International Focus Projects
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We are working on a number of different projects and ways to connect across cultures in the Triangle and beyond. Please reach out if you would like to be actively involved through our volunteer network and committees or just COME ENJOY!
Calendar of Virtual Exchange Programs
October
- “Elections 2020: A Virtual Tour of the United States and the American Electoral Process”. A program implemented by the Department of State’s Foreign Press Centers in partnership with Meridian International Center.
- “Sharing U.S. Best Practices in Development and Partnership in the Region” delegation from Thailand. International Visitor Leadership Program
November
- “Women and Entrepreneurship” delegation from Kyrgyzstan. International Visitor Leadership Program
Upcoming Events
Past Events - Global Diplomacy Dialogue Series
Global Diplomacy Dialogue Series
Guest speakers of the series are international leaders who have visited the Research Triangle area, and who will share their memories of their trip to North Carolina. These insightful conversations will take us to the latest news from their countries, and how they have been coping with the pandemic. Former International Focus’s Board Member Sean Maroney moderates these 60 minute dialogues.
Global Diplomacy Dialogue with Journalists from Europe
Alumni of Edward R. Murrow Program, Alumni of the International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP)
Featured:
Marco Büttner, Head of Political Department of RTL Television, Germany
Wojciech Cegielski, Foreign News Correspondent, Polish Radio, Poland
Global Diplomacy Dialogue with Journalists from the Asia Pacific Region
Alumni of Edward R. Murrow Program, IVLP
Featured:
Maggie Boyle, Editor/Senior Multimedia Journalist, Fijian Broadcasting Corporation, Fiji
Patrick Crewdson, Editor-in-Chief, Stuff, New Zealand
Global Diplomacy Dialogue with Journalists from Africa
Alumni of Edward R. Murrow Program, IVLP
Featured:
Yvonne Tshepang Mooka, Correspondent, BBC Africa, Botswana
Wycliffe Masinde Nangi, Radio Station Manager, Kenya
Kingsley D. Uranta, Assistant GM, Television, Nigeria
Global Diplomacy Dialogue with Journalists from MENA Region
Alumni of Edward R. Murrow Program, IVLP
Featured:
Ahmed El Jechtimi, Reuters Reporter. Morocco
Insaf Yahieoui Ben Zeineb, Journalist and Talk Show Host, Tunisia
Global Diplomacy Dialogue with Social Entrepreneurs
Alumni of the Young Leaders of Americas Initiative (YLAI)
Featured:
Lucila Dotto, People Consultant, KPMG, London, UK; Argentina
Jeffsky Poincy, Development Policy Specialist, Haiti;
Candidate, Master of Public Policy and International Development, Duke University, Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Liz Tracy, Researcher, doctoral student, North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina
Global Diplomacy Dialogue with Filmmakers from South Asia, IVLP
Featured:
Anwar Chowdhury, Independent Documentary Film Maker, Producer, Dhaka, Bangladesh
George Kolotov, Freelance Photographer, Kyrgyzstan, USA
Sunzu Bachaspatimayum, Independent filmmaker, Manipur, India
Uma Vangal Filmmaker, film professor, Asian College of Journalism, Chennai, India
Global Diplomacy Dialogue with Mediators from Belarus
Alumni of the Community Connections program
Featured:
Arsen Dzhanashia, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of History and Philology
Mediator, Editor, Organization Committee of Minsk Mediation Fest, Mogilev, Belarus
Aksana Shulha, Head of the Department of Clinical and Consulting Psychology
Ph.D., Associate Professor, Mediator, Head of the Belarusian Leagues of Family Mediators, Belarusian State Pedagogical, University, Belarusian Leagues of Family Mediators, Minsk, Belarus
Frank Laney, Circuit Mediator, US Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit, Raleigh, North Carolina
Global Diplomacy Dialogue on Satire, Art and Freedom of Speech, IVLP
Featured:
Masoud NYOMWA, Chief Editorial Cartoonist, Illustrator, Painter, Animator, Radio/TV Producer/Presenter, Mwananchi Newspaper, Tanzania
- Cullum Rogers, Cartoonist and Writer, Durham, North Carolina
Ernest Dollar, Executive Director, City of Raleigh Museum and Pope House Museum,Raleigh- Durham, North Carolina
Past Events - E-Talk Series
E-Talks Series
This series focuses on local leaders and their impact across our state and beyond. Guests will reveal their thoughts, giving us further insight into their character and work towards the building of resilient communities. You will get to know inspiring voices working in the arts, academia, business, diplomacy, faith, law, politics, and much more.
Jaki Shelton Green, North Carolina Poet Laureate
Poetry and Healing
Dr. Dumas A. Harshaw Jr., Pastor of First Baptist Church, Raleigh and Chairman of The Triangle Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee
Perspective on Current Civil Unrest
Burk Uzzle, Photographer
Photography Hoping to Create a Better World
Elaine F. Marshall, North Carolina Secretary of State
and
Liliana Palihovici, former MP and Deputy Speaker of Parliament of the Republic of Moldova
The Longstanding Relationship Between North Carolina and the Republic of Moldova / Perspective on Women in Leadership
Jason Widen, Founding, Partner and CEO, Raleigh Founded – Previously HQ
Strengthening Local Economies and Connecting Communities
Coffee With Emerging Leaders
Monthly Jan-Nov
Coffee with Emerging Leaders is an intimate monthly event for International Focus members to meet and connect with International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) delegates. Visitors will informally introduce themselves, share professional objectives, and speak about their experience in their homeland and the US. Typically, the event draws about ten to fifteen attendees, allowing for direct exchange with diplomatic visiotors.
Come mingle with international visitors, leverage your connections around the world and be an IF Ambassador!
Citizen of the World Awards 2020
International Focus’ Citizen of the World Award honors individuals who have made a considerable contribution to international relations in the Triangle. The black tie event will showcase the area’s global cuisine and restaurants with each course prepared by a different renowned local ethnic chef.