Saturday, June 11, 2011

Check This Out! The Institute for Cultural Diplomacy is accepting applications....


The EU as a Global Actor
From the Inside Out: The Internal Development of the European Union and its Future Role in an Interdependent World
(Berlin, International Conference, July 7th - 10th, 2011)

Cultural Diplomacy in Europe: A Forum for Young Leaders (CDE)
(Berlin, Weeklong Seminar, July 4th – 10th 2011)

Europe Meets Russia: A Forum for Young Leaders (EMR)
(Berlin, Weeklong Seminar, July 4th – 10th 2011)

The International Symposium on Cultural Diplomacy on Africa
"Strategies to confront the Challenges of the 21st Century: Does Africa have what is required?"
(Berlin, International Conference, 14th - 17th July 2011)

Cultural Diplomacy in Africa: A Forum for Young Leaders (CDA)
(Berlin, Weeklong Seminar, 11th - 17th July 2011)

-------------- All programs are currently accepting applications ---------------


Dear Sir/ Madam,

The Institute for Cultural Diplomacy is currently accepting applications for the events outlined above, all of which will take place in Berlin during early summer 2011. Each Program will bring together young professional and students interested in the relationship in question for a program of lectures, workshops, group discussions and cultural excursions featuring leading figures from the fields of politics, the arts, academia, media, and business.

The EU as a Global Actor
From the Inside Out: The Internal Development of the European Union and its Future Role in an Interdependent World
(Berlin, International Conference, July 7th - 10th, 2011)

"The EU as a Global Actor" is an international conference held by the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy in cooperation with other leading organisations. The aim of the conference is to consider the political, economic, and cultural development of the European Union, both as a regional organisation and as a key player in global affairs. The issues raised during the conference will be discussed from a range of interdisciplinary perspectives, which will enable the generation of best practice guidelines and policy recommendations for stakeholders in the field. The forthcoming conference has the title “From the Inside Out: The Internal Development of the European Union and its Future Role in an Interdependent World”. It aims to explore the challenges and opportunities facing the EU with regards to internal reform and growth, whilst also reflecting on the roles and responsibilities the organisation faces has on the global stage.

Speakers during the Conference will include leading figures and experts from politics, academia, diplomacy, the private sector, and civil society from across the world.  These speakers will include a number of individuals from the ICD Advisory Board (for further information about the Advisory Board please click here

The conference is open to applications from young professionals, students and scholars, diplomatic and political representatives, civil society practitioners, private sector figures, journalists, and other interested stakeholders in international relations from across the world.

To apply please visit:


Cultural Diplomacy in Europe:
A Forum for Young Leaders (CDE)
(Berlin, Weeklong Seminar, July 4th – 10th 2011)
**Participants of the next CDE weeklong seminar will take part in: " The EU as a Global Actor: From the Inside Out: The Internal Development of the European Union and its Future Role in an Interdependent World “(Berlin, July 7-10, 2011)

Cultural Diplomacy in Europe: A Forum for Young Leaders (CDE) is a network of young, influential people from across the world, who have an interest in exploring and strengthening relations between European States. The program is based on the recognition that the increasing economic and political integration of the European Union must be accompanied by sustained activity to ensure that public opinion and relations between individual member states, and between member-states and non members states, remain positive and constructive at the grass roots level.

Cultural Diplomacy in Europe: A Forum for Young Leaders (CDE) is open to all individuals with an interest in international affairs in general, and Europe in particular. To join the forum you must take part in one of the CDE Weeklong Seminars, which will be held every 4 months in Berlin. The next CDE Weeklong Seminar will run from July 4th – 10th 2011.

