A p u b l i c a t i o n o f t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l V i s i t o r s C o u n c i l o f L o s A n g e l e s

Volume 28 Number 1 Winter/Spring 2012

From theD I R E C T O R ’ S C H A I R

Janet ElliottExecutive Director

We 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 women’s health, educate girls and increase women’s 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.

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 op-portunity, freedom and basic human dignity couldn’t be greater. The inter-national exchange programs IVCLA coordinates often focus on this impor-tant 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. Each year in celebration of International Women’s Day, the U.S. Department of State’s Women of Courage Awards rec-ognize women from around the globe who have shown exceptional cour-age and leadership in advocating for women’s advancement. The ceremony is held in Washington D.C. where a continued on page 7

gala dinner presented by the American Women for International Understand-ing (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

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

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

Celebrating Citizen DiplomacyIVCLA was proud to celebrate excep-tional citizen diplomacy at the annual Citizen Diplomacy Celebration which was held at the Wilshire Country Club in Hancock Park. The IVCLA Out-standing Citizen Diplomat Award was presented to Charlie Woo. Mr. Woo, who is the co-founder and CEO of Megatoys, an international toy manu-facturing 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 Empower-ment (CAUSE.) He shared insightful

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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.

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Welcome a Stranger - Send Home a FriendWinter/Spring 2012

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.

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

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

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 America’s Multi-Ethnic Society and the Role of the Successor Generation.

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 Citizen Diplomats Continue the Connections

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 Women’s Union.

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.

Citizen Diplomats Welcome the World into their Homes

Embracing New FriendshipsPage 3T H E C I T I Z E N D I P L O M A T

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.

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-to-person makes all the difference - and sometimes special friendships are formed that last a lifetime.

As autumn rolls around each year, IVCLA members look forward to the Ful-bright Luncheon where they and mem-bers 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 overlook-ing 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 won-derful opportunities for global connec-tions. 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 Cham-ber 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.

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.

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 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.

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Angelenos Welcome International Visitors at IVCLA Events

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

Thank You!

We are fortunate to have the support of dedicated individuals throughout the greater Los Angeles areawho 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 GoldTomoko Iwakawa Ann KerrMichelle Kezirian

Sandra & James Kohn Dr. Amarjit Singh Marwah Sherry MuellerIrene NevilMark Ryavec

Richard St. JohnLaw Offices of Paul D. Supnik Jack TeetorEric TrulesTimothy Watkins

Aquarium of the PacificArchitecture Tours L.A.BoraBora Jewelry, Inc.Broad Stage - Santa MonicaBrook & Hunter Inc.Bryan Cave LLPCafe BizouCalifornia Karate ClubCarmody & Co. Celestino Ristorante - PasadenaCirque du SoleilCity Club on Bunker HillConsulate General of BelgiumConsulate General of EgyptConsulate General of FinlandConsulate General of HungaryConsulate General of Sri LankaConsulate General of SwitzerlandCourtyard by Marriott Old PasadenaDance DoctorDelta Air Lines, Inc.Dennis GrayDoubletree Guest Suites Santa MonicaDwayne Gathers

Ginger & John BarnardGuy FoxHalper Fine ArtHertz Car RentalHollywood Academy of Music Hollywood Heights HotelHuntington Library & Botanical Gardens Ice House Comedy Club Jerry Bianchini Yoga John & Nancy RichardsonJune & Paul BilgoreLanie DenslowLegolandLong Beach Westin HotelLos Angeles Chamber OrchestraMalibu Family WinesMagicopolisMattel, Inc.Melting Pot Food Tasting ToursMichaeljohn Salon Beverly Hills Michelle Kezirian Mission San Juan CapistranoMorongo Casino Resort & Spa

Silent AuctionMulligan Family Fun Center Munger, Tolles & Olson LLPOld Town Trolley Tours San DiegoPacific Asia MuseumPals Around the World Pizza Antica PRP Wine International Premier Cancun VacationSan Diego Zoo Santa Fe Crafts Santa Monica Yoga Soaring Adventures of AmericaStarline Tours Sunset Ranch HollywoodTembe Elephant Park – South AfricaThe ImprovTimeless GemsToyota SpeedwayTreasure Island Hotel Las VegasUCLA Intercollegiate AthleticsUniversal StudiosWine 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 Cristo’s - Greek (Mid-city) Tagine - Moroccan (Beverly Hills)Upper West - American (Santa Monica)Xiomara - Latin (Hollywood)

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SANDRA J. ANDERSON MICHELLE KEZIRIAN CHARLIE WOO

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Citizen Diplomacy Celebrationremarks about his many experiences with IVCLA international visitors.

