Uruguay - Political Parties and Economic System

The Uruguayan contingent consisted of

Mr. José ONETO, County Commissioner,
Departamento de Paysandu, [County of Paysandu],
Frente Amplio (Wide Front Coalition), Socialist Party

Ms. Adriana PEÑA, Congresswoman, White (Blanco) Party
                                   
Dr. Miguel Cordova, Consecutive Interpreter

 

The U.S. Department of State outlined the following specific program objectives for this visit:

• Offer substantive exposure to the principals governing democracy in the United States;
• Gain an understanding of U.S. political parties and the role of public service in the U.S.;
• Explain the role of political parties in the campaign process, and how policies are developed;
• Observe how government and elected officials directly engage citizens
• Gain an understanding of government in fostering economic growth; and
• Examine economic interdependence.

Before coming to Huntsville, the group visited Washington D.C., San Francisco and St. Louis. 

While in Huntsville, the group focused on the growth and economic development of Huntsville/Madison County, including an overview of Cummings Research Park; organizations for young professionals, particularly the Chamber’s “Bridges Program” as well as the Huntsville Young Professionals organization; the agrarian community in North Alabama and the cotton industry’s role in the South as well as its impact on international trade; observed a Decatur Council Work Session and Council Meeting; discussed constituent relations with Senator Jeff Sessions’ office;  discussed academic perspectives on political institutions and civil rights in American government; discussed helping small business develop emerging technologies for the global market.

Young Leaders - A Regional Project for the Near East

ISC Huntsville hosted 3 young business people from Jordan, Syria and Yemen, along with 2 interpreters, from Michigan and Virginia. Specific goals of this visit, which also included trips to D.C., New York, Albuquerque and Miami, were

• Provide an overview of the social, political, and economic bases of the U.S. economic system;

• Explore the free market approach to business promotion and economic development;

• Demonstrate the variety and scope of young people’s involvement in business, law, politics, unions, education, health care, agriculture, and volunteer efforts;

• Offer opportunities to share and learn innovative strategies for entrepreneurial and managerial excellence;

• Examine the role of educational institutions, businesses, civic and religious organizations, and youth groups in advancing young men and women as business leaders; and

• Identify the skills necessary for successful leadership and explore methods used to develop these skills in critical thinking, decision-making, communication and organization skills, and professional development.

The group consisted of

Jordan	Mr. Ismail Faraj Al Dwaikat, General Manager, Irbid Chamber of Industry, Part-Time Lecturer, Yarmouk University
Syria	Ms. Chirin Dirani, Partner and Purchase Manager, Derani and Fayoumi Company in Damascus
Yemen	Mr. Walid Kaid Al-Khyat, Commercial Manager, Marib Cargo

Accompanied by Simultaneous Interpreters: 
Mr. Wael Abdelsattar
Mr. Ihab Zaki

While in Huntsville, the group met with Mr. Richard Reeves of BizTech, who spoke about how BizTech helps small companies develop emerging technologies for the global marketplace. They then went to the Small Business Development Center at UAH, where they learned how the SBDC delivers up-to-date counseling, training, and technical assistance in all aspects of small business management. The group attended a luncheon hosted by The Women's Economic Development Council (WEDC). The group met with Mike Gillespie, Chairman of the Madison County Commission, for an overview of Huntsville’s economic development and public/private partnerships . The group also met with the

Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce and toured Cummings Research Park.

Slovak Republic - Higher Education Institutions and Research and Development in the US

A group of 5 Slovak Republic educators and their 2 interpreters visited Huntsville to study higher education institutions and local research and development efforts.

The group consisted of:

Mr. Juraj BENIAK: Scientific Worker, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Slovak University of
Technology
Ms. Alena CHRENKOVA: Assistant, Department of Communication, post-graduate student,
University of Zilina
Ms. Helga JANCOVICOVA: Head, Development Office and Head, European and National
Projects Office, Comenius University
Mr. Michal JANOVCIK: Project Manager, Regional Innovation Strategy, and Head, Department
of International Cooperation, University of Zilina
Ms. Denisa VOSKAROVA: Assistant Vice Rector for Research, Matej Bel University, Banska
Bystrica

