ICIU Announces:
2008 Passport to Prosperity Honorees
The Iowa Council for International Understanding (ICIU) is extremely pleased to announce the three honorees for its 2008 Passport to Prosperity: A Celebration of Iowa's Immigrants and Refugees:
Penny Fergurson--India
Founder of Gateway Dance Theatre, was born in India in 1936 and moved to Des Moines as a Drake University student in 1957. Ms. Furgerson has made it her life's work to bring the joy of artistc expression and multicultural connections to the lives of those around her. A consummate artists, a compassionate soul, a brilliant teacher and a powerful engine that will not quit, we salute Ms. Furgerson for her energy, her accomplishments and her commitment.
Officer Doua Lor--Laos
Senior Police and Asian Resource Officer with the Des Moines Police Department, is Hmong and born in Laos in 1967. He and his family were forced to flee to Thailand during the Vietnam War and moved to the U.S. in 1978. Officer Lor has been described as that person who goes above and beyond the call of duty to help those in need. His tireless service tot he community has been dedicated to bridging the communication and trust gaps between the Asian community and local law enforcement.
Rohey Sallah--The Gambia
A senior at Iowa State University in Child and Family Services, Ms. Sallah was born in a small village in The Gambia, West Africa. She came to Des Moines at age thirteen, thanks to Tracy Keninger with Easter Seals, for surgery on a congenital club foot. Resilient, generous, positive and unassumingly courageous, Ms. Sallah is devoted to working with disadvantaged and struggling youth between eleven and fifteen years of age. Her positive attitude and ability to overcome the most difficult and painful of circumstances has made her an inspiration to all.
Recognizing the commitments and contributions of Iowa's immigrants and refugees to improving our community, this annual awards dinner will take place on September 27, 2008 at Hy Vee Hall at 6:00 p.m.
Tickets are limited and must be purchased in advance. Tickets are $50 per person or $500 for a table of ten.
Download an Invitation and RSVP Form
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click on image to R.S.V.P.
Iowa Perspectives Panel Discussion:
What Immigration Means for Iowa's Communities
Interested in learning more facts about immigration in Iowa? Join the Iowa Immigration Education Coalition on Thursday, August 21 for a panel discussion on the relationship between immigration and immigrants and our communities' economies, society, and culture. The Iowa Immigration Education Coalition has invited a panel representing the following local perspectives to initiate discussion: legal, business, education, labor, law enforcement, immigrant and more. Come with your questions on immigration, its effect on Iowa's economy, immigrant labor force participation, anything!
Thursday, August 21, 2008
6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Des Moines Area Community College, Ankeny Campus
Auditorium - Building 6
2006 South Ankeny Blvd
Ankeny, IA 50023
Fall Internship Opportunties Available
ICIU is now accepting applications for students interested in pursuing a fall internship. ICIU internships are a great way to gain real world work experience with an international organization while developing skills in program management, marketing, and coordinating projects. It's also a great opportunity to increase knowledge of other cultures and countries, and credit is potentially available.
An application and more information are available online. Please direct any applications or inquiries to
Cammeo Medici
International Language Programs & Intern Manager
Iowa Council for International Understanding
1000 Walnut Street, Suite 1105
Des Moines , IA 50309
Phone: 515-282-8269, ext 16 / Fax: 515-282-0454 / E-mail: cammeo.medici@iciu.org
Hospitality with the International Visitor Leadership Program
How would you like to spend a couple of hours with guests from all over the world? IVLP is looking for home hospitality for groups during the month of August. Home hospitality means sharing a meal or cultural event with visitors to allow them a more casual interaction with Iowans to supplement their program of professional meetings.
Bangladesh
August 14 or 15:
This group is here to look at Emergency Management and Disaster Relief. There are six people in this group including interpreters, so two volunteers could take a group of three. They may be interested in the State Fair or another cultural event.
France
August 18 or 19:
A City Mayor in NE France is arriving to look at municipal governance, women's rights, diversity and local citizen participation in a democracy.
