GlobalPittsburgh Hosts Indonesian Filmmakers Interested in Developing Regional Film Industry In Their Home Country

GlobalPittsburgh recently created a program for visiting Indonesian filmmakers who were participating in the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program to learn about the filmmaking industry and filmmaking communities in the United States.

While in Pittsburgh, the filmmakers met with the Silk Screen Asian American Film Festival, Pittsburgh Filmmakers, CMU’s Entertainment Technology Center, Steeltown Entertainment Project, Pittsburgh Film Office, and presented films at a reception held by Robert Morris University. They also got into the Steelers spirit with their State Department representative (see photo).

The purposes of the filmmakers' visit were to explore film as a form of free speech and a voice in public discourse on society, politics, and culture; visit institutions that support emerging and independent filmmakers and promote diversity and innovation in the filmmaking industry, observe new technologies that make film production and distribution accessible to a wider range of artists; and examine how the film industry supports local economic development.

A GlobalPittsburgh host family provided a hospitality dinner for these delegates during their stay. Anyone interested in meeting and having visitors such as these leaders in their homes for dinner or meeting them at events, is welcome to become a member of GlobalPittsburgh. A printable membership form is available at http://www.pciv.org/gp_registration.pdf.

GlobalPittsburgh thanks the organizations and hosts who met these delegates, and also to the delegates for visiting Pittsburgh.

For photos of these and other visiting delegations, go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/globalpittsburgh.

In addition to the Indonesian delegation, GlobalPittsburgh is coordinating itineraries for other groups this month, including:

• A group of Polish energy officials from that country’s mining and environmental protection ministries meeting with energy-related resources in the Pittsburgh Region to learn about shale gas development in the region.

• A group from Korea spending a month in Pittsburgh studying English at the Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council and participating in cultural and social activities while living in the homes of citizen diplomats.

These visiting delegations are among the dozens of international groups coming to Pittsburgh each year through GlobalPittsburgh to connect with individuals, organizations and companies in their respective fields.

The groups come to the United States through the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program and other programming organizations to learn from centers of excellence around the country. GlobalPittsburgh is the designated liaison for the design and implementation of programming for IVLP participants in the Pittsburgh Region.

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.

Anyone interested in connecting with future delegations, or learning more about individual or corporate membership in GlobalPittsburgh, should call Gail Shrott, Vice President for Program Services, at 412-392-4513 or by sending email to gshrott@pciv.org. READ FULL ARTICLE

Turkish Ambassador Coming to Pittsburgh Feb 3 to Discuss Cooperation and Partnerships for New Century

Turkey and the United States: A Robust Partnership in the New Century
Discussion and Luncheon
Ambassador Namik Tan, Ambassador of Turkey to the United States
February 3, 2011
Noon to 1:45 pm
Rivers Club, 301 Grant Street, One Oxford Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
CLICK HERE for registration information.

Presented by the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh with support from Chatham University.

At the convergence of Europe, Asia and the Middle East, Turkey occupies a unique position on the world stage. With a democratically-elected government, high economic growth rates, and a populace that looks both East and West, Turkey remains an important ally for the United States in the region. Ambassador Namik Tan will discuss the relationship between the two countries, common concerns, and areas of cooperation.

Ambassador Namık Tan was appointed Ambassador of Turkey to the United States in February 2010. Prior to this appointment, he served as Deputy Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, responsible for bilateral political affairs and public diplomacy. He was previously Ambassador of Turkey to Israel from 2007 to 2009.

Ambassador Tan joined the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1982. After working in the Department of Maritime Affairs, he was posted to Moscow as Second Secretary from 1984 to 1987. He then spent two years as First Secretary in Abu Dhabi. After returning to Turkey, Mr. Tan served as the Deputy Chief of Cabinet to the Turkish President until 1991.

He was later assigned to the Turkish Embassy in Washington, where he served as Counselor from 1991 to 1995 and First Counselor from 1997 to 2001. Between these assignments, Mr. Tan served as Chief of Cabinet to the Turkish Foreign Minister. Upon his return to Turkey in 2001, he first served as Head of the Department for the Americas, and was subsequently named Head of the Information Department in 2002. He went on to serve as the spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 2004 to 2007.

