GlobalPittsburghNEWS

GlobalPittsburgh Hosting Visiting Energy, Environment and Cultural Delegations From Around the World in Coming Weeks

2012-01-19T14:23:00.002-05:00

GlobalPittsburgh has arranged for short-term, Spanish-speaking homestay hosts for a group of 21 students from Bolivia, Peru and Paraguay on the weekend of January 20-22, 2012.

These students, ranging in age from 19-25, are participating in a U.S. State Department sponsored program entitled Study of the United States Institute at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. Host families for the project will have their guests share in their regular weekend activities to help them to better understand American culture.

Last July, 11 host families welcomed students from Columbia, Ecuador and Venezuela into their homes for a weekend homestay for the same program. Those 18 English-speaking students, also participants in the Study of the United States Institute at George Mason University, were ecstatic about having the opportunity to stay with hosts and learn firsthand about life in the U.S.

Future programs currently in the planning stages at GlobalPittsburgh include:

February – A delegation of government officials, business representatives and educators from Andorra, Croatia, Greece, Ireland, Montenegro, Romania, Turkey, Ukraine and the United Kingdom will come to Pittsburgh to study Public-Private Partnerships. (This program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program.)

February – A delegation of government officials, business representatives and educators from Bolivia, Bulgaria, Hungary, India, Iraq, Israel, Nepal, Pakistan, Poland, Slovak Republic, South Africa, Tunisia and Vietnam will travel to both Morgantown, W.Va., and Pittsburgh to learn about energy and climate policy challenges, alternative energy research and development , and to discuss strategies to develop and secure diverse energy supplies (This program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program.)

February – Two energy experts from Indonesia will travel to the Pittsburgh region to learn more about water issues, urban forestry and environmental conservation, and fuel cell technology. (This program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program.)

March – A group of environmental leaders and policymakers from Kazakhstan will come to study energy and environmental issues in the region. (This program is sponsored by the Open World Leadership Center at the Library of Congress.)
For more information about becoming a GlobalPittsburgh host, please CLICK HERE.

GlobalPittsburgh Co-Hosting Feb. 22 Immigration Law Workshop For International Students, Employers and Administrators

2012-01-15T14:50:00.000-05:00

GlobalPittsburgh will co-host an immigration law workshop for international students, employers and university administrators on Wednesday, February 22 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the University Club, Ballroom B, in Oakland.

Also hosting the event are Vibrant Pittsburgh, Cohen & Grigsby and the Immigration Law Clinic of University of Pittsburgh School of Law.

The workshop will focus on Immigration and Employment Strategies for Hiring and Retaining Foreign Students and Graduates. Topics will include pre- and post-graduation employment options for foreign students, temporary work visas, green cards and immigration-related tax issues.

A presentation by the law firm of Cohen & Grigsby will be followed by an employer panel and a networking reception.

AGENDA
Welcome – Vibrant Pittsburgh3:00 - 3:05 p.m.
Cohen & Grigsby Immigration Workshop3:05 - 4:15 p.m.
• Pre- and Post-Graduation EmploymentOptions for Foreign Students
• Temporary Work Visas
• Green Cards
• Immigration-Related Tax Issues
Employer Panel4:15 - 5:00 p.m.
Networking Reception5:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Registration is requested. Please CLICK HERE to register.

Pittsburgh Hosting Intel International Science & Engineering Fair in May; Volunteers and Judges Needed

2012-01-14T18:19:00.001-05:00

Intel International Science and Engineering Fair 2012
David L. Lawrence Convention Center
Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaMay 13-18, 2012

The Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF), a program of Society for Science & the Public, the world's largest international pre-college science competition, is coming to Pittsburgh.

The premier global science competition for students in grades 9–12 provides an annual forum for more than 1,500 high school students from 65 countries, regions, and territories to display their independent research.

Volunteers Needed - Why Volunteer at Intel ISEF?
- Gain personal satisfaction and inspiration from these motivated young scientists and engineers.
- Support STEM education in Pittsburgh.
- Earn community service or outreach credit from your business, school, or institution.
- Take a break and give back to a good cause.

GENERAL VOLUNTEERS
More than 500 volunteers across a spectrum of activities are needed. Volunteer opportunities are available during the week in a range of shifts. We encourage you to explore all of the volunteer opportunities and experience Intel ISEF in your community. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

JUDGES
Judges are needed in 17 scientific disciplines across the sciences. Judging will take place at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center starting on the afternoon of Tuesday, May 15 through Wednesday, May 16, 2012. Judges must have a Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent (D.O., Ed.D., D.D.S., D.V.M., etc.) OR a minimum of six years related professional experience beyond receiving their B.A., B.S., or Master’s degree. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

INTERPRETERS
Student teams from 65 countries, regions, and territories participate in Intel ISEF. Approximately 200 interpreters are needed to work with students in conversational or scientifically-informed interpretation. Greatest demand is for Spanish, Russian, and Mandarin, but there is need anticipated for over a dozen languages. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

Contact us to learn more about volunteer opportunities at the Intel ISEF 2012 in Pittsburgh.

GlobalPittsburgh First Thursdays - Feb. 2 at Coriander India Grill & Bar - Great Networking Opportunities - FREE!

2012-01-13T07:51:00.002-05:00

The GlobalPittsburgh First Thursdays event for February will be held at Coriander India Grill & Bar on Thursday, February 2 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

GlobalPittsburgh First Thursdays is a regular monthly night of networking and socializing with different themes, different activities and different locations - but always with an international flavor - on the first Thursday of every month.

There will be free appetizers, bar specials, prize drawings and more. Admission is FREE and open to everyone (there will be GlobalPittsburgh membership information if you want to sign up at the door).

For more information, contact Tim Allen at 412-392-4513 or by email at tallen@globalpittsburgh.org.

Upcoming Activities Announced for GlobalPittsburgh Members - Now's the Time to Join the GlobalPittsburgh Network!

2012-01-10T09:10:00.001-05:00

Here's a list of activities and events planned this Winter and Spring for members of the GlobalPittsburgh Network. (If you're not a member yet, or you know somebody who would like to become a member, CLICK HERE or go to www.globalpittsburgh.org).

Saturday 21 January 2012
The Maridon Museum – We’ll visit the only museum in the Western Pennsylvania region with a specific focus on Chinese and Japanese art and culture. To learn more about the Maridon Museum, CLICK HERE.

Saturday 28 January 2012
Chinese Spring Festival – We’ll attend a celebration of the lunar new year. Date and location will be determined in January.

Thursday 2 February 2012
First Thursdays - Group dinner/networking event at local restaurant. February location: Coriander India Grill & Bar at 2201 Murray Avenue in Squirrel Hill. 5:30 to 8 p.m. Admission is free.

Saturday 4 February 2012
Snow Tubing - This is like sled riding but on an inner tube. We’ll be able to travel down the chute individually or as a small group. This is a lot a fun!

Saturday 18 February 2012
Volunteer at Global Links - Global Links is a local non-profit to helps hospitals in developing countries by sending them hundreds of tons of useful medical surplus. We’ll volunteer to help them continue to aid those in need. To learn more about Global Links, CLICK HERE.

Thursday 1 March 2012
First Thursdays - Group dinner/networking event at local restaurant. Location to be announced.

Saturday 10 March 2012
Volunteer at a Senior Citizen’s Center - We’ll volunteer at a regional Senior Citizens Center, where members will have an opportunity to share information about their countries and cultures with seniors living in the Pittsburgh region.

Saturday 17 March 2012
St. Patrick’s Day Parade - Experience the largest parade in Pittsburgh’s calendar and it usually had over 20,000 people in the parade. We’ll listen to live marching bands, see live Irish dancing, parade horses, Irish Floats, and lots of GREEN! We’ll then go to a warm restaurant for a group lunch.

Saturday 31 March 2012
Maple Syrup Festival - We’ll identify maple trees, collect sap, and reduce the sap to syrup. Americans love maple syrup on pancakes and we’ll be able to eat pancakes with freshly made maple syrup! We’ll also have an opportunity to see Civil War Re-enactments, meet mountain men, see/purchase antiques and crafts and more.

Thursday 5 April 2012
First Thursdays - Group dinner/networking event at local restaurant. Location to be announced. Send your suggestion for a venue you would like to see included.

Saturday 14 April 2012
Fallingwater - We’ll see Frank Lloyd Wright's most widely acclaimed work built in 1935 an example of organic architecture - the harmonious union of architecture and nature. This house is built over a waterfall. The house appears to be part of the waterfall and not stand on solid ground. To learn more about Fallingwater, CLICK HERE.

Saturday 28 April 2012
OPEN - What would you like to do? Send me your suggestions. (Hike in a state park, walking tour of Pittsburgh, tour of the Strip District, etc.)

Thursday 3 May 2012
First Thursdays - Group dinner/networking event at local restaurant. Location to be announced. Send your suggestion for a venue you would like to see included.

Saturday 12 May 2012
Plant Garden in Oakland - We’ll help the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and plant a garden next to Dippy the Dinosaur in Oakland. We’ll have a fun time while beautifying Pittsburgh!

Saturday 19 May 2012
Kennywood Park - We’ll visit a great American amusement park to ride amazing roller coasters, other amusement park rides. We’ll visit for Kennywood’s Asian Heritage Month celebration. The park will celebrate Asian heritage with Asian foods, music, dance and more. Date may change. To learn more about Kennywood Park, CLICK HERE.

Saturday 2 June 2012
Meadowcroft Rockshelter - We’ll visit Meadowcroft Rockshelter which is the oldest site of human habitation in North America. We’ll learn about the prehistoric hunters and gathers who used it 16,000 years ago. We’ll see a 16th Century Indian village and learn about the Eastern Woodland Native American life 400 years ago. To learn more about the Meadowcroft Rockshelter, CLICK HERE.

Thursday 7 June 2012
First Thursdays - Group dinner/networking event at local restaurant. Location to be announced. Send your suggestion for a venue you would like to see included.

Saturday 9 June 2012
Strawberry Picking - Visit a local berry farm to pick strawberries and try strawberry pie, strawberry jam, strawberries and pancakes, etc. Date to be determined.

Retired Mellon Bank Executive Jim Wolf Ties Kilimanjaro Climb to Fundraising for Program to Help African Orphans

2012-01-09T09:47:00.011-05:00

Pittsburgher Jim Wolf traveled the world as an executive serving international markets for Mellon Bank and later Standard Chartered Bank, but after retiring a few years ago he found he could not shake the travel bug.

Jim Wolf (left) prepares for his
ascent of Mt. Kilimanjaro

He found satisfaction in home-building programs in Africa through his Lutheran Church connections, and in raising money for schools and public works projects in Vietnam, where he had served in combat as a U.S. Marine, through the Pittsburgh-based Friends of Danang. But in a recent note to friends, he indicated that he was still looking for something more.

The challenge Wolf chose was to climb 19,300-foot Mt. Kilimanjaro in the central African nation of Tanzania. He is scheduled to reach the summit on Jan. 20, and his plan includes raising money for one of his favorite causes, AIDS orphans in Africa.

“You probably…know that I like challenges and find it hard to sit still for too long,” wrote Wolf, who recently stepped down as a board member and past Chairman of GlobalPittsburgh, formerly Pittsburgh Council for International Visitors. “And having made that decision, I also wanted to do it in such a way that it benefited others, not just me.”

Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania

Wolf is seeking donations to one of the projects in Africa in which he is most involved – 1001 Orphans, which raises funds to clothe, house, educate and feed children in Kenya who have been orphaned by AIDS.

“By working diligently with local schools and churches, we are able to do that for around $30 per child per month – a very small amount of money to give hope to a generation of kids so important to Kenya’s future,” Wolf wrote.

Wolf is also a current member of the boards of directors of the National Council for International Visitors, the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh, Brother's Brother Foundation and Concordia Lutheran Ministries.

He also has consulted on international business development issues for the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance, and, through his own initiative, works in concert with the Ambassador to the United States of the People’s Republic of Vietnam and the U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam and their staffs to help to develop trade and investment ties between Vietnam in the United States.

Fundraising for the Mt. Kilimanjaro climb is being directed through Concordia Lutheran Ministries, which is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

A flyer and donation form can be found by CLICKING HERE (page will open in new window).

Tax-deductible donations can be made by check payable to "Concordia Lutheran Ministries Angel Tear Fund" with "Jim Wolf's Kili Climb" on the memo line and mailed to:
Concordia Lutheran Ministries
c/o Development Office
134 Marwood Road
Cabot, PA 16023

Roger Cranville Steps Down as GlobalPittsburgh Executive Director; Donald Bonk Named Acting Executive Director

2012-01-06T08:08:00.005-05:00

PITTSBURGH, January 5, 2012 – Giselle Leonardo, Chair of the GlobalPittsburgh Board of Directors, today announced that Roger O. Cranville has stepped down as Executive Director of the organization.

GlobalPittsburgh has contracted with Donald M. Bonk to serve as Acting Executive Director. He served previously as Director of Strategic Business Connections at Carnegie Mellon University under a Heinz Endowments grant. He also earned a Master’s Degree in Public Management at Carnegie Mellon. He spent 7½ years as a Regional Coordinator in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s International Trade Program and has served the past eight years as a member of the U.S. Foreign and Commercial Service’s District Export Council. He is President of the University of Pennsylvania Alumni Club of Western PA/Pittsburgh, a member of the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s Pittsburgh Entrepreneur Fund Advisory Committee, and a graduate of Leadership Pittsburgh’s Class XXIV.

“Roger is pursuing other professional goals, and we wish him all the best,” Ms. Leonardo said. “Roger has been particularly valuable in attracting international business leaders and other key opinion leaders to our region. He has contributed greatly to the growth of this organization, which plays a very important role in connecting people, companies, universities, and governments in this region with their counterparts around the world. It also meets the needs of students from other countries who study in the region’s colleges and universities. We are grateful for his strong and lasting commitment to building international connections and global awareness in the greater Pittsburgh region.”

GlobalPittsburgh, formerly the Pittsburgh Council for International Visitors, is a non-profit organization that engages international delegations, groups and individuals by creating itineraries and facilitating introductions through the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) 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.

In an email message this week, Mr. Cranville told recipients "I have decided that after 2.5 years it is time for me to take my next career step. GlobalPittsburgh has been a great experience and enabled me to continue with my passion to contribute to the globalization and resulting economic growth of the Pittsburgh region. In August of 2009, I moved from my position on the board of directors to fulfill the role of Executive Director for PCIV. PCIV is now doing business as GlobalPittsburgh and, as such, has a larger footprint and greater regional impact. GlobalPittsburgh is now more diverse in its programs and services and poised for growth despite these challenging economic times. I thank my GlobalPittsburgh colleagues and members of the Board of Directors for allowing me the privilege of contributing to such a worthwhile organization."

For more information, go to www.globalpittsburgh.org.

Donald M. Bonk
Acting Executive Director
GlobalPittsburgh
650 Smithfield Street, Suite 1180
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Office: (412) 392-4513
Mobile: (814) 244-7888
dbonk@globalpittsburgh.org
www.globalpittsburgh.org

Attracting More Immigrant Entrepreneurs to Pittsburgh Would Spark New Jobs and Economic Growth, Expert Tells Regional Leaders at GlobalPittsburgh Conference

2011-12-20T12:58:00.010-05:00

Making the Pittsburgh Region more welcoming to immigrant entrepreneurs and focusing on immigrant innovation could help create new jobs and economic growth in the region. That was the message heard during a Dec. 20, 2011 conference coordinated by GlobalPittsburgh titled “Boosting Global Innovation - A Roundtable Discussion on Immigration.”

Richard T. Herman

Designed to launch a discussion on improving local attitudes and policies regarding immigration, the invitation-only conference featured Richard T. Herman, co-author of Immigrant, Inc. - Why Immigrant Entrepreneurs are Driving the New Economy and How They Will Save the American Worker, in addition to several of the region’s most prominent and successful international innovators and job creators who embody the value and importance of foreign-born entrepreneurs to the economic growth and cultural diversity of the Pittsburgh region.

Herman's research shows that rather that take jobs away from American-born workers, statistics show that immigrant entrepreneurs create new jobs by starting their own companies, and that other cities, states and even other countries are working hard to attract immigrant entrepreneurs to help boost their economies and create jobs.

Foreign-born entrepreneurs are more than twice as likely as the native-born population to start businesses that create jobs and economic growth, which benefit the entire region and all of its residents, Herman said.

For this event, which was held in the offices of sponsor Tucker Arensberg P.C., 35 of the region’s most prominent thought leaders and influencers came together for an on-the-record conversation about immigration designed to lead to a better understanding of the benefits of attracting and retaining international entrepreneurs, and set the stage for a constructive discussion on steps that can be taken to bring about positive change.

Participants included:

Adriana Dobrzcyka – Community Outreach and Inclusion Manager, Vibrant Pittsburgh

Rich Fitzgerald – Allegheny County Executive-Elect
Bill Flanagan – Allegheny Conference on Community Development
Brenda Frazier – Board member, Pittsburgh Partnership for Neighborhood Development; Former
member, Allegheny County Council
Evan Frazier – Senior Vice President Of Community Affairs, Highmark
Melanie Harrington - Executive Director, Vibrant Pittsburgh
Razi Imam – Founder, 113 Industries, Former President, TiE Pittsburgh
JoAnn Kazimer – Pittsburgh Field Office, US Citizenship & Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security
Pradeep Khosla – Dean, CMU College of Engineering
Jim Lamb – President, Ireland Institute of Pittsburgh, Honorary Consul for Ireland in Western PA
Frank Li – Merrill Lynch; Co-founder, Pittsburgh Chinese Chamber of Commerce
Tom Lippard - Executive VP and Senior Vice President, General Council, Tube City IMS
Jennifer Liptak – Chief of Staff, County Executive-Elect Rich Fitzgerald
Janine F. Macklin – CEO, Macklin Group
Gonzalo Manchego - Manager International Standards & Regulations at Center for International Regulatory Assistance at Duquesne University
Ganesh Mani – Global Innovation Center
Ralph Manning – Tucker Arensberg
Rajen Mookerjee – Professor of Economics, Pitt and Penn State
Tom Peterson – Managing Partner, Tucker Arensberg
Jonathan Raso – Southwest Regional Manager for U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey
Natalia Rudiak – Member, Pittsburgh City Council, District 4
Audrey Russo – President & CEO, Pittsburgh Technology Council
Ken Service – Executive Director, Pittsburgh Council on Higher Education
Piyush Seth – Tucker Arensberg
Krishna Sharma – Sherman Metals
Gail Shrott – Director of International Programs, GlobalPittsburgh
Steve Sokol – President, World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh
Xiaoyan Zhang – Founder and CEO, Kit Solutions

For more information about the Immigration Roundtable, contact Thomas Buell, Jr., GlobalPittsburgh Director of Marketing, at 412-392-4513 or 412-720-2218, or by email at tbuell@globalpittsburgh.org.

GlobalPittsburgh Presents International Bridge Awards to Foreign-Born Executives for Creating Jobs

2011-12-19T22:51:00.008-05:00

GlobalPittsburgh today presented its International Bridge Awards to two executives in the Pittsburgh region who have built important connections between Pittsburgh and the rest of the world, symbolizing the importance of foreign-born entrepreneurs to the region’s economic and cultural vitality.

Priya Narasimhan
Yinzcam, Inc

Receiving the GlobalPittsburgh International Bridge Award for New Company Executive was Priya Narasimham, founder and Chief Executive Officer of YinzCam, Inc., an interactive application for sports fans, and associate professor at Carnegie Mellon University, for “securing or creating jobs locally at a startup through global growth and also enhancing the reputation and international strength of the Pittsburgh region,” from Giselle Leonardo, Chairperson of GlobalPittsburgh.

Receiving the GlobalPittsburgh International Bridge Award for the Corporate Member Executive was Raymond S. Kalouche, Chief Operating Officer of Tube City IMS and President and Chief Operating Officer of the company's Mill Services Group, for “securing or creating jobs by creating company growth globally and thereby also enhancing the reputation and international strength of the Pittsburgh region,” from Chairperson Giselle Leonardo.

Narasimhan was born in India and raised in Africa, and came to the United States to study at UC Santa Barbara before coming to CMU. She created YinzCam based on her belief that Pittsburgh should exploit its unique combination of high-tech capability and sports mania. Yinzcam also developed the first smartphone application for Pittsburgh drivers to report potholes to the city roads department. The company now employs 10 people in Pittsburgh, a number that increases during peak sports seasons.

Raymond Kalouche
Tube City IMS

Kalouche was born in Lebanon and was sent by his parents to the United States at the age of 18 to escape the war in his home country and to pursue a college degree. He earned his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Civil Engineering from The Ohio State University before joining IMS in 1989. IMS combined with Tube City in 2004 to form Tube City IMS.

Tube City IMS is the largest provider of outsourced industrial services to steel mills in North America, with 79 customer sites in 10 countries, and operations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Trinidad, United Kingdom, Belgium, France, Serbia, Slovakia, the Middle East and Taiwan. The company employs approximately 300 people in Western Pennsylvania and 2,200 nationwide.

GlobalPittsburgh, formerly the Pittsburgh Council for International Visitors, is a non-profit organization that engages international delegations, groups and individuals by creating itineraries and facilitating introductions through the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) 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.

GlobalPittsburgh also recognized six members for hosting the most international visitors in their homes during 2011 and for “long and continuous service as a host or volunteer.” Receiving the GlobalPittsburgh Citizen Diplomat Awards were Rosemary Coffey, Ron Gaydos, Eva Hui, Adam Gubitosi, Christine Weaver and Clyde Weaver. The awards were presented by Chairperson Giselle Leonardo and Vice Chair Harry Edelman IV.

