Santa Monica, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Partnering with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the International Visitors Council of Los Angeles (IVCLA) announces the Westside Global Mixer welcoming international leaders from Austria, Finland, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Norway, Russia, Slovak Republic and Spain. Community leaders, diplomats and members of IVCLA will welcome these outstanding delegates at a reception on the evening of May 19th at the new Xino Restaurant at Santa Monica Place.
The participants have been invited by the U.S. embassies in their home countries to visit the United States to learn about diversity and immigration issues, foreign policy and human rights. When opinion leaders from around the world visit the greater Los Angeles area as participants in the International Visitor Leadership program, they learn first-hand about the United States through the people they meet. These exchange programs help break down stereotypes so that the visitors will return home with a new –found knowledge about Americans (aside from what they hear about us in the news). But it is not just one-way dialogue; Angelinos also gain an incredible experience conversing with foreign dignitaries that they would otherwise never meet. The exchange of ideas across global boundaries has never been more important.
The reception is open to the public, reservations are required. Admission is $10 for IVCLA members and $15 for non-members. More information is available by calling 213 388-1428 or visiting www.ivcla.org.
About the International Visitors Council of Los Angeles:
Working since 1980 to increase international understanding and communication, IVCLA arranges personal exchanges between emerging international leaders and the citizens of the Los Angeles region. Each year these visitors come to the Los Angeles area and experience our vitality and diversity through the professional meetings, cultural visits and home hospitality IVCLA arranges. IVCLA coordinates programs for participants in the U.S. Department of State sponsored International Visitor Leadership Program as well as other publicly and privately sponsored international visitors. IVCLA programs benefit from the direct involvement of Citizen Diplomats who recognize its value to themselves, their families, and their communities.
They welcome the visitors into their homes for dinner, conversation and sometimes for home stays. They meet with visitors at their businesses and offices for professional meetings. All of which provide the visitors with insight on how we live and work, and our Citizen Diplomats with a better understanding about the rest of the world.