If you would like to be considered for a place in the Weeklong Seminar please complete the online application form at:


Europe Meets Russia:
A Forum for Young Leaders (EMR)
(Berlin, Weeklong Seminar, July 4th – 10th 2011)
**Participants of the next EMR weeklong seminar will take part in: " The EU as a Global Actor: From the Inside Out: The Internal Development of the European Union and its Future Role in an Interdependent World “(Berlin, July 7-10, 2011)

Europe Meets Russia: A Forum for Young Leaders (EMR) is an active network of young, dynamic, and influential people from across the world who have an interest in the European-Russian relationship. The program has been developed in recognition of the importance of the relationship between Russia, Europe, and the global political system. Once they have joined the EMR Forum, members are supported by the ICD in organizing leadership initiatives, conducting academic research, and are invited to join the ICD Online Forum - enabling them to share information and communicate with likeminded individuals across the world.

Europe Meets Russia: A Forum for Young Leaders (EMR) is open to all individuals with an interest in international affairs in general, and the European Russian relations in particular. To join the forum you must take part in one of the EMR Weeklong Seminars, which will be held every 4-6 months in Berlin. The next EMR Weeklong Seminar will run from July 4th – 10th 2011.

To apply please visit:


The International Symposium on Cultural Diplomacy on Africa
The Rise of Africa - "Strategies to confront the Challenges of the 21st Century: Does Africa have what is required?"
(Berlin, 14th - 17th July 2011)

The year 2011 serves as a milestone in African history, presenting an excellent opportunity to take a look back at the continent's achievements, and consider the next steps for addressing its remaining challenges, along with those emerging on the horizon. Over the past five decades, significant effort has been put into Africa's development on multiple fronts, ranging from economic growth to social and political stabilization. However, with the rapid economic and political trend towards a global society, and the arrival of new global challenges, such as climate change, the water scarcity, and the growing gap between rich and poor, there is now more than ever a dire need for innovative new strategies to ensure an equitable and sustainable future for the African continent. The Symposium will explore the range of new ideas and initiatives being implemented in support of Africa's development, and assess the challenges and opportunities that will present themselves to the African continent in the near future.

Speakers during the Symposium will include leading figures and experts from international politics, academia, diplomacy, the private sector, and civil society from across the world. These speakers will include a number of individuals from the ICD Advisory Board (for further information about the Advisory Board please click here).

The Symposium is open to applications from young professionals, students and scholars, diplomatic and political representatives, civil society practitioners, private sector figures, journalists, , and other interested stakeholders in international relations from across the world.

To Apply Please Visit:


Cultural Diplomacy in Africa:
A Forum for Young Leaders (CDA)
(Berlin, 11th - 17th July 2011)
* Participants in the CDA Weeklong Seminar will also take part in the International Conference: The Rise of Africa -
"Strategies to confront the Challenges of the 21st Century: Does Africa have what is required?" (Berlin, 11th - 17th July 2011)

Cultural Diplomacy in Africa: A Forum for Young Leaders (CDA) is a network of young, dynamic individuals from across the world, who share an interest in the African continent. The program is based on the recognition that cultural diplomacy represents an important tool in helping Africa to address the challenges it currently faces. The network conducts ongoing activity aimed at supporting development and strengthening relations between different countries and cultural groups within Africa, and between African and external partners. Individuals can join the CDA Forum by taking part in one of the CDA Weeklong Seminars, which are held every 3-4 months in Berlin, Germany. Each CDA Weeklong Seminar will be focused on a specific theme related to the African continent and the goals of the Forum. These Weeklong Seminars include lectures, seminars, and workshops lead by experts from the fields of politics, academia, and civil society, as well as cultural and social activities. In addition to raising awareness amongst the participants of the field of cultural diplomacy and salient issues concerning the African continent, the week also provides an opportunity to network and experience the vibrant Berlin.

The program is open to applications from young professionals, students and scholars, civil society practitioners, private sector representatives, journalists, and other interested stakeholders from across the world.

To Apply Please Visit:



******

The Institute for Cultural Diplomacy

The Institute for Cultural Diplomacy is an international, not-for-profit, non-governmental organization with headquarters in Berlin, Germany. The goal of the ICD is to promote global peace and stability by strengthening and supporting intercultural relations at all levels. Over the past decade the ICD has grown to become one of Europe’s largest independent cultural exchange organizations, hosting programs that facilitate interaction among individuals of all cultural, academic, and professional backgrounds, from across the world.