The organization also honored two of its partner resource organizations for hosting the most visiting delegations during the year. Receiving the awards were Project Olympus at CMU, a new partner resource, and the University of Pittsburgh, a longstanding partner resource whose Swanson School of Engineering met with numerous during 2011. The awards were presented by Chairperson Giselle Leonardo and Vice Chair Harry Edelman IV.

The GlobalPittsburgh International Bridge Awards have been presented since 1993 to recognize individuals and companies that have distinguished themselves in connecting Pittsburgh with the rest of the world, engaging in activities that benefit the Pittsburgh region and the countries in which they interact and do business.

Previous International Bridge Award recipients include Manchester Craftsman's Guild, Westinghouse Electric, Omnyx, the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, Medrad, Vivisimo, the H.J. Heinz Company, Alcoa, The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Sony Electronics, Fallingwater and the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, and former Gov. Richard Thornburgh.

The awards were presented during GlobalPittsburgh’s Annual Dinner held at LeMont on Mt. Washington. The event featured Richard T. Herman, co-author of Immigrant, Inc. – Why Immigrant Entrepreneurs are Driving the New Economy and How They Will Save the American Worker.

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. For more information, go to www.globalpittsburgh.org.

Skilled Immigrants Create Jobs for U.S. Workers, According to New National Study with Bipartisan Support

2011-12-15T10:35:00.014-05:00

For Every 100 Foreign-Born “STEM” Workers with Advanced Degrees from U.S. Universities, Analysis Shows that an Additional 262 U.S. Workers Have Jobs

Data Point to Legislative Proposals that Would Boost U.S. Employment

A new nationwide study with bipartisan support on Capitol Hill offers new evidence that skilled immigrants create jobs for American workers, and that immigrants with specific skill types do not compete with native workers, but complement them and improve their employment outlook.

The study by the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) and the Partnership for a New American Economy analyzes the impact of immigration on the American economy based on a multi-year statistical analysis.

At the release of the study at AEI’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., Congressman Tim Griffin (R-AR), a member of the House Judiciary Committee, called the report important evidence for reforming immigration policy with a focus on skilled immigrants. During a discussion led by AEI fellow Nick Schulz, Sudhakar Shenoy, the Indian-born, U.S.-educated CEO of technology-consulting firm IMC, Inc. spoke about the link between immigration and jobs.

The report – “Immigrants and American Jobs,” by economist and professor Madeleine Zavodny – analyzes the relationship between the foreign-born workforce and the employment rate for native U.S. workers. It focuses on two groups often seen by policymakers and employers as critical to the economy: foreign-born adults with advanced degrees and foreign workers here on temporary-employment visas.

In both cases, the analysis shows that more foreign-born workers means more jobs for U.S. natives – as many as 262 more native-born workers employed for every 100 foreign-born workers with advanced U.S. degrees who work in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) fields. The report also looks at the fiscal impact of the foreign-born and finds that, on average, all immigrants pay more in taxes than they receive in benefits, particularly for highly educated immigrants.

Together, the data shows that policy reforms designed to accommodate more of these categories of immigrants would boost employment, while making a positive contribution to government budgets. The report is available at www.RenewOurEconomy.org/aeireport.

“At a time when job creation should be our highest priority, the study released today casts light on some of the greatest potential areas for growth, at no cost to taxpayers,” said New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, co-chair of the Partnership for a New American Economy. “It’s time for Washington to restart the conversation on immigration reform – and to center it on our economic needs.”

“We have a shortage of STEM graduates with advanced degrees here in the United States, which hinders American job creators’ ability to grow their businesses and hire additional employees,” said Congressman Griffin. “Many highly skilled immigrants study in the U.S. but are forced to return home after graduation, where they work to strengthen their home nation’s economy to compete against ours. I am working on legislation that will change the system so that we can keep the best and the brightest, which will strengthen our economy and create jobs here in America.”

“Research shows skilled immigrants complement American workers and bolster the American workforce,” said Nick Schulz, DeWitt Wallace Fellow at AEI and a commentator on immigration and the economy. “The result is higher productivity and capital investment. Skilled immigrants are a net plus for the U.S. economy.”

“This report adds important evidence to the case that economists have been making for years: that identifiable categories of immigrants unquestionably give a lift to native employment,” said Madeleine Zavodny, economics professor at Agnes Scott College and author of the report for AEI and the Partnership. “But I hope it’s not just economists who take note – the study offers insight for legislators who need to know what’s at stake in immigration policy.”

To identify the employment effect of immigration, the study analyzes annual data going back to the year 2000 from the U.S. Census Bureau and from applications for temporary-worker visas – to ask whether having a higher share of foreign-born workers in a given state increases or decreases the employment rate among U.S. natives there. This approach permits an analysis that identifies the employment effects of specific categories of foreign-born workers, as well as the aggregate effect of all immigration. The analysis controls for key variables, especially the possibility that immigrants might be disproportionally attracted to areas that have strong economies (and therefore higher native employment rates), a factor that might otherwise make the results misleadingly positive.

One of the definitive findings is that immigrants with advanced degrees boost employment for native U.S. workers. This effect goes beyond just the 2.62 jobs for every STEM worker with an advanced degree from U.S. universities: An additional 100 immigrants with advanced degrees working in STEM fields – regardless of where they earned the degree – creates an additional 86 jobs for U.S. natives. And an additional 100 immigrants with advanced degrees – regardless of field or where they obtained their degrees – creates an additional 44 jobs for U.S. natives.

Currently, there is no employment visa designed for students who earn advanced degrees in the U.S. after graduation, only a “training” program that allows them to work for a limited period. All of the analyses of foreign-born advanced-degree holders cover the period 2000 to 2007.

The report also shows clear job creation from foreign workers on temporary-employment visas: Adding 100 workers in the H-1B visa program for skilled workers – a program that exhausts its arbitrary numerical limitation each year, including this year – results in an additional 183 jobs among U.S. natives. Likewise, adding 100 workers in the H-2B program for less-skilled non-agricultural labor results in an additional 464 jobs for U.S. natives.

And looking at all foreign-born workers in the aggregate, the report’s analysis yields no evidence of any negative impact on U.S. employment – even under the current immigration system, which is not designed to maximize job creation. Finally, the study finds that highly educated immigrants pay far more in taxes than they receive in benefits.

In 2009, the average foreign-born adult with an advanced degree paid over $22,500 in federal, state, and Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA, or Social Security and Medicare) taxes, while their families received just $2,300 in benefits, or just over one-tenth of their fiscal contribution. And, in fact, looking at all immigrants, the average adult paid $7,826 in federal, state, and FICA taxes, while their families receive $4,422 in cash and in-kind transfers from major government programs.

Based on the data, the report calls for specific legislative proposals that could create jobs for U.S. workers:

- Give priority for foreign workers who earn advanced degrees from U.S. universities, especially those who work in STEM fields.
- Increase the number of green cards (permanent visas) for highly educated workers.
- Make available more temporary visas for both skilled and less-skilled workers.

Today, only 15 percent of green cards are set aside for employment needs – and the real number is more like seven percent when you exclude a worker’s spouses and children.

The American Enterprise Institute, founded in 1943, is one of the nation's premier non-profit public policy research institutions. AEI is dedicated to preserving and strengthening the foundations of a free society: limited government, competitive private enterprise, vital political and cultural institutions and vigilant defense. More at http://www.aei.org/.

The Partnership for a New American Economy is a national bipartisan group of more than 400 business leaders and mayors who are making the case that smarter immigration laws would create jobs for Americans today. The Partnership’s members include mayors who represent more than 35 million residents in large and small cities across the country and business leaders who employ more than 4 million people in all sectors of the economy. More at http://www.renewoureconomy.org/.

GlobalPittsburgh Hosting Roundtable Dec. 20 on Role of Immigrant Entrepreneurs in Region's Economic Growth

2011-12-14T16:52:00.006-05:00

GlobalPittsburgh is hosting a conference titled “Boosting Global Innovation - A Roundtable Discussion on Immigration” on Tuesday, December 20, 2011 in the offices of sponsor Tucker Arensberg Attorneys.

Richard T. Herman

The invitation-only event will feature Richard T. Herman, co-author of Immigrant, Inc. - Why Immigrant Entrepreneurs are Driving the New Economy and How They Will Save the American Worker, in addition to several of the region’s most prominent and successful international innovators and job creators who embody the value and importance of foreign-born entrepreneurs to the economic growth and cultural diversity of the Pittsburgh region.

For this event, 30 of the region’s most prominent thought leaders and influencers will come together for an on-the-record conversation about immigration designed to lead to a better understanding of the benefits of attracting and retaining international entrepreneurs, and set the stage for a constructive discussion on steps that can be taken to bring about positive change.

Ever since Scotsman Andrew Carnegie revolutionized both the steelmaking process and the global corporate model, Pittsburgh has been a hotbed of international innovation. Creative minds from around the world still gravitate to the three rivers region to refine their ideas in business and academia, creating companies that employ thousands of people, and solidifying the foundation that underlays Pittsburgh’s economic and social bedrock.

In recent years, the topic of immigration has become controversial, although statistics show that foreign-born entrepreneurs are more than twice as likely as the native-born population to start businesses that create jobs and economic growth, which benefit the entire region and all of its residents.

For more information about the Immigration Roundtable, contact Thomas Buell, Jr., GlobalPittsburgh Director of Marketing, at 412-392-4513 or 412-720-2218, or by email at tbuell@globalpittsburgh.org.

GlobalPittsburgh Hosting Monthly Series of Updates on Global Digital Television Trends With Andrew Thornhill

2011-12-09T13:32:00.019-05:00

Digital Television Report
Opportunity Analysis & Update
Thursday, March 1, 2012 - 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM
$50 Per Person - Advance Reservations Required

To Register: http://dtr-opportunity-january-2012.eventbrite.com

Andrew W. Thornhill

To help shed light on international trends in digital television, GlobalPittsburgh has partnered with Andrew W. Thornhill, a Pittsburgh native now living in Seattle who has become a recognized authority on the subject, to offer monthly reality-based seminars to review his Digital Television Report & DTR Support.

This is an extension for the business community of our presumption that by creating awareness of the expansive digital television marketplace that we also open the eyes of creative corporate pioneers in Pittsburgh and worldwide.

"By using real DTR examples, we present what we believe in, and provide a start for participants investigating this new dynamic," says Thornhill.

Main Venue:
GlobalPittsburgh
650 Smithfield Street, Suite 1180, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 720-2218 – www.globalpittsburgh.org

Moderator: Andrew W. Thornhill
www.seattle24x7.com/community/people/2011/03/20/andrew-thornhill-is-at-the-dtv-tipping-point/
http://journalism.indiana.edu/news/thornhill-offers-predictions-on-effects-of-digital-tv-transition/

Special Guests For The Launch Event - To Be Announced
Sponsor - To Be Announced

Opportunity Details By Section for The Digital Television Report & DTR Support
DTR BOOKS, Andrew W. Thornhill, THE DTR NATIONAL TOUR, Presenter
THE DTR GLOBAL MARKETPLACE, Presenter, DTR MEDIA, Presenter
THE DTR RESOURCE CENTER, Presenter

Monthly Through 2012 – With An Exclusive Printed Program

Introducing Downtown Pittsburgh
Throughout The DTR Opportunity Analysis & Update You Will Learn About The Best Lunchtime Restaurants and Happy Hour Locations!

GlobalPittsburgh improves the region's global competitiveness by creating long-term relationships connecting the Greater Pittsburgh community with international leaders and influencers.

The Digital Television Report & DTR Support
Since 1993
digitaltvreport@hotmail.com - www.linkedin.com/in/dtrmedia
Copyright © 1993 – 2011, Andrew W. Thornhill, All Rights Reserved

The Digital Television Report
The Digital Television Report is a book describing the past and future of the greatest change in communications in our documented history. Andrew W. Thornhill is the author and principal researcher for the legally protected Digital Television Report. There are no other representatives of his 20 years of research, the book, nor the detailed story in any of its forms.

When the communications industry changed our engineering standards to accommodate a more efficient digital platform for television, we subtly changed all commercial communications, media financial structures, global business development, mass education and the nature of certain intellectual assets.

DTR Support
Through the years of digging, learning and presenting, Andrew W. Thornhill has made tremendous personal and financial investments in the future of digital media and the proprietary products from his dedication.
To deliver the established knowledge base from the years of accumulated information, DTR Support was born.

DTR Support is a dynamic series of media properties, informative lectures/seminars and special events. Our objective: To create greater awareness of the companies, personalities and expectations in the emerging world of digital and user-manipulated television. We do this through collaboration and strategic partnerships.

On June 13, 2009 our nation crossed into the “Digital Television” era. Our inventory at DTR Support is based on continuing research and input from literally hundreds of crew members, associates, industry information sources and potential partners. Look for these division and product titles:

DTR BOOKS / SINCE 2008
“The Digital Television Report”
“Digital Television Channels”
“Digital Television In Your State”
Theme Discussions

THE DTR NATIONAL TOUR / SINCE 2002
University Lectures, Community Colleges, Lecture NotesIndependent Seminars Including Marketplace Assistance From: Los Angeles Imagination, The Florida Collaboration, Pittsburgh Connections & Seattle Review Conferences, Interactive Exhibits & Special Projects

THE DTR GLOBAL MARKETPLACE / SINCE 2009
Research, The International Toast, The International Digital Television Transition Schedule, The DTR Global Marketplace Conference

DTR MEDIA / SINCE 2008
The DTR Media Editorial Roundtable
DTR Journey – Print & Interactive Program Guide
DTR News – Radio – “The News”, “Digital Channels”
DTR News – Television – “The News”, A Digital Channel
The DTR Internet Channel
DTR Digital Media Devices
DTR Design Continuity

THE DTR RESOURCE CENTER / SINCE 2007
The DTR Opportunity Analysis & Update, Exhibit,Space, Master Plan, Archives, Communications, Environment, Development
digitaltvreport@hotmail.com

The Digital Television Report, Including DTR Support, Is a Component of Thornhill News
Copyright © 1993 – 2011, Andrew W. Thornhill, All Rights Reserved

University of Pittsburgh Student Cory Rogers Wins 2012 Rhodes Scholarship; Studied in Tanzania, Mongolia

2011-11-21T11:47:00.002-05:00

University of Pittsburgh student Cory J. Rodgers has been named a 2012 Rhodes Scholarship winner. Rogers has been studying for a Bachelor's of Philosophy degree in Africana studies and the history and philosophy of science and a BS degree in biological sciences with a minor in chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh Honors College and Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences.

Cory J. Rogers

Rodgers is the seventh Pitt undergraduate-degree recipient to win the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship, the fourth Pitt student to do so in the past seven years. There are only 14 universities or colleges in the United States whose students have won the award at least four times in the last seven years. Pitt is one of only two public institutions to do so; the other 12 are private schools.

Rodgers is a first-generation university student from Somerset, Pa. In 2011, he was Pitt’s inaugural recipient of the 2011 Samuel Huntington Public Service Award. He is spending this year in Tanzania on a project that assists people living with HIV and AIDS. At The University of Oxford, Rodgers will seek to incorporate anthropological, cross-cultural, and human rights frameworks into an interdisciplinary approach to designing participatory health programs. He will pursue the MSc in medical anthropology during his first year and the MSc in migration studies during his second year. His goal is to be a medical practitioner working among people affected by displacement, urbanization, and cultural pluralism.

Rhodes Scholarships, the oldest of the international study awards available to U.S. students, provide two or three years of study at the University of Oxford in England.

“The coveted Rhodes Scholarship is one of the highest honors available to young adults who successfully combine intellectual excellence, positive character, effective leadership, and a genuine concern for others,” said Pitt Chancellor Mark A. Nordenberg. “This prestigious award publicly recognizes individuals who have built an existing record of high achievement and impact and who are judged to have exceptional potential for future service to humankind. The entire University of Pittsburgh community congratulates Cory for earning this very special form of recognition and for further strengthening Pitt’s rich legacy of student success.”

“Cory Rodgers has the extraordinary curiosity and drive that characterize the finest undergraduate students at the University of Pittsburgh,” said Pitt Honors College Dean Edward Stricker. “He has sought opportunities, both at Pitt and abroad, in which he could explore disease modeling, administration of palliative care, and health policy, and his graduate work in medical anthropology at Oxford will further that education. The Rhodes Scholarship is recognition of his commitment to academic excellence and leadership in his journey to become an outstanding physician and global health practitioner.”

Rodgers is in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, working on an urban agricultural project for people with HIV/AIDS in the low-income Manzese area. He and two HIV support groups are using innovative farming techniques, raising free-range chickens, and managing water resources to improve the groups' capacity to generate a sustainable source of food and income. The project utilizes participatory design techniques to involve group members at all stages of project research, planning, and implementation.

In 2010, Rodgers conducted a research project through KADERES to identify the barriers created by HIV and AIDS, interviewing those affected, getting their perspectives, and capturing their experiences. KADERES plans to use Rodgers’ report in planning for its microfinancing programs, which provide loans to local peasants and small-holder farmers, funding for area clinics, and building projects.

Rodgers’ 2010 research experience in Tanzania included study in Swahili, cultural immersion, and service learning. In 2009, he also studied at the National University of Mongolia in Ulaabaatar, Mongolia, through a Pitt Honors College program.

As a Pitt undergraduate laboratory researcher in chemistry, Rodgers also took time to volunteer. Through the Pitt program “Keep It Real,” he tutored a Somali-Bantu refugee family; he also served as a hospice volunteer, assisting in daily patient care, and worked with Habitat for Humanity through Pitt’s Alternative Spring Break program. Rodgers also served in UPMC Patient Transport.

Among Rodgers’ many honors are a University Honors College Scholarship, Chancellor’s Undergraduate Research Fellowship, Brackenridge Undergraduate Fellowship from Pitt’s Honors College, Helen Pool Rush Award from Pitt’s Nationality Rooms Summer Study Abroad Scholarship Program, Foundation for Asia Pacific Education Scholarship, Sigma Phi Epsilon Balanced Man Scholarship Award, and membership in Phi Beta Kappa.

This year’s Rhodes U.S. winners—32 students from 18 institutions of higher learning—came from a pool of 210 interviewees from 99 colleges and universities. Those chosen will enter the University of Oxford next October.

Rhodes Scholarships are the legacy of British colonial pioneer, statesman, and philanthropist Cecil J. Rhodes, who died in 1902. Although intellectual distinction is a necessary requirement for selection as a Rhodes Scholar, it is not sufficient. The selection process seeks excellence in qualities of mind and of person, which, in combination, offer the promise of effective service to the world in the decades ahead. Thus, winners are chosen on the basis of high academic achievement, personal integrity, leadership potential, and physical vigor, among other attributes.

The value of the Rhodes Scholarship varies depending upon the academic field, the degree (bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral), and the Oxford college chosen. The Rhodes Trust pays all college and university fees, provides a stipend to cover necessary expenses while in residence atOxford as well as during vacations, and transportation to and from England.

Pitt’s other six Rhodes Scholars are David Frederick (1983), who graduated from Pitt’s Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences in 1983; Donna Roberts, (1987), who graduated from the Dietrich School in 1985; Nathan Urban (1991), who received an undergraduate degree in 1991 and graduate degrees in 1996 and 1998 from the Dietrich School; Justin Chalker (2006), who graduated from the Dietrich School in 2006; Daniel Armanios (2007), who graduated from the Dietrich School and the Swanson School of Engineering in 2007; and Eleanor Ott (2010), who graduated from the Dietrich School in 2009.

GlobalPittsburgh to Celebrate Region's International Entrepreneurs at Annual Dinner Dec. 19 at LeMont

2011-11-17T06:29:00.012-05:00

GlobalPittsburgh will celebrate the region's international entrepreneurs and recognize the important contributions they have made to the region’s economic growth and cultural diversity at its Annual Dinner on Monday, December 19, 2011, from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at LeMont restaurant.

Headlining the 2011 GlobalPittsburgh Annual Dinner event will be Richard T. Herman, noted speaker and co-author of the book "Immigrant, Inc. - Why Immigrant Entrepreneurs Are Driving the New Economy (and How They Will Save the American Worker)."

The evening also will feature presentation of the GlobalPittsburgh International Bridge Awards, book signing, exclusive dinner, live music arrangements, prize drawings and more.

Richard T. Herman is a dynamic speaker who has appeared on National Public Radio, FOX News, and various affiliates of NBC, CBS, and ABC. He has also been quoted in such publications as USA Today, InformationWeek, PCWorld, ComputerWorld, CIO, Site Selection and National Lawyers Weekly.

Richard T. Herman

He is the founder of Richard T. Herman & Associates, an immigration and business law firm in Cleveland, Ohio which serves a global clientele in over 10 languages. As co-founder of a local chapter of TiE, a global network of entrepreneurs started in 1992 in Silicon Valley, he is one of the architects of a movement to revitalize the Rust Belt through federal and local policies to attract job-creating high-skill, entrepreneurial and investor immigrants to distressed regions of the country.

More information about his book can be found at www.ImmigrantInc.com.

Advanced registration for the Annual Dinner is requested before Dec. 12, 2011. Reservation prices are as follows:
- Members - $60 per person, $480 for table of 8, $600 for table of 10.
- Non-Members - $75 per person, $100 for dinner plus GlobalPittsburgh family membership, $600 for table of 8, $750 for table of 10.
CLICK HERE for a downloadable registration form.

Sponsor

Thanks to our sponsor Tucker Arensberg Attorneys (click the logo to go to their website). Sponsorship opportunities are available at the Platinum ($3,000), Gold ($2,000) and Silver ($1,000) levels. CLICK HERE for more information about sponsorships.

For more information, contact Nadya Kessler at 412-392-4513 or nkessler@globalpittsburgh.org.

