Ireland Seeks to Get Greener With Help from Pittsburgh - Delegation to Study Region's Sustainability Programs

Pittsburgh's environmental turnaround is so significant that even the Irish are coming here to get greener.

A delegation of sustainable technology company representatives from Northern Ireland will travel to Pittsburgh from February 21-24 to observe first-hand the region's transformation from heavy industry to a knowledge-based economy.

Sponsored by the Northern Ireland government, the visit is part of a strategy to build capacity in Northern Ireland’s emerging sustainable technology and renewable energy sectors, and develop international opportunities for Pittsburgh area companies and organizations, according to Jim Lamb, President of the Ireland Institute of Pittsburgh and the newly-named Honorary Consul for Ireland in Western Pennsylvania.

Shortly after Pittsburgh was selected to host the 2009 G-20 Summit, business facilitators on both sides of the Atlantic began encouraging research and development, education and skills, business, trade, and investment in sustainable technology between the Pittsburgh region and Northern Ireland. By 2010 the Northern Ireland Government released a region-wide initiative called “Carbon Zero Northern Ireland.”

Through an unprecedented collaboration between Southwest College, Dungannon, Northern Ireland and the Ireland Institute of Pittsburgh, CZNI brought 10 graduate engineers to Pittsburgh to participate in the Sustainable Leadership Program. This includes a full-time internship in sustainable technology, a “Master Class” series of biweekly workshops, tours, and seminars with Pittsburgh area leaders in sustainable practices.

Northern Ireland companies and universities will engage with Pittsburgh counterparts to explore opportunities of mutual interest. And the graduate engineers on placement in Pittsburgh currently will showcase their work and life experiences, seeking employment upon their return home later this year.

Assisting the Ireland Institute of Pittsburgh in hosting this delegation are the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance, Pittsburgh City Council, Allegheny County’s Office for Sustainability, and various private and public agencies.

For more information on the delegation contact Jim Lamb at 412-394-3900 or go to www.iiofpitt.org. READ FULL ARTICLE

Workshop to Focus on Cross-Cultural Communications in the Workplace - Feb. 23

A workshop focusing on cross-cultural communications in the workplace will be held Feb. 23 from 8:30-11 a.m. at the Western Pennsylvania Diversity Initiative office in the City-County Building in downtown Pittsburgh.

Titled "Bridging the Cross-Cultural Communication Gap in the Multicultural Workplace," this interactive, participative workshop will provide guidelines and information on how to communicate more clearly, efficiently and considerately with people from other cultures, especially with those who speak English as a second language.

Presenters for the event are Rhonda Coast, President of International Development Resources, and Lynda Stucky, President of ClearlySpeaking, LLC.

Cost of the event is $10 for WPDI members and $20 for non-members.

The WPDI office is located at:
414 Grant Street
City-County Bldg., Room 920
Pittsburgh, PA 15219

CLICK HERE to register for this event.

Globalization is bringing people together from around the world, creating a global economy and work environment that require increased and effective communication between cultures.

Communication is at the heart of cross-cultural understanding. People from other countries and cultures show subtle differences in their ways of thinking and communicating. Understanding these differences and how they impact day-to-day work life is essential for reaching organizational goals as well as for achieving and maintaining successful personal working relationships. READ FULL ARTICLE

Series of International Cultural Events Scheduled at Avonworth High School Starting Feb. 10

Avonworth High School announces its series of informal discussions and events to develop international connections and awareness of our global neighbors during "Global Evenings at Avonworth" starting on Thursday, February 10 at 7 p.m.

The special topic for the kickoff event is "Pittsburgh's Growing Connections to East Asia: Partnerships with China and Japan." Featured speakers for this event are Frank Li, Founding Member, Pittsburgh China Chamber of Commerce, Annie Macher Prucey, Vice President, World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh, and Donna Lee Siple, Executive Director, Japan-America Society of Pittsburgh.

For decades, Pittsburgh has enjoyed strong economic, political, and cultural ties to East Asia. Today, many opportunities exist for dynamic and new partnerships to be forged with China and Japan in key sectors such as education and business. Join us to hear the latest developments on this region's connections to Japan and China through presentations, dialogue, and discussion with local experts.

This event with a discussion and an opportunity for questions will be held in the Avonworth High School Library. Light refreshments will be served. For further information and to R.S.V.P, please call 412 366-6360 ext. 1609.

The next event in this global series is the Multicultural Dinner and Festival for Saturday, February 19, 2011, and the final event is planned for Thursday, April 7, 2011. Further information will be available closer to each program date.

Avonworth High School is located at 304 Josephs Lane, Pittsburgh, PA 15237 (Off I-279 Parkway North at the Camp Horne Road exit)

For information, contact Kathy at 412 366-6360 ext. 1609.

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