Accompanied by Interpreters:
Mr. Ivo Reznicek
Ms. Katarina Cockrell

While in Huntsville, the group met with Mayor Loretta Spencer who welcomed them to Huntsville and gave them a brief overview of public/private partnerships. They then met with Dr. Schroer, Executive Director of the Alabama Automotive Manufacturers Association, who gave them an overview of the AAMA, discussed promoting growth and continuous improvement of automotive manufacturing in Alabama. The group also met with Jim Hutcheson, Assistant Director of the International Intermodal Center, Port of Huntsville. Mr Hutcheson gave the group an overview of how the inland port provides a single hub location specializing in receiving, transferring, storing, and distributing air, rail, and highway cargo (including logistics), plus a tour of the facility. Mr. Richard Reeves, Director of BizTech, spoke to the group about how BizTech helps small companies develop emerging technologies for the global market. The group then visited the Chamber of Commerce, where Ethan Hadley, Vice President of Economic Development, discussed the growth and economic development of Huntsville/Madison County.  Dr. John P. Ballenger, Director of the Center for Management of Science and Technology (CMOST) gave the group an overview of CMOST and the research they conduct. The group traveled again to the Chamber of Commerce where Rick Davis, Director, Cummings Research Park gave them an overview of Cummings Research Park . The group also met at Syrsi/Dynix for an overview of the Madison County Commission’s Planning and Economic Development Department and NAITA, led by Anne Burkett, Director, Planning and Economic Development and Executive Director, North Alabama International Trade Association, and Lamar Jackson, of Sirsi/Dynix, who is a member of NAITA.

ISC at DoS Reception

Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Alina Romanowski (left) meets with International Services Council of Alabama, Inc. CEO Luba Cehelska (right), at the U.S. Department of State, on February 14, 2008. Ms. Cehelska was attending a meeting of community-based organizations from across the country that arrange local professional meetings, cultural activities and home hospitality for current and potential foreign leaders visiting the United States under the auspices of the Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program. Prominent alumni of the program include British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Turkish President Abdullah Gul, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Afghan President Hamid Karzai.

ISC Hosts MR. SHUQUAN FENG, Professor: People’s Republic of China

During the visit of Mr. Shuquan Feng, the Alabama Program Focus was on County-Level Agricultural Services, the growth of Agri-tourism, the function of the Land Grant Universities, Agricultural Research and Local Government and Minority Rights in Rural Communities.

Governor Riley Meets with ISC

 

 

Governor Riley met with 25 senior professional staff from US embassies around the globe, all foreign nationals, who came to the US for training under the auspices of the US Department of State's Foreign Service Institute.

The group met with key leaders in Alabama (e.g. chair of Democratic Party, Executive Director of the Republican Party, AL Speaker of the House Seth Hammett, Ron Sparks, Commissioner of Agriculture and Industry, and many others.

These foreign nationals serve as a bridge between US embassies and foreign publics, and must explain American policy to local audiences.

The purpose of this course with the State Department Foreign Service Institute was to help participants to better understand our foreign policy, our government, and American society at large, with a focus on the Deep South here in Alabama.

The group was in the US for two weeks, and in Alabama on September 16-19, 2007.

Themes for their visit included:

• History and Politics of the Southern U.S.:
• History of the Civil Rights Movement and its impact today.
• Party politics in the South - who supports which party and why
• The Influence of religion on politics
• Visits to local religious institutions
• Causes of poverty and economic development in the Deep South
• Local community organizations that fight poverty
• Local cultural institutions that give insight into the history and culture of the region.

 

New ISC Board Elected in October

Volunteers were elected to serve on the ISC board in in early October. Elections included new members for the board, the Executive Committee, and also a new Senior Council. For details visit the ISC Board page.

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More NEWS

ISC Hosts Visitors from
The Republic of Georgia

 

COMBATING VIOLENCE IN SCHOOLS:
A Project for Georgia

Visitors from the Republic of Georgia were hosted by the ISC as they sought information about U.S. efforts to prevent crime among teenagers for their reference in developing their own models and strategies to prevent youth violence in Georgian schools.

The visitors included:

Ms. Ekaterine KVIRIKASHVILI: School Principal, Tbilisi Public School No. 82

Mr. David LAGVILAVA: Principal, Public School No. 51

Ms. Nata MEPARISHVILI: Child Psychologist

Ms. Maka PERADZE: Assistant Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs

Ms. Sopio TODUA: Journalist

Ms. Nino UDZILAURI: Chief Specialist, Research Division Ministry of Education and Science

The visitors were accompanied by: 

Mr. Alexander Tetradze, Georgian Language Officer

Ms. Irina Moore, Georgian Language Officer

Religious Diversity in the US: A Project for Vietnam

 

THE ROLE OF RELIGION IN CIVIL SOCIETY: A Regional Project for Africa

 

