Dialoguing and becoming global citizens

Global Exchanges are unique opportunities for Council Young Professional members to engage in round-table discussions with visiting emerging leaders from abroad. These cross-cultural exchanges examine topics such as: leadership and ethics, culture and society, and government and foreign policy. The Council offers these quarterly and co-hosts the event with our partner, the International Visitor Corps of Jacksonville (IVCJax). Events are sponsored by the Haskell Company and held at the Haskell Building. Visiting delegates, often representing a variety of fields from a given region, have demonstrated an ability to influence their societies in some capacity and have been invited to the United States under the auspices of the Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program. The larger program is arranged by Meridian International Center and delegates are hosted locally by IVCJax.

Reaction and Response

The North Africa/Near East delegation that was in Jacksonville from November 2-5, 2008 participated in a closed meeting with the national program officer and State Department Program Officer before flying home. They had opportunities to express their feedback about the visit at that time. Afterward, I received a phone call from Sean Callahan (National Programming Officer) who reported that most of the visitors cited that the dialogue with the Young Professionals was the highlight of their entire three-week trip to the United States. They said they appreciated the opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue and exchange ideas, not just be lectured to. They said that opportunities like that are very important.”

~Sondie Frus, Executive Director,
International Visitor Corps of Jacksonville

The Young Professionals networking event was excellent and the interactive round-table discussions on topics was very good. The event gave the opportunity to speak; exchange opinions in a positive interactive way.”

~Taryn Khanam Director,
BritBangla, United Kingdom, European Muslim Visiting Delegation

Thank you again for giving us the opportunity to share our opinions, thoughts and express our interest with you in Jacksonville. I hope I can visit the United States again as we had the greatest time ever!”

~Zainab Al-Nasheet, National Director,
Mediterranean Agency for International Youth Cooperation, Bahrain, North Africa/Near East Visiting Delegation