Number of International Students in Western Pennsylvania Grows by 8.8 Percent in 2010-11 School Year, Generating $256.3 Million in Economic Benefit, Report Says

2011-11-15T10:37:00.006-05:00

The number of international students attending colleges, universities and English language programs in Western Pennsylvania increased by 8.8 percent during the 2010-2011 academic year, and their economic impact increased by 5.6 percent to $256.3 million, according to a new report.

The number of international students in the region grew to 9,322 at 30 institutions in 2010-11, up from 8,570 in the previous year, according to the report by NAFSA, an organization of international educators, to coincide with International Education Week, which runs from November 14-18.

"This is exciting and encouraging news for the Pittsburgh region, because international students are a key component in the region's cultural and economic diversity, and in our future growth," said Thomas Buell, Jr., Director of the Study Pittsburgh initiative at GlobalPittsburgh, whose goal is to promote the region around the world as an excellent place to study.

About two-thirds of international students in the Pittsburgh region attend Carnegie Mellon University (3,853) and the University of Pittsburgh (2,607). Intenational students at Penn State University total 5,207 but were not separate among individual campuses by the NAFSA report.

The number of international students in the state of Pennsylvania grew 8.6 percent to 30,507 during the same period, and made a total economic contribution of $965 million, according to the NAFSA report. Pennsylvania placed sixth on the list of states attracting the most international students.

Top countries with students studying in Pennsylvania were China (25 percent of the total), India (17 percent), South Korea (10 percent), Saudi Arabia (4 percent) and Taiwan (4 percent), NAFSA reported.

Pennsylvania District Map

The institutions included in the NAFSA report are divided by Congressional Districts 3, 4, 12, 14 and 18, which cover most of Western Pennsylvania (see map).

International student enrollment across the United States increased by 4.7 percent to a total of 723,277, according to NAFSA. The economic impact of international students and their dependents for the year totaled more than $20 billion.

The economic benefits were calculated by adding tuition and fees with living expenses for the students and their dependents, less the amount of scholarships and grants provided to them.

Two Pittsburgh Universities Participating in STEM Scholar Program For Women From Predominantly Muslim Countries

2011-11-06T16:08:00.006-05:00

Two universities in Pittsburgh are participating in a U.S. government program to encourage young women from predominantly Muslim countries to pursue undergraduate degrees at women's colleges in the United States in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Carlow University and Chatham University are among 50 women's colleges in the U.S. participating in the NeXXt Scholars program designed to "provide access to leadership, internship and research opportunities to build the skills and confidence needed to become the next leaders, problem-solvers, and innovators in their communities."

Women selected under the NeXXt program will receive:
- Five-year membership to the New York Academy of Sciences (four years during undergraduate studies + one year post-graduation).
- Individual STEM mentor and networking opportunities provided by the NYAS
- Access to internship & research opportunities.
- Incredible science, technology, engineering and math education environment with high-tech equipment and hands-on learning.
- A STEM-Sister NeXXt Scholar (an entering American STEM peer is nominated by the admitting college to also receive the NYAS benefits; to discover and navigate STEM educations together.)

Carlow and Chatham are members of the GlobalPittsburgh Education Partnership, a consortium of 17 colleges, universities and graduate programs working together to attract international students to the region through the Study Pittsburgh initiative.

NeXXt Scholar applicants must be citizens of a predominantly Muslim focus country (see table), currently residing in and attending a focus country high school, although they do not have to be Muslims. Students must apply directly to any of the 50 U.S. women’s colleges, be accepted by the college, and major in a STEM field. Tuition is not covered by the NeXXt program, although students may apply for financial aid from the accepting institution.

Students interested in applying should contact a regional EducationUSA Adviser in their country to request a nomination letter for the NeXXt Scholars program. To find an email address for a regional EducationUSA Adviser, go to http://educationusa.state.gov/find-acenter.cfm.

For more about the NeXXt Scholars Initiative, send email to nexxtscholars@state.gov.

Pittsburgh Contest Offers $100,000 to "Midlife Dreamers" - Entrepreneurs Over 45 Willing to Relocate to Region

2011-11-04T13:05:00.006-04:00

Pittsburgh is looking for Experienced Dreamers™ – people with a bit of experience under their belts and a desire to do something different with their lives. The winner of the Experienced Dreamers contest - who must be over 45 and not lived in Pittsburgh for at least 10 years - will receive a total of $100,000 pursue their dream.

Pittsburgh is a place with a long history of dreamers – pioneers in arts and culture, business, medicine, robotics, and more. It's also a place where people care about their community, with a legacy of philanthropy that rivals any region in the country. It's a place where ordinary citizens work hard to build businesses and a better community for future generations.

One visit, and it's no wonder Pittsburgh has again and again been named "America's most Livable City" by publications such as Forbes, The Economist and Places Rated Almanac. Pittsburgh is a place where we honor our past and constantly look to the future – a place that encourages dreamers to imagine what they can do here … and then to do it.

"The Experienced Dreamers contest is all about getting you to think about your dream – whatever it is you believe you were born to do – and asking if you have the courage to pick up your life, move to Pittsburgh and make it real," the contest website says. "If you've got a dream and the passion to follow it, we want to hear about it. And – for one dreamer – we're going to give you the resources to help you do it."

The winner of the contest will receive $50,000 in cash and $50,000 in the form of a charitable trust in their name.

Applications for the contest will be accepted until December 16, 2011. There's no fee to enter, but applicants must be 45 or older and you must not have lived within 100 miles of Pittsburgh in the last 10 years.

In the spring of 2012, 20 semifinalists and five finalists will be chosen based on the originality, creativity, passion and clarity demonstrated in their applications. And the winner will be chosen from among the five finalists by a vote of the people of Pittsburgh.

"The Experienced Dreamers contest truly is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reinvent yourself – to pick up your life and chase your dreams in a new place and with a community of people who are rooting for you to succeed," the contest website says. "It's also a unique opportunity to create a lasting legacy of giving, through your own charitable trust, to improve the quality of lives for your neighbors throughout the region."

Experienced Dreamers contest is a partnership of foundations and civic and government organizations including the Benedum, Buhl, Jewish Healthcare, Pittsburgh, and R.K. Mellon foundations, the Heinz Endowments, Allegheny County, the City of Pittsburgh, and Leadership Pittsburgh, Inc.

QUESTION & ANSWER PAGE
ONLINE APPLICATION FORM

Bill Strickland of Manchester Craftsmen's Guild to Receive Award From Goi Peace Foundation in Tokyo

2011-11-02T13:56:00.004-04:00

The Goi Peace Foundation announced that it will bestow the 2011 Goi Peace Award on Bill Strickland, social innovator and the President and CEO of Pittsburgh's Manchester Bidwell Corporation -- an extraordinary jobs training center and community arts program, which gives disadvantaged students and adults the opportunities they need to build a better future.

Bill Strickland

The annual Goi Peace Award honors individuals and organizations in various fields that have made outstanding contributions toward the realization of a peaceful and harmonious world for humanity and all life on earth. Created in 2000, previous Goi Peace Award recipients include Oscar Arias, Bill Drayton, Bill Gates and Deepak Chopra.

Strickland will receive the award at a ceremony during the Goi Peace Foundation Forum 2011 to be held at Ginza Blossom Hall in Tokyo on November 19, 2011.

The selection committee has chosen Bill Strickland for the Goi Peace Award “in recognition of his visionary social work to help the underserved population transform their lives. By offering innovative educational and cultural opportunities with emphasis on the arts, beauty and respect, he has empowered thousands of youth and adults to restore hope and dignity and become creative contributors to their communities. The example of his own life and successful career has inspired others to dream bigger and make a difference in the world.”

Strickland was born in 1947 and grew up in an inner-city neighborhood of Pittsburgh. His life changed when he was introduced to pottery throwing by his high school art teacher, who became his mentor and helped him obtain entrance to the University of Pittsburgh.

Building on his personal experience, Strickland founded Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild while still in college in 1968 to bring arts education and mentorship to inner city youth in his neighborhood. The MCG Youth & Arts program, as it is now called, serves public school students by offering courses in ceramics, design, digital and photography studios. Gaining self-confidence, more than 80% of the students in the program complete high school and attend college.

In 1972, Strickland assumed leadership of a struggling vocational school. Today, Bidwell Training Center provides market-driven career education created through strong partnerships with leading local industries. It offers disadvantaged adults tuition-free training programs in fields as varied as culinary arts, chemical laboratory technologies, medical, and horticulture, with job placement rates that rival most universities.

Manchester Bidwell, a nonprofit corporation with these two main operations, has proven to be a successful model for social change. With his simple philosophy that environment shapes people’s lives, Strickland has created a world-class institute with an empowering atmosphere of art, light, music and respect to realize the genius in everyone. His model has been replicated in San Francisco, Cincinnati, and Grand Rapids, Michigan, with more being planned in other cities and countries.

Throughout Strickland’s distinguished career, he has been honored with numerous prestigious awards for his contributions to the arts and the community, including the MacArthur “genius award.” He is the author of Making the Impossible Possible, which includes his story of how a kid from Pittsburgh's ghetto would go on to lecture at Harvard and serve on the board of the National Endowment of the Arts. He is also founder of the Grammy-winning MCG Jazz, the most successful jazz subscription series in America, and currently a member of the White House Council for Community Solutions appointed by President Obama.

About the Goi Peace Foundation
Established in Tokyo, Japan in 1999, the Goi Peace Foundation is a public benefit organization with a mission to support the evolution of humanity toward a peaceful and harmonious new civilization. Through various educational and outreach programs, it promotes consciousness, values and wisdom for creating peace, and builds cooperation among individuals and organizations across diverse fields, including education, science, culture and the arts. The Foundation is an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. It also maintains official relations with UNESCO. For more information, go to www.goipeace.or.jp.

Power of 32 Caps Visioning Process With Interactive Town Hall Meeting Outlining Future Plans on November 3

2011-10-31T15:56:00.009-04:00

The Power of 32 – a four-state regional visioning process that has collected thousands of ideas to build a stronger future for the Greater Pittsburgh region -- will culminate with an interactive Town Hall meeting, available by streaming video at www.wqed.org or on WQED-TV, this Thursday, November 3, 2011 at 8:00 p.m.

Click on image to view promo

The Town Hall meeting will announce the Agenda for a Thriving Region by 2025, which contains 14 projects developed by public, private and nonprofit leaders in response to the Regional Vision defined in more than 150 Community Conversations last summer and fall.

“The thousands of people that participated believed we could do more by working together, and these projects are the first steps toward making the ideas generated by residents become reality,” according to Selena Schmidt, Executive Director of Power of 32. “More than 300 leaders have worked together this year to develop aspirational yet achievable projects that leverage the strength of our region in response to the public’s concerns,” Schmidt said.

Members of the public are strongly encouraged to participate in the Town Hall meeting, during which the organization’s goals and solutions will be discussed, and steps for accomplishing those goals will be developed, Schmidt said. The goals fall under the categories of Economy, Transportation/Infrastructure, Education, Environment, Government and People & Communities.

At the Town Hall meeting and on the Power of 32 website – powerof32.org - members of the public from across the 32 counties are being asked to indicate what projects will make the region more competitive globally, stronger collectively and which ones they are willing to help with. Following the Nov. 3 Town Hall meeting, Power of 32 will continue to use its website and social media outlets, including Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, to publicize activities, engage the public in ongoing projects, and provide updates on progress on its goals.

ABOUT THE POWER OF 32
The Power of 32 is the largest visioning project undertaken in the US. Started in May 2009, the P32 process included thousands of people across a 32-county, four-state region with Pittsburgh as its hub. Bridging borders, the project unites a region of 4 million people with economic output of $178 billion, so together they can leverage their rich natural and human resources to address their common needs.

To date, the Power of 32 has accomplished these three phases:
1. Community Conversations: A listening phase of 156 Community Conversations launched in Summer 2010, which identified strengths, challenges and possibilities facing the region.

2. Framing Solutions: Beginning in Winter of 2011, policy options that build on the region’s assets and opportunities were developed and vetted to address the top challenges identified in the Conversations.

3. Regional Prioritizing: In Spring of 2011, leadership committees prioritized the policy options and committed to 14 projects that best addressed the top regional challenges and took advantage of opportunities.

For more information, contact Selena Schmidt at 412-648-9474 or selenas@powerof32.org.

GlobalPittsburgh Coordinating Local Itineraries for International Leaders from Eastern Europe, Middle East, Indonesia and Other Countries

2011-10-31T13:20:00.011-04:00

Groups of international leaders coordinated by GlobalPittsburgh through the U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program and other agencies include:

Visitors at a shale gas drilling site.

October 5-11, 2011 – "The Spirit of Volunteerism: Honoring 50 Years of Peace Corps.” - Visiting leaders from Botswana, the Gambia, Guyana, Uganda, and Vanuatu examined the impact of volunteerism in U.S. communities and how volunteers, particularly young people, are inspired to help foster a culture of service and civic responsibility. They visited Avonworth High School, Brother’s Brother Foundation, Office of Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, Global Links, Pittsburgh Cares, Duquesne University, Carnegie Mellon and University of Pittsburgh, and were honored at GlobalPittsburgh First Thursdays networking event on October 6, and joined GlobalPittsburgh host families for home hospitality dinner. (IVLP)

October 9-13, 2011 - "NGO Management" - Thirteen leaders from Saudi Arabia came to Pittsburgh to learn about women’s rights in the United States They met with representatives of the Women and Girls Foundation of Southwest Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Center for Women and Politics, Chatham University, Bayer Center for Nonprofit Management, Robert Morris University; League of Women Voters of Greater Pittsburgh and other local non-profit organizations, universities and companies, and joined GlobalPittsburgh host families for a home hospitality dinner. (IVLP)

October 26-30, 2011 - "Global Shale Gas Initiative" - The purpose of the project was to introduce Latvian, Estonian, and Lithuanian policymakers to legal, economic, policy and technical issues related to shale gas exploration, regulation, concessions, and development. The leaders met with Group Against Smoke and Pollution (GASP), University of Pittsburgh Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Chesapeake Energy, Leech Tishman, and Duquesne University's Energy, Policy and Research Group. (IVLP)

October 31, 2011 - Ahmadkhon Yusupkhanov, Open World program alumnus. Mr. Yusupkhanov is a Consultant to a Member of the Parliament, Kyrgyz Republic. His supervisor is the Chairman of the Human Rights Committee who mainly deals with human rights issues, the protection of women, children and other vulnerable social groups, and the promotion of the rights of ethnic and other minorities. Mr. Yusupkhanov is currently studying conditions at detention centers throughout Kyrgyzstan. In June 2011, he participated in the program “Accountable Governance: Kyrgyz Parliamentarians” sponsored by Open World Leadership Center at the Library of Congress and hosted by GlobalPittsburgh. Mr. Yusupkhanov returned to visit his homestay hosts from June.

November 8-11, 2011 - Silvio Gonzato of Italy, who is the Head of Secretariat, Committee on Foreign Affairs, European Parliament, is visiting Washington, D.C., San Francisco and Pittsburgh. Themes for the Pittsburgh segment of the program are local government elections, the operations of House or Senate district office, political party activities and museum operations. (IVLP)

November 9-11, 2011 - "Promoting Civil Society Through New Media" - In Pittsburgh, the five young leaders from Belarus will be studying the role of digital media in civil engagement, new media and advocacy, blogging and other forms of media on behalf of the community. (IVLP)

November 10-15, 2011 - “Outstanding Students for the World," - A project for Indonesia sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Embassy in Jakarta. The 22 students participating in the program are some of Indonesia’s highest achieving students and represent winners or finalists in national and international science and technology competitions, including the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, the International Exhibition for Young Inventors, the International Biology Olympiad, the International Robotic Olympiad, and the World School Debating Championship. In a program jointly funded by the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the U.S. Department of State and implemented by the Indonesian embassy and Meridian International Center in Washington, DC, participants will visit Washington, New York, Boston, Pittsburgh, and San Francisco to examine science and technology education in the U.S. at both the high school and college levels and the role of advanced and entrepreneurial technology companies in the U.S. and global economies. They will also discuss their research with U.S. student peers.

Duquesne Small Business Development Center Offers Workshop Series in November on Export Development

2011-10-28T14:34:00.004-04:00

Five Export Sessions for Only $175 - (November 3, 8, 15, 22, 29, 2011)

Learn how your company can increase profits by entering world markets you never imagined before and all in just five sessions!

96% of the world’s consumers live outside the United States?....Have you contacted them lately?

This exclusive training program has been carefully designed to educate dynamic business leaders and businesses who are committed to maximizing their companies’ exports. GO GLOBAL: THE WORLD IS YOUR MARKET!

The course is for companies who show the following 5 characteristics:

1)      management commitment,
2)      financial capacity,
3)      product qualification (including sales history),
4)      market potential, and
5)      production capacity.

This Export Certificate Program will prepare your company to:

·         Discover new opportunities and customers thru new markets
·         Develop an Internal Export Plan
·         Open Global distribution networks
·         Comply with U.S. Export Regulations

Session 1: - Nov. 3. Export Market Opportunities, Strategies and Export Plan. Resources & Grants. $45.00

Identify if your product or service has export potential. Learn about exporting statistics and find out what your competition is doing in the global marketplace. Find out about resources available to penetrate your chosen market. It includes an international marketing workbook to assess your company's export readiness, business goals, and commitment.

Session 2: -Nov. 8. HTS Number, Letters of Credit, Export Financing, Payment Methods. $45.00.(EXIM BANK LUNCH RECEPTION. FREE.)

Learn how to classify your product (HTS number). Use the export financial services of the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Export Import (EXIM) Bank and private sources. See how public programs help when commercial banks are unable to assist your firm. Become knowledgeable in letters of credit, documentary collections and use of open account terms.

Session 3: -Nov. 15. U.S. Export Regulations, ITAR, CE Mark & Free Trade Agreements. $45.00

Learn about U.S. exports licensing and controls, various types of classifications and what you need to know about end use of your product to stay out of trouble. Comply with European Regulations such as the CE Mark which is legally mandatory. Comply with Environmental Regulations and Maximize the U.S. Free Trade Agreements with other countries.

Session 4: -Nov. 22. International Logistics, Incoterms, Quotes, Shipping Insurance, AES. $45.00

This session focuses on moving goods overseas, including packaging and labeling. Have you learned the role of a freight forwarder? This course will take you through a step-by-step process of filling out certificates of origin, bills of lading and other important documents for export. Learn about incoterms, and the services provided by freight forwarders.

Session 5: -Nov. 29. Legal Issues: Contracts, Patents, Internet Webpages, Global Marketing and Translations. $45.00

Become familiar with the legalities of exports. Learn about agent and distributor agreements, and international contracts. How to locate agents, distributors and develop joint ventures? What is the legal system in the country you want to export? Do the same laws apply to the internet and online sales? Learn how to do global marketing and trade missions.

In order to receive the certificate attendees need to register and attend at least 4 of the 5 sessions. Each workshop is $45 but if you pay for all five you get a discounted rate: $175

Registration Form or Register Online Payment: $175.00 (or $45.00 for individual sessions)

Name _____________________________________ Title_____________

Company Name_________________________________Website_____________________

Address________________________________________________

City_______________ State__ Zip ______ Phone_______________ Fax________________

E-mail_________________________________________________

Check payable to Duquesne University (Include participant’s name and seminar date) or pay with Visa___ Mastercard ___Discover ___

Cardholder’s Name_____________________________________________
Cardholder’s Signature__________________________________________

Credit Card # ___________________________ Exp Date ___/______

Mail to: Duquesne University-SBDC, Rockwell Hall-Room 108. 600 Forbes Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15282.

Time: All sessions are from 9:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.

All executives who successfully complete this training course will receive a certificate of Export Training from the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Duquesne University Small Business Development Center. In addition, your company will be ready to benefit from a “Pennsylvania Market Access Grant”, “the Pennsylvania Overseas Business Offices” and the “Gold Key” service package to your export country of choice.

Sponsors: Global Business Program at Duquesne University Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC), U.S. Commercial Service, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) -Center for Trade Development (CTD), Center for International Regulatory Assistance (CITRA).

RSVP: 412-396-1633. Fax. 412-396-5884. Email: duqsbdc@duq.edu

Info: Web: www.duq.edu/sbdc

Year-Long Countdown Begins For Planning of 2012 One Young World International Leaders Summit in Pittsburgh

2011-10-27T10:49:00.012-04:00

The co-founders of One Young World, the premier global forum that brings together young leaders to discuss global issues and develop solutions to meet the challenges of the 21st century, officially passed the baton for hosting the 2012 Summit to the city of Pittsburgh Wednesday with a ceremony held in Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's office.

Pictured from left: One Young World
co-founders David Jones and
Kate Robertson; Mayor Luke Ravenstahl;
Greg Babe, president and CEO,
Bayer Corp.; Sy Holzer, president,
PNC Bank Pittsburgh. (PRNewsFoto/One Young
World Pittsburgh Partnership)

The baton passing event also kicked off the year-long planning count-down to the Oct. 18-22, 2012 Summit. Planning for the event will be spearheaded by the One Young World Pittsburgh Partnership, a consortium of local companies, non-profits and community organizations that first worked together to secure Pittsburgh's designation as host city, and now will help ensure a successful U.S. event. Efforts will also be guided by a newly announced Corporate and Community Executive Committee and Young Leaders Committee, helping shape conference plans and secure support for the Summit.

"Pittsburgh is the right venue for the third annual One Young World Summit." Ravenstahl said. "There are a lot of lessons to learn here. We are a city transformed – re-making our steel region into a center of medicine, technology, science and finance."

