Public Invited to Community Conversation about Pittsburgh Region's Global Future; GlobalPittsburgh Hosting Session Oct. 26 with Power of 32 Visioning Project

Globally-minded residents of the Greater Pittsburgh Region are invited to share their opinions and ideas about the region’s future as a hub of international connections and cultural diversity on Tuesday October 26, 2010 in the University Club Gold Room near the University of Pittsburgh from 6-8 p.m.

GlobalPittsburgh, which attracts and engages internationals in the region, has partnered with Power of 32, a regional visioning project, to host a Community Conversation about the region’s global future. The University Club is located at 123 University Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15260.

Power of 32 is a regional initiative that provides an opportunity for all of the 4.2 million residents of the region, which encompasses 32 counties and crosses four states, to actively participate in creating a shared vision for the region's best future.

This is a free event, but pre-registration is requested by calling 412-392-4513 or emailing tcbuell@gmail.com.

In announcing the hosting of this Community Conversation, GlobalPittsburgh also committed to including the counties in the Power of 32 region in its programs and services.

“We strongly agree that the Pittsburgh region extends beyond county and state borders,” said GlobalPittsburgh President Roger O. Cranville. “In fact, we have already made several positive connections in West Virginia in our efforts to connect the region with the world, and will continue to expand our scope throughout the Power of 32 footprint.”

The Power of 32 is the largest visioning effort ever undertaken and differs from other planning efforts that have occurred in our area in that it recognizes the region has common challenges and opportunities in the global economy, but is larger than the scope of any one political entity, authority, or organization.

“We are extremely pleased that GlobalPittsburgh has become a region-wide partner, “ said Selena Schmidt, Executive Director of Power of 32. “Our initiative is modeled on other successful efforts in Torino, Italy and Essen, Germany. GlobalPittsburgh, which is connecting and developing our international community to the world, is a great partner in our efforts to show what can be done through the power of collaboration.”

The 32 counties included in the visioning effort – 15 in southwestern Pennsylvania, five in eastern Ohio, 10 in north central West Virginia, and two in western Maryland – represent the cultural, geographic and economic region with metropolitan Pittsburgh at its hub.

The Power of 32 project does not have a pre-determined set of issues, and aims to include the broadest possible public participation from both people within the region and former residents around the globe. For more information, go to www.powerof32.org.

For more than 50 years, GlobalPittsburgh, formerly known as the Pittsburgh Council for International Visitors, has forged relationships between the Greater Pittsburgh Region and the global community through citizen diplomacy – connecting people and institutions in the region with audiences around the world through a wide range of hosting, training, networking, educational and outreach programs and services.

GlobalPittsburgh engages international delegations, groups and individuals by creating itineraries and facilitating introductions through the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program and other international programming agencies in many fields, including energy and environment, life sciences and medicine, education, business and technology, clean/green design, advanced manufacturing, arts and culture, government and finance, social services and law, and other areas.

GlobalPittsburgh welcomes individuals and families to engage in citizen diplomacy as dinner and home stay hosts, tour guides, office and event volunteers, and greeters for visiting delegations and individuals, and also provides activities for internationals and globally-minded residents through the GlobalPittsburgh Connect program.
 
For more information about GlobalPittsburgh, go to www.globalpittsburgh.org or contact Thomas Buell, Jr., GlobalPittsburgh VP-Communications, at 412-392-4513 or 412-720-2218, or by email at tcbuell@gmail.com.