http://www.globaljax.org en andrea.hartley@globaljax.org Copyright 2013 2013-03-21T17:41:53+00:00 http://www.globaljax.org/news/news/globaljax_set_to_host_supreme_court_justices_from_tatarstan_russia http://www.globaljax.org/site/globaljax_set_to_host_supreme_court_justices_from_tatarstan_russia#When:04:51:28Z
The Republic of Tatarstan is a federal subject of Russia located in the Volga Federal District. Its capital is the city of Kazan, which is one of Russia's larger and more prosperous cities.

While in the area this delegation will tour the courts, meet with local judges and examine every step of the legal process both civil and criminal. In addition, they’ll meet with local elected officials to learn about the U.S. legislative process and the separation of powers.

GlobalJax members are invited and encouraged to join this group for their professional meetings and to participate in several social events surrounding their visit including a Russian Cooking Night, Closing Party and St. Augustine Cultural Outing.

For more information contact Andrea at GlobalJax, getconnected@globaljax.org, (904)346-3941.]]> 2013-03-11T04:51:28+00:00 http://www.globaljax.org/news/news/globaljax_promoting_interfaith_dialogue_and_tolerance_in_africa http://www.globaljax.org/site/globaljax_promoting_interfaith_dialogue_and_tolerance_in_africa#When:14:28:48Z

JACKSONVILLE, FL, February 18, 2013 – This month GlobalJax partnered with the U.S. Department of State to welcome eight religious leaders from Ghana, Niger, Liberia, Burkina Faso, Kenya, Mali, Ethiopia and the Ivory Coast to Northeast Florida for a program designed to promote tolerance and interfaith dialogue.

While in the area the delegation met with leaders of various faith communities including a luncheon at the Baha’i Center of Northeast Florida. They also participated in a roundtable conversation about the separation of church and state and Florida Coastal School of Law.

Once of the highlights of their visit was an interfaith youth summit with students at the University of North Florida’s interfaith Center. One anthropology student praised her interaction with our visitors saying, “I learned so much about the lives and homes of the delegates as well as about myself, but most importantly, I learned that humanity is capable of so much good if we take the time to listen to one another.”

Later this month the delegation will return to their various countries committed to strengthening interfaith ties, readied with practical examples, to address their communities’ deepest social needs.

For pictures or more information contact GlobalJax at getconnected@globaljax.org or call (904)346-3942. Visit us at http://www.globaljax.org.

GlobalJax is a Northeast Florida based non-profit organization dedicated to making Jacksonville known around the world as a vibrant, inclusive, and international place to live, work and visit. Since its founding in 1990, over 2,000 emerging leaders and professionals have visited Northeast Florida from more than 160 countries. Last year alone, GlobalJax coordinated nearly 200 international visits.

]]> 2013-02-18T14:28:48+00:00 http://www.globaljax.org/news/news/announcing_wines_of_the_world_2013 http://www.globaljax.org/site/announcing_wines_of_the_world_2013#When:17:41:53Z
Hey GlobalJax members, don’t want to pay full price? We’re looking for volunteers to help with the planning and promotion. Contact Andrea at wow@globaljax.org for more information.
]]> 2013-03-21T17:41:53+00:00 http://www.globaljax.org/news/news/globaljax_preparing_to_welcome_law_enforcement_officials_from_turkmenistan http://www.globaljax.org/site/globaljax_preparing_to_welcome_law_enforcement_officials_from_turkmenistan#When:04:53:35Z
This April, GlobalJax will partner with the U.S. Department of State to bring four law enforcement officials to Northeast Florida from Turkmenistan for a program aimed at combating international crime.

Modern day Turkmenistan covers territory that has long been at the crossroads of civilizations for centuries. Today, a fairly long coast line along the Caspian Sea and long borders with Iran and Afghanistan present the challenge of international smuggling issues to this former Soviet state.

