International Summer Party*
is Thursday, July 18th
Many thanks to the generous people & corporations supporting IVC's event and work this past July. Watch for interesting changes in this year's format including a Beer Garden, "Quiet Room" and more time for dancing!
* Yes! We've changed the BBQ's name to the International Summer Party!
You can check out other international activities in the region in our 'corner'
Sister Cities Park has been transformed by Center City District! Saturday, May 11th is the first Sister Cities Park Festival!
Protocol Tips from the Master: IVC's Chief of Protocol, Robert Frye, has begun a new special feature for us with stories from his 25+ years in protocol - as Chief of Protocol in Iraq and at AT&T and Lucent.
Sister Cities Opportunities! Sister Cities in France and Russia have invited Philadelphians to participate in special programs. Read about it here...
Read some fascinating reminiscences from our founders & friends.
Did you know that IVC is a recipient of the:
- 2012 Temple University Global Philadelphia Award
- 2011 Independence Charter School's Global Citizen Award
- 2009 Preservation Alliance's Community Action Award (for our work on the Chinatown Friendship Gate)
- 2005 Consular Corps Global Leadership Award
- 2004 Human Rights Award from the Philadelphia Human Relations Commission
- and that the network of 95 IVC's across the U.S. was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2001 for its work with the State Department's International Visitor Leadership Program.
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What's in a name? Our future!
Join us and help us identify a new name for IVC* that better reflects the important international relations work that we do. For almost 60 years we've engaged local citizens in playing a vital role in foreign affairs, so we're now engaging you again in helping us find that perfect name. Click here to be a part of our future! Click here to see the list of names received so far (Tuesday, mid-afternoon). * International Visitors Council of Philadelphia.
Click here to see Nancy's letter about the name change.
(Oh, and we're also changing the name of the annual 'BBQ' to the International Summer Party!!
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Make friends. Make peace. It's really that simple.
You can EXPAND YOUR WORLD and be personally involved in international relations through our Citizen Diplomacy work.
Our goal is to engage you, and as many others as we can, to help us build friendships around the world.
Making friends leads to peace. And you can play an important role in it.
IVC is part of the NCIV Citizen Diplomacy network of 95 Councils nominated for the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize.
At IVC we welcome strangers... and send home friends. IVC is a designated United Way recipient. Our number is 00685.
At IVC's 59th Annual Meeting
Citizen Diplomacy Awards were presented to:
Hon. Michael A. Nutter
Outstanding Leadership in International Relations
City of Philadelphia, Department of Police
Outstanding Civic Partner
International Visitor Leadership Program
Sandra Cadwalader
Outstanding Cultural Host
Sister Cities Program
Eric Schnurer, J.D.
Outstanding Professional Resource
International Visitor Leadership Program
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What is IVC?
We are the region's international relations organization - our work is known as "citizen diplomacy."
- Our work engages the public in playing a personal role in foreign affairs.
- Through our friendly "citizen diplomats" (like you), we create a warm and welcoming environment for our guests from abroad.
Do you care about how the United States is viewed around the world? If so, then it's time you were involved with IVC! Since 1954 we have been the official host for the U.S. Department of State's highest exchange, the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). We are part of a unique citizen diplomacy network of 95 Councils throughout the U.S. that receives established and emerging leaders from 150+ countries visiting the U.S. as guests of our government. Participants on the IVLP travel to up to five U.S. cities where they meet their professional counterparts and experience American life. They have informal dinners with families in homes and attend local cultural events in each city. Their carefully-designed programs allow visitors to see the country first-hand so they can form their own opinions of the U.S., its policies and people. Past visitors include F.W. de Klerk, Hamid Karzai, Willie Brandt, Nicolas Sarkozy and 290+ others who later became heads of Government. Unlike other government-sponsored exchanges, this program is by invitation only.
This network of 95 Councils and 100,000+ citizen diplomats was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2001.