The pictures were taken outside the Synagogue in downtown Huntsville.  September 25-28, 2007

Thailand - State and Local Government

ISC hosted Dr. Vichien Tansirikongkhon, Acting Dean, College of Politics and Governance, Mahasarakham University and his interpreter, Mr. Kopkun Gardner, for a visit focusing on these objectives:

• To examine the U.S. federal structure, with particular emphasis on the division and distribution of power to state and local government entities including taxing powers and inter-jurisdictional issues;
• To comparatively explore state level governance with respect to varying populations, regions, and priorities;
• To study varying local government systems and policy implementation, including non-traditional communities;
• To examine cooperation amongst various levels of government in relation to services offered to citizens; and
• To look at NGOs that encourage local involvement and citizen activism in communities.

Dr. Tansirikongkhon first met with Madison Mayor Ms. Sandy Kirkindall for a discussion on municipal government structure, including the relationship between the mayor and city council and citizen participation in local government; relationship among city, county, and state governments. Next, the group traveled to the Madison County Courthouse in Huntsville, where they met with Ms. Fran Hamilton, Madison County Tax Assessor, to talk about Property Taxes: Taxes that Remain at the Local Level. The next stop was the Huntsville City Schools System where the group met with Finance Director Mr. Herbert Wheeler for a discussion of the source of school taxes, how those taxes are applied to schools and how those taxes benefit public schools.

After traveling to Montgomery, the group visited Democratic Headquarters, where they met with former Secretary of State Ms. Nancy Worley, to discuss state and local government and the decentralization of power. Next they met with Mr. Joe Turnham, Chairman of the Alabama Democratic Party, to discuss the "Voice of the People". Then the delegation traveled the the Church of Ascension to meet with the League of Women Voters for a panel discussion, led by Dr. Anne Permaloff, President, League of Women Voters of Montgomery, on "Citizen Participation in Government".

The next day, still in Montgomery, the delegation traveled to the Alabama State House, where they met with Mr. Jeff McLaughlin, Representative, Alabama House of Representatives, to discuss the division of power between state and local government. They then met with Ms. April Hall, Water Protection Specialist and Program Director, Alabama Rivers Alliance, to talk about how Alabama citizens are involved in protectin the state's water supply. The day was capped off with visits to the Rosa Parks Museum and the Civil Rights Memorial.

ISCBoard Member Gloria Vergara met Dr. Tansirikongkhon at the airport. Local Guides for Dr. Tansirikongkhon's visit were Pom and Henning. Pom and Henning Krone hosted Dr. T for dinner at their home.

Japan - The US System of Government, US-Japan Relations

ISC hosted Mr. Tsuyoshi Gibu, Mayor of Kin Town, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, and his consecutive interpreter, Ms. Ayako Timmons.

There were mutliple objectives for Mr. Gibu's visit:

 

• The U.S. system of government
• U.S.-Japan relations
• The role of state government in the promotion of regional investment
• Regional economic revitalization and business development
• City planning for the revitalization of downtown and other commercial districts
• Economic promotion measures at the federal and local level
• NGOs and its role in attracting foreign business
• The collaboration of municipalities, industry and academia in economic revitalization issues
• Involvement of officials in successful urban development projects
• U.S. tourism and its role in economic development
• The innovation of information technology
• Military facilities and public relations activities and its impact on local communities

First on the agenda was a visit to the Center for the Management of Science and Technology (CMOST) at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, where the delegation met with Dr. John P. Ballenger, Director of CMOST, for a discussion of CMOST's role in information technology and regional economic development. The group then traveled to the Huntsville Convention and Visitors Bureau to meet with Ms. Judy Ryals, President and CEO, who spoke about Huntsville and North Alabama tourism attractions, issues that need resolution in the future, their relationship with the Alabama Tourism Department, and the anticipated impact of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC )on tourism in Alabama. Next the group met with Huntsville Mayor Loretta Spencer, who welcomed them to Huntsville and gave a brief overview of her work with Redstone Arsenal, including its importance to the City and the efforts required to sustain this very important relationship.

Next day, the group traveled to the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce, where they met with the District Director, Mr. Jim McCamy, to talk about congressional cooperation and input into the BRAC plan. Next, still at the Chamber of Commerce, the group met with Mr. Mike Ward, Vice President of Governmental Affairs, who spoke with them about the role of the Chamber of Commerce in the area's economic development, the Chamber's role in Brac, and community/military base relations. The delegation then traveled to Alabama Industrial Development Training (AIDT), to meet with Project Manager Mr. John Carter, who presented an overview of AIDT and local strategies for attracting investment. Next the group went back to the Chamber of Commerce to meet with Redstone Arsenal Public Affairs Officer Mr. Dan O'Boyle, for a discussion of BRAC from the point of view of Redstone Arsenal, community relations, the Arsenal and the community.