While in the area this delegation will learn about preventing international crime through meetings with security at JAXPORT, the local FBI field office, the U.S. Coast Guard and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s office. Through these appointments they will gain a better understanding of the US Justice System including the key roles of law enforcement and prosecutorial authorities in preventing international crime.

GlobalJax members are invited to join this delegation for their professional meetings or have them over to your home for an evening meal.

For more information contact Andrea at GlobalJax, getconnected@globaljax.org, (904)346-3941.
]]> 2013-03-18T04:53:35+00:00 http://www.globaljax.org/news/news/a_match_made_in_heaven http://www.globaljax.org/site/a_match_made_in_heaven#When:15:12:57Z

We are excited to announce that in recognition of the positive effects our work has on area business, the 904 Magazine has chosen GlobalJax as its non-profit partner for 2013. You will find an ad or article on recent delegations in nearly every issue for the rest of the year. They also recognized GlobalJax as the guest of honor at the February 28th Companies that Care banquet honoring local companies with a proven track record of going above and beyond giving back to our community.

You can see the latest 904 Magazine ad here on page 25: http://trendmag2.trendoffset.com/publication/?i=144558

You can also read the remarks Andrea gave at the Companies that Care banquet on our blog here: http://www.globaljax.org/blog/comments/companies_that_care

]]> 2013-03-04T15:12:57+00:00 http://www.globaljax.org/news/news/globaljax_to_host_government_officials_from_brazil http://www.globaljax.org/site/globaljax_to_host_government_officials_from_brazil#When:04:55:53Z
As the co-chair of the global open government committee, Brazil has taken great steps to enact expansive transparency laws. (You can read more about it here: http://www.state.gov/j/ogp/index.htm)

While in Northeast Florida this delegation will meet with city officials, journalists and NGO activists to get an in depth look at Florida’s transparency laws and gain the practical knowledge to help implement their nation’s new public records legislation.

GlobalJax members are invited and encouraged to join this group for their professional meetings and help run errands the day before they return to Brazil.

For more information contact Andrea at GlobalJax, getconnected@globaljax.org, (904)346-3941.
]]> 2013-03-04T04:55:53+00:00 http://www.globaljax.org/news/news/special_trip_alert_whales_birds_tails_and_nature_trails_await_you_in_washin http://www.globaljax.org/site/special_trip_alert_whales_birds_tails_and_nature_trails_await_you_in_washin#When:17:09:57Z
Date: September 17 to September 24, 2013

HIGHLIGHTS
•Take a whale watching tour on the Salish Sea
•Explore saltwater tide pools with a trained steward to identify species
•Experience Pacific Northwest birdlife with Audubon guides
•Catch mountain flora and fauna on film in Olympic National Park


Description: Under the guidance of trained stewards from Washington State University’s Beach Watchers program, guests will wander an island beach and search tide pools teeming with Pacific Coast sea life: sea stars, anemones, barnacles, sea urchins, mussels, Dungeness crab and more.

Our local whale watching tour boat captains know just where to find those orca (killer) whales among the islands of the Salish Sea. Along the way you may spot California and Steller sea lions or elephant seals as well as our resident porpoises plying our waters in search of salmon.

Knowledgeable guides from Whidbey Audubon Society will help you find and identify native water birds: loons, grebes, cranes, blue herons and see a bald eagle as well as sight western coastal songbirds.

At Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park you can walk a trail for possible sightings of mountain goats and deer. The park’s milk-vetch (legume plant), Mazama pocket gopher and Olympic marmot, mud minnows (fish), Beardslee and crescent trout are found nowhere else on earth.

So pack your camera, bring layered clothing for our unpredictable Pacific Northwest weather, and don’t forget your binoculars. You’re in for the nature treat of a lifetime. Your Whidbey hosts will welcome you with a sampling of our northwest foods, our western hospitality and all the Friendship Force trimmings: welcome and farewell dinners and northwest latte land cultural experiences, all wrapped up in the tranquility of our rural island setting.

