Chatham University Among Six U.S. Institutions Selected to Develop Study Abroad Programs with Indonesia

Pittsburgh's Chatham University is among six U.S. institutions selected to develop study abroad programs with Indonesia through the Institute of International Education’s Center for International Partnerships in Higher Education, it was announced today.

The IIE is launching the U.S. Indonesia Partnership Program for Study Abroad Capacity to help advance Indonesian higher education institutions’ capacity to provide high-quality study abroad programs for U.S. undergraduates. USIPP, a two-year initiative sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, will bring together six U.S. institutions with six Indonesian institutions to develop new, innovative study abroad opportunities for U.S. undergraduates in Indonesia and ultimately help Indonesian universities better prepare to host American students.

In addition to Chatham, the participating U.S. institutions are Lehigh University, Miami Dade College, Texas A&M University, University of Michigan, and University of Washington. Through IIE’s Center for International Partnerships in Higher Education and in collaboration with IIE’s Jakarta-based affiliate, the Indonesian International Education Foundation, the program will build a foundation for expanding academic partnerships between other U.S. and Indonesian institutions, enabling faculty and students at home and host campuses to deepen mutual understanding and broaden the ongoing exchange of individuals and ideas between the U.S. and Indonesia.

Over the two-year period, USIPP will work to develop and pilot six new study abroad programs for students from the United States. The initiative will interview the participating students and university administrators for feedback to identify lessons learned and next steps, so that institutions can provide high quality study abroad programs and prepare to host more international students in Indonesia. A final written report will serve as a hands-on tool for international education practitioners.

USIPP main goals are to help Indonesian institutions evaluate and improve their international capacity; identify both general and country-specific best practices in preparing for and building study abroad capacity, and disseminate these resources to the wider higher education community; deepen the academic engagement of faculty and institutions in the U.S. and Indonesia; and thus increase the number of U.S. undergraduate students studying abroad for credit in Indonesia.

According to IIE’s annual Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange, also supported by ECA, more than 7,000 students from Indonesia were enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities during the past several academic years, while less than 100 U.S. students studied abroad in Indonesia in academic year 2007/08 (the most recent year for which data is available).

"Strengthening the relationship between the U.S. and Indonesia through higher education is a critical goal for both countries, and it is an honor for IIE, in collaboration with IIEF, to facilitate constructive partnerships between institutions in the U.S. and Indonesia," says IIE President and CEO Allan Goodman. "The Institute has made a long term commitment, along with ECA, to deepening this relationship and looks forward to having an effective, sustained impact."

The Institute of International Education, a private not-for-profit organization founded in 1919, is a world leader in the international exchange of people and ideas. IIE designs and implements over 200 programs of study and training for students, educators, young professionals and trainees from all sectors with funding from government and private sources. These programs include the Fulbright Student and Scholar programs, the Gilman International Scholarship Program, and the Humphrey Fellowships, administered for the Department of State, as well as corporate and foundation training and scholarship programs. IIE also conducts policy research, provides advice and counseling on international educational opportunities abroad, and provides emergency support to students and scholars in danger. The Institute of International Education has a network of 18 international offices worldwide and more than 1,000 college and university members.


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Pittsburgh-Based Global Links Marks 400th Shipment of International Medical Aid Using Hospital Surplus Items

Pittsburgh-based international medical relief agency Global Links marks a major milestone in its 21-year history this week with its 400th shipment of critically needed medical supplies.

The 400th shipment, scheduled for today (Sept. 16), will be directed to hospitals and a primary care clinic in the Quiche region of Guatemala, an area hit hard by tropical storm Agatha in June 2010. This is the second of three relief shipments to the area.

Materials will include surplus medical supplies collected from Pittsburgh-area hospitals, including St. Clair, Jefferson, West Penn, Forbes Regional and hospitals in the UPMC health system, all of which have been matched to specific requests from doctors and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), who partnered with GL to support these shipments.

