Notes from the Executive Director

My how time flies! In early July, 14 Fulton County high school students, as well as GCIV and Fulton County staff members, will experience the 2009 Fulton County Global Youth Leadership Program – a collaboration between GCIV and Fulton County’s Office of Children and Youth. The program aims to introduce a new generation of Fulton County leaders to the institutions, politics, and people of other countries and to expose metro Atlanta’s future leaders to non-local approaches to meeting universal challenges.

With support from several generous sponsors, GCIV and Fulton County took a delegation of young leaders to South Africa last July, and then we welcomed a counterpart delegation to Atlanta in October. This year we are organizing a similar youth leadership exchange with Germany. This enriching educational experience would not be possible without the support of this year’s supporters: the Atlanta Foundation, Ernst & Young, the Fulton County Development Authority, Georgia Pacific, Georgia Power, and the Kiwanis Club of Atlanta.

As a member of the delegation traveling to South Africa, I had the unique opportunity to experience Johannesburg as an "international visitor." Our hosts, staff from Johannesburg’s Office of the Speaker, organized a fascinating and action-packed itinerary of school visits, student government proceedings, and NGO meetings.

Two particularly memorable visits reminded me what it is to be a good host. We went to an organization that empowers youth to work for social and economic change in their communities, and to a village offering home, care, and community to children and adults living with AIDS. Both places welcomed us with open arms, and the time and thought they put into arranging every detail of our visit was impressive. They gathered their group for a special welcome song when we walked in the door, they took the time for proper introductions and to learn about us individually, they displayed organizational materials on the conference table, and they included representatives from many aspects of their organizations in the meeting.

As I reflect on the thoughtful hospitality of new friends on the other side of the globe, I’m humbled by the effort GCIV’s members put into showing the world the best of ourselves right here in Georgia. I love to talk with both visitors and hosts about their experiences, and I love to hear what unique and innovative ways our volunteers come up with to make our international visitors feel special. Please share your thoughts! Also, be sure to check GCIV's blog in July for frequent updates from Germany!