ISC Manager of the Diplomatic Corps Ms. Lania Rivamonte met Mr. Gibu and Ms. Timmons at the airport. Local Guide for Mr. Gibu's s visit was Aelwyn Thomas.

India - Effects of Federal, State and Local Policy on Agriculture

ISC hosted Dr. Sannadi Baskar Reddy, Senior Assistant Director of the Agriculture Sector, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry. Dr. Reddy was accompanied by Mr. Robert Hajek, English Language Officer.

The focus of Dr. Reddy's visit was to:

• Analyze the effects of federal, state, and local policy, legislation and programs on agriculturally-focused communities
• Observe agribusiness in the U.S. vis à vis small, medium, and cooperative farming operations, farmers markets, wholesale marketing and distribution, and public/private partnerships
• Examine agricultural research and training at the post-secondary education level, including alternative fuel sources
• Investigate environmental impact of U.S. farm policies, including the scarcity of water and pesticide use

While in Huntsville, Dr. Reddy met with Dr. Rao Mentreddy, Associate Professor, Dept. of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, Dr. Zachary Senwo, Interim Research Director, Dr. Martha Verghese, Interim Chairperson, Food and Animal Sciences, and Dr. Ken Ward, Coordinator, Forestry, Ecology, and Wildlife Program, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, all of Alabama A&M University, for a discussion of agricultural studies at Alabama A&M. The meeting was followed by a tour of the Alabama A&M research facilities, and the Winfred Thomas Agricultural Research Station.

The group then traveled to Heart of Dixie Popcorn, to meet with Mr. Sam Darwin, Owner and President, for a discussion of how Mr. Darwin got involved in international trade. This was followed by a visit to the Charles Stone Agricultural Center at the Madison County Extension Office. Here, Dr. Reddy met with Mr. Walter B. Harris, County Extension Coordinator, for an overview of what the Extension Office does for rural development and the 4-H program, which focuses on youth.

Dr. Reddy also visited C.T. Garvin Seed & Feed Inc., where he met with Mr. Chris Garvin, Co-owner, for an overview of the products at C.T. Garvin and how the business helps farmers with their daily needs. Next stop was First South Farm Credit, where the group met with Randy Allen, Manager, for a discussion of current farm financing concerns in Alabama, particularly drought-related problems.

The group visited the cotton farm of Ray and Gerry Coffey, where they discussed the North Alabama agrarian community, the intricacies and education needed to be able to stay abreasst in farming today, farm acreage and modern, high-tech equipment.

ISC Executive Committee Member Hanu Karlapalem met Dr. Reddy at the airport. Local Guides for Dr. Reddy's visit were John and Linda Dimmock, Aelwyn Thomas, Storm Swendsboe. Dr. Rao Mentreddy (Alabama A&M) and his family hosted Dr. Reddy for dinner at a local restaurant.

 

Vietnam - Rural Development

ISC hosted a delegation from Vietnam, consisting of Mr. Thang Cong Hoang, Deputy Director, Dak Nong Department of Planning and Development, Mr. Manh Dinh Tran, Chairman, Tuy Duc District People's Committee, Dak Nong Province, Dr. Dung Anh Duong, Chief, Epidemiology Department, Langson Provincial Preventive Medicine Center, and their consecutive interpreter, Mr. Thanh Vuong.

In Guntersville, the delegation visited the Marshall County Economic Development Council, where they met with President and CEO Mr. Matt Arnold, and Vice-President Mr. Grant DeMuth, for a discussion of citizen participation in rural economic development; relationship between local government and businesses; the diverse workforce in Albertville (significant Hispanic population); the issue of water and economic development: how local citizens work with the Alabama state government on the resolution of the current drought. Representative Jeff McLaughlin, Alabama House of Representatives, stopped by to greet the group. The group then traveled to the Sand Mountain Regional Seed Bank, where they met with Dove Stackhouse, Owner, Sand Mountain Seed Banki, Ms. Charlotte Hagood, Director, Clean Food Network, and Mr. Russel Stackhouse, Farmer to Farmer Mentoring Program, to discuss their respective organizations.