"A tremendous amount of meticulous planning and care go into preparing every shipment we send," says Global Links Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder Kathleen Hower. "Over 1,800 volunteers of all ages and all walks of life donate more than 7,000 hours of service each year helping us collect, sort, and pack mountains of donated medical surplus."

Global Links shipments have benefited patients in more than 700 hospitals around the world in medically underserved communities where the need for even basic materials is profound, Hower said. The organization works closely with the Ministry of Health in each recipient country to ensure that our efforts support a country’s health planning strategy.

Past shipments to Guatemala have included operating room lights, tables, surgical equipment and linens, and materials to establish and equip birthing suites and a new intensive care unit in Coatepeque.

Global Links is a registered 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization that collaborates with U.S. institutions to recover surplus medical materials before consignment to land-fills and makes them available to hospitals abroad through their ongoing programs.

Since its founding in 1989, Global Links has provided more than $160 million in critical medical aid to developing nations, including Bolivia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica and Nicaragua.

For more information, go to www.globallinks.org. READ FULL ARTICLE

Pittsburgh Hosting International Student Summit on Cyber Security and Civil Liberties Sept. 17 - Webcast Available

International Student Summit - Cyber Security and Civil Liberties
September 17, 2010
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. EDT
Cornell High School, 1099 Maple St., Coraopolis, PA 15108

On the occasion of Constitution Day, Cornell School District, the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh, the National Flag Foundation, and Allegheny Intermediate Unit 3 will present an International Student Summit on Cyber Security and Civil Liberties for high school students around the world.

The Student Summit will connect students in the Pittsburgh region to students in countries around the world through video conference and webcast, engaging them in a dialogue exploring the tensions between cyber security and civil liberties issues.

Students worldwide may participate in the Student Summit through the interactive webcast. Students will be able to pose questions and share their ideas in real time.

Over the past few months, popular international magazines, news channels, and blogs have alerted audiences to the threat of cyberwar. The recent creation of the United States Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM) and NATO’s Cooperative Cyber Defence (CCD) Centre of Excellence show just how seriously national governments and international bodies are taking this new threat.

As the world becomes increasingly dependent on the Internet, cyber attacks could affect technological infrastructure such as power grids and banking systems. However, no formal definition exists for cyberwar. How can countries distinguish between hacking and an outright act of war? As governments debate how to grapple with this new security threat, how can an international dialogue contribute to meeting this new global challenge?

History shows that times of war have called for special security measures, sometimes at the expense of civil liberties. What are militaries, governments, and corporations doing to protect the internet? And what effect will cyber security measures have on civil liberties?

These are just some of the issues to be debated during the Student Summit.

International Student Summit: Cyber Security and Civil Liberties Details:

* Participation at Cornell High School or via video conference or webcast.
* Panel discussion and Q & A session with leaders who will share their perspectives on key cyber security and civil liberties issues, including free speech and privacy.
* Interactive breakout sessions facilitated by local experts in which students will analyze and discuss a cyber security scenario.
* Debriefing session for groups to share their approaches to the scenario.

Tentative Schedule

9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Panel Presentation and Q & A Session

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Breakout Session

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Debriefing Session

Register Now!
Registration for the Cornell High School and video conference sites is open to students in grades 9-12. Students of all ages may participate in the webcast. To participate at Cornell High School or via video conference or webcast, please use the links below to register.

Participation at Cornell High School
Cornell High School can accommodate up to 350 student participants from throughout the Pittsburgh region. Registrations will be accepted on a rolling basis until the program is filled. Due to space constraints, each school will initially be limited to 30 participants. Additional students will be placed on a waiting list. Click here to register.

Participation via Video Conference
A limited number of schools can register to participate via video conference. Schools in the Pittsburgh region will be paired with international sites during the breakout session. Video conference equipment is required. Click here to register.