Costs
$45 - World Affairs Council Members
$60 - Non-Member
$360 - Table of Eight (8)
*Please advise in advance of any dietary restrictions*
*No refunds for cancellations after February 1, 2011*

Questions?
Call 412-281-7970 or email welcome@worldaffairspittsburgh.org.

CLICK HERE to register now.

Download a PDF description by clicking here! READ FULL ARTICLE

Ireland Institute President Jim Lamb Named New Irish Honorary Consul for Western Pennsylvania

Jim Lamb, President of the Ireland Institute of Pittsburgh, has been named Honorary Consul of Ireland in Pittsburgh for Western Pennsylvania.

The announcement was made by Micheál Martin, T.D., Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ireland, who said Pittsburgh is one of several U.S. cities in which Ireland wants to develop and enhance greater links for trade and investment, culture, education, research, and community development.

"Pittsburgh represents a terrific opportunity for Ireland," Minister Martin said. "First class universities, a diverse knowledge-based economy, and a vibrant Irish American community are compelling factors for good partnerships.

"Jim has proven, over many years of service to Ireland and to Pittsburgh, his ability to direct activities and realize goals of mutual interest to Ireland and to Western Pennsylvania.”

The Ireland Institute is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland. The Institute fosters economic, academic, and cultural links between the greater Pittsburgh area and the island of Ireland. In this position, Lamb will represent the Government of Ireland in Western Pennsylvania.

Ambassador of Ireland to the United States, Michael Collins will visit Pittsburgh on Friday, January 21st to preside over the official installation of the Honorary Consul. Accompanying the Ambassador will be Consul General of Ireland, Noel Kilkenny. Local Congressmen Mike Doyle and Tim Murphy, and other leaders representing Pittsburgh’s business, academic, religious, political, and Irish communities will also be on hand for the installation.

For more information about the Ireland Institute of Pittsburgh, go to www.iiofpitt.org.
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Clyde Prestowitz to Discuss Global Competitiveness at Jan. 18 World Affairs Council Lunch

Fending Off Decline: Can the United States Remain Competitive in the Global Era?
Discussion and Luncheon featuring Clyde Prestowitz
Founder and President, Economic Strategy Institute, and
Author of The Betrayal of American Prosperity

January 18, 2011
Noon-1:45 p.m.
Duquesne Club, 325 Sixth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA

China's number one export to the United States?
$46 billion of computer equipment

The U.S. number one export to China?
$7.6 billion of waste paper and scrap metal

CLICK HERE to register now.

In light of the recent economic crisis, many analysts have suggested that the United States’ long-term economic competitiveness is being undermined. Facts like the one above illustrate the extent to which the fundamental pillars of American economic might have been eroded, and the challenges the U.S. now faces in competing with emerging economies who are wielding more power on the world stage.

Is the United States facing a terminal decline? How can we compete with fast-developing countries like China and India? Clyde Prestowitz will discuss the ways in which America’s shift from a manufacturing society to one of consumption undermined American prosperity, and how the United States can restore its economic leadership and excellence in a globalized, post-dollar age.

Prestowitz is the Founder and President of the Economic Strategy Institute (ESI) where he has become one of the word’s leading writers and strategists on globalization and competitiveness. An influential advisor to the U.S. government and global corporations, the New York Times has called Prestowitz one of the most far seeing forecasters of global trends. He was among the very first to warn of the approach of the recent economic crisis.

Previously, Prestowitz served as Counselor to the Secretary of Commerce in the Reagan Administration. He led many U.S. trade and investment negotiations with Japan, China, Latin America, and Europe. Before joining the Commerce Department, he was a senior businessman in the United States, Europe, Japan, and throughout Asia and Latin America. He has served as vice chairman of the President's Committee on Trade and Investment in the Pacific and sits on the Intel Policy Advisory Board and the U.S. Export-Import Bank Advisory Board.

Prestowitz regularly writes for leading publications, such as "New York Times," "Washington Post," and "Foreign Affairs." He is the author of the bestselling books "Three Billion New Capitalists," "Rogue Nation," and "Trading Places." His most recent book is "The Betrayal of American Prosperity: Free Market Delusions, America’s Decline, and How We Must Compete in a Post-Dollar Era."