David Jones, co-founder of One Young World and global CEO of Havas and Euro RSCG, said it has been clear throughout the bid process that "Pittsburghers are passionate about their city – from the world-class cultural and education institutions here – to the sports teams and community events.

"The city's reinvention reflects its energy and vision, and serves as an ideal backdrop for the passion of One Young World, which gives a voice to today's young leaders who are driving positive change for our global community."

Jones was joined by One Young World Co-founder Kate Robertson, group chairman of Euro RSCG, who had previously visited Pittsburgh during a scouting trip and commented on the passion of the city.

"The Pittsburgh community is full of heart and has a legacy of collaboration among groups to accomplish common goals," Robertson said. "This collaborative spirit is represented through Pittsburgh Partnership leadership committees, who are striving to make our world and local communities a better place by creating a world that reflects our youth's values."

Greg Babe, president and CEO of Bayer Corp., and Sy Holzer, president of PNC Bank Pittsburgh, were named as chairman and co-chairman, respectively, of the One Young World Pittsburgh Partnership Executive Committee. The Young Leaders Committee will comprise many members of the Pittsburgh delegation who attended the 2011 Zurich Summit in early September.

"The Young Leaders Committee relies on the valuable learning and firsthand working knowledge its many members acquired at the second annual Summit," Babe said. "They've been sharing ideas since they returned about what inspired them and enhancements they can contribute to the summit next October here in Pittsburgh."

Holzer added, "Pittsburgh's vitality and young spirit will be reflected in next year's summit. In collaboration with One Young World, Pittsburgh starts planning today to welcome the world with open arms."

The Young Leaders Committee was represented at the Baton Passing event. Juli Kundu, staff associate for UPMC, who attended One Young World 2011, said, "The experience at the One Young World Summit was inspiring and life-changing, and it is a wonderful opportunity for Pittsburgh and the U.S. to serve as host to the diverse and dedicated young global community next year."

Founding members of the One Young World Pittsburgh Partnership are: The Allegheny Conference on Community Development, Euro RSCG Worldwide PR, VisitPittsburgh and the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh. Bayer USA Foundation and Pittsburgh Urban Magnet Project (PUMP) are also members of the Partnership.

Information about the Partnership's efforts and opportunities for support of the 2012 Summit can be found by "liking" the One Young World Pittsburgh Partnership on Facebook, following @OYWPittsburgh on Twitter and visiting the website at http://oneyoungworldpittsburgh.com.

Affectionately dubbed by CNN as the "Young Davos," One Young World is a global young leadership development forum, which convenes the best and brightest young leaders in their 20s from corporate and non-profit sectors around the globe to address and identify solutions to the same issues that world leaders tackle every day – including global business and health, the environment, a changing media landscape and interfaith dialogue. The delegates pass resolutions during the Summit, and return home with steps to implement them.

In September, during the second-annual Summit held in Zurich, Pittsburgh was announced as the host city for the 2012 event, and is expected to host as many as 2,000 emerging leader delegates and world-renowned counselors. Counselors at the Zurich event included Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Sir Bob Geldof, Norway Crown Prince Haakon, singer and songwriter Josh Stone, celebrity cook and nutrition activist Jamie Oliver, and Google Executive and 2011 Time 100 Most Influential People Wael Ghonim. For more information, visit http://oneyoungworld.com.

SOURCE: One Young World Pittsburgh Partnership

Conflict Free Pittsburgh Conference to Focus on Congo Conflict; Students Invited to Help Raise Awareness

2011-10-25T16:27:00.007-04:00

The Pittsburgh Human Rights Network, along with the Center for International Legal Education at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, will be hosting a one-day conference on conflict minerals, consumer activism, and the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo entitled Conflict Free Pittsburgh on Saturday, November 19th, 2011, at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.

Conflict Free Pittsburgh is open to all students in the Pittsburgh area and is dedicated to raising awareness of the civil conflict in Congo. The war has lasted over a decade and claimed over five million lives, making it the world’s deadliest conflict since World War II. At the heart of the issue are tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold, minerals which are mined in eastern Congo and that eventually find their way into our everyday electronics.

Profits from the sale of these minerals are used by armed groups to brutally oppress local populations in efforts to maintain control over resources. Conflict minerals connect consumer decisions in developed countries to violence halfway across the world, sparking a growing consumer movement in recent years to demand accountability from electronics companies who trace back their supply chains to mines in eastern Congo.

Universities, as major contract holders with electronics providers, play a major role in the conflict-free movement. Students across the country have raised their voice to work with their schools to send the message to electronics companies that they are cognizant of the atrocities being committed in Congo and their connection to the violence.

The movement covers more than 60 campuses nationwide and is continually growing. Many universities, including Stanford University the University of Pennsylvania and the Ohio University Honors Tutorial College have released official statements voicing their solidarity with the people of Congo and their resolution to do what they can to bring peace to the region.

Conflict Free Pittsburgh aims to educate Pittsburgh’s college students using their leverage as the end users of electronics to raise their voice to ensure that their products are not fueling the conflict, and in this way to help bring about peace in the Congo.

The day will include workshops and a panel by members of the academic, advocacy, and student community who are active on the issue in Pittsburgh. Speakers include Alexandra Hellmuth, Student and Youth Coordinator for the Enough Project; Rebecca Cech, co-founder of Congo Story; D. Wes Rist, from the Center for International Legal Education at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law; and Dr. Annamore Matambanadzo, from the University of Pittsburgh.

Click here to view the schedule for the day. If you have any questions please contact Verna Krishnamurthy at verna@globalsolutionspgh.org or at 412-471-7852.

National Geographic Calls Pittsburgh One of the Best Places in the World for 2012, Thanks to Economic Turnaround, Cultural Offerings and "Quirky" Charm

2011-10-24T13:53:00.005-04:00

With a "natural setting that rivals Lisbon and San Francisco, a wealth of fine art and architecture, and a quirky sense of humor," Pittsburgh qualifies as one of the best places in the world for 2012, according to National Geographic magazine.

National Geographic Photo

"On all counts, the Steel City’s transformation over the past quarter century qualifies as revolutionary," NatGeo said in an article on its website titled "Extreme Metropolitan Makeover."

"Its mourning for its industrial past long concluded, this western Pennsylvania city changed jobs and reclaimed its major assets: a natural setting that rivals Lisbon and San Francisco, a wealth of fine art and architecture, and a quirky sense of humor."

The world's authority on world travel and exploration included Pittsburgh in a list titled "Best of the World 2012" that also includes exotic and historic locations in Thailand, Croatia, Iceland, Canada and many more.

In addition to its economic and environmental revitalization, and its naturally beautiful setting, Pittsburgh is distinguished by it architectural and cultural landmarks, National Geographic said.

"Pittsburgh’s century-wide swath of architectural styles persuaded British film director Christopher Nolan to use downtown as a stand-in for Gotham City in this summer’s Dark Knight Rises," the article reads. "Sustainable design has transformed Victorian landmarks like the glass-domed Phipps Conservatory and created contemporary ones like the swooping waterfront convention center (see photo).

CLICK HERE to read the National Geographic posting.

Pittsburgh-Based Brother's Brother Foundation Responds to Earthquake in Turkey in Cooperation With Pittsburgh Turkish American Association

2011-10-24T11:41:00.004-04:00

Following this week's 7.2 magnitude earthquake in eastern Turkey, Pittsburgh-based Brother’s Brother Foundation (BBF) will respond to the requested needs of the residents of Turkey working with the Pittsburgh Turkish American Association (PTAA). BBF and PTAA worked together after the August 1999 earthquake in Turkey.

PTAA was founded in 1973 in Pittsburgh PA, and is currently registered as a non-profit organization in Pennsylvania. It traditionally serves the tri-state area around Pittsburgh, including Western Pennsylvania, Eastern Ohio, and West Virginia. PTAA is a member of the ATAA, Assembly of Turkish American Associations.

BBF, a 53-year old Pittsburgh-based international charity, has provided over $4 billion of medical supplies, textbooks, food, seeds, and other humanitarian supplies to people around the world in over 140 countries.

With the help of gifts from the general public, corporations and the U.S. government, in 2010 BBF sent product contributions to those in need in 52 countries including Cameroon, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Ghana, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Iraq, Jamaica, Liberia, Nicaragua, Philippines, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Sudan, and Uganda. These shipments were the equivalent of 236 tractor trailer loads. Also in 2010, BBF provided supplies for 241 medical and humanitarian hand-carry mission trips.

Forbes Magazine, in this year's Investment Guide, once again noted BBF's efficiency with a 100% rating for fundraising efficiency and charitable commitment. The Better Business Bureau again gave BBF its “Wise Giving Alliance Standards” seal of approval.

Donations to assist with shipping costs are always greatly appreciated. Credit card donations can be made at www.brothersbrother.org or by calling BBF at 412-321-3160. Checks should be made to the Brother's Brother Foundation and sent to:
Brother's Brother Foundation / Turkey
1200 Galveston Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15233

For additional information about this press release or other media inquiries please contact Karen Dempsey, Vice President Development/Administration, or Luke L. Hingson, President, at 412-321-3160 or mail@brothersbrother.org.

GlobalPittsburgh First Thursdays - Nov. 3 at Mario's East Side Saloon - Great Networking Opportunities - FREE!

2011-10-16T14:55:00.009-04:00

The GlobalPittsburgh First Thursdays event for November will be held at Mario's East Side Saloon in Shadyside on Thursday, November 3, 2011 from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.

Join us for an evening of friends, music and good spirits with an international flair. This will be a great event for new students, internationals and globally-minded people from all over.

November's event will be held at Mario's patio deck and second floor bar area in Shadyside on Thursday, November 3 from 5:30PM to 8:00PM, and will include Pitt's Graduate & Professional Student Assembly (GPSA). Join us for an evening of friends, interesting conversation, good spirits with an international flair.

Mario's East Side Saloon is located at 5442 Walnut St. in Shadyside.

GlobalPittsburgh First Thursdays is a regular monthly night of networking and socializing with different themes, different activities and different locations - but always with an international flavor - on the first Thursday of every month.

There will be free appetizers, bar specials, raffles and more. Admission is FREE (and there will be membership information if you want to sign up at the door).

For more information, contact Tim Allen at 412-392-4513 or by email at tallen@globalpittsburgh.org.

GlobalPittsburgh Picked as Featured Organization for One-Day College Student Advertising Pitch Competition

2011-10-16T13:49:00.005-04:00

GlobalPittsburgh was selected as the featured organization in a one-day competition among college students in advertising-related disciplines sponsored by the Pittsburgh Advertising Federation. Titled The Pitch: An Advertising Education Challenge, the competition took place on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2011.

Five teams of students got hands-on experience by working at a Pittsburgh advertising agency on a real-world project through the annual one-day competition, named for the advertising term describing the presentation made by an agency to win a new client or introduce a new product.

The college junior and seniors in advertising specialties including creative, consumer research, brand strategy, media planning and account management were assigned to one of five local agencies including Brunner, Chemistry, MARC USA, Mullen and Smith Brothers, where they spent the day gaining exposure to the field and professional experience responding to a challenge with the selected non-profit organization.

Participating students represented the University of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University, Point Park University, Geneva College, Grove City College, Penn State University and St. Vincent College.

The students studied GlobalPittsburgh's existing promotional activities and developed packages of recommendations to expand the organization's visibility and increase participation in its programs.

"These presentations and the great ideas that were developed in a short period of time will be very valuable for us," said Thomas Buell, Jr., GlobalPittsburgh's Director of Marketing. "For a non-profit on a limited budget, this information is worth its weight in gold."

GlobalPittsburgh is a 52-year-old organization formerly known as the Pittsburgh Council for International Visitors. It has spent the past two years expanding its core mission of working with the U.S. Department of State to create itineraries for delegations of world leaders visiting the region to include programs to attract and engage international students and professionals and connect local companies with global leaders and talent. For more information, go to www.globalpittsburgh.org.

The Pittsburgh Advertising Federation, comprising over 250 local advertising and marketing professionals, is dedicated to meeting members’ needs through networking and educational opportunities, while celebrating the talent of Pittsburgh’s advertising achievements with extraordinary energy and passion.

“We are committed to advancing professional advertising education for college and university students,” said Pittsburgh Ad Federation President John Gatesman. “An important part of the Ad Fed’s mission is to help prepare students to enter the marketplace and to do our part in preparing the next generation of leaders in the field of advertising.”

For information about the Pittsburgh Ad Federation, go to www.pghadfed.org.

Donate Or Become a Member of GlobalPittsburgh on Pittsburgh Day of Giving Oct. 4 And Make Your Investment Go Even Further - Donations Also Can Be Made From Smartphones And Tablet Computers

2011-09-30T10:24:00.013-04:00

On Tuesday, October 4, the Pittsburgh Foundation is holding its annual Day of Giving, when your contribution to GlobalPittsburgh and other non-profits in the region will be enhanced from a pool of $725,000, allowing each recipient organization to receive approximately 15-20% more from each donation.

This is a great time to make your annual donation to support GlobalPittsburgh programs connecting the Pittsburgh Region to the world, and if you’re not yet a paid member of GlobalPittsburgh, it’s the perfect time to register for a year of activities and benefits.

The Day of Giving is an easy and effective way to make a huge impact on Pittsburgh and the non-profit community. Through PittsburghGives.org, you can make a donation to support the mission and activities of GlobalPittsburgh in just a few quick steps:

At any time on Tuesday, October 4, go to www.pittsburghgives.org
Click on “Day of Giving”
Click on “Donate Now”

Enter your name, email and phone number in the appropriate fields. From the drop down box select GlobalPittsburgh and enter your donation amount (minimum $25; GlobalPittsburgh membership is $40 for individuals/$50 for families).

Enter your credit card information on the secure server and click “submit.” You will receive confirmation that your donation has been received, and an email will be sent to you for tax purposes. If you want to become a member, just email your receipt to Nadya Kessler in our office at nkessler@globalpittsburgh.org and we will add you to the list to start receiving invitations and special offers. You can see more about the benefits of membership on our website at www.globalpittsburgh.org/membership.

Please remember that you do not have to be in Pittsburgh to make a contribution on the Day of Giving. Donations will be accepted from 12:00 a.m. Eastern Time to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on October 4, 2011.

For the first time this year, you will be able to use smartphones and tablets as well as your home or work computers to access the on-line giving platform and make secure gifts to your chosen nonprofit organizations.

Please feel free to forward this message to all of your family and friends who might be interested in GlobalPittsburgh activities. Thank you for your support.

Pitt Conference on Japan’s Role in World War II and Impact on Japan’s Economy Expected to Draw Historians From Around the World Sept. 30 to Oct. 1

2011-09-16T13:17:00.013-04:00

The University of Pittsburgh will host a two-day international conference examining Japan’s role in World War II and the lasting impact of the war on Japan’s economy and its people. The conference, titled “Japan’s World War II in Asia: 70 Years On,” will be held Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 at the University Club, 123 University Place, Oakland.

Sponsors for the event include Pitt’s Asian Studies Center and University Center for International Studies (UCIS). Richard J. Smethurst, professor of history at Pitt and a UCIS research professor, will serve as conference convener; his current research focuses on the Japanese origins of World War II in Asia and on industrial policy debates in mid-Meiji Japan.

The conference is funded through the Mitsubishi Endowment Fund and the Japan Iron and Steel Federation Endowment Fund of the University of Pittsburgh.

Historians from Japan, Hong Kong, Australia, Great Britain, Israel and the United States will join four Pitt faculty members in addition to Smethurst: Distinguished University Professor Seymour Drescher, Professor Peter Karsten, and Lecturer Bernard Hagerty from the Department of History and Akiko Hashimoto, associate professor and director of graduate studies in the Department of Sociology.

The historians will present four sessions with panel discussions examining a broad range of topics related to Japan’s role in World War II, including the rise of militarism in prewar Japan, how military and civilian planners created a centrally directed war economy based on German and Soviet systems, the impact of the war on the Japanese people, and the region's postwar memory of the conflict.

Following the panel presentations an open discussion with the audience will take place.

The conference is free and open to the public, but space is limited. To ensure seating, RSVP to Dianne Dakis at dakis@pitt.edu. For a full conference schedule, visit www.ucis.pitt.edu/asc/conference/Japan_wwII/index.html or contact Richard Smethurst at rsmet@pitt.edu.

GlobalPittsburgh First Thursdays - Oct. 6 at Sheraton Station Square - Great Networking Opportunities - FREE!

2011-09-16T12:40:00.017-04:00

The GlobalPittsburgh First Thursdays event for October will be held at the Sheraton Station Square Hotel in the Pittsburgh Rare Lounge on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2011 from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.

Thanks to support from the Peace Corps!

Join us for an evening of friends, music and good spirits with an international flair. This will be a great event for new students, internationals and globally-minded people from all over.

Thanks to support from BBF!

Help us celebrate participants in the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program project: THE SPIRIT OF VOLUNTEERISM: HONORING 50 YEARS OF THE PEACE CORPS, welcome a group of visiting Fulbright Scholars, meet visitors from many countries, and network with globally-minded people from Pittsburgh and all over.

Thanks to support from PMEI!

Thanks to support from Sheraton!

There will be free appetizers, bar specials, raffles and more. Admission is FREE (and there will be membership information if you want to sign up at the door).

For more information, contact Tim Allen at 412-392-4513 or by email at tallen@pciv.org.

Pittsburgh Region Among National Leaders in Job Growth in August, According to New PittsburghTODAY Report

2011-09-16T12:10:00.009-04:00

Total nonfarm job numbers in August 2011 for the Pittsburgh region were up again, increasing by 16,900 from August 2010. These numbers are stronger than all benchmark regions except Milwaukee, Boston, and Minneapolis. Pittsburgh numbers were particularly strong in goods producing, wholesale trade, information, financial activities, and natural resources, mining and construction.

New numbers out this week show that the Pittsburgh region's economy had a growth rate between 2009 and 2010 that was higher than most of our benchmark regions. Only Boston had a higher rate of growth in Gross Domestic Product between 2009 and 2010 than Pittsburgh did.

The Pittsburgh region had the second-highest GDP growth rate between 2009 and 2010.

These figures are a further indication that the Pittsburgh region is recovering from the economic downturn.

New figures on the value of regional exports illustrate the extent of that downturn. Between 2008 and 2009, exports from the Pittsburgh region declined 26.2 percent. Only Detroit had a greater decline at 36.2 percent. A major reason for the sharp decline in Pittsburgh was a drop in energy prices; however, a decline in manufacturing due to the recession also contributed.
Source: PittsburghTODAY

African Student-Professional Group in Pittsburgh Region Forms to Raise Money for Zambian Orphanage School

2011-09-16T09:09:00.009-04:00

A group of African students and professionals in the Pittsburgh region has formed an organization called Africa Can to raise money to help educate students at an orphanage in the southern African nation of Zambia. The group will hold a fundraising and networking event at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 6 at the Savoy Restaurant & Lounge in the Strip District.

Africa Can is an organization made up of students in medicine, public health and nursing, as well as young professionals in the Pittsburgh area who decided that they "need to give back and make a change in their continent of origin in a positive way," according to publicity materials. Their goal is to impact Education and Health among the underserved in Africa.

Proceeds from the Oct. 6 event will benefit the Anchor of Hope orphanage, which is located near Lusaka, Zambia.

"By providing education and youth development programs within an orphanage, Anchor of Hope instills indispensable life skills such as work ethic, confidence, discipline and hope," the group said. "In addition to basic education, we will teach children how to care for a home, cook, raise animals and grow crops. Not only will this program instill such skills, it will also offer a secondary psychosocial support structure for children and youth, especially those orphaned as a result of HIV and AIDS."

The event will be filled with music, networking with various other non-profit organizations in Pittsburgh, entertainment, and a scheduled appearance by the Zambian Ambassador to the United States.

Tickets to the fundraiser are $20, which includes appetizers, entertainment and opportunity to win prizes. Drinks are available for individual purchase.

To purchase tickets or receive information, contact Phindile Erika Chowa at erikachowa@gmail.com or 412-956-7474. Information also is available by emailing Durosaire Bakoua at duros28@hotmail.com, or Ornelle Siako at ornellesiako@gmail.com.

Proceeds will go towards 400 children at the orphanage and will directly benefit K-12 Education and Youth Development, the group said, and will indirectly impact children in neighboring communities, extended families and future generations of students and orphans.

Savoy Restaurant & Lounge is located at 2623 Penn Ave. in Pittsburgh.

Anchor of Hope Charities was established in February 2008 to support the educational needs of orphaned and underprivileged children in Africa. It builds schools and dormitories; offer desks, books and shoes; and promotes life time skills such as basket weaving, wood carving and gardening. It also organize trips to Zambia, Africa for those interested in interacting with the children or assisting with our building efforts. In Zambia alone, with a population of 11 million, one million are orphans. Many live with aging grandparents, because AIDS has taken the entire generation of parents from these children.

For more information about Anchor of Hope Charities, go to www.anchorofhopecharities.org.

Pittsburgh Middle East Institute Annual Conference to Feature Henry Kissinger and Top Government Officials from Saudi Arabia and Oman Oct. 26 - Special Pricing for GlobalPittsburgh Members

2011-09-15T16:26:00.011-04:00

The Pittsburgh Middle East Institute is proud to announce its
FOURTH ANNUAL CONFERENCEOctober 26, 2011
HENRY KISSINGER
Tickets on Sale Now!

