction items to support the work of IVCLA. A Bollywood dance performance by the Belly Twins and a charming dance routine by 8 year-old Zland Nunn, one of the young girls served by Create Now, added to the evening celebration. The annual event is also the opportunity to elect new members to the IVCLA Board of Directors. Elected to the 2012 Board of Directors were Michele Buchanan, Ahmad Iqbal, Kenneth McGillivray and Matthew Olsen. Their varied skills and expertise will be invaluable in leading IVCLA into another year of successful exchange programs with international visitors from around the world.

FUN WITH BIDDING - IVCLA member Peggy Jo Tashima shopped for gifts at the silent auction. The auction included travel packages, jewelry, museum memberships and so much more.

CREATE NOW - (l to r) Jill Gurr, Founder and Executive Director of Create Now, received a commendation from Lourdes Saab, Deputy Chief of Protocol for the County of Los Angeles.

PAST BOARD REUNION - (l to r) Jerry Silva, IVCLA Executive Director Janet Elliott, Wafa Hoballah, Haifa Azawi and Alan Kumamoto enjoyed the evening camaraderie with old friends.

WELCOME NEW BOARD MEMBERS - IVCLA Board President Hud Warren (2nd from right) welcomed newly elected directors (l to r) Ahmad Iqbal, Michele Buchanan and Matthew Olsen at the celebration.

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Open World Program

Linking Los Angeles with Eurasia

Sponsored by the Open World Leadership Center at the Library of Congress, the Open World Program seeks to foster lasting ties of cooperation and collaboration between Eurasia and the United States. This past year, IVCLA hosted four Russian education professionals participating in an Open World Program. The delegates meetings included: Harbor College, Loyola Marymount University, Metropolitan Skills Center, Office of Congressman Henry Waxman, Phineas Banning High School and UCLA Center for Information Studies. Their professional meetings exposed the delegation to the educational system in the U.S. and gave them new ideas to implement in their universities in Russia. IVCLA also arranged an Open World Program for leaders of non-profit organizations in Ukraine. The delegation learned about best practices in organizational

IN THE CLASSROOM - Interacting with students and teachers at Phineas Banning High School was one of the highlights for the Russian delegation. IVCLAs International Classroom program gives Los Angeles youth the opportunity to meet people from other countries and learn about their cultures.

management, outreach and professional advocacy. Since non-profit managment is still a relatively new concept for most of the former Soviet bloc countries, it was fascinating for them to discuss shared challenges and concerns with non-profit professionals in L.A. including Five Acres, Ralph M. Parsons Foundation, Homeboy Industries and Community Partners.

In addition to the professional component of the program, an important aspect of the delegates experience in L.A. was the opportunity to stay in the homes of Angelinos. This gave them the chance to learn about day-to-day life in Los Angeles. IVCLA is grateful for the generous hospitality and continued support of all the home stay hosts.

USAID Community Connections Program: Kazakhstan

For the past thirteen years, IVCLA has proudly participated in the Community Connections Program sponsored by USAID and managed by World Learning. The program establishes a grassroots link between the U.S. and Eurasia by providing professional training and cultural experiences for professionals from the former Soviet Union. In April 2011, a group of ten judges and lawyers from Kazakhstan came to
FAREWELL PARTY - The judges and attorneys from the Republic of Kazakstan were bid a fun farewell by their home hosts, IVCLA staff and board members at Troika restaurant in Hollywood. The evening was complete with delicious food, great company, dancing and of course vodka!

TRADITIONAL KAZAKH STYLE - LAPD Sergeant Joseph Kuns (left) received a traditional Kazakh robe and hat as a gift from Judge Birzhan Karibzhanov from Almaty after meeting with the delegation to discuss specialized practices for youth offenders.

Los Angeles to meet with their professional counterparts and gain knowledge of the U.S. juvenile justice system. Kazakhstan, like other countries that were part of the USSR, did not have a juvenile justice system at the time of their independence in 1991. There were no juvenile justice laws, nor specialized courts or judges. Juveniles were tried in ordinary criminal courts. Since then, two juvenile courts have been established in

Almaty and Astana, which were started as pilot sites for the expansion to 14 other regions. During their program, the delegation gained insight into the U.S. juvenile justice systems best practices. The primary focus was on measures that work toward reducing bureaucracy and the need to treat juvenile offenders differently than adult offenders.

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Connecting International Opinion Leaders with L.A.