Costs
$45
-World Affairs Council Members
$60
-Non-Member
$360
-Table of Eight
*Please advise in advance of any dietary restrictions*
*No refunds for cancellations after January 14, 2010*

CLICK HERE to register now
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GlobalPittsburgh Hosting Delegations In January Studying Shale Gas Drilling, Film Industry And English

Delegations from Poland, Indonesia, and Korea will visit the Pittsburgh region in coming weeks to study shale gas drilling, discuss the development and support of our region’s film industry, and learn English, respectively. Their itineraries and homestay arrangements will be coordinated by GlobalPittsburgh.

• The group of Polish energy officials from that country’s mining and environmental protection ministries will meet later this month with energy-related resources in the Pittsburgh Region to learn about shale gas development in the region.

• The group of filmmakers from Indonesia will meet next week with film industry representatives and filmmaking instructors in the region to learn about developing a local film industry; film festival planning and strategy; and the teaching of new technologies for film and video production.

• The group from Korea will spend a month in Pittsburgh studying English at the Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council and participating in cultural and social activities while living in the homes of citizen diplomats.

These visiting delegations are among the dozens of international groups coming to Pittsburgh each year through GlobalPittsburgh to connect with individuals, organizations and companies in their respective fields.

The groups come to the United States through the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (Poland and Indonesia) and other programming organizations to learn from centers of excellence around the country. GlobalPittsburgh is the designated liaison for the design and implementation of programming for IVLP participants in the Pittsburgh Region.

“These delegations provide economic and educational value to the people and the companies of the Pittsburgh Region in the form of potential business connections, future partnerships and lasting relationships,” said Roger O. Cranville, President of GlobalPittsburgh.

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.

Anyone interested in connecting with future delegations, or learning more about individual or corporate membership in GlobalPittsburgh, should call Gail Shrott, Vice President for Program Services, at 412-392-4513 or by sending email to gshrott@pciv.org.

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. READ FULL ARTICLE

Pittsburgh's Robert Burns Night Scheduled For Jan. 27 - Features Whisky, Haggis, Bagpiping

The British-American Business Council-Pittsburgh Region presents A Night in Celebration of Robert Burns 2011 on Thursday, January 27, 2011 from 6-8 p.m. in the Pennsylvania Room at the Pittsburgh Athletic Association. The event is open to all. Tickets are $50 per person.

Robert Burns is recognized as Scotland's best-loved poet and for more than 200 years people have been celebrating his birth with traditional Burns Night Celebrations. The British-American Business Council Pittsburgh Region (BABC) is proud to continue this tradition in Pittsburgh.

On January 27th the BABC presents the 13th Annual Night in Celebration of Robert Burns, capturing the true spirit of the Scottish heritage in the Pittsburgh region. The event features the finest selection of single malt scotch whiskies from the renowned Max Miller, traditional toasts, Scottish haggis, traditional bagpiping by Nick Hudson of the Balmoral School of Piping, and traditional Scottish music by David Shelow and Vince Burns.

In years past, the event has attracted people from all around the region, be it Scotsman or not, there is something for everyone who gather together for the festivities. We welcome you to join us to celebrate the New Year, entertain clients and colleagues, and network with peers and potential clients.

The Pittsburgh Athletic Association is located at 4215 Fifth Avenue in Oakland. Valet Parking is available. 

Please make your reservations online at www.babc-pittsburgh.org and click on the box Make Payment: Dues or Events, and select the Burns Night reservations from the drop down box. You may also complete the form below and send with payment via US Mail, or scan and send via email.


You may also print and return the information below.

13th Annual ~ An Evening in Celebration of Robert Burns

Thursday, January 27, 2010 ~ 6:00-8:00pm


I wish to attend at $50 per person. Please reserve _____ places.


Name(s)__________________________

Organization __________________________

Address____________________________

City, ______________State ____Zip_________

Phone____________________________

Email _________________________________

Check enclosed $_________ payable to BABC

*Charge $__________ Amex Visa MasterCard

Acct#

Exp. Date_______


Paying for guests:________________________

_______________________________________

_______________________________________

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