India, Liberia, Mexico, Nigeria, Phillippines, Syria and Uganda
August 20, 21 or 22:
These visitors are here on a project on Sustainable Development and Environmental Protection. The group is represented by one person from each country and would be available any of evenings during their stay. We are looking for several different volunteers to offer hospitality for this group.
Russia
August 25 or 26:
A group of five visitors accompanied by two interpreters will be here for a program on Women in US Government and Civil Society. They are very interested in local politics and how campaigns are run.
ICIU: "Multicultural Nonprofit Serves Many Purposes"
ICIU was highlighted in the Des Moines Business Record on August 9, 2008 for its tireless efforts to promote international understanding through citizen diplomacy, hospitality, translation and interpretation services, educational and advocacy efforts.
"The Iowa Council for International Understanding (ICIU) knows exactly what it means to be hospitable. Every year this nonprofit donates energy, volunteers' time and even opens homes to international visitors seeking to gain greater understanding of American culture."
Read this article
Interpreters and Translators Needed!
We are currently accepting applications for interpeters and translators for any and all languages. If you or someone you know has an interest in interpreting or translating, please contact Cammeo Medici at 515-282-8269 ext 16. Laotian, Cambodian, Vietnamese, Thai, Swahili, Spanish, Malay, and Burmese interpeters/translators are strongly encouraged to apply.
This is a great opportunity to work with Iowa's premier interpreter/translation service.
Open World Group from Russia to Arrive in September!
ICIU will be hosting an Open World group in September. A program funded by the Library of Congress, Open World is designed to enhance understanding and capabilities for cooperation between the United States and the countries of Eurasia and the Baltic States by developing a network of leaders in the region who have gained significant firsthand exposure to America's democratic, accountable government and free-market system.
This group of Russians are here on a Rule of Law Program from September 12 - September 20 and will need homestays during their time in Iowa, hosting the visitor(s) overnight and helping to get them to the Hotel Fort Des Moines each morning. Several fun events will also be planned with the group as a whole.
Please contact Deborah Lake if you would like to share your home with this dynamic group!
deborah.lake@iciu.org or 515-282-8269 x 12.
ICIU Board Member Chosen as "Woman of Influence"
ICIU Board Member and Immediate Past President, Lori Chesser, has been chosen by the Des Moines Business Record as a 2008 Woman of Influence. This honor continues the tradition of honoring Central Iowa's most influential women and invites the public to attend a awards reception on August 12 at the Des Moines Marriott Downtown. this award was bestowed upon ICIU's Executive Director, Judith Conlin, in 2006 and ICIU Board Member, Patsy Shors, in 2005.
We would like to congratulate Ms. Chesser in achieving this presigious honor!
Ukrainian Community Connections Group Studies Iowa's Youth Camp Culture
From July 10 to July 31, ICIU hosted a group of ten Ukrainian professionals as part of a Community Connections Program funded through USAID. Focused upon youth summer activities, the group attended sessions with local community leaders and representatives on camp management and program development for summer camps for at-risk youth. Their trip included visits to various camps, such as Camp Fire, USA, Easter Seals Camp, Living History Farms, as well as other organizations focused on youth programs and at-risk youth. To further enhance their experience in Iowa, group participants spent their 22-day program with local host families, offering further insight into Iowa life and culture.
Since 1996, ICIU has hosted the Community Connections Program. The program offers three to four-week homestay practical training opportunities in teh U.S. for business and professional leaders from the Newly Independent States (NIS). The goal of this particular program, as with all previous exchanges, is to increase mutual understandings between the people of the United States and people of other countries. In this way, not only do the visitors learn about Iowa, but they provide a multicultural experience for Iowans as well.
"We are privileged to have the outstanding expertise possessed by our Ukrainian visitors," said Judith Conlin, ICIU Executive Director. "Both Iowans and Ukrainians benefited greatly by the exchange of valuable information."
ICIU Interns Appear in Des Moines Register
ICIU summer interns Brittany Friesth and Andrew McGrean were pictured in the business section of the July 28th Des Moines Register. Andrew and Brittany were photographed with local entrepenuer Max Cardenas following a "Do More in the City" intern event at a local restaurant.