Global Professional Networks

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Many Los Angeles professionals recognize the importance of connecting with individuals in their field from around the world. From leaders in the film industry, to environmental activists, to law enforcement officials - they all share one thing in common: the desire to understand the issues affecting their counterparts in all corners of the globe. IVCLA is proud to coordinate the U.S. Department of States International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). From its launch in the 1940s, the IVLP has provided emerging leaders from around the globe the opportunity to exchange knowledge and ideas in their professional fields and to build lasting relationships with those they meet. The open, spontaneous dialogue that occurs, makes these exchanges vital for greater international understanding and cooperation. Program topics are determined by the U.S. Embassies abroad based on current U.S. foreign policy and the needs of the visitors country. For more information about meeting with international visitors in a particular field of expertise, contact the IVCLA office.

Director and Lawyer for the Womens Law Studies and Legal Aid Center based in Beijing, was born in an impoverished area of China and has risen to become the countrys best known female lawyer and pioneer of legal advocacy. She founded the Womens Law Center at Peking University, taking cases other mainstream lawyers would not. She created a corps of lawyers to defend public interest cases, especially in areas affecting women and other vulnerable groups. When the university appeared to bow to official pressure, and closed her center, Ms. Guo responded by establishing her own law firm, which is continuing the fearless legal advocacy that has characterized her career. The memory of the hardships women in her village endured drives her to continue to fight for the under-privileged. IVCLA is proud to connect international visitors like Ms. Guo with local organizations who share a common goal to help women and girls. To build awareness about the courageous women and organizations around the world who are working to address this issue, IVCLA held a Citizen Diplomacy Summit entitled the Global Potential of Women. The summit focused on three key issues: girls education, womens health and micro-financing. Women from Haiti and India who were participants in the International Visitor Leadership Program joined in the dialogue.

UPHOLDING THE LAW - LAPD Chief Charlie Beck met with senior level detectives from Germany to discuss local law enforcement strategies.

OZOMATLI - Members of the band Ozomatli met with IVCLA visitor Flora Natacha Sonloue, a singer/ rapper from Cote dIvoire.

AND THE WINNER IS - Documentary filmmakers from around the world met with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences to discuss the Academys ongoing international outreach efforts.

Womens Global Summit - Lilia Navarette, LKN Global Services; Mary Ripley, AWIU; and Jane Roberts, founder of 34 Million Friends spoke about the important work being done to improve the lives of women around the world.

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IVCLA Welcomes New Directors to the Board

Michele Buchanan is an attorney with Stone & Grzegorek LLP where she practices immigration law. In addition to her caseload, she presents educational materials on U.S. immigration law to colleagues in China in order to strengthen cooperative relationships through improved communications. She also provides pro bono legal services at free clinics sponsored by American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and St. Lawrence Brindisi Church. She is former Chair of the AILA Southern California. Ahmad Iqbal is President of BPM Advisors, LLC, a boutique strategy & management consulting firm focused on increased revenue and efficiency through development and re-engineering of business and workflow processes. Previously, he led a geographically diverse team as Director of the Global Project Management Office at JD Power & Associates. In his current role he is a speaker at various leadership training seminars. Iqbal is also an adjunct professor of MSIT & MBA programs at the University of Redlands. Kenneth McGillivray is Vice Provost of Global Initiatives at USC. He is also a professor at the USC Marshall School of Business and at Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. Prior to USC he was Professor of English Literature and Language at the National University of Singapore, where he also served as Secretary General of the Association of Pacific Rim Universities. He previously served as International Director at the University of British Columbia. He is also the founding partner of Global Higher Education Consulting. Matthew Olsen is Vice President of Boston Private Bank & Trust Company. Over the past 15 years he has had a diverse banking background working in several disciplines within the banking and finance industry. He began at Charles Dunn Real Estate Services in L.A. With his knowledge of the banking systems technology he then served as V.P. in deposit operations for Sanwa Bank. In 2008 he joined Wedbush Bank in the role of chief deposit officer. He recently joined Boston Private Bank in their Santa Monica office.

IVCLA Board of Directors

Honorary Chairs Legal Counsel

Antonio Villaraigosa Zev Yaroslavsky

Mayor, City of Los Angeles

Sandra Jones Anderson

Law Offices of Sandra Anderson

Kenneth McGillivray
USC Global Initiatives

Matthew Olsen Wilma Pinder

Attorney at Law

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Staff
Janet Elliott
Executive Director

Kim Ngoc Le Mable Kong

Director of Intl Programs

Karen Ramirez
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Published by the International Visitors Council of Los Angeles, 3540 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 910, Los Angeles, CA 90010. IVCLA is a private, non-profit, non-partisan organization. Partial funding comes from the U.S. Dept. of State, the County of Los Angeles and the City of Los Angeles. IVCLA is a member of the National Council for International Visitors (NCIV). Phone: (213)388-1428 Fax: (213)388-5879 E-mail: info@ivcla.org Website: www.ivcla.org

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