Each year NCIV holds a photo contest to collect and recognize the best images of Citizen Diplomacy in action. This year IVCJax submitted several pictures to the National Contest and TWO were selected for Honorable Mention.  The picture taken by Odette Struys which is called Looking for something made in America? How about some REAL Uzbek Plov, features two delegates cooking Uzbek Plov with IVCJax member Vladimir Lozovsky. If you recognize the kitchen in the background it belongs to none other than our Executive Director, Sondie Frus. The second winner was a picture take by Andrea Hartley called Even far from home a teacher is NEVER off duty. It captures a moment during a recent home hospitality when a teacher from Namibia read a book about African animals to her 2 year old daughter. Both were displayed throughout the NCIV National Conference in mid February where Odette and Andrea were recognized, received plaques and a small cash rewards. Congratulations ladies and we hope to see many more IVCJax images in next year's contest!

On Saturday, February 19, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution which would cut FY 2011 international exchange funding by $134 million dollars, a 21% cut over FY 2010 funding.  The House and Senate are now negotiating a compromise. If you believe that the IVLP and other "smart power" programs are both an effective and essential part of our foreign policy AND a vital asset to the Northeast Florida community, IVCJax needs you to contact your legislators. Let Senators Bill Nelson and Marco Rubio know why these programs are worth continued funding!! Contact andrea.hartley@ivcjax.com with any questions, concerns, or support you may have regarding this advocacy initiative. 

During their visit seven Mayors and Deputy Mayors from Saudi Arabia met with Mayor John Peyton, learned about consolidated government, learned about waste management, and spent a day touring St. Augustine discussing historical preservation. They were escorted to professional appointments by Jay Marshall, Bob Grant, and Carrie McNamara and welcomed for Friday Prayers at the Masjid al Islam. They also joined IVCJax members for their monthly social where the delegates spoke briefly about their municipalities, including the Deputy Mayor of Mecca who described the incredible logistics of managing the Hajj. 

The following week four law enforcement officials from Kazakhstan came looking at anti-money laundering curriculum. They had meetings at the Institute of Police Technology and Management, Drug Enforcement Administration, North Florida High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas, the US Attorney for the Middle District of Florida, and the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. They spent their last day in the area training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynn County, Georgia. Their escorts to professional meetings were Tom Collins, Jason Wells, and Madeline Belvin. They also enjoyed home hospitality with IVCJax member Dorothy Dobbs who joined them for a cultural day in St. Augustine and an evening at the Professional Bull Riding Tour!

 This past month we also hosted two individual visitors. Dr. Balos of Serbia was focusing on public health in schools. She discussed health care clinics programs in public schools with Duval County Public Schools, went to the Duval County Health Department, and toured the Hubbard House. Her escort to professional meetings was Dr. Bob Threlkel and Ms. Chelsi Henry joined her for a cultural day in St. Augustine. Mr. Adrian Daniel Serra, the Secretary of the Permanent Mission of Argentina to the United Nations, with Dr. Hazel Henderson in St. Augustine to discuss ethical Markets, and then met with faculty at UF including Dr. Pilar Useche of Food and Resource Economics Department, Dr. Diego Valderrama, and Dr. Stephen Powell. His visit concluded with a tour of the Sid Martin Biotech Incubator.