Participation via Webcast
Students throughout Pennsylvania, in other parts of the United States, and in other countries worldwide may participate in this International Student Summit through the interactive webcast of the panel from 9:00-10:30 a.m. Students will be able to pose questions and share their ideas in real time. Click here to register.

Click here to watch the live webcast on Friday, September 17, 2010.

Questions? Please contact Amiena Mahsoob or Allyce Pinchback at the World Affairs Council at amiena@worldaffairspittsburgh.org or allyce@worldaffairspittsburgh.org, or call (412) 281-7970.

A preparation guide is available for teachers to stimulate student thinking about cyber security and civil liberties issues prior to the event.


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Pittsburgh Mayor Ravenstahl Invited to Deliver Keynote Address at Prestigious Business Leaders' Council at Shanghai World Expo

Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl has been invited by the Mayor of Shanghai, China to deliver the keynote address next month at the annual meeting of the International Business Leaders' Advisory Council (IBLAC). The IBLAC advises Mayor Han Zheng on issues and opportunities regarding the city's economic transformation and rise to global prominence.

Ravenstahl will visit Shanghai and Seoul, South Korea from Oct. 6-15. He will travel with Chief of Staff Yarone Zober, Allegheny Conference on Community Development CEO Dennis Yablonsky and officials from the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance, a conference affiliate.

The IBLAC has invited Mayor Ravenstahl to share Pittsburgh's story of regional transformation during World Expo 2010 in Shanghai, one of the largest world's fairs in history, according to Bill Flanagan, executive vice president for corporate relations at the Allegheny Conference. The invitation was prompted by the visibility Pittsburgh received through the G-20 summit and arranged at the suggestion of the global chairman of Ernst & Young, he said on the Pittsburgh G-20 Partnership website.

In addition to delivering the keynote and meeting privately with government and business leaders, the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance, an affiliate of the Allegheny Conference, and the PA Department of Community & Economic Development are arranging meetings for the Mayor with prospects for business investment.

After the Shanghai conference the Mayor will travel on to Seoul, South Korea as part of Pittsburgh World Tour 2010, the post-G-20 outreach organized by the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance. Mayor Ravensthal will meet with the local organizing committee that is preparing to host the G-20 Summit in November. The South Korean government has called Pittsburgh a "global best practice" in conducting an international summit.
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GlobalPittsburgh Hosting Citizen & Corporate Diplomacy Summit October 7 - What Everyone Should Know to Succeed in Today's Global Economy

New Frontiers in Corporate and Citizen Diplomacy:
What every Executive and Citizen needs to know to Compete, Sustain, and Succeed in a Globalized World.
Thursday, October 7, 2010 at the DoubleTree Hotel, Downtown Pittsburgh
Featuring Cari E. Guittard, Business for Diplomatic Action

GlobalPittsburgh is pleased to welcome Cari Guittard, Executive Director of Business for Diplomatic Action (BDA) to Pittsburgh on Thursday, October 7th, for the GlobalPittsburgh Corporate and Citizen Diplomacy Summit.

Ms. Guittard will hold an interactive workshop, which will include other exemplary regional citizen and corporate diplomats in Pittsburgh on October 7, 2010. Please join GlobalPittsburgh in leading the Greater Pittsburgh Region toward excellence in Corporate and Citizen Diplomacy and promote yourself as a leader in this emerging field. This session will be beneficial to all those who wish to:

- Learn how Corporate Diplomacy is beneficial to individuals and employers
- Identify Corporate Diplomacy role models from CEOs to young executives prepared to share their experiences
- Discover how you can identify Corporate and Citizen Diplomacy opportunities for future growth
- Understand the importance of Corporate and Citizen diplomacy for executives, their staff, and for citizens
- Gain insights into the current administration in global engagement

Cost: $25 per person, includes program and reception.
Register by Friday, October 1st – seating is limited.
Please call 412-392-4513 for information or to make a credit card payment.
Mail: checks to GlobalPittsburgh, 650 Smithfield Street, Suite 1180, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Email reservation requests to GlobalPittsburghPat@Gmail.com
All reservations must be paid in advance.