Previous Events
Previous events held by the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy include the Berlin International Economics Congress 2011 (Berlin, March 9th - 12th 2011 – www.biec.de ), which hosted The Hon. Nahas Angula - Prime minister of Namibia; The Hon. Jean-Paul Adam - Foreign Minister of the Republic of Seychelles; The Hon. Alberto Jose Guevara Obregon - Minister of Finance of Nicaragua; The Hon. Al Imam Al Sadig Al Mahdi - Former Prime minister of Sudan; The Hon. Akua Sena Dansua - Minister for Tourism of Ghana; and The Hon. Edmund Bartlett - Minister of Tourism of Jamaica.

In January 2011 the ICD hosted "The Future of US Foreign Policy" (Washington DC, January 4th-6th), which hosted The Honorable Michael Chertoff - Former United States Secretary of Homeland Security; Senator William Emerson Brock III - 18th United States Secretary of Labor; Admiral James Milton Loy - Former Commandant of the Coast Guard; Vivian Schiller – Former CEO and President of NPR; Governor William Weld - Former Governor of Massachusettsand The Hon. Senator Tim Hutchinson - Former United States Senator from Arkansas.

For more information on speakers who have attended previous ICD events, please click here.

Please address any additional queries to info@culturaldiplomacy.org 

We look forward to seeing you in Berlin.

Mark Donfried
Director & Founder

Institute for Cultural Diplomacy (ICD)
Ku´damm Karree (3rd Floor/Hochhaus)
Kurfürstendamm 207-8 Berlin, Germany-10719
Phone: 00.49.(0)30.2360-7680
Fax: 00.49.(0)30.2360-76811

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Some final updates...Cambodia, Manaus, Morocco, Thailand and India!


Hey guys, we've arrived in Siem Reap. Everyone is safe and sound and feeling better. We'll update you when we're back in the capital on Monday. Thanks for everything.

-Zoe (Team Cambodia)

We made it safe and sound to Boa Vista, next stop Porta la Cruz Venezeula. We head out from here tomorrow morning at 7am, expect a full 24 hours on the bus, so we will update when possible!

Hope things are well up North,
Love, Team Manaus

Hey Gilad and Dawna,

Another little update for you. All is well here in Tata. We are headed to Agadir early tomorrow morning with Hilali and have a hotel lined up courtesy of Amal and Majid. Everyone is healthy and happy, even after many tearful goodbyes in Tagmout this morning. A quick stop in Casablanca on our way home is all in order as well. See you in Toronto!

Kevin (Team Morocco)

Hey Dawna and Gilad,

We're leaving for a day to visit a Karin village, and then heading to Ko Samet the night of the 28th as planned. Everything is going well at this point.

Paul (Team Thailand)

Also, Team India is now in Calcutta!

Monday, May 23, 2011

Peru, Morocco and Manaus!


Hello parents!

Another little hello from team Peru! We have arrived safe and sound in the city of Cuzco and will be staying here until next Sunday. Unfortunately, after today we will not have anymore access to phones or internet until our return to Lima on Monday evening. Everyone on the team is doing great, and we`re all looking forward to our last adventure here!

Sincerely,
Milou and James (Co-Leaders)

Hey Dawna and Gilad,
We completed work at our fifth school today to bring our total number of classes painted up to 12. Hilali has been taking care of business. We have been in contact with Majid about debrief, so everything is looking good as our time here winds down. Hope you are both well, talk to you soon.
Kevin (Team Morocco)

Hello Global,
Team Manaus is doing well. We have survived the depth of the Amazon and are heading back to Venezula on Thursday. Stopping over in Boa Vista, and then staying two nights in Porta La Cruz for debrief, then to Caracas for our last night of the trip-- and then home sweet home.
Expect an email when we arrive to Ven.

p.s we love you
Vicky & Dawn (Team Manaus)


Thursday, May 19, 2011

Messages from Kenya, Guatemala, BC, Bolivia, Brazil!


Hi Gilad and Dawna,

 Just wanted to let you know that we arrived safely in Ugunja last night. Wow, what a difference from LP! We're sweating buckets.
Hope you're both doing well!