In Cullman, the delegation visited Festhalle Market Platz, where they met with Market Manager Mr. Jimmy Simms for a tour of this count-supported farmers' market and a discussion of how the Cullman Economic Development Office supports the market. They then traveled to Cullman City Hall to meet Cullman Mayor Dr. Donal Green, to talk about integrating agriculture into a county's economy, cooperation between city and county governments to support rural business, participation of citizenry with the local government, and recent issues of concern and their resolution. The group had lunch with Alabama legislator Mr. James Fieldsand discussed key rural economic issues in Cullman County requiring attention and funding at the state level. Next the delegation traveled to the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce, where they met with Economists Mr. William Holt Hardin Jr. and Mr. Robert L. Page, and County Extension Coordinator Ms. Elaine Cole to talk about how the federal government provides services for the success of area agribusiness, the products produced, the markets available, and exports. Next the group visited Peinhardt Living History farm for a tour of the facility and a discussion of efforts to interest young people in agriculture.

ISC Program Assistant, Brittany Luchtefeld met the delegation at the airport. Local Guides for the visit were Storm Swendsboe, Luba Cehelska, Lania Rivamonte. Ms. Annette Philpo't and her family hosted the group for dinner.

Tunisia - New Information and Communication Technologies

ISC hosted Mr. Abdelmajid Jalled, Professor of Graduate Studies and Mr. George Thomas, Escort Interpreter. The focus of the visit was new and emerging technologies in information and communications.

In Huntsville, Mr. Jalled visited Calhoun Commmunity College, Technologies Division, where he met with Mr. Jim Swindell, Assistant Dean for Technology Education, to discuss the College's Technical Education Curricula and opportunities. The group then traveled to ADTRAN, Inc., where they met with Stacy Givens, Coordinator of Student Progress, for an overview of ADTRAN's Co-op program and how ADTRAN recruits students and qualified college graduates through its cooperative engineering program. Then they were off to Alabama A&M University, where they met with Dr. Trent Montgomery, Dean, School of Engineering and Technology, for a discussion of A&M's College of Engineering and Technology curriculum.

The next day Mr. Jalled visited the Center for the Management of Science and Technology (CMOST) at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, where he met with Dr. John P. Ballenger for an overview of CMOST and the research CMOST conducts. Also at UAH, the group visited the Office of Technology Commercialization (OTC )to meet with the Director, Mr. Kannan Grant, to discuss how OTC works with faculty and research staff engaged in patenting innovations, copyrights, software innovations anduniversity policies with regard to inventions and innovations.

ISC Board Member Frank Fleming met Mr. Jalled at the airport. Local Guides for Dr. Reddy's visit were Storm Swendsboe, Brittany Luchtefeld, and . Bill & Shirley Leonard hosted Mr. Jalled for dinner.

Corporate Social Responsibility - a Project for Brazil

The delegation from Brazil consisted of:

• Mr. Daniel Bagdeve De Oliveira Almeida, Business Consultant, Lantech Connectivity and Systems LTD
• Mr. Paulo Augusto Oliveira Itacarambi, Executive Director, Ethos Institute
• Ms. Ana Christina Romano Mascarenhas, Manager, Energy Efficiency and Corporate Social Responsibility Programs, Bahia State Electricity Company (COELBA)

The group was a ccompanied by Mr. Rene Costales, Consecutive Interpreter.

The group first traveled to Alabama Industrial Development Training (AIDT), where they met with Mr. Ronnie Smith, Manager, for an overview of AIDT and job training, and a tour of the facility. They then visityed the United Way of Madison, to meet with Ms. Rena Anderson, VP of Investor Relations, for a discussion of fundraising and corporate social responsibility in northern Alabama. The group then visited Redstone Federal Credit Union for a meeting with Ms. Mary Grace Evans, Assistant Vice President of Business Development, to discuss RFCU's process and reasoning for their community involvement and corporate social responsibility.

The next day, the group traveled to the National Children's Advocacy Center to meet the Development Director, Ms. Catherine Hereford, for an overview of the NCAC and a discussion about corporate social responsibility programs, with details about corporate involvement, best practices, fundraising strategies, and awareness efforts from the perspective of the non-profit organization. Next the group visited the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce, for a discussion of the growth and economic development of Huntsville/Madison County and the challenges of socially responsible business with Mr. Ethan Hadley, Vice President of Economic Development.

ISC Board Member Frank Fleming met the delegation at the airport. Local Guides for the group's visit were Aniceto Bagley and Setareh Tajbakhsh.