Gala Sponsors Dinner 6:30 p.m.
Lecture 8:00 p.m.
Carnegie Music Hall
Business Conference
8:00 am - 2:00 pm
Fairmont Hotel, Downtown Pittsburgh
Evening Keynote Lecture by Dr. Kissinger
With an Introduction by former U.S. Treasury Secretary, the Honorable Paul H. O’NeillDr. Henry A. Kissinger was sworn in on September 22, 1973, as the 56th Secretary of State, a position he held until January 20, 1977. He also served as Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs from January 20, 1969, until November 3, 1975. In July 1983 he was appointed by President Reagan to chair the National Bipartisan Commission on Central America until it ceased operation in January 1985, and from 1984-1990 he served as a member of the President’s Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board. From 1986-1988 he was a member of the Commission on Integrated Long-Term Strategy of the National Security Council and Defense Department.

The 2011 Business Conference

Saudi Arabia: Kingdom of OpportunitySultanate of Oman: Land of Progress

Wednesday, October 26, 2011 Fairmont Hotel - Downtown Pittsburgh

7:30 am - Registration

8:00 am - 2:00 pm - Program

SPECIAL PRICING FOR GLOBALPITTSBURGH MEMBERS - Tickets must be purchased from GlobalPittsburgh to receive these discounts.
Paid members of GlobalPittsburgh may purchase tickets to the Business Conference for $175 each (regular price $200). Tickets for the Henry Kissinger Keynote Address may be purchased for 20 percent off the regular price for all seats. That means you can purchase $60 seats for $48, $40 seats for $32, and $20 seats for $16.
Purchase tickets by going to www.globalpittsburgh.org and clicking on "Donate to GlobalPittsburgh." Enter the amount of the ticket you want to purchase. Email your receipt to tbuell@globalpittsburgh.org and your tickets will be held at the door. For questions, please send email to tbuell@globalpittsburgh.org or call Tom Buell at 412-392-4513 (office) or 412-720-2218(cell).

Confirmed Speakers Include:

His Royal Highness Prince Turki Al Faisal bin Abdul Aziz Al Sa'ud of Saudi Arabia

His Royal Highness Prince Turki Al Faisal bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud was born on February 15, 1945 in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. HRH began his schooling at the Taif Model School and then went on to complete his high school diploma at the Lawrenceville School in Princeton. HRH went on to study at several universities including Georgetown University, class of 1968.

His Royal Highness was appointed as an Advisor at the Royal Court in 1973. In 1977, HRH was appointed Director General (with a rank of Minister) of the General Intelligence Directorate (GID), Saudi Arabia’s main foreign intelligence service. HRH served as the head of the GID until August 2001.

In October 2002, HRH was appointed as the Saudi Arabian Ambassador to the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. HRH served in the position until July 2005, when he was appointed as Ambassador to the United States. He retired in February, 2007.

His Royal Highness is a Founder and Trustee of the King Faisal Foundation as well as the Chairman of the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies.

Her Excellency Dr. Rawya Al Busaidi, Minister of Higher Education, Oman

HE Dr Rawya Saud Al Busaidi, PhD from Oxford University, was the first woman in the Sultanate of Oman to be appointed to full ministerial rank. and has held the post of Minister of Higher Education since March 2004 when she was also appointed as Chair of the Sultan Qaboos University Council and Deputy Chair of the Council of Higher Education. Among the other key posts currently held by Her Excellency are that of Deputy Chair of Oman's new Science Research Council, and Chair of the Board of the College of Law.

HE Ambassador Hunaina Al-Mughairy, Ambassador to U.S. from Oman;Chair, Sultan Qaboos Cultural Center's Oversight Board

Ambassador Al-Mughairy was appointed as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Sultanate of Oman to the United States of America on December 2, 2005. She also serves as Chair, Sultan Qaboos Cultural Center’s Oversight Board. Ambassador Al-Mughairy is an economist with an extensive business background. Since taking over this position, she has been a strong advocate for the U.S.-Oman Free Trade Agreement and has focused much of her energy on improving relations between the U.S. and Oman. As the first woman to represent an Arab country as an Ambassador in Washington, Ambassador Al-Mughairy wants to improve the image of Arab women in the United States. Prior to her work in diplomacy, she served many roles in Oman’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Omani Center for Investment Promotion & Export Development. H.E. obtained a B.A in Business Communications from the High Polytechnical Institute in Cairo, and an M.A. in Economics from New York University, New York.

Ambassador Elizabeth McKune, Executive Director, Sultan Qaboos Cultural Center

Ambassador Elizabeth McKune assumed the position of Executive Director of the Sultan Qaboos CulturalCenter in 2007, after 33 years as a Foreign Service Officer. From 1998-2001, she was Ambassador to the State of Qatar. While in the State Department, Ambassador McKune also spent over 17 years abroad in

Israel

Tunisia

Egypt

Lebanon

, the Sultanate of Oman,

Iraq

, and

Great Britain

. Stateside, she held a deputy assistant secretary position as Deputy Executive Secretary of the State Department.

Jamal Al Kishi, Chief Country Officer & Head of Corporate and Investment Banking for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Deutsche Bank

Deutsche Bank appointed Mr. Jamal Al Kishi as Chief Country Officer for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and Head of Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB) in the KSA on 1 July 2007. He reports to Dr. Henry Azzam, Chief Executive Officer of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and Mr. Ricardo Honegger, Head of Global Markets MENA regions respectively.

Dr. Amer bin Awadh Al-RawasChief Executive Officer, Oman Telecommunications Company (Omantel)

Dr. Rawas is the Chief Executive Officer of Oman Telecommunications Company (Omantel), which is the first telecommunications company in

Oman

and the primary provider of Internet Services in the Sultanate. Prior to his current post, he served as the Managing Director – Oman Mobile. Dr. Rawas holds a PhD in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence from the Sussex University, UK, 1997. In the academic field prior to his joining the Telecom Sector, Dr. Rawas served in various academic and leadership positions at the Sultan Qaboos University (SQU). His last assignment was the Dean of Educational Services.

Dr. John Duke Anthony, President & CEO,

National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations

Dr. John Duke Anthony is the Founding President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations. He is also a Member of the Council on Foreign Relations, an Adjunct Professor at the Department of Defense's Institute for Security Assistance Management, an Adjunct Professor at the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service's Center for Contemporary Arab Studies, and a Member of the U.S. Department of State's Advisory Committee on International Economic Policy (ACIEP) as well as the ACIEP's Subcommittees on Sanctions and Trade and Investment.

Edward Burton, President & Managing Director, U.S.-Saudi Arabian Business Council

Edward Burton was appointed President and Managing Director of the U.S.-Saudi Arabian Business Council in March 2006. In his position, he works with the public and private sectors to promote the interests of the U.S.-Saudi Arabian business relationship. The U.S.-Saudi Arabian Business Council was established in December 1993 to improve the mutual knowledge and understanding between the private sectors of the

United States

and

Saudi Arabia

, and to promote trade and investment between the two countries. Over the years, Mr. Burton has counseled numerous Fortune 500 companies as well as middle tier firms in a variety of industries such as construction, medical and pharmaceutical, defense & security and technical services.

Susana Florian International Market Development ManagerParsons Transportation
She works out of Parsons’ Washington D.C. office, and her duties include assessing new markets, cultivating Parsons’ involvement in new global projects, ensuring that multi-Division pursuits take best advantage of global resources and key technical personnel by providing a point of contact and clearinghouse for such opportunities. She is a licensed professional engineer in Pennsylvania and a certified international value engineering specialist. After earning a five-year civil engineering degree from the Polytechnic Institute of Cluj in her home country of

Romania

, Susana spent two decades working in design and construction management of infrastructure projects.

Yusuf Giansiracusa, Partner-in-charge of Jones Day's Riyadh offices

Yusuf Giansiracusa has worked in

Saudi Arabia

for the last 20 years representing Saudi clients as well as foreign clients doing business in the Kingdom and abroad. He represents a number of the Kingdom's prominent industrial enterprises and several of the leading commercial and industrial families in the Kingdom. Yusuf has a broad range of experience in commercial and corporate transactions, licensing, industrial and infrastructure projects, OGP, and private client matters.

In association with Alsulaim Alawaji & Partners Law Firm, Yusuf is Partner-in-Charge of the Riyadh Office in

Saudi Arabia

Amer Kayani, Minister Counselor for Commercial Affairs for Saudi ArabiaU.S. Commercial Service

Amer Kayani is the Minister Counselor for Commercial Affairs for Saudi Arabia and Bahrain for the U.S. Commercial Service based at the U.S. Embassy Riyadh. His extensive experience in the Middle East and North Africa include his role as the Regional Senior Commercial Officer for Egypt, Lebanon, and Libya, Regional Senior Commercial Officer for Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, North Cyprus, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, Commercial Counselor in Pakistan, and Commercial Attaché in Israel. He also served as Director at the U.S. Department of Commerce’s office in Hawaii, and in various positions in California and Washington, D.C.

Sponsorship Information

View the video and program information from the 2010 Business Conference

For more information regarding the Business Conference & Sponsorships, please contact Maria Hastings at 412.995.0076 or maria@pittsburghmideastinstitute.org.

Pittsburgh Law Firm K&L Gates Opens Office in Qatar - 38th Office Worldwide, Second in Middle East

2011-09-14T15:29:00.002-04:00

Pittsburgh-based law firm K&L Gates LLP has established an office in Doha, Qatar, the firm’s second in the Middle East and 38th office worldwide.

“With the launch of our Doha office, K&L Gates formally enters an exciting and increasingly diverse legal marketplace which reflects Qatar’s admirable commitment to develop an advanced and diversified economy on the strength of its energy endowments. Our Doha office is a foundation block of our strategy for the Middle East,” said K&L Gates Chairman and Global Managing Partner Peter J. Kalis.

Soon to be located in the iconic Tornado Tower, K&L Gates’ Doha office includes a team of lawyers with a deep understanding of the Qatar market, as well as substantial Middle East and international experience.

Supported by colleagues in the Gulf region and throughout the world, the firm’s Doha lawyers will assist clients with their legal and regulatory needs in such established areas as projects; energy and infrastructure; banking and finance; telecommunications, media and technology; real estate and construction; intellectual property, and dispute resolution, among others.

“The addition of a Doha office significantly enhances our existing regional capabilities to serve clients in one of the most vibrant economies in the world,” said Neal R. Brendel, a founding co-partner of K&L Gates’ Dubai office, established in June 2009.

K&L Gates includes lawyers practicing out of 38 offices located in North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, and represents numerous GLOBAL 500, FORTUNE 100, and FTSE 100 corporations, in addition to growth and middle market companies, entrepreneurs, capital market participants and public sector entities.

GlobalPittsburgh Members Invited to Hear Address by Rwandan President Paul Kagame at CMU Friday, Sept. 16

2011-09-12T17:04:00.000-04:00

Members of GlobalPittsburgh are invited to attend an address by Rwandan President Paul Kagame on Friday, Sept. 16 at 5 p.m. in Rangos Ballroom, University Center, at Carnegie Mellon University.

Kagame will be visiting CMU to speak about Rwanda’s strategy for continued growth in the global economy and its plans to become East Africa’s leader in information and communication technology.

In addition, President Kagame and CMU President Jared L. Cohon said they will be making an important announcement regarding the collaborative role that the university will play in helping Rwanda to realize its vision.

President Kagame’s talk will begin at 5:15 p.m. Doors to Rangos Ballroom will open at 4 p.m. All attendees must be seated by 4:45 p.m. A partnership ceremony will begin at 5 p.m.

Following his address, President Kagame will answer questions from the audience. Those planning to attend must respond by sending email to govrel@andrew.cmu.edu by Wednesday, Sept. 14th and indicate the number of people attending. There is no charge for this event, which is open to the public.

Student Leaders Invited to Free Conference on Empowerment & Leadership Oct. 1 at Carlow

2011-09-08T12:01:00.000-04:00

High School and College students in the Pittsburgh Region are invited to attend a free conference combining elements of empowerment and leadership on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Carlow University.

Hosted by Global Solutions Pittsburgh, along with Baker Leadership and Carlow University, the program is called Student Empowership 2011, and is being billed as a "cutting-edge conference for high-school and university student leaders in the Pittsburgh area."

The one-day conference will focus on providing high school and college students with concrete, skills-based training on how to become active in either student centered or community based organizations. Expert training will be provided on topics such as leadership, organizing with social media, fundraising, budgeting, and event planning.

In addition to providing practical skills training, this conference will serve as a means of networking for the students, enabling them to learn about different initiatives taking place within the city and on various campuses. A complimentary breakfast and lunch are included.

Breakfast and lunch will feature keynote speakers who will talk about the importance of student leadership and why students should feel empowered to work towards their goals. Speakers will include Penny Semaia, Assistant Athletic Director for Student Life at the University of Pittsburgh, and Chaz Kellum, Manager of Diversity Initiatives for the Pittsburgh Pirates, both of whom are champions in the community for encouraging students to get involved and make a difference.

Along with the keynote presentations, there will be three breakout sessions during the day from which students can choose from a variety of different workshops to participate in. These workshops will be led by local experts and leaders, with years of experience in which to share with the students.
A few of the presenters for the day will be Lani Redinger of Nakturnal, Holly McIntosh from the Office of Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, Brian Honigman of LunaMetrics, and Kristina Elias of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh.

CLICK HERE for more information on the presenters, descriptions of the workshops, and a detailed schedule of events.

The only requirements for Student Empowership 2011 is that participants must be high-school or college students and they must pre-register for the day. Please see the registration form below to reserve your spot for Student Empowership 2011!

Carlow University is located at 3333 Fifth Avenue in Oakland.

For more information about Student Empowership 2011, contact Tim Lessick at tim@globalsolutionspgh.org or by phone at 412-471-7852.

GlobalPittsburgh First Thursdays - Sept. 1 at Emiliano's on the South Side - Great Networking Opportunities - FREE!

2011-08-29T10:29:00.004-04:00

The GlobalPittsburgh First Thursdays event for September will be held at Emiliano's Mexican Restaurant on the South Side on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2011 from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.

Join us for an evening of friends, music and good spirits with an international flair. This will be a great event for new students, internationals and globally-minded people from all over.

GlobalPittsburgh First Thursdays is a regular monthly night of networking and socializing with different themes, different activities and different locations - but always with an international flavor - on the first Thursday of every month.

Celebrate Mexican Independence (Sept 16) and all of Latin America, meet visitors from many countries, and network with globally-minded folks from Pittsburgh and all over.

Thanks to support from Heyl & Patterson!

There will be free appetizers, bar specials, raffles, celebrity bartender and more. Admission is FREE (and there will be membership information if you want to sign up at the door).

Emiliano's is located at 2557 East Carson Street on the South Side.

For more information, contact Tim Allen at 412-392-4513 or by email at tallen@pciv.org.

Internationally Recognized Expert in Marrow Transplantation Named Chief of New Division at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh

2011-08-22T12:24:00.002-04:00

Paul Szabolcs, M.D., a native of Hungary and a pioneer in reduced-toxicity cord blood and marrow transplantation, has been appointed chief of the newly established Division of Blood and Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapies at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC.

Paul Szabolcs, MD

Under Dr. Szabolcs’ leadership, physicians in the Division of Blood and Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapies will design and test disease-specific and biologically rational novel reduced-toxicity transplantation regimens for patients with high-risk leukemia or lymphoma, and for those afflicted with life-threatening inherited conditions that can lead to bone marrow failure, immune deficiency, autoimmune diseases and neurodegenerative conditions.

Dr. Szabolcs, also a professor of Pediatrics at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, comes to Pittsburgh from Duke University Medical Center, where he was as an associate professor of pediatrics and immunology. While at Duke, he established an independent research program that combined basic and clinical investigations focused on understanding the biology of immune reconstitution and alloreactivty after cord blood transplantation and developed immunotherapy strategies to prevent or treat leukemia relapse after cord blood transplantation.

"In close collaboration with the faculty of the Division of Hematology/Oncology, Dr. Szabolcs will be working to expand our evidence-based use of blood and bone marrow transplantation and to develop cellular therapies for malignant and non-malignant diseases, including metabolic and chronic inflammatory diseases, and to carry out clinical and basic research that will lead to new discoveries for improved outcomes from cellular therapies,” said David H. Perlmutter, M.D., physician-in-chief and scientific director at Children’s Hospital, and the Vira I. Heinz Professor and chairman of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

In recent years, Dr. Szabolcs, a National Institutes of Health-funded researcher, has successfully developed novel reduced-toxicity transplant conditioning regimens to improve the safety of cord blood transplantation for children afflicted with a variety of non-malignant diseases, including inborn errors of metabolism, immunodeficiencies, and sickle cell anemia. Most recently, he has turned his attention to combining unrelated-donor bone marrow transplantation with lung transplantation for curative treatment of rare immune disorders that result in or cause pulmonary failure.

Dr. Szabolcs is a graduate of Semmelweis University School of Medicine in Budapest, Hungary. He completed his residency in pediatrics at New York University School of Medicine and his fellowship in pediatric hematology/oncology/bone marrow transplantation at Cornell University Medical College and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

For more information about Dr. Szabolcs, the Division of Blood and Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapies or Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, please visit www.chp.edu.

Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Embarking on 12-Concert European Tour, Providing Opportunity for Region to Connect with Global Business Leaders

2011-08-21T14:40:00.003-04:00

Music Director Manfred Honeck will lead the world-renowned Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (PSO) on a 12-concert European Festivals Tour presented by BNY Mellon from Aug. 23 to Sept. 12, 2011.

Maestro Honeck will lead the PSO at the prestigious Lucerne Festival in Switzerland (Sept. 3), Berlin Festival in Germany (Sept. 11), as well as concerts in Wiesbaden (Aug. 26) and Hamburg , Germany (Aug. 27), Vilnius, Lithuania (Aug. 29), Paris (Sept. 7). The orchestra also will perform two concerts at the Grafenegg, Austria, on Sept. 1 & 2, at the Beethoven Festival in Bonn on Sept. 9 & 10. Additional performances in the United Kingdom will be announced at a later date.

Violin virtuoso Anne-Sophie Mutter and acclaimed pianist Hélène Grimaud will join the PSO on tour.

Mutter will appear in Wiesbaden, Hamburg, Vilnius, Grafenegg, Lucerne, the U.K., Bonn and Berlin, playing Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto and Wolfgang Rihm’s Gensungene Zeit and Lichtes Spiel, both written for her. Grimaud will appear with the PSO in Grafenegg, the U.K., Paris and Bonn, playing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4.

The tour program also will feature Mahler’s Symphony No. 5, Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5, Braunfels’ Fantastic Appearances of a Theme by Hector Berlioz and Wagner’s Prelude to Lohengrin.

"I am thrilled to return to the music capitals in Europe with the Orchestra and Manfred Honeck, who both received tremendous accolades on their previous tour," PSO President and CEO Lawrence Tamburri said. "Honeck is a master of the core Austro-German repertoire, which historically is part of the PSO heritage."

"Touring Europe with our wonderful musicians is always a special experience for me," Honeck said. "It is fantastic to make music with our world-class orchestra in some of the finest concert halls in the world."

The PSO would like to recognize and thank BNY Mellon for its presenting sponsorship of the 2011 European Festivals Tour.

"BNY Mellon is proud to be the presenting sponsor of 2011 PSO European Festivals Tour, which showcases the PSO’s formidable artistic talent and bolsters its international reputation among the world’s elite symphony orchestras," said Vince Sands, Chairman of BNY Mellon of Pennsylvania.

International touring is also made possible, in part, by the Hillman Endowment for International Performance.

The PSO also is continuing its partnership, now entering in its sixth year, with the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance to promote the Pittsburgh region in Europe.

“We are excited to join forces with BNY Mellon and the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance yet again,” Tamburri said. “The Pittsburgh region routinely gets chosen as one of the most livable areas in the United States and we are honored to serve as ambassadors and tell the world about this great region.”

“A city and region of bridges, Pittsburgh has become internationally recognized for creating partnerships that are, in fact, bridges connecting us to the world. The partnership with the PSO is just one example of how diverse organizations and individuals come together to introduce this exceptional live-work-play destination,” said PRA President Dewitt Peart.

“Showcasing the PSO, one of our best cultural assets, and engaging with global business leaders let us nurture established relationships and build new friendships that bring investment to our region. The PRA is excited to return to Europe, promoting the opportunities for international business investment in southwestern Pennsylvania. In fact, CEOs of companies abroad have been asking, ‘When are you coming back?’ The anticipation seems to be mutual,” Peart said.

Fall Activities for GlobalPittsburgh Members Announced - Now's the Time to Join the GlobalPittsburgh Network!

2011-08-17T14:37:00.009-04:00

Here's a list of activities planned this Fall for members of the GlobalPittsburgh Network. (If you're not a member yet, or you know somebody who would like to become a member, CLICK HERE or go to www.globalpittsburgh.org).

Saturday August 20
Riverside Bike Ride – Let’s enjoy a bike ride along downtown’s riverbanks to celebrate the middle of the summer and admire Pittsburgh’s landmarks on the go.

Thursday September 1
FIRST THURSDAYS group dinner/networking at local restaurant – Location to be determined. Send your suggestion for location of this monthly dinner and networking event.

Friday September 2
First Fridays at the Frick – This evening, we’ll hear music by the St. Petersburg String Quartet. They are one of the world’s most esteemed chamber ensembles.

Sunday September 11
Japan Association of Greater Pittsburgh - We’ll join Japanese living in Pittsburgh for a picnic in the Fox Chapel area. There will be food and games at this event.

Saturday September 17
Dragon Boat Festival– We’ll travel as a group to this fun and informative festival which shares Asian culture through hands on activities, foods, and dance & music performances throughout the day. There will be hands on activities such as testing ones origami skills.

Friday September 30
Pittsburgh Gallery Crawl – features live music, spectacular art, and interesting installations. This activity usually brings out a large group of members who enjoy art, live music, and exploring downtown’s cultural district with a group a fun and interesting people.

Thursday October 6
FIRST THURSDAYS networking event at Sheraton Station Square Pittsburgh Rare Lounge. 5:30 to 8 p.m. CLICK HERE for more information about First Thursdays.