Cari Guittard has represented Business for Diplomatic Action since 2003; a private sector led a-political, non-profit whose purpose is enlist the US business and citizen community in public diplomacy efforts aimed at building new bridges of respect and understanding for America with the world. She has traveled extensively to every region of the world working on State systems, developing, briefing and working with thousands of Ambassadors, Chiefs of Mission, Commanding Officers and senior US Government officials to include former Secretaries of State Albright and Powell and heads of U.S. based corporations. She speaks to hundreds of audiences each year and guest lectures at a variety of graduate schools and universities throughout the U.S. on issues ranging from public diplomacy and crisis communications to international affairs and foreign policy.

LOCATION
The DoubleTree Hotel
One Bigelow Square
Pittsburgh, PA, 15219 (downtown behind US Steel Building)
Time: Program - 2:30PM – 5:30PM; Reception - 5:30PM – 7:00PM

PROGRAM
Registration:
2:00PM-2:30PM

Session One:
Your Region Needs You!
2:30PM-3:45PM
Philadelphia Room

Beverage Break 15 minutes
3:45PM-4:00PM
Philadelphia Room

Session Two:
Being a Citizen Diplomat Overseas
4:00PM-5:30PM
Philadelphia Room

Networking Reception
5:30PM-7:00PM READ FULL ARTICLE

GlobalPittsburgh Selecting Local Student to Receive Grant to Attend National Conference in Washington, D.C. on World Affairs, Citizen Diplomacy

GlobalPittsburgh invites students or recent graduates ages 16-24 from the Greater Pittsburgh Region who are interested in world affairs to apply for a grant to attend a national conference on world affairs and citizen diplomacy in February. Deadline for application is Sept. 30, 2010.

As a part of its 50th Anniversary observance, GlobalPittsburgh’s parent organization, the National Council for International Visitors, is placing strong emphasis on developing multigenerational leadership and is launching the NCIV Citizen Diplomacy Program for Emerging Leaders.

With a grant from the Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation, six students will be selected to participate, including one from the Greater Pittsburgh Region. Those selected will attend the 2011 NCIV National Meeting in Washington, D.C., February 16-19, 2011. The theme of the conference is NCIV’s Next Half Century: Citizen Diplomats Shaping History.

The selected participants will receive:
• A $500 travel stipend
• Waived meeting registration fees
• Double hotel room accommodation

The goal of this program is to develop participants’ knowledge of world affairs, leadership and communication skills, and gain a better understanding of their responsibility to become citizen diplomats.

At the conference, selected participants will:
• Be paired with an NCIV member as a mentor
• Attend the NCIV 50th Anniversary Gala (February 16, 2011) as special guests
• Participate in an Emerging Leaders Concurrent Session
• Participate in a Concurrent Session on Utilizing Social Networks in Citizen Diplomacy
• Assist in hosting a foreign Washington, D.C. based diplomat at the annual NCIV Luncheon with the Ambassadors

Most importantly, at the conference, the selected participants will be collaborating to shoot and edit a video about engaging emerging leaders in citizen diplomacy. This video will serve as a training tool for citizen diplomacy organizations, posted on the NCIV website, and on YouTube and Facebook.

Students and recent graduates from all backgrounds and abilities are encouraged to apply, as NCIV will strive to recruit a diverse and representative class of emerging leaders to participate.

To apply, CLICK HERE for a printable application form or send an email to request an interactive application form to tcbuell@gmail.com. Send the completed form to Tom Buell at GlobalPittsburgh no later than September 30, 2010. Note: The application may be sent electronically to him at tcbuell@gmail.com or mailed to 650 Smithfield Street, Suite 1180, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For questions, please call 412-392-4513.
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