Mel (Team Kenya)

Hello from Peten,

We got to Peten today safe and sound.  Tomorrow we start work in the ecological park so looking forward to that.  Hope everything is good in Toronto!

Lana (Team Guatemala)

Hello Everyone,

Just wanted to send out an update to let you know that we have safely arrived in Blackfalds Alberta. We spent the past two days driving through the beautiful rockies, had a quick visit at Lake Louise and enjoyed playing country music (to Dave's dismay) as we rolled into the prairies. We are all settled in now and excited for these next few weeks.

Take care,
Brittany and Pauline (Team British Columbia)

Hey Dawna and Gilad!

We just arrived at our second contact in Cochabamba after a very long day of travel! I'll send an email out to parents right now. We'll be here until the 28th before our debrief. 

I hope everything is going well with you and the rest of the teams!

Alison (Team Bolivia)

Hi Dawna and Gilad!

Just a quick note to say we are now in Sao Gabriel and everything is going very well. Dinaldo was not able to come, but we are with another contact that he arranged and it is working out excellently! We will be leaving for Manaus on Friday on the boat. 

See you (too) soon!
Mary (Team Brazil)

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Message from Team Nicaragua:


Hi,

We made it back to Granada! It was a pretty smooth trip, and everyone is healthy and settling into our hostel now. We had a great time with our first contacts, lots of learning on the farm and with our homestays, and a community party last night complete with a pinata and dancing! Hope everything is going well for the rest of the teams, and I will keep you updated on Nicaragua,

Lisa

Monday, May 9, 2011

Updates from Teams Thailand, El Salvador and India

Hey Dawna and Gilad,

We're with Dr. Dave now. We're in Chiang Rai now and preparing to leave tonight to stay with the Hill tribes. We'll be gone for a week and will update you when we go back.

Hopefully everything is going well,
Paul (Team Thailand)

Hello family and friends of Team El Salvador,

Just wanted to let you know we are having an incredible time!

We are in La Mora until Monday. Our community is having dinner party for us tonight and another dance party tomorrow. We have been taking Spanish lessons, painting at the community house, building beams for homes and playing with the children. We did our horseback tour of Cerro Guazapa yesterday and we have our Spanish lessons near the river today. Tomorrow we will be building bricks around the garden, cleaning garbage around the community and will finish painting outside. Our families include us in cooking and cleaning, allowing us to fully embrace the culture and way of life in El Salvador. It will be sad to leave this community, we are feeling very attached to our families as we get to know them more and more.

No one has been sick so far and everyone is looking our for each other. What a wonderful team, I couldnt be more pleased with the positive attitudes they have.

We miss you and think of you often. Love from El Salvador,

Ashley, Shawna, Shaun, Rodrigo, Lindsay, Ally, Erica, Mandie, Riley, Nilsa, Leanne and Lesley

 Hi Gilad and Dawna,

Just wanted to let you guys know that we arrived in Lunglei safe and sound. Hope everything is well with you and the other teams.

TAJ
(Trista, Amy, Joanna)

Thursday, May 5, 2011

And more! Including a message from our Brazilian chapter...


Hey guys!

The team has arrived safe after all of our travels. We are currently in Aizawl and leaving for Lunglei tomorrow. 

We will talk to you soon,

Trista, Amy and Joanna (Team Mizoram, India)

Hey!
We arrived late last night in Caracas. We are all safe the flight went well and there were no issues with bags. We applied for our visas today and they will be ready friday. We will be heading to Manaus Friday or Saturday! Everyone is well and excited for our adventure!
Talk to you in Brazil!

Dawn and Vicky :)

This is from the Sao Gabriel team who is currently in Manaus:

Good Evening friends,
Tomorrow we will be receiving the Global Youth Network team, a Canadian NGO that works with Communal Development. They will stay with us for a month developing some activities in São Paulo and in most of the time in Francisco Morato-SP. Our prayers are with the team. 
Sincerely,

Marcelo Edu Oliveira
Projetos Internacionais
Jocum Sampa