Create Now was recognized with IVCLA’s 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, Germa-ny, 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 perfor-mance by the Belly Twins and a charm-ing dance routine by 8 year-old Z’land Nunn, one of the young girls served by Create Now, added to the evening celebration.

The annual event is also the opportuni-ty 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 in-valuable in leading IVCLA into another year of successful exchange programs with international visitors from around the world.

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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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.

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.

Sponsored by the Open World Leader-ship 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 profes-sionals 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 Informa-tion Studies. Their professional meet-ings 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 Pro-gram for leaders of non-profit organiza-tions in Ukraine. The delegation learned about best practices in organizational

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Linking Los Angeles with Eurasia

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!

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

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.

For the past thirteen years, IVCLA has proudly participated in the Community Connections Program sponsored by USAID and managed by World Learn-ing. The program establishes a grass-roots 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

USAID Community Connections Program: Kazakhstan

Open World Program

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 hos-pitality and continued support of all the home stay hosts.

Los Angeles to meet with their profes-sional 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 system’s 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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Global Professional Networks

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

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 d’Ivoire.

Women’s 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.

Director and Lawyer for the Women’s Law Studies and Legal Aid Center based in Beijing, was born in an impov-erished area of China and has risen to become the country’s best known female lawyer and pioneer of legal advocacy. She founded the Women’s 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 re-sponded by establishing her own law firm, which is continuing the fearless legal advocacy that has characterized her career. The memory of the hard-ships 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 organi-zations who share a common goal to help women and girls. To build aware-ness 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 is-sues: girl’s education, women’s health and micro-financing. Women from Haiti and India who were participants in the International Visitor Leadership Program joined in the dialogue.

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 State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). From its launch in the 1940’s, 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 visitor’s country. For more information about meeting with international visitors in a particular field of expertise, contact the IVCLA office.

continued from page 1Connecting International Opinion Leaders with L.A.

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Honorary Chairs Antonio Villaraigosa Mayor, City of Los Angeles

Zev Yaroslavsky Chairman, L.A. County Board of Supervisors

Chairman Dwayne GathersGathers Strategies, Inc.

PresidentHud WarrenChinaWest LLC

Vice PresidentsGuy FoxGuy Fox & Associates, Inc.

Michelle Kezirian BET Tzedek Legal Services

John Richardson Jr.UCLA Graduate School of Education & Information Studies

Secretary Richard St. JohnMunger, Tolles & Olson LLP

Treasurer David SteppBryan Cave LLP

Legal CounselSandra Jones AndersonLaw Offices of Sandra Anderson

Ginger BarnardProtocol & Diplomacy International and Protocol Officers Association

Michael BautchFedEx Services

Michele Buchanan Stone & Grzegorek LLP

William H. Collier, Jr.Keesal, Young & Logan

Lanie DenslowFashion Institute of Design & Merchandising

Ahmad Iqbal BPM Advisors

Steves Jones Los Angeles World Airports

Andrew Leeka Good Samaritan Hospital

Michael McDowellL.A. INC., The Convention & Visitors Bureau

Kenneth McGillivrayUSC Global Initiatives

Matthew OlsenBoston Private Bank & Trust

Wilma PinderAttorney at Law

Gary RhodesCenter for Global EducationUCLA Graduate School of Education & Information Studies

Lourdes SaabOffice of ProtocolCounty of Los Angeles

James Santa MariaThe Santa Maria Group

Elga A. Sharpe Office of the MayorCity of Los Angeles

IVCLA Board of Directors

StaffJanet Elliott Executive Director

Helen ThomasDirector of Public Relations

Kim Ngoc Le Director of Int’l Programs

Mable KongProgram Officer

Karen RamirezProject Assistant

Ho LoAccounting Manager

International Visitors Council of Los Angeles3540 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 910Los Angeles, CA 90010

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P A I DLOS ANGELES, CAPERMIT NO. 31852

IVCLA Welcomes New Directors to the Board Page 8 T H E C I T I Z E N D I P L O M A T

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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Address Service Requested

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.

Winter/Spring 2012