February 2010

Week of February 14-17, 2010
Corruption and Accountability- Uganda
(HOME HOSPITALITY  DINNER HOSTS NEEDED)

Five professionals from Uganda, including State Attorneys, Auditors, Communications Officers, and Inspectors, will be coming to our city on the topic of Accountability and Corruption within the government.  They will examine our city as a case study on both corruption that has occurred in the past and the preventative measures, legislation, and civic action that resulted from these events to prevent their repetition. They will meet with a variety of government offices and universities to discuss their own experience with the theme.

February 25-March 2, 2010
Globalization- Latin America
(HOME HOSPITALITY  DINNER HOSTS NEEDED)

Guests representing Columbia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela will be coming to our city on the topic of globalization. The guests include the Deputy Editor of Daily Portafolio, Director, Revista Actualidad Economica , the Regional Under Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Counselor for International Economic Matters, and project managers. The project aims to review major developments and trends in economic globalization and their impact on the United States and the Western Hemisphere; To present an overview of the major developments in global, regional, and sub-regional trade alliances such as the WTO, FTAA, and CAFTA as well as bilateral trade agreements;  To examine the patterns in foreign investment in emerging economies and developed countries with special focus on the Western Hemisphere; and To expose participants to the U.S. economic system and domestic economic forces that influence U.S. trade policy and the policy-making process.

The participants will visit geographically diverse regions of the country to examine their response to the globalization process. The group will gain insight into the repercussions of global economic integration on the local and regional economies. The local agendas will demonstrate how local businesses, industry, and workers have been affected by free trade agreements, shifts in international business patterns, relocation of businesses to foreign countries, outsourcing of jobs overseas, and a more competitive global market. Participants will also explore the significance of the international flow of technological advances and research and development to increased productivity and industrial growth. 

March 2010

March 3-5, 2009
Emerging Markets- Brazil
(HOME HOSPITALITY  DINNER HOSTS NEEDED)
Five guests, including economists, business managers, and international relations advisors will be visiting our city to discuss the current emerging markets in the economy.  Goals of project TBA.

March 11-17, 2010
Windows on America- Youth Exchange Program from Germany
(OVERNIGHT HOME STAY  HOSTS NEEDED)

The Cleveland Council on World Affairs will be hosting the Windows on America (WoA) youth exchange program from Hamburg. The WoA program includes 10 German high school students and 3 adult chaperones – 2 German teachers and 1 German-speaking program officer from Washington, DC).The Windows on America youth exchange program for German students was founded by US Ambassador Timken and his wife Sue to promote the participation in bilateral exchanges of students from Germany who have immigrant backgrounds. The Windows on America program (WoA) is to provide students of diverse national and ethnic background a 10 to 14-day educational program in the U.S. including several days of educational sightseeing, observing American high-school classes, leadership training, appointments  and a home stay experience.

Host Family: Both student and adult participants will stay with local host families with children of the same age for the program. The home stay experience is an integral component of the program and is exceptionally rewarding for both the German participants and their American family. Host families are asked to provide their visitor with a private bed and meals and to integrate their German visitor in various aspects of the family life and to provide first-hand exposure to American life and culture.

March 10-15, 2010
Women and Justice
(HOME HOSPITALITY  DINNER HOSTS NEEDED)

This program will bring women in the legal field, including judges, attorneys, law enforcement officers, NGO leaders and advocates for legal and humanitarian rights for women around the world to our city. Visitors will represent a collection of countries including  Germany,Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Nigeria, People's Republic of China, Ghana, Bosnia, Turkey, Jamaica, India, Rwanda, Mexico, Iraq, Oman, Liberia, and Cape Verde. The project will aim to promote an appreciation for the rule of law and fair, transparent, accessible and independent judiciaries around the world; To recognize the global problem of violence against women and women’s lack of access to justice; To create professional linkages among women in the legal field working to promote international cooperation in strengthening women’s access to justice.

This Multi-Regional program will address the global challenge of providing women greater access to justice and equal treatment under the law. At the state and local levels, the participants will be exposed to the full extent of the U.S. legal system. They will take part in hands-on activities such as observations of court proceedings, meetings with judges, defense attorneys, and public defenders, visits to local police headquarters, correctional facilities, women’s shelters, counseling centers, health and mental health care centers, and community victim support services. The program will also highlight the role of advocacy organizations and the media in educating the public about domestic violence and related issues.

To address the importance of access to education and economic opportunities for women and girls, the program will include school visits and a visit to a university law school. Participants will meet with faculty and students to discuss current trends in curriculum relating to legal and policy issues affecting women, such as domestic violence, discrimination, sexual harassment, health care, poverty, civil rights and other legal issues. The group also will visit a legal aid clinic. Professional networking opportunities will be provided throughout the program and participants will discuss women’s leadership in the legal field. 

March 20-April 3, 2010
Cleveland Students travel to Serbia

The Cleveland Council on World Affairs has selected three students from greater Cleveland to travel to Serbia from March 20th- April 3rd. This is the 2nd half of a reciprocal student exchange project from Serbia that the Council hosted in Cleveland in May 2009. This project is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and Office of Public Affairs, U.S. Embassy, Belgrade.

High school students from Denver, Colorado; Huntsville, Alabama; Seattle, Washington; Cleveland, OH; and Louisville, KY were invited to apply for participation in the Serbia Exchange Program for American Students to Serbia, with accompanying teachers, educators or community leaders. This two-week program offers 12 students and 3 teachers/community leaders the opportunity to explore Serbian culture, community activism and the role of youth in Serbian society. The program objectives for the American Exchange to Serbia are to:

1. Better understanding of context of Serbian society, with focus on role of civil society and youth initiatives;
2. Better understanding of youth position and youth related issues in Serbia and U.S.;
3. Getting to know educational system and community activism; and
4. Presenting relevant issues of American society (education, youth, civil activism, culture).

We expect that participants will return home with the knowledge, skills, new ideas and enthusiasm to create positive relations between Serbia and the U.S., but also see concrete examples of civic activism and youth leadership, and diversity appreciation, which they can apply to their communities in the U.S.

Participants are required to prepare a short paper previous to departing for Serbia on topics and themes related to Serbia and include; environmental protection; the legacy of socialism and communism in Eastern Europe; the challenges of creating a civil society in a society that is going through a social, political and economic transition and ethnicity and gender issues. Participants will also be required to submit 2-3 journal entries while in Serbia and prepare presentations about their learning experience at the end of the program.

After dozens of applications and interviews, the CCWA selected Terry Conlon from Shaker Heights High School, Holly Rapp from Gilmour Academy and Heidi Kallenborn from Perry High School. These students were selected based on: 1.) a demonstrated interest and commitment to volunteer and civic activities 2.) ability to work cooperatively in diverse groups and tolerate the opinions of others 3.) leadership potential 4.) good social and communication skills 5.) academic performance 6.) energetic, positive attitude and 7.) the ability to implement projects that benefit the applicant’s school and community.

March 31-April 6, 2010