NOTE—this does not include a sightseeing trip into Seattle downtown. That costs $80 per person more. Also, please note that ALL ambassadors MUST have good ability to understand the English language. They would not enjoy the interpreted walks and explorations if they don’t understand English. And they MUST be able to walk 2 miles in uneven terrain.

Estimated Price: $469 USD includes Host, FFI and Credit Card fees. Does not include transportation to Whidbey Island from the airport which costs up to $90 round trip.

For more Information, contact Shirley Hauck at (+1-360-579-4799)
]]> 2013-02-28T17:09:57+00:00 http://www.globaljax.org/news/news/special_trip_alert_prairies_to_the_rockies_alberta_adventures http://www.globaljax.org/site/special_trip_alert_prairies_to_the_rockies_alberta_adventures#When:16:39:16Z
Date: August 16 to 28, 2013

HIGHLIGHTS
•Learn about our Aboriginal people who first walked this land, and the varied wildlife found in Alberta
•Enjoy Edmonton’s Fringe Festival, with its roving street performers and wide range of entertainment – bold, outrageous, funny, and dramatic
•Hike Maligne Canyon to see a raging torrent of river thrashing its way down the deepest canyon in the Canadian Rockies
•Dine in the famous Chateau Lake Louise dining room, overlooking the sparkling waters of Lake Louise
•Experience a trail ride on horseback or by wagon followed by a western steak barbecue in the foothills of Alberta. Finish with songs around the campfire under the stars.



Description: Come and experience summer in the Canadian prairies, foothills, and mountains in this themed global exchange. Begin with a six-day homestay in Edmonton where you will explore a fur trading post and learn about our early history. You will also experience the forest ecosystem of Strathcona Wilderness Centre as you canoe, and hike along the interpretive trails and through the spruce bog. The homestay will also include a visit to West Edmonton Mall, one of the largest indoor malls in the world; and a day at the Fringe Festival.
We then follow the North Saskatchewan River to the mountains for a seven-day bus trip through the Canadian Rockies. You will hike through canyons and up mountain trails, float down a mountain river, cruise amidst the pines on Maligne Lake, ride an ice explorer over glaciers of Columbia Icefields, and take a gondola up a mountainside as you learn about the history, geology, flora, and fauna of our mountains. We finish the exchange with a stay at a ranch in the foothills, and a visit to the world-famous badlands of Drumheller. You will visit the Royal Tyrell Museum, Canada’s only museum dedicated to the science of palaeontology, which houses one of the world’s largest displays of dinosaurs.



Estimated Price: Exchange fee - Approximately $1900 CAD (includes 7-day tour of Canadian Rockies; does not include international airfare)
FFI program fee - $125 US

For more information, contact Brenda Kane at (+1-780-460-2414).
]]> 2013-02-26T16:39:16+00:00 http://www.globaljax.org/news/news/special_trip_alert_explore_germany_off_the_beaten_path_and_discover_histori http://www.globaljax.org/site/special_trip_alert_explore_germany_off_the_beaten_path_and_discover_histori#When:16:38:19Z Destination: Gelsenkirchen, Jena, Berlin, Munich, Rothenburg ob der Tauber,Germany
Salzburg, Austria

Date: June 28th to July 22nd, 2013

HIGHLIGHTS
•Get to know the friendly hosts in Gelsenkirchen and Jena
•Explore the Ruhr district and its amazing transformation from a former industrial area to amazing architecture
•Visit Cologne and take a boat ride on the River Rhine
•See the contrast of the Ruhr district to our second week of home hosting in the scenic university town of Jena
•Optional: take a tour through Bavaria and Austria
•Optional: Join us on a 4 day extension tour of Berlin


Description: We will start the Exchange with an optional tour of Bavaria and Austria with an expert guide in Bavaria’s history and culture. A FF group from Greater Harrisburg just tried this tour and they loved it!

This will be an amazing trip with many off-the-beaten path adventures and experiences! It includes visits to fairy tale castles of southern Germany, a boat ride on the Koenig See and a visit to Berchtesgaden, Hitler’s summer resort. We may also take the famed “Sound of Music” day trip in Salzburg, Austria. Heading north on the Romantic Road, we visit the medieval city of Rothenburg, which was spared bombing during World War II and has kept its charm.