Saturday October 15
Fall Harvest Festival - We’ll visit a local farm to sip hot apple cider, take a hay ride, roast marshmallows, and pick pumpkins.

Friday October 28 or Saturday October 29
Halloween Activity – We’ll celebrate this holiday with a little suspense, shock, and possible some horror. You’ll have a frightening good time!

Thursday November 3
FIRST THURSDAYS group dinner/networking at local restaurant – Location to be determined. Send your suggestion for location of this monthly dinner and networking event.

Saturday November 12
Harmonist German Christmas Market — You’ll visit an old German village for its annual Christmas Market. You’ll learn about the Harmonists and how they settled in Western Pennsylvania.

Thursday November 24
Thanksgiving Day Holiday - Join U.S. members in their homes to celebrate this American holiday with turkey, mashed potatoes, corn and pumpkin pie.

Thursday December 1
FIRST THURSDAY group dinner/networking at local restaurant – Location to be determined. Send your suggestion for location of this monthly dinner and networking event.

Thursday January 5, 2012
FIRST THURSDAYS group dinner/networking at local restaurant – Location to be determined. Send your suggestion for location of this monthly dinner and networking event.

Thursday February 2, 2012
FIRST THURSDAYS group dinner/networking at local restaurant – Location to be determined. Send your suggestion for location of this monthly dinner and networking event.

Thursday March 1, 2012
FIRST THURSDAYS group dinner/networking at local restaurant – Location to be determined. Send your suggestion for location of this monthly dinner and networking event.

Pittsburgh and Johannesburg Confirmed As Finalists In Race to Host One Young World 2012 - Announcement Coming Sept. 3

2011-08-17T11:05:00.000-04:00

Following initial expressions of interest from leading cities in Australia, China, South Africa, Peru and the United States, the One Young World founders confirmed today that the bids from the cities of Pittsburgh, Pa., and Johannesburg, South Africa, have been shortlisted as the two finalists in the running to host One Young World 2012.

The winner will be announced on Saturday, Sept. 3, at the closing ceremony of the One Young World Summit in Zurich.

David Jones, co-founder, One Young World, and Havas global CEO said, "The strength of these bids is testament to the growing profile of One Young World and the fact that it is developing into the foremost global forum for young future leaders."

This year, more than 1,200 young leaders under the age of 30 are attending the summit, representing 170 countries. They will meet to discuss some of the big challenges facing mankind and will create resolutions regarding their actions to address these issues.

Unlike any other event in the world, One Young World gives young delegates the kind of media platform and access to world figures ordinarily afforded only to those who lead countries and corporations. The summit facilitates global debate around the ideas and resolutions of the delegates, and the consequent initiatives and action are monitored and recorded.

Kate Robertson, One Young World co-founder and U.K. group chairman of Euro RSCG, added: "The bids from both Pittsburgh and Johannesburg were exceptional. They showed an unhesitating commitment to the ethos of One Young World in championing young people and the vision to create a formidable event in 2012."

About One Young World
One Young World is the world's premier global youth leadership summit, aiming to bring together delegates aged 25 and under from every one of the world's 192 countries. One Young World combines the social power of the Internet with the energy and ideas of global youth to address the most challenging issues of today.

Founded by David Jones, global CEO of Havas and Euro RSCG Worldwide, and Kate Robertson, U.K. Group Chairman of Euro RSCG, One Young World focuses on plenary sessions at which delegates are guided by a group of international luminaries including Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Bob Geldof. The inaugural London summit took place in February 2010. The second-annual One Young World summit will be held in Zurich, Switzerland, on Sept. 1-4, 2011, and will gather more than 1,600 young people from every country worldwide. For more information, please visit www.oneyoungworld.com.

New Immigration Rules Designed to Promote Startup Enterprises and Spur Job Creation in Places Like Pittsburgh

2011-08-03T10:17:00.008-04:00

WASHINGTON — Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Alejandro Mayorkas this week outlined a series of policy, operational, and outreach efforts to fuel the nation's economy and stimulate investment by attracting foreign entrepreneurial talent of exceptional ability or who otherwise can create jobs, form startup companies, and invest capital in areas of high unemployment.

"The United States must continue to attract the best and brightest from around the world to invest their talents, skills, and ideas to grow our economy and create American jobs," said Secretary Napolitano. "Today's announcements will help our nation fully realize the potential of existing immigration laws."

"Current immigration laws support foreign talent who will invest their capital, create new jobs for American workers, and dedicate their exceptional talent to the growth of our nation's economy," said Director Mayorkas. "USCIS is dedicated to ensuring that the potential of our immigration laws is fully realized, and the initiatives we announce today are an important step forward."

These actions mark the six-month anniversary of Startup America, a White House-led initiative to reduce barriers and accelerate growth for America's job-creating entrepreneurs. They have also been one key focus of the President's Council on Jobs and Competitiveness, which has recommended taking action to help ensure that America can out-innovate and out-compete the world in a global economy.

USCIS has published a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document on its website clarifying that entrepreneurs may obtain an employment-based second preference (EB-2) immigrant visa if they satisfy the existing requirements, and also may qualify for a National Interest Waiver under the EB-2 immigrant visa category if they can demonstrate that their business endeavors will be in the interest of the United States. USCIS will complement these FAQs with internal training on the unique characteristics of entrepreneurial enterprises and startup companies and incorporate input from the upcoming stakeholder engagements detailed below. CLICK HERE to read the FAQ page.

The EB-2 visa classification includes foreign workers with advanced degrees and individuals of exceptional ability in the arts, sciences, or business. Generally, an EB-2 visa petition requires a job offer and a Department of Labor certification. These requirements can be waived under existing law if the petitioner demonstrates that approval of the EB-2 visa petition would be in the national interest of the United States.

In response to stakeholder feedback, USCIS has also updated existing FAQs to clarify that an H-1B beneficiary who is the sole owner of the petitioning company may establish a valid employer-employee relationship for the purposes of qualifying for an H-1B nonimmigrant visa – which is used by U.S. businesses to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise in specialized fields, such as science, engineering, and computer programming.

The EB-5 immigrant investor program is also being further enhanced by transforming the intake and review process. In May, USCIS proposed fundamental enhancements to streamline the EB-5 process which include: extending the availability of premium processing for certain EB-5 applications and petitions, implementing direct lines of communication between the applicants and USCIS, and providing applicants with the opportunity for an interview before a USCIS panel of experts to resolve outstanding issues in an application. After reviewing stakeholder feedback on the proposal, USCIS is developing a phased plan to roll out these enhancements and is poised to begin implementing the first of these enhancements within 30 days.

Created by Congress in 1990, the program stimulates the U.S. economy through capital investment and resulting job creation by immigrant investors. As of June 30, 2011, it is estimated that the program has resulted in more than $1.5 billion in capital investments and created at least 34,000 jobs.

USCIS has also announced the expansion of its Premium Processing Service to immigrant petitions for multinational executives and managers (often referred to as "E13"). The Premium Processing Service allows employers to expedite processing of their petitions, absent evidentiary deficiencies, fraud or national security concerns.

Finally, USCIS is launching a new series of engagement opportunities for entrepreneurs and startup companies. These opportunities will focus on soliciting input from stakeholders on how USCIS can address the unique circumstances of entrepreneurs, new businesses and startup companies through its policies and regulations in the employment-based arena. For detailed information on USCIS's public meetings, please visit www.uscis.gov/outreach.

For more information, visit www.uscis.gov.

GlobalPittsburgh Introduces First Thursdays - Networking Nights Every Month Starting Aug. 4 at Mullaney's

2011-07-23T13:11:00.021-04:00

GlobalPittsburgh introduces First Thursdays - a regular monthly night of networking and socializing with different themes, different activities and different locations - but always with an international flavor - on the first Thursday of every month.

The first event is an evening at Mullaney's Harp & Fiddle in the Strip District on Thursday, August 4, 2011 from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. Join us for an evening of friends, music and good spirits with an international flair. Many thanks to UPMC, our lead supporter for this kick-off event.

Celebrate Ireland, meet visitors from many countries including a group from Korea spending a month studying English in Pittsburgh, and network with globally-minded folks from all over.

There will be free appetizers, live music by Guaranteed Irish, bar specials on Guinness and Blue Moon, raffles, celebrity bartender and more. Admission is free (although there will be GlobalPittsburgh membership information if you want to sign up at the door).

Guest Bartenders:
Michael Lamb, Pittsburgh City Controller
Robert Kennedy, VP Government Affairs at UPMC

Raffle items:
1. A large basket full of Irish gifts, including Guaranteed Irish CDs. (Value: over $200)

2. Three months membership to Urban Active Fitness in Bakery Square. (Value: $150)

3. Four Language lessons by Christine Frechard’s Institute of International Art and Languages (Value: $60)

4. Massage package with assortment of body rubs by Massage Envy (Value: $50)

5. Three Yoga sessions (Value: $30)

Please feel free to forward this to your friends and network and whatever you can do to help spread the word about the event.

Thanks to support from UPMC

Mullaney's is located at 2329 Penn Avenue in the Strip District.

For more information, contact Tim Allen at 412-392-4513 or by email at tallen@pciv.org.

CMU's Entertainment Technology Center Forms Partnership with Salford University in Manchester, UK

2011-07-22T06:59:00.009-04:00

The Entertainment Technology Center (ETC) at Carnegie Mellon University has signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Salford in Manchester, United Kingdom, to collaborate on interactive, creative digital media projects.

The partnership will include student exchanges, the development of postgraduate courses and research projects in acoustics, media asset management and "edutainment," the fusion of education and entertainment pioneered by the ETC.

The partnership comes as Salford is preparing to open a new media facility, called MediaCityUK, where 1,500 students will work and study alongside major media organizations in the BBC.

"Interactive digital media is the language of young people all over the world, so expanding the ETC's connection to include the UK is a natural," said ETC Executive Producer Don Marinelli. The University of Salford is the one British university that has expressed the greatest interest in connecting with us."

Marinelli said the University of Salford is a world leader in the area of acoustics and audio research and development, and that the ETC has much to learn from Salford in those areas.

"Our move to MediaCityUK is about creating links — not just in the North, West and the UK — but internationally, and Carnegie Mellon fits with our objectives perfectly," said University of Salford Vice Chancellor and Professor Martin Hall. "Carnegie Mellon is a global leader in digital and creative teaching and research, and both institutions stand to benefit significantly from this partnership."

GlobalPittsburgh Teams with TiE-Pittsburgh to Present "Innovation in a Connected World; Global Investment and Entrepreneurship" on Aug. 25 at Carnegie Science Center

2011-07-14T23:08:00.035-04:00

GlobalPittsburgh has teamed with TiE-Pittsburgh to present Innovation in a Connected World; Global Investment and Entrepreneurship on Aug 25 2011, 5:30-8:00 pm, at the Carnegie Science Center.

Join us for this networking event and panel discussion with local business leaders providing answers to these questions:

-- What does the global investment landscape look like? What can one expect possibly in the next year?
-- How does one research foreign companies in which to invest?
-- How does an entrepreneur attract foreign investment dollars to their local business?
-- How does one leverage foreign demographics and its innovation base?
-- Scale vs. Niche opportunities - the Pro's and Cons

Moderated by:
Ganesh Mani, The Global Innovation Center

Panelists include:
Geoffrey Pazzanese
Federated Investors

Andrew Chomos
VP Finance & Operations
Omnyx, LLC

Jon Dogterom
Practice Lead, Cleantech, Advanced Materials and Engineering
MaRS, Toronto

Matthew Helfrich
Chief Investment Strategist
Waldron Wealth Management

The evening's agenda:
5:30 Check In and Networking
6:10 General Announcements
6:20 Panel Discussion
7:05 Audience Q & A
7:20 General Announcements
7:30 - 8 pm - Networking

Because there is a limited capacity for this event, we strongly recommend advanced registration.
Admission is free for paid GlobalPittsburgh and TiE members.
Non-Members $30 in advance, $35 day of event. Non-Member Students $10

This is a great time to join GlobalPittsburgh - For $40 individual/$50 family you get admission to this program as well as a full year of activities, free & discounted tickets, other networking events and more! CLICK HERE for more information about GlobalPittsburgh membership and an online registration form. Join today and participate in this great program!

We thank the Government of Canada and the Carnegie Science Center for hosting this event! More info about the Science Center at www.carnegiesciencecenter.org.

For registration information, contact:
Thomas Buell, Jr.
Director of Marketing
GlobalPittsburgh
Phone - 412-720-2218
Email - tcbuell@gmail.com
Website - www.globalpittsburgh.org

International Market Day Launches July 3 at Pittsburgh Public Market; Features Global Arts, Crafts, Food & Music

2011-06-27T09:23:00.004-04:00

Arts, crafts and performances from around the world will be on display and on sale the first Sunday of every month from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. starting July 3, 2011 at the Pittsburgh Public Market as part of International Market Day, a community program of CEED, a non-profit organization, in collaboration with the Pittsburgh Public Market (PPM). Admission is free.

International Market Day will feature arts and crafts created by international vendors now living in the Pittsburgh region, in addition to live performances for the whole family, according to Rufus Idris, executive director of CEED, a community development group based in Highland Park.

“This opening event on the 4th of July holiday weekend will be a great way to celebrate the diversity of American culture,” Idris said. “We will feature vendors from Africa and Asia offering hand-made crafts, textiles, food, jewelry and original works of art. Many of these items are unique and not available anywhere else in the Pittsburgh region.”

International Market Day also will include performances by music and dance groups, and will vary from month to month, Idris said.

CEED creates opportunities for economic success and community growth in Southwestern Pennsylvania with small business startup support & housing solutions for immigrant, refugee and inner city populations. CEED’s participation in the International Market Day program is made possible in part by a generous grant from the Richard King Mellon Foundation.

Several of the international participants are clients of CEED’s Skills to Wealth program, which addresses the challenges faced by start-up and existing underserved and disadvantaged entrepreneurs by providing pragmatic technical assistance to immigrant-owned, refugee-owned, minority-owned and veteran-owned microenterprises in the Pittsburgh region.

The international vendors will compliment existing PPM booths and vendors, many of whom represent a wide variety of countries and regional ethnicities, according to Cindy Cassell, spokesperson for the Pittsburgh Public Market.

“The International Market Day vendors will set up along the wall on one side, and the live performances will take place in the program area on the other side, so it will really tie everything together,” she said. “We think it will be a wonderful addition to the Market.”

The Pittsburgh Public Market was created in 2010 by Neighbors in the Strip to provide a year-round, indoor venue for local small businesses and farmers, promoting the growth of new businesses and featuring the best of what the region has to offer. It is located on Smallman Street in the Strip District between 16th and 17th street intersections.

Neighbors in the Strip (NITS) is a non-profit organization established in 1999 to promote economic development opportunities while preserving the personality, integrity and character of the Strip District of Pittsburgh. Members include businesses, residents, non-profits, and art/cultural organizations located and/or doing business in and around the Strip.

For information about CEED, go to www.usaceed.org. For information about the Pittsburgh Public Market, go to www.pittsburghpublicmarket.org. For information about Neighbors in the Strip, go to www.neighborsinthestrip.com.

President Obama Launches Advanced Manufacturing Partnership at CMU, One of Six Universities Involved in Joint Effort by Industry, Government and Academia

2011-06-24T14:56:00.007-04:00

President Barack Obama today launched a major manufacturing initiative from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh.

President Obama Signs the Sensabot
(CMU Photo)

The initiative — the Advanced Manufacturing Partnership (AMP) — brings together major U.S. manufacturers and top U.S. universities, including CMU.

"It seems like every time I'm here I learn something," President Obama said in making his announcement. "For those of you thinking about Carnegie Mellon, it's a terrific place, and you guys are doing just great work."

The Advanced Manufacturing Partnership brings together industry, universities, and the federal government to invest in the emerging technologies that will create high quality manufacturing jobs and enhance our global competitiveness. Investing in technologies, such as information technology, biotechnology, and nanotechnology, will support the creation of good jobs by helping U.S. manufacturers reduce costs, improve quality, and accelerate product development.

CLICK HERE for CMU website providing links, transcript and video of the President's speech.

Investments will be made in the following key areas: building domestic manufacturing capabilities in critical national security industries; reducing the time needed to make advanced materials used in manufacturing products; establishing U.S. leadership in next-generation robotics; increasing the energy efficiency of manufacturing processes; and developing new technologies that will dramatically reduce the time required to design, build, and test manufactured goods. Leading universities and companies will compliment these federal efforts helping to invent, deploy and scale these cutting-edge technologies.

“Today, I’m calling for all of us to come together- private sector industry, universities, and the government- to spark a renaissance in American manufacturing and help our manufacturers develop the cutting-edge tools they need to compete with anyone in the world,” said President Obama. “With these key investments, we can ensure that the United States remains a nation that ‘invents it here and manufactures it here’ and creates high-quality, good paying jobs for American workers.”

The AMP is being developed based on the recommendation of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST), which released a report [today] entitled “Ensuring Leadership in Advanced Manufacturing.” The PCAST report calls for a partnership between government, industry, and academia to identify the most pressing challenges and transformative opportunities to improve the technologies, processes and products across multiple manufacturing industries.

The AMP will be led by Andrew Liveris, Chairman, President, and CEO of Dow Chemical, and Susan Hockfield, President of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Working closely with the White House’s National Economic Council, Office of Science and Technology Policy and the PCAST, AMP will bring together a broad cross-section of major U.S. manufacturers and top U.S. engineering universities. The universities initially involved in the AMP will be the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Carnegie Mellon University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Stanford University, University of California-Berkeley, and University of Michigan. The manufacturers initially involved in the AMP will be Allegheny Technologies, Caterpillar, Corning, Dow Chemical, Ford, Honeywell, Intel, Johnson and Johnson, Northrop Grumman, Procter and Gamble, and Stryker.

The U.S. Government has had a long history of partnership with companies and universities in developing and commercializing the new technologies that have been the foundation of our economic success – from the telephone, to the microwave, to the jet engine, to the internet. The AMP will provide the platform for similar breakthroughs in the next decade, by building a roadmap for advanced manufacturing technologies, speeding ideas from the drawing board to the manufacturing floor, scaling-up first-of-a-kind technologies, and developing the infrastructure and shared facilities to allow small and mid-sized manufacturers to innovate and compete.

To launch the AMP, the President today announced a number of key steps being taken by the federal government:

- Building domestic manufacturing capabilities in critical national security industries: Starting this summer, the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, Energy, Agriculture, Commerce and other agencies will coordinate a government-wide effort to leverage their existing funds and future budgets, with an initial goal of $300 million, to co-invest with industry in innovative technologies that will jumpstart domestic manufacturing capability essential to our national security and promote the long-term economic viability of critical U.S. industries. Initial investments include small high-powered batteries, advanced composites, metal fabrication, bio-manufacturing, and alternative energy, among others.

- Reducing the time to develop and deploy advanced materials: The Materials Genome Initiative, would invest more than $100M in research, training and infrastructure to enable U.S. companies to discover, develop, manufacture, and deploy advanced materials at twice the speed than is possible today, at a fraction of the cost. In much the same way that advances in silicon technology helped create the modern information technology industry, advanced materials will fuel emerging multi-billion dollar industries aimed at addressing challenges in manufacturing, clean energy, and national security.

- Investing in next-generation robotics: The National Science Foundation, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, National Institutes of Health and the Department of Agriculture are coming together to make available today $70 million to support research in next generation robots. These investments will help create the next generation of robots that will work closely with human operators – allowing new ability for factory workers, healthcare providers, soldiers, surgeons and astronauts to carry out key hard-to-do tasks.

- Developing innovative energy-efficient manufacturing processes: The Department of Energy will launch an effort to leverage their existing funds and future budgets, with initial goal of $120 million to develop innovative manufacturing processes and materials to enable companies to cut the costs of manufacturing, while using less energy.

Additional complementary steps as part of AMP will include:

- Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency exploration of new approaches that have potential to dramatically reduce – by up to a factor of 5 – the time required to design, build, and test manufactured goods while enabling entrepreneurs to meet Defense Department needs.

- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Carnegie Mellon University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Stanford University, University of California-Berkeley, and University of Michigan commitment to form a multi-university collaborative framework for sharing of educational materials and best practices relating to advanced manufacturing and its linkage to innovation. The universities will also join together with industry partners and leading government agencies to define research opportunities and build a collaborative roadmap for identify key technology priorities.
Commerce Department development of an advanced manufacturing technology consortium, starting with $12 million in FY12, to identify public private partnerships to tackle common technological barriers to the development of new products.

- Proctor & Gamble announcement that it will make available advanced software at no cost to American small and mid-sized manufacturers through the recently launched Midwest Modeling and Simulation consortium. This is a highly valuable digital design tool usually unavailable to smaller firms.
Department of Energy launch of an initiative with the Ford Motor Company and the National Association of Manufacturers to make use of the Department’s National Training & Education Resource to educate and train a new generation of manufacturers.

- Defense Department investments, funded at $24 million in FY11, in domestic manufacturing technology that address urgent operational needs including improvements for transparent armor, stealth technology, and targeting systems. The Department is also developing an online marketplace to increase domestic manufacturing capacity in industries critical to our national security by connecting U.S. manufacturers with product needs at the Department and other federal agencies.http://bit.ly/iPXTl6

GlobalPittsburgh Hosting Leaders from Kyrgyzstan Studying Accountable Governance in Pittsburgh & Harrisburg

2011-06-23T12:38:00.009-04:00

Five members of Parliament from the Kyrgyz Republic participating in the Open World Program will spend six days in Pittsburgh and Harrisburg examining Accountable Governance, arriving June 24, 2011.