New INclusion Now Available Online
The Des Moines Business Record has published the 2008-2009 edition of Inclusion, the Greater Des Moines Diversity magazine. This year, the magazine has an online companion, the first-ever digital version of the magazine. To read INclusion, just open the magazine below.
For hard copies of the INclusion Diversity Guide, please contact the Greater Des Moines Partnership's Alba Perez at 515-286-4937 or APerez@desmoinesmetro.com.
ICIU Pleased to Provide Translations of Iowa Voter Registration Forms
ICIU is pleased to provide the Iowa voter registration forms in multiple languages, such as, Vietnamese, Spanish, Laotian, and Bosnian.
Please continue to check our website as we may have voter registration forms translated in other languages
Click to access the Forms
Disclaimer:
These are not official voter registration forms. You must complete the English version of the voter registration form or by calling the Iowa Secretary of State's Office at 515-281-8849 or
888-SOS-VOTE (888-767-8683) to be registered to vote in Iowa.
A Thank You to the Past and Open Arms to the Future
from
Executive Director
Judith Conlin
As ICIU celebrates 70 years of connecting Iowans with people, ideas and cultures from around the world, it also opens a new door toward the future as it welcomes several staff changes. I began my work as the Executive Director of ICIU on March 1, 2008 and have the wonderful opportunity of working with people genuinely and passionately dedicated to international understanding. I would first like to give recognition to our departing staff as they advance in their new endeavors. It has been a privilege working with these very dedicated and committed individuals and we are fortunate to not say good-bye as they take off their “staff hats” and put on their “volunteer hats” for ICIU. Colin Peterson, who has managed our Language and Interpretation Programs and the Intern Program, had the opportunity to go with United Way and Paritosh Kasotia, who has managed the Educational Programs, Forums, and Grants, accepted a position with the State Public Policy Group. We owe them both a great deal of gratitude for jobs exceedingly well done.
Two outstanding team members have also recently joined the staff of ICIU.
Christina Sibouih joined the ICIU team in May 2008. She manages the Iowa International Fellows Program, Iowa Student Global Leadership Conference, International Issues Forums, as well as various responsibilities concerning marketing and grants development. Christina obtained her B.A. in Applied International Studies from Grand View College in Des Moines, Iowa and her M.A. in International Studies and Diplomacy from Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane Morocco. She has also studied economic development and globalization in Chile and Argentina, culture and Society in Morocco and recently completed her Master’s thesis investigating the role of identity in conflict in Sudan.
She has spent the past six years living, studying and working in Morocco and comes to us after working for the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs Morocco office where she was intricately involved in democracy and governance programs, particularly civil society development and the organization of and participation in the first-ever International Observation Mission for the 2007 Legislative Elections. Christina is fluent in Spanish, French and Moroccan Arabic with intermediate competency in Classical Arabic. She has an unswerving passion for languages and cultural understanding and enjoys discussions at the café, traveling, dancing, being outdoors and spending time with family and friends.
Cammeo Medici joined the ICIU team in June 2008. A recent graduate of Drake University in International Relations, she has assumed the position of International Language Programs and Intern Manager. She was a Rotary International Exchange Student and studied at Liceo Linguistico in Rovigo, Italy. Cammeo completed her independent research in Cape Town, South Africa, where she investigated the risks and health concerns related to the use of paraffin for household energy needs. She was awarded the George Washington Carver Intern Award in recognition for her service at the World Food Prize Foundation, graduated Summa Cum Laude, and while at Drake served as a member of the Global Ambassador's Program and the International Student Association. Cammeo has also worked with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa and the Adult Literacy Center. She has experience speaking Italian, Spanish, and Xhosa. Cammeo enjoys spending time with family and friends, outdoor activities, going to shows, and traveling.
We all celebrate the accomplishments of this wonderful organization to which so many have contributed so much and are dedicated to working toward an even brighter future!