Next, we continue to the Friendship Force signature experience of home hosting. FF Gelsenkirchen has invited us into their homes to get to know their members and country up close. Gelsenkirchen is a progressive city in the heart of the Ruhr district of Germany and is largest producer of renewable energy products. It is located a short distance from Cologne, where we will take a boat ride on the Rhine River.

Our second home stay will be in Jena. Located in the scenic Harz Mountains of eastern Germany, it is called the Green Heart of Germany. There are towns and castles dating from the Middle Ages and many cultural and historical places such as the city of Leipzig, home of the German optical industry, of which we will visit.

The Exchange will be moderately challenging with walks up to two miles every day to explore historic city centers. You may walk on cobblestone streets or a nature trail as well as use public transportation in urban areas. All ambassadors visiting Germany have to be able to carry their own luggage. Private homes and everyday life situations usually involve walking up and down several flights of stairs.

Estimated Price:$950 USD Exchanges to Gelsenkirchen and Jena includes FFI Fee, Host Fee and transportation between clubs.

Optional touring:
Bavaria tour June 28th to July 5th, approx.. $1,800 USD, single supplement $300 USD
Berlin tour July 19 to 22, approx.. $600 per person, single supplement $150 USD
Please see the attached flyer and tour itineraries for more information on the program and price of the optional touring.

For more information, contact Zia Shamsy: (+1-214-403-4299) (Home: +1-972-867-2076)


]]> 2013-02-21T16:38:19+00:00 http://www.globaljax.org/news/news/special_trip_alert_experience_belgium_the_land_of_beer_and_chocolate http://www.globaljax.org/site/special_trip_alert_experience_belgium_the_land_of_beer_and_chocolate#When:16:26:57Z
Date: June 17 to 27, 2013

HIGHLIGHTS
•Belgium is the land of beer and chocolate
•Guided tour of Brussels, referred to as the capital of the European Union
•Experience the hospitality and make new friends with our Belgian hosts
•Guided tour of Leuven including reception at City Hall
•Experience the greenery and history of the Ardennes region



Description: You are welcome to join the FF Club of Greater Harrisburg on an exchange to the 'land of beer and chocolate' - Belgium! Exchange dates in Leuven, Belgium are June 20 – 27, 2013 with an optional 3-night pre-exchange stay (June 17-20) in the beautiful city of Bruges (known as the Venice of the North). The Club from Leuven, Belgium is able to host a max of 20 people. As in most European cities, requirements are that you be able to ambulate via public transportation and participate in walking tours at moderate speed. Belgium is home to the capital of the European Union in Brussels, thus their currency is the Euro. Club members from Leuven speak Dutch/Flemish and most also speak English. Our venture will begin with our arrival in Brussels on Monday June 17, 2013. We will immediately travel from the airport to Bruges by train. After 3 days exploring Bruges and 3 nights lodging at the Grand Hotel Casselbergh, we will take the train from Bruges to Leuven. Plans for our exchange week are:
Thurs, June 20 : Arrive at the Leuven train station where we will be met by our host families
Fri, June 21 : Leuven to Brussels by train. Guided tour of Brussels and possibly hop on /hop off bus
Sat June 22 : Bus trip to Namur and the Ardennes
Sun June 23 : Free day with host family
Mon June 24 : Guided tour of Leuven including a reception at City Hall
Tues June 25 : Leuven to Antwerp by train. Guided tour
Wed June 26 : Walk in Hoegaarden (beer town) and Farewell Party
Thurs June 27 : Depart from Leuven hosts to Brussels airport or for other independent adventures.

Estimated Price: Exchange: $625 USD. Includes FFI and host fees.
Pre-exchange trip: $575 double, $725 single

For more information, contact Lisa Cordell, at (+1-717-903-2140)
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