GlobalPittsburgh is hosting the delegation for the Open World Leadership Center at the Library of Congress, which enables emerging Eurasian political and civic leaders to work with their U.S. counterparts and experience American-style democracy at the local level.

While in Pittsburgh, the delegates will meet with representatives of several elected officials, including U.S. Sen. Robert Casey, Gov. Tom Corbett, Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato, and Pa. Rep. Dan Frankel, as well as Evelyn R. Stypula, advocate for people with disabilities, and Professor John M. Burkoff, University of Pittsburgh School of Law.

While in Harrisburg, the delegates will meet with Pete Tartline, Executive Deputy Secretary of Budget, John Guyer, Director of Budget Analysis, and Nicholas Cammauf, Senior Case Worker, Office of U.S. Representative Joe Pitts.

“We are honored to host this distinguished group of leaders from the Kyrgyz Republic and to connect them with leaders here in Pennsylvania,” said Roger O. Cranville, President of GlobalPittsburgh. “This ongoing process of exchange and communication between our country and other countries leads to important future opportunities and greater understanding and cooperation between us all.”

Homestays with local GlobalPittsburgh host families will allow the delegates to experience American family life. They will also take part in several cultural and community activities, including a visit to the Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History, a Bach, Beethoven & Brunch performance by the Freya String Quartet, and a tour of the State Capitol.

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.

The Open World Program is a unique, nonpartisan initiative of the U.S. Congress designed to build mutual understanding between the United States and Eurasia. Over 16,000 Open World participants have been hosted in all 50 U.S. states since the program’s inception in 1999. Delegates range from members of parliament to mayors, from innovative nonprofit directors to experienced journalists, and from political party activists to regional administrators.

The Open World Leadership Center has awarded a grant to AED, the Academy for Educational Development, to administer this and similar exchanges in 2011.

The visiting delegates are Mr. Almazbek Baatyrbekovich Baatyrbekov, member of Parliament and Deputy of the Republican Party; Mr. Dastan Dalabayevich Bekeshev, member of Parliament, Chair of the Committee on Human Rights, Equal Opportunities and NGOs, member of the Ar-Namys Party; Ms. Elmira Sansyzbayevna Imanaliyeva, member of Parliament and the Ata Jurt Party; Mr. Baktybek Orozaliyevich Kalmamatov, member of Parliament and Deputy of the Ata Meken Party; Mr. Daniyar Omurzakovich Terbishaliyev, member of Parliament, Chairman of the Voluntary Police Union and member of the Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan; Mr. Akhmadkhon Yusupkhanovich Yusupkhanov, consultant to a member of Parliament; and Mr. Kyialbek Toksonbaev, Press Secretary, Ministry of Labor, Employment and Migration of the Kyrgyz Republic.

For more information about GlobalPittsburgh, please contact Gail Shrott, Vice-President of Program Services, at 412-392-4513. For more information on GlobalPittsburgh, visit www.globalpittsburgh.org. For more information on Open World, visit www.openworld.gov.

Pittsburgh Selected as U.S. Bid City for 2012 One Young World Summit - Premier Global Forum for Young International Leaders; Delegates Sought for 2011 Session

2011-06-20T07:55:00.011-04:00

Pittsburgh has been selected by One Young World as the sole U.S. bid city to host the 2012 One Young World Summit. Launched in 2010, One Young World is the premier global forum for young leaders from around the world, and has been dubbed the "young Davos" by CNN.

This is an amazing opportunity for Pittsburgh. Show your support for this initiative and help bring the One Young World 2012 Summit to Pittsburgh.

To show your support, follow One Young World Pittsburgh on Facebook and Twitter by clicking the links below. In addition, you can stay up-to-date on all the latest news, join in discussions, share ideas, and connect with other globally-minded people across the region.

One Young World’s Twitter followers are the first to receive the latest Summit and One Young World Pittsburgh Partnership updates. http://twitter.com/OYWPittsburgh

Like One Young World on Facebook to comment on our content, and have the latest material delivered immediately to your Facebook stream. http://www.facebook.com/pages/One-Young-World-Pittsburgh-Partnership/187908647927565

The One Young World Pittsburgh Partnership -- which is working to bring the 2012 Summit to Pittsburgh -- is seeking prospective delegates from Pittsburgh’s not-for-profit community to participate in the 2011 One Young World Summit in Zurich, Switzerland, from September 1 through 4, 2011. Candidates interested in applying must be between 21 and 28 years of age and should be affiliated with an area non-profit. For information on how to apply, go to www.worldpittsburgh.org/oyw.jsp.

The One Young World Pittsburgh Partnership is a consortium of local companies, non-profits, and community organizations which are working together to bring One Young World to Pittsburgh in 2012. The founding partners include the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, Euro RSCG Worldwide PR, VisitPittsburgh, and the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh.

Growing Number of High-Skilled Immigrants Favor Pittsburgh and Other Emerging Rust Belt Cities Over Silicon Valley, Brookings Study Reports

2011-06-12T12:11:00.008-04:00

A growing number of high-skilled immigrants have been moving to Pittsburgh and other old-line industrial cities in recent years -- shunning places like Silicon Valley -- bringing their entrepreneurial spirit and balancing out the "brain drain" of native-born residents leaving the region, according to a new analysis of census figures by the Brookings Institution.

"Perhaps most notable is the very high concentration of high-skilled immigrants in older industrial metro areas in the Midwest and Northeast such as Albany, Buffalo, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, and Syracuse," Brookings said.

"Immigrants in these metropolitan areas tilt toward high-skill because they blend earlier arriving cohorts who have had time to complete higher education with newcomers entering who can fit into the labor market because of their high educational attainment," the report said.

CLICK HERE for the full Brookings report (PDF).

The lower cost of living in Pittsburgh and other emerging Rust Belt cities is a likely factor in the shift, according to the study's lead researcher.

"We don't think of these areas as high-tech hubs, but they have been really active in trying to recruit and encourage the welcoming of foreign workers into their industries to rejuvenate their economy," Brookings researcher Matthew Hall told the San Francisco Bay Citizen website.

"Pittsburgh is an easier place to afford to live the American dream and get your foot in the door," Hall said. "That might sound like a pretty good option to a lot of people."

Brookings named GlobalPittsburgh and similar organizations in other cities for leading efforts to promote these regions as good places for immigrants to live, work and study.

"Using strategies to internationalize those metro areas, such as marketing the regions as immigrant-friendly, retaining international university students, and boosting foreign direct investment, allow local areas to reach out to immigrants in an effort to grow their international communities, their economies and their resident populations," the report said.

The Pittsburgh Region boasts the most highly skilled immigrant population -- three times the national average -- out of 100 major metropolitan areas studied by the Washington, D.C.-based Brookings Institution in a report released last week.

High-skilled immigrants in Pittsburgh outnumber low-skilled immigrants by nearly 4-1, according to the Brookings study of U.S. census results. (A skill ratio of 100 indicates an equal number of high- and low-skilled immigrants.) The skill ratio for all immigrants living in the 100 largest metro areas is 101.6, Brookings said.

"Several of the most highly educated immigrant populations nationwide (e.g., Pittsburgh and St. Louis) are located in former gateways that have transitioned, at least partially, into concentrations such as science, health care, and education," the study said.

While cities like Pittsburgh have seen many of their native-born residents leave for job opportunities elsewhere, the number of skilled immigrants has grown to fill specialized job openings, the study said,

"It is widely recognized that many of these "old" destinations suffer from native out-migration—particularly among adults with high levels of education," Brookings said. "One factor attracting highly educated immigrants to former destinations may thus be a demand for the skilled labor they can provide.

The study quotes Demographer William Frey stating that "'immigration tends to compensate, to some degree, for the "brain drain"' in these metropolitan areas.'"

"Conversely, in areas with slower-growing immigrant populations, high-skilled immigrants tend to constitute a larger share of the newest cohort," the study says. "In Pittsburgh, the most extreme example, the immigrant population grew by 13 percent between 2000 and 2009, and 76.4 percent of these new arrivals were college-educated, while just 6.1 percent lacked a high school diploma."

Spring & Summer Activities for GlobalPittsburgh Members Announced - Now's the Time to Join the GlobalPittsburgh Network!

2011-05-20T14:33:00.005-04:00

Here's a list of activities planned for members of the GlobalPittsburgh Network. (If you're not a member yet, or you know somebody who would like to become a member, CLICK HERE or go to www.globalpittsburgh.org).

Tuesday, May 24
Networking/Tailgate Party Event – Networking/Tailgate Party and Pirates Baseball game. Come out and meet new friends and make new professional contacts while having a fun time at the ballpark.

Saturday, May 28
Garden Planting – In the past, GlobalPittsburgh members have planted flowers in the four flower beds next to Dippy, the dinosaur, outside of the Carnegie Library in Oakland, taking pride in beautifying the city in which they currently live. This time, we will plant flowers in the garden at the entrance of the South Side by the Birmingham Bridge.

Friday, June 3
First Fridays at the Frick – During the summer, live music is performed at Frick Art and Historical Center, often featuring quintessential American styles such as jazz and bluegrass. This evening, we’ll hear saxophone music by Greg Abate, jazz saxophonist, flutist and recording artist, and his trio.

Sunday, June 5
Group Dinner at Coriander Indian Restaurant, Squirrel Hill – Come and try many delicious Indian dishes as we visit the dinner buffet at this local Indian restaurant. The group dinners occur on a regular basis and expect them to be during the first week of every month (usually on Thursdays).

Saturday, June 11
Strawberry Picking – Let’s enjoy the fruits of the summer with a trip to a local farm. We’ll fill our buckets full of strawberries! While we’re there you’ll be able to pick up recipes for strawberry pies, preserves, and other delicious treats or you can just bring the fruit home to enjoy by itself.

Wednesday, July 6
Instead of a Group Dinner we’ll meet for a fun time at a Pub Quiz Night at a local…pub, of course! Come out and show your knowledge of music, movies, science, English, or whatever will be on the quiz. Winning teams receive some cool prizes.

Sunday, July 10
Bach, Beethoven, and Brunch – A very popular event for Pittsburghers, BBB is a weekly event in the summer featuring live music at Mellon Park, Point Breeze, on Sunday mornings. Bring a blanket and a picnic - or purchase snacks at the event!

Friday, July 15
Gallery Crawl – a seasonal downtown event, this summer’s crawl features live music, spectacular art, and interesting installations. Pittsburgh’s art scene is eclectic, bold, and varied – come and check it out in this festive crawl from gallery to gallery. After the crawl, we can stop by a local pub for a drink and great discussion about the art that had been viewed.

Sunday, July 24
Movie in the Park – enjoy an outdoor movie at Flagstaff Hill in Oakland. The film starts at twilight – come early to meet other members and play Frisbee or simply chat and make new friends. This evening is the Karate Kid.

Saturday or Sunday, July 30 or July 31
Possible Glider activity – Soar Like an Eagle! This activity will be limited to ten members. Come out for a exciting trip in a glider and see the Pittsburgh countryside from a bird’s eye view.

Thursday, August 3
Group Dinner/Happy Hour at local restaurant – Send suggestions for your favorite place to eat. If you send a suggestion and your suggestion is used, please plan to attend the dinner. The group dinners occur on a regular basis and usually on the first Thursday of every month.

Saturday, August 6
Raccoon Creek State Park – Pennsylvania has some of the most gorgeous parks in the US, and Raccoon state park is one of these beautiful spaces. We can hike, swim, canoe, play sports, and just relax in the great outdoors. Bring something to share for our potluck lunch.

Saturday, August 20
Riverside Bike Ride – There are great bike routes along the three rivers of Pittsburgh – one from the South Side towards the Waterfront along the Monongahela, and one of which you could even ride all the way to Washington D.C.! Let’s enjoy a bike ride along downtown’s riverbanks to celebrate the middle of the summer and admire Pittsburgh’s landmarks on the go.

Thursday, September 1
Group Dinner/Happy Hour at local restaurant – Send your suggestion for location of this dinner. If you send a suggestion and your suggestion is used, please plan to attend the dinner. The group dinners occur on a regular basis and usually on the first Thursday of every month.

U.S. Announces Expanded List of Science, Technology, Engineering & Math Degree Programs; Qualifies Eligible Graduates to Extend Post-Graduate Training by 17 Months

2011-05-19T12:12:00.004-04:00

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office (ICE) has published an expanded list of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) degree programs that qualify eligible graduates on student visas for an expanded Optional Practical Training (OPT) 17-month extension beyond the standard 12 months.

AP Photo

The move is an important step forward in the Obama administration's continued commitment to fixing what he called America's "broken" immigration system and expanding access to the nation's pool of talented high-skilled graduates in the science and technology fields.

The announcement follows President Obama's recent remarks in El Paso, Texas, where he reiterated his strong support for new policies that embrace talented students from other countries, who enrich the nation by working in science and technology jobs and fueling innovation in their chosen fields here in the United States, as a part of comprehensive reform.

By expanding the list of STEM degrees to include such fields as Neuroscience, Medical Informatics, Pharmaceutics and Drug Design, Mathematics and Computer Science, the Obama administration is helping to address shortages in certain high tech sectors of talented scientists and technology experts-permitting highly skilled foreign graduates who wish to work in their field of study upon graduation and extend their post-graduate training in the United States.

Under the OPT program, foreign students who graduate from U.S. colleges and universities are able to remain in the U.S. and receive training through work experience for up to 12 months. Students who graduate with one of the newly-expanded STEM degrees can remain for an additional 17 months on an OPT STEM extension.

World's Largest Science Fair Scheduled for Pittsburgh in 2012, 2015 & 2018 - Attracts Students From 50 Countries

2011-05-15T18:11:00.004-04:00

Pittsburgh has been selected to host the world's largest science fair, which attracts more than 1,500 high school students from over 50 countries competing for more than $4 million in prizes, not once but three times in the next decade, the Society for Science & the Public has announced.

The Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) will come to Pittsburgh in 2012, 2015 and 2018, the SSP said. The ISEF is held in mid-May. Other host cities include Los Angeles and Phoenix.

The Intel ISEF is the world’s largest international precollege science competition. Exclusively for students in grades 9–12, it is the most prestigious forum to showcase independent research.

In addition to the direct impact of the Intel ISEF on each city -- with an estimated 5,000 registrants, including competing students and PhD level judges -- the event will provide a unique opportunity for local residents to interact with top young science researchers and innovators from around the globe, according to the SSP.

"In selecting these cities, Society for Science & the Public and Intel are honored to build on their rich traditions as leaders in science and technology," said Elizabeth Marincola, president of Society for Science & the Public.

"Working on an ongoing basis with local science communities,in Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, and Phoenix will enable us to harness their resources -- and the inspiration of the Intel ISEF -- to promote science education and advance independent student research locally and globally. As hosts of the Intel ISEF, these cities will unite the world’s top young scientists, showcasing the quality and depth of student research to advance the future of our planet and our society."

The Society for Science & the Public, a nonprofit organization dedicated to public engagement in scientific research and education, owns and has administered the International Science and Engineering Fair since its inception in 1950. Each year, millions of students worldwide compete in local and school-sponsored science fairs; the winners of these events go on to participate in Intel ISEF-affiliated national, regional, and state fairs from which the best win the opportunity to attend the Intel ISEF.

To learn more about the organization and its programs and publications, visit www.societyforscience.org.

Pittsburgh-Based Wabtec Signs $21 Million Contract To Provide Braking Equipment To Australian Mining Giant Rio Tinto

2011-05-09T16:39:00.006-04:00

Pittsburgh-based Wabtec Corp. said it has signed a $21 million contract with Rio Tinto, a leading international mining company, to provide electronically controlled pneumatic (ECP) braking equipment for a portion of the company’s freight cars and locomotives in Australia. The equipment will be delivered in 2011-12.

Under the contract, Wabtec will provide about 3,600 sets of ECP equipment so that Rio Tinto can retrofit its fleet of iron ore cars, most of which currently use Wabtec’s standard pneumatic brakes. In addition, Rio Tinto will install ECP brakes on six locomotives initially, with potential for more in the future.

“The advantages of electronic braking – including significantly shorter stopping distances – have been proven in commercial use by railroads around the world,” said Albert J. Neupaver, Wabtec’s president and chief executive officer. "Rio Tinto’s investment in this technology is a further demonstration that heavy-haul railroads can deploy ECP to reduce cycle times and improve train handling, and we are pleased to be part of the project."

With standard pneumatic brake equipment, the brakes are applied and released throughout the train sequentially, one car after another. ECP equipment uses an electronic signal to apply and release the brakes simultaneously in every car.

Wabtec Corporation (www.wabtec.com) is a global provider of technology-based products and services for rail and other industrial markets. Through its subsidiaries, the company manufactures a range of products for locomotives, freight cars and passenger transit vehicles. The company also builds new switcher and commuter locomotives, and provides aftermarket services. The company has facilities located around the world.

European Parliament Member Drawn to Braddock’s Revitalization and Activist Mayor John Fetterman

2011-04-29T13:11:00.024-04:00

When European Parliament member Sandrine Bélier came to visit the United States through the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), she had a wide range of choices of cities to visit. She chose Pittsburgh as the final stop on her three-week trip.

In particular, she wanted to go to Braddock, the struggling steel town 10 miles southeast of Downtown, and she wanted to meet Mayor John Fetterman, who has attracted attention around the world for his efforts to revitalize the beleaguered town and create jobs while reducing the environmental impact of the energy and manufacturing industries.

As a member of the Europe Ecology political party and a representative from the Lorraine region of northeastern France, also a former steelmaking center, Bélier wanted to come to the Pittsburgh region to study how others have balanced job creation and environmentalism in a declining industrial economy.

After visiting New York, Washington, D.C., New Orleans, Bozeman, Montana and Portland, Oregon, Bélier got to meet Fetterman this week and witness first-hand the challenges he faces and some of the solutions he has proposed.

“He was the main reason I wanted to come to Pittsburgh,” Bélier said through an interpreter. Her visit to Pittsburgh was designed by GlobalPittsburgh under the auspices of the IVLP.

Meeting in the cavernous living room of Fetterman’s loft-like home in a converted warehouse, with his wife and young son quietly blowing bubbles nearby, Mayor John, as he is known by many of the locals, explained how Braddock has gone from one of the richest communities in the region 100 years ago to one of the poorest. He told his visitor how the population went from 20,000 in the 1950s to 2,100 today. He told about going to buy a playhouse for children in a public park, and finding that the structure cost more than some houses in the community.

He compared notes with Bélier about the difficulties of overcoming years of industrial decline, and trying to change attitudes among blue-collar workers about potential opportunities created by environmental preservation and clean energy.

“These guys don’t generally think of themselves as environmentalists, but then when you say that the steel they are making could be used in wind turbines, and that clean energy could create more jobs for them, then they start to get it,” Fetterman said.

Bélier and Fetterman discussed their concerns about the threats of climate change and possible hazards of the fracking method used to extract natural gas. Fracking is used in the Marcellus Shale gas deposits in Pennsylvania, but it has been banned in France until June due to environmental concerns.

"Climate change has become a political issue instead of a political issue," he said. "And that has to change before we can accomplish anything."

The two agreed on the importance of better communication and cooperation around the world about the problems and solutions to developing clean energy and raising awareness of the challenges associated with creating jobs without causing long-term damage to the environment.

They then walked a few blocks to an urban farming facility operated by Grow Pittsburgh, which supplies organically-grown produce to local farmer’s markets and to area restaurants. The Braddock farm, which sits on two city blocks in the shadow of the massive Edgar Thomson Works of U.S. Steel, demonstrates the different aspects of the transformation taking place in Braddock.

During her three-day stay in Pittsburgh, Bélier also met with George Jugovic, Regional Director of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection; Jean-Dominique Le Garrec, Honorary Consul of France in Pittsburgh; Gloria Forouzan, Marcellus Shale Liaison in the office of Pittsburgh City Council Doug Shields; Lauren Horne, Regional Program Manager for the Labor Climate Project; Hillary Bright, Regional Field Organizer for the Blue Green Alliance; and Rob Witherell of the United Steelworkers of America. She also toured the Gamesa Corp. wind turbine manufacturing facility in Ebensburg, Pa.

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. For more information, go to www.globalpittsburgh.org.

- Thomas Buell, Jr.
tcbuell@gmail.com

Pittsburgh Economic Development Group Receives $300,000 Commerce Department Grant to Help Businesses Started by Minorities, Immigrants & Veterans

2011-04-19T13:00:00.009-04:00

The U.S. Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) today announced a $300,000 grant to Christian Evangelistic Economic Development (CEED) of Pittsburgh to provide technical assistance to economically distressed microenterprises in the Pittsburgh region. Additional matching funds from the Heinz Endowments brings the total grant package to $600,000.

Rufus Idris

The EDA investment will support local efforts to address the challenges faced by start-up and existing underserved and disadvantaged entrepreneurs, by providing pragmatic technical assistance to immigrant-owned, refugee-owned, minority-owned and veteran-owned microenterprises in the Pittsburgh region. Assistance may include business review and planning, training and counseling, market analysis, current business technology, and on-going mentoring, case management and capacity building.

This project, an example of the important partnership between the federal government and faith-based organizations, is expected to facilitate the creation of new jobs and generate private investment in microenterprises that are a key building block in the repositioning of challenged areas, according to Rufus Idris, Executive Director of the Christian Evangelistic Economic Development.

"Providing technical assistance to enthusiastic entrepreneurs ready to achieve the American Dream and strengthen local economies is a key component of Christian Evangelistic Economic Development efforts," Idris said. "Already, efforts have seen the creation of a number of successful neighborhood businesses and its expansion will provide opportunity to 75 new microbusinesses."

A press conference was held on Monday, April 25 at the Allegheny County Courthouse Courtyard, 436 Grant St. Pittsburgh, PA 15219, to explain details of how local groups and individuals can benefit from this initiative.

For more information about small business assistance and micro-loans, contact CEED at 412-450-8070 or by sending email to info@usaceed.org. The CEED website can be found at www.usaceed.org.

Commerce Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships works to engage community groups in the national economic development process by promoting awareness of funding opportunities in order to ensure faith-based community groups, such as Christian Evangelistic Economic Development can play a role in helping to increase competitiveness.

GlobalPittsburgh Members Receive Discounted Ticket Packages to Silk Screen Asian American Film Festival Running May 6-15

2011-04-18T09:14:00.006-04:00

GlobalPittsburgh paid members are eligible for special ticket prices to this year's Silk Screen Asian American Film Festival, which runs May 6-15, 2011 in Pittsburgh. Members in good standing may purchase a Film Festival 4-Pack for $15 (half the regular price of $30 for four tickets with a face value of $9 each - not valid for opening or closing night shows).

GlobalPittsburgh members also may purchase tickets to the Silk Screen Opening Night Gala on Friday, May 6 for $85 (less than the full price of $100 or $125 at the door). Reservations for the Gala are required by May 3. To reserve these special GlobalPittsburgh member ticket offers, please contact Tim Allen at 412-392-4513 or tallen@pciv.org.

Individual GlobalPittsburgh membership fees are $40 per year; family memberships are $50 per year. JOIN TODAY!

Students, professionals and all members of the Greater Pittsburgh Community are invited to become members of the GlobalPittsburgh Network. Memberships make great gifts for graduates and job-seekers, too!

Member benefits include:
- Regular Activities with Other Internationals and Community Members
- Networking Events
- Discounts on Goods & Services including Zipcar
- Invitations to Programs & Events
- Homestay & Hospitality Dinners with Local Families
- Hosting Opportunities for Local Residents
- Free & Discounted Tickets to Local Cultural Events & Shows
- Connections with International Employers
- Volunteer & Internship Opportunities
- Meet Incoming International Delegations

Membership in GlobalPittsburgh is a great way for internationals and globally minded residents to participate in fun activities, to meet new people, to become more globally connected and to support GlobalPittsburgh's efforts to build international awareness in the Greater Pittsburgh Region.

All activities are open to members of the GlobalPittsburgh CONNECT program and the GlobalPittsburgh Network, including international students, newly arrived professionals and families, hosts and other globally minded indvidiuals. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP WITH AN ELECTRONIC AND/OR PRINTABLE REGISTRATION FORM!

Most events take place on weekends. Transportation will be coordinated by GlobalPittsburgh, when necessary. Discounted ticket prices are available to some activities requiring entrance fees.

Corporate and organizational memberships are also available. For information, please contact Tim Allen at 412-392-4513 or tallen@pciv.org.

Are you in the NETWORK?

GlobalPittsburgh International Networking Night at the Pittsburgh Pirates - Special Ticket Package - Tues. May 24

2011-04-16T12:03:00.021-04:00

GlobalPittsburgh International Networking Night
Tuesday, May 24 at 5 PM; Game at 7:05 PM
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Atlanta Braves

GlobalPittsburgh invites you and your family to come down to PNC Park on Tuesday, May 24 for an American and Pittsburgh tradition - a tailgate party - followed by an enjoyable night at PNC Park to see our Pittsburgh Pirates battle the Atlanta Braves.

Price of $35 per person includes tailgate party, ticket for the ballgame and a Pirates baseball cap. Tickets are for section 130 and 131. CLICK HERE TO SEE SEATING CHART

The tailgate party will start at 5:00 p.m. in the Gold lot #2 on N. Shore Drive between Stage AE and the Hyatt Place Pittsburgh-North Shore. The game begins at 7:05 p.m.

CLICK HERE FOR REGISTRATION FORM (PDF)

Come down to PNC Park and find out more about GlobalPittsburgh, meet the people who are attracting international visitors to the region and engaging them long-term. Together, we are putting the Greater Pittsburgh region on the world map.

GlobalPittsburgh Corporate Members:
Babst, Calland, Clements & Zomnir
Confluent Translations
Cowden Associates
Heyl & Patterson, Inc.
National Energy Technology Laboratory
Pittsburgh International Airport
Rampart Hydro
SMC Business Councils
Tube City IMS

SPONSORSHIP PACKAGES AVAILABLE:
Triple Play Sponsorship:
$500 - You will receive eight (8) seat tickets, 2 on-field batting practice tickets, and logo on all promotional materials, website and on Pirates scoreboard.

Double Play Sponsorship:
$250 - You will receive five (5) seat tickets, and logo on all promotional materials
and website.

Single Play Sponsorship:
$100 - You will receive two (2) seat tickets and logo on all promotional materials.

For details, contact Tim Allen at 412-392-4513, email tallen@pciv.org

May 24, 2011
CLICK HERE FOR REGISTRATION FORM (PDF)
Mail, scan & email, or fax this form with
payment to:
GlobalPittsburgh
Attention: Tim Allen
650 Smithfield Street, Suite 1180
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Fax: 412-246-4143

Become a Member of the GlobalPittsburgh Network - Community Connections, Activities, Event Invitations, Discounts & Free Tickets to Local Shows

2011-04-14T10:55:00.025-04:00

Students, professionals and all members of the Greater Pittsburgh Community are invited to become members of the GlobalPittsburgh Network. Memberships make great gifts for graduates and job-seekers, too!

Member benefits include:
- Regular Activities with Other Internationals and Community Members
- Networking Events
- Discounts on Goods & Services including Zipcar
- Invitations to Programs & Events
- Homestay & Hospitality Dinners with Local Families
- Hosting Opportunities for Local Residents
- Free & Discounted Tickets to Local Cultural Events & Shows
- Connections with International Employers
- Volunteer & Internship Opportunities
- Meet Incoming International Delegations

Membership fees are $40 per year for individuals and $50 for families. CLICK HERE TO JOIN TODAY!

Activities for fall and winter 2011 include networking dinners, bike rides, Thanksgiving dinner and more. CLICK HERE for a list of upcoming member activities.

All activities are open to members of the GlobalPittsburgh CONNECT program and the GlobalPittsburgh Network, including international students, newly arrived professionals and families, hosts and other globally minded indvidiuals. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP WITH AN ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION FORM

Most events take place on weekends. Transportation will be coordinated by GlobalPittsburgh, when necessary. Discounted ticket prices are available to some activities requiring entrance fees.

Corporate and organizational memberships are also available. For information, please contact Tim Allen at 412-392-4513 or tallen@globalpittsburgh.org.

Are you in the NETWORK?

Growing Number of Bhutanese Refugees Quietly Settling Into Life in Pittsburgh With Help From Local Churches

2011-04-07T09:54:00.012-04:00

In the dining hall of Bellevue United Presbyterian Church in the North Boroughs of Pittsburgh one recent Saturday afternoon, a potluck meal is taking place. Waiting in line for lunch are parents with small children, several seniors and a gaggle of teenagers laughing playfully among themselves. They take their paper plates to tables around the room and talk with each other as they eat, or stop to chat with a friend along the way.

Nothing unusual for a church gathering, except that many in this group exhibit the colorful garb, distinctive facial features and rhythmic language of southern Asia. They are among the hundreds of refugees from Bhutan – a small country wedged between Nepal, China and India – who have resettled in Pittsburgh over the past several years after spending years in camps in Nepal.

Several of the families belong to the Bhutanese Nepali-speaking minority known as Lhotshampas. In the 1990s, Bhutan’s ethnic cleansing campaign led to harassment, arrests and the burning of ethnic Nepali homes. Many fled, while others were expelled by government troops after being forced to sign papers renouncing any claims to their homes and homeland, according to the group Human Rights Watch.

The families were brought to the Pittsburgh area starting in 2008 through Catholic Charities, and congregations like Bellevue United Presbyterian have helped them settle in to the community. They are among the more than 40,000 Bhutanese refugees who have resettled in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and other countries since that time, according to Human Rights Watch. Many have found jobs, while others are working to improve their language skills.

Bellevue United Presbyterian Church is one of several churches in the North Hills helping the refugees. Down the street at Bellevue Christian Church, a single family walked in looking for help one day two years ago. Now there's a list of 20 refugee families.

That growth led several other churches in the area to join together to make sure that the refugee families get the help they needed, and also that services aren’t being duplicated unnecessarily, according to Matt Harding, who is the unofficial coordinator of the collective church efforts.

The other churches and organizations involved include Sacred Heart, Community Presbyterian of Ben Avon, Allegheny Center Alliance Church, St. John Neumann Catholic Church and Jewish Family & Children's Services, Harding said.

“It's kind of a cause for the whole community rather than just one church,” said Harding, a Bellevue native and Penn State graduate who recently returned to the area after working out of state for five years. “The needs of these families are pretty great, so it helps that we're working together. It's kind of a blessing.”

The churches and other community supporters have devised ways to spread out the responsibilities.

“We generally focus on a few families at a time,” said Linda Carroll, a member of Bellevue United Presbyterian Church. “We visit them regularly when they first arrive and help with basics such as learning to shop, to use laundry machines, etc.”

Other activities include trips to the thrift shop and Asian markets in the Strip District since few of the refugees have cars or driver’s licenses. The churches help with hospital emergencies, with understanding mail, and apartment problems, Carroll said.

“This year a church member helped them with their taxes,” she added. “We maintain shelves of household items and clothing that any family in the area can use when they first arrive. This supplements the basic necessities provided by the sponsoring agencies.”

The church members also keep an eye out for furniture that can be used by the refugee families.

Other churches in the area are considering adding their own English as a Second Language programs. At Reformed Presbyterian Church of the North Hills, located on Thompson Run Road, members are putting together an evening program that is scheduled to start in September. It will be taught by volunteers from the congregation, and will offer three levels of English-speaking proficiency, according to Director John Russell. Those seeking information about that program may contact Russell by calling 412-366-1804 or emailing rssj7@aol.com.

After the potluck lunch and the singing of several songs in English and Nepali, Bellevue United Presbyterian Pastor Cathy Purves welcomes the group and asks about their biggest challenges in coming to the United States. Many in the room call out that they want to learn better English. Some say they are looking for jobs available on a bus line or within walking distance. The refugees who have found work have been commended for their hard work and dependability. Others say they like the laws and rules in United States.

Several members of the congregation attending the lunch offer to help find programs in the area teaching English as a Second Language. Others have ideas for jobs. It seems that everyone goes home happy.

Anyone interested in working with the North Boroughs churches or other groups assisting the Bhutanese refugees may contact Matt Harding at 412-860-2584 or mch196@gmail.com, or Linda Carroll at 412-761-2143 or lindalawc@verizon.net.

- Thomas Buell, Jr.

GlobalPittsburgh Hosts Group of Visiting Fulbright Scholars to Showcase Regional Assets

2011-04-04T11:16:00.003-04:00

GlobalPittsburgh recently was awarded a grant to host an Enrichment Program for Fulbright Scholars in Western Pennsylvania, the first phase of which took place March 24-27. The Fulbright Program is a program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

The enrichment program was designed by GlobalPittsburgh to enhance the experience of the visiting scholars and connect them with the larger community. The Fulbright Scholars participating in the program were from Bulgaria, Italy, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Poland, Spain and Taiwan.

They are teaching or conducting research at the University of Pittsburgh’s Pittsburgh and Bradford campuses, at Carnegie Mellon and at Penn State’s University Park campus and at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Their fields of study included arts, history, engineering, anthropology, medical science, computer science and communications.

“This enrichment program in a non-anchor city is new for the Fulbright program; Pittsburgh is proud to have been chosen to host Visiting Scholars through this program,” said Roger Cranville, President of GlobalPittsburgh. “The Pittsburgh region benefits greatly from this kind of visit, which displays our strengths to the rest of the world, and connects this region to other countries in many positive ways.”

The visiting scholars are expected to complete the second phase of the program in May, Cranville said. Gail Shrott, Vice President of Program Services, and Tim Allen, Director of Program Services designed and implemented the programming for GlobalPittsburgh with the assistance of local Fulbright alumna Hannah Sholder. They are in process of confirming the itinerary for the Fulbright Scholar’s May programming.

During their visit the group met with local Fulbright alumni, visited the Cathedral of Learning for a tour of the nationality rooms in the morning, met with members of the GlobalPittsburgh Education Partnership at Penn State Greater Allegheny, had an interactive session with staff and students at Urban Youth Action, toured the Carnegie Museum of Art and Natural History, attended the Latin American and Caribbean Festival at the William Pitt Union building, visited Phipps Conservatory, and had dinner with members of the GlobalPittsburgh network.

LIST OF PARTICIPATING FULBRIGHT VISITING SCHOLARS

Bulgaria Mr. Oleg Nikolaev Gotchev
University of Pittsburgh Bradford, Arts

Italy Mr. Fabrizio Tonello
University of Pittsburgh, History

Latvia Mr. Anatolijs Borodinecs
Penn State, Engineering

Kyrgyzstan Mrs. Mukram Toktogulova
University of Pittsburgh, Anthropology

Poland Mr. Marek Antoni Postula
Penn State Hershey, Medical Sciences

Spain Mr. Oscar Saz Torralba
Carnegie Mellon University, Computer Science

Taiwan Ms. Chen Ling Hung
Penn State, Communications

Taiwan Mr. Ming Miin Yu
Penn State, Engineering

Also joining the group for certain activities were Dr. Ercan Karakoc, Fulbright Scholar in Residence at Chatham University, and Mr. Konstantin Redkin, a Fulbright Alumnus studying at the University of Pittsburgh’s Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science.

GlobalPittsburgh welcomes hundreds of international visitors to the Pittsburgh region annually, creating benefits to the visitors and to the region, Cranville said. Other programs include the GlobalPittsburgh Education Partnership, to attract international students to the region, and GlobalPittsburgh CONNECT, which provides activities and programs for international students and globally minded individuals.

For more information, go to www.globalpittsburgh.org.

GlobalPittsburgh Hosting Group of Environmental Policymakers From Kazakhstan Studying Pittsburgh Region's Environmental Revitalization

2011-03-04T08:20:00.009-05:00

GlobalPittsburgh recently hosted a group of environmental policy makers from Kazakhstan who came to study environmental programs and projects in the Pittsburgh region. The five Kazakh leaders arrived Feb. 26 and stayed to March 6.

The group came to Pittsburgh through the Open World Leadership Center at the Library of Congress, which enables emerging Eurasian political and civic leaders to work with their U.S. counterparts and experience American-style democracy at the local level.

While in Pittsburgh, the delegates met with their professional counterparts working on a variety of environmental issues in the region, learn about U.S. federal, regional, and local government initiatives that undertake environmental cleanup and promote environmentally friendly best practices, and learned about cooperative efforts involving nonprofit organizations, the private sector, and the general public.

The delegates, who included municipal and federal ministry officials, shared with their U.S. Counterparts environmental initiatives in Kazakhstan aimed at promoting cleaner air and water, brownfield remediation, cleaning up chemical and industrial waste, and how they’re dealing with environmental challenges.

Through the Open World program, the delegates and their U.S. Counterparts were able to learn new ways to protect the environment while benefiting the local and national economies. The program will lead to new collaborations between Pittsburgh organizations and organizations in Kazakhstan to help protect people’s health and the environment, and help better the economy of the United States and Kazakhstan.

The visiting delegates were Mr. Bolat Dalabayevich Beldebekov, Deputy Mayor of Tekeli, Almaty Province, Ms. Aliya Altayevna Sadvokasova, Expert on the Committee of Ecological Regulation and Control, Ministry of Environmental Protection in Astana, Ms. Asel Sagyndykovna Tokzhanova, Expert on the Committee of Ecological Regulation and Control, the Ministry of Environmental Protection in Astana, Ms. Yekaterina Georgiyevna Strikeleva, Manager of Programs of Environmental Policy and Management and the Coordinator of Programs in support of water initiatives for the Central Asian Regional Environmental Center, and Ms. Nazgul Yesmukhanovna Zhabasova, Deputy Head, Department of Natural Resources and Nature Management, West Kazakhstan province in Uralsk. Ms. Nadezhda Mikhailovna Polchenko from Stepnogorsk, Kazakhstan accompanied them as a facilitator.

In Pittsburgh, the delegation met with Ms. Jackie Erickson, Southwestern PA Regional Director, U.S. Senator Robert P. Casey Jr.’s Office, and Mr. Brad Harrison, District Director, Office of U.S. Representative Tim Murphy. The delegation also met with Councilman Bill Peduto, District 8, Pittsburgh City Council, Mr. George Jugovic, Regional Director, Southwest Regional Office of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Dr. Matthew Mehalik, Program Manager of Sustainable Pittsburgh, Mr. Richard Piacentini, Executive Director, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Garden, Mr. Jim Thompson, Air Program Mananger, Allegheny County Health Department, Ms. Rachel Filippini, Executive Director, Group Against Smog and Pollution, Ms. Danielle Crumrine, Executive Director, Tree Pittsburgh, Mr. John Riley, General Manager, Moon Township Municipal Authority, and Mr. William J. Bates Jr., Vice President of Real Estate, Eat N’ Park Group, Inc.

The delegation also traveled to West Virginia University for a half day of meetings with Dr. Gerald R. Iwan, Director, National Environmental Services Center, and Mr. Patrick Kirby, Director of North West Virginia Brownfields Assistance Center at the West Virginia Water and Research Institute.

“GlobalPittsburgh is pleased to have the opportunity to introduce our distinguished visitors from Kazakhstan to their peers in Pittsburgh and hope that some ongoing linkages may be formed as a result of this Open World training session,” said Gail Shrott, Vice President, Program Services.

Homestays with local GlobalPittsburgh host member families allowed the delegates to experience American family life. They also took take part in several cultural and community activities, including a visit to the Carnegie Museum of Natural History and Carnegie Museum of Art and a performance by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.

The Open World Program is a unique, nonpartisan initiative of the U.S. Congress designed to build mutual understanding between the United States and Eurasia. Over 16,000 Open World participants have been hosted in all 50 states since the program’s inception in 1999. Delegates range from members of parliament to mayors, from innovative nonprofit directors to experienced journalists, and from political party activists to regional administrators.

For more information, please contact Gail Shrott, GlobalPittsburgh’s Vice-President of Program Services, at 412-392-4513. For more information on GlobalPittsburgh, visit www.globalpittsburgh.org. For more information on Open World, visit www.openworld.gov.

Pittsburgh Among Top 10 Fastest Growing Metro Areas for Technology Jobs, According to Job Search Website

2011-03-02T22:16:00.005-05:00

Pittsburgh ranks among the Top 10 fastest growing metro areas for technology jobs, according to job search website Dice.com.

Dice.com Graphic

"While Silicon Valley or New York may hold an irresistible allure for some, technology professionals can find interesting opportunities in cities as diverse as Detroit, Miami, Pittsburgh, or Cincinnati, the website said.

Pittsburgh technology professionals can expect to take home more than $65,000 a year with job opportunities in the area, up 45 percent year-to-year, according to Dice. Technology and engineering professionals can find opportunities in specialty metals, health care and financial services.

Here is the list of fastest growing metropolitan areas for technology jobs:

"Detroit tops the list with more than 800 available tech positions on any given day - that’s double the number posted last year. Let’s extend those two minutes of Detroit super bowl advertising goodness, by highlighting that technology professionals make on average $71,445 per year in the Motor City, up two percent from a year ago.

"Ohio has state bragging rights with three cities on the list, Cincinnati (#2), Cleveland (#3) and Columbus (#4). Technology professionals can find opportunities with financial services companies, retailers, manufactures and retailers in the region.

"Job openings in Seattle are up 54 percent year/year to more than 2,200 which makes it the fastest growing large market on the list. That demand is translating into slightly more pay as Seattle-based technology professionals earn on average $86,168 per year, an increase of two percent from last year.

"Two Florida cities make the list, with Miami at number seven (job postings at 533, up 43% yr/yr) and Jacksonville at number eight (job postings at 380, up 41% yr/yr). Technology professionals in these cities can expect to make at least $68,000 per year – and those in defense with security clearance much more.

"Job opportunities in Chicago (#9) and Silicon Valley (#10) are up 40 percent year/year – with more than 3,200 and nearly 4,800 jobs posted respectively. For these two major markets to be growing this fast a year into the recovery, only bodes well for new career opportunities and increasing wages."

Conference Celebrating 100th Anniversary of International Women's Day Scheduled for March 8 - Free, Registration Required

2011-03-02T12:15:00.008-05:00

Women Around the World:
Achievements and Challenges Today

March 8, 2011

4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Rivers Club, 301 Grant Street, 4th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA

Register Now!

The World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh and the YWCA’s Center for Race and Gender Equity invite you to a panel discussion and reception commemorating the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day.

Join us for an interactive panel discussion with a diverse group of international women who will provide their perspectives on major contemporary issues confronting women around the world. What are some “success stories” that highlight how women’s lives are improving on a global scale? What are the main challenges that women still face today - politically, economically, and socially? How can we work together to find sustainable solutions in bettering the lives of women and girls around the globe?
Speakers:

Anahita Firouz Radjy, Novelist & Lecturer, Senior Vice President & Co-Founder, Pittsburgh Middle East Institute
Dr. Macrina C. Lelei, Interim Director, African Studies Program and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Education, University of Pittsburgh
Marisol Wandiga Valentin, Program Officer for the Caribbean Region, Global Links
Heidi Zhang, Esq., Senior Counsel-Asia, Westinghouse Electric Company LLC

Panel moderated by Allyson Lowe, Ph.D., Chair, Political Science Department, Carlow University

This event is offered at no charge; advance registration is required. A reception will directly follow the panel