The International Visitor Leadership Program - It's why we exist. Check out who's coming to town on the IVLP! Look at our hosting opportunities (hosting is an exclusive benefit for IVC members) to share an American experience with our guests. If you're already a member and would like to be a citizen diplomat by hosting, contact Lissa Morinsky at 215.683.0995 or fill in the form online. Who are the former visitors who became heads of Government? Click below or at right to see the 321 current and former heads of Government. Interested in perception changes from this great program? Click here to read some interesting comments by State Department interpreters about several past visitors and visitor groups. 
Are you an IVC Member?
IVC is international relations as it should be: one person, one handshake at a time.
Making friends leads to peace - it really is that simple. IVC gives you a tangible way to make friends & provide an accurate image of the U.S. abroad. You can be a participant, not an observer, by joining IVC today! You can also support our work by making a donation today.
IVC visitor from 2005 shares 2011 Nobel Peace Prize. Yemini journalist is first Arab woman winner and visited Philadelphia in July 2005 on the State Department's prestigious International Visitor Leadership Program. See who she met while here.
What is Citizen Diplomacy?
In a vibrant democracy, it is the right - if not the obligation - of each citizen to help shape U.S. foreign relations - "one handshake at a time." Read an article on U.S. public diplomacy.
First Thursday Receptions!
Now in their 14th year, these informal and very, very, very friendly monthly receptions are THE place to be on the first Thursday of the month. The next one coming up is Thursday, May 2, 2013. They are all held at the beautiful Courtyard Marriott, across from City Hall. There's no First Thursday in July or January.
EXPAND YOUR WORLD!
Citizen engagement in foreign affairs
through IVC. Michelle Kwan's involved
How about you?
The National Meeting of all the IVC's in the country met in February with the State Department and other key players in the International Visitor Leadership Program. The meeting held many highlights, including Michelle Kwan, the most decorated figure skater in U.S. history, who previewed her "Expand Your World" video on how Americans can get involved with international exchanges. (See Nancy's tweet and photo). Michelle was also at the annual Luncheon with the Ambassadors, with more than 50 Ambassadors at the annual luncheon. Nancy played host for the Hon. Seng Soukhathivong, Ambassador from Laos. |
PHILADELPHIA'S MAYOR NUTTER made a historic visit to Sister City Tianjin, China. Mayor Nutter was accompanied by the City's Suzanne Biemiller, Duane Bumb and IVC's Nancy Gilboy. An MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) was signed by twelve parties for six partnerships between our cities.
For information and photos of the December, 2012 visit to both Tianjin and Beijing, go to our Sister Cities page. For a video clip from Tianjin's TV news, go here. Even if you don't understand Chinese, you'll understand Mayor Nutter's interview and appreciate the gracious hospitality Tianjin showed the Philadelphia delegation.
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Make friends. Make contacts. Make peace.®
IVCSM - International Visitors Council
1515 Arch Street, 12th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19102 U.S.A.
Phone: 1-215-683-0999
Fax: 1-215-683-0998
Below is the "counter" of people who have come
to this home page since June 7, 2005
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Click above for the 2012 Annual Report released April 2013
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Citizen diplomacy engages citizens in international relations. Meeting counterparts and experiencing everyday American life provides an authentic & more accurate view of the "real" U.S.
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SAVE THE DATE!
& support our work at our Annual
International Summer Party
(formerly the 'BBQ')
Thursday
July 18th!
Restaurants are already signing up for the 2013 Party!
-Amuse at Le Meridien
-Aqua
-Asia on the Parkway
-Bistro St.Tropez
-Bliss
-Brauhaus Schmitz
-Bridget Foy's
-Capital Grille
-Chabaa Thai Bistro
-Chima Brazilian Steakhouse
-D'Angelo's Ristorante
-Davio's Steakhouse
-Fork
-Fratelli's Italian Bistro
-Jack's Firehouse
-Jane G's
-Marmont Steakhouse
-Moshulu
-Ocean Prime
-Opa
-Oyster House
-Panorama Ristorante
-Percy Street Barbecue
-Pod
-Porcini
-Positano Coast
-The Prime Rib
-Raw
-Ristorante La Buca
-Route 6
-Russet
-Serafina
-Square 1682
-Starr Restaurants
-The Swann Lounge
-Tir Na Nog
-Valley Green Inn
-XIX
Many more to come!
Click below for the
BBQ Program Book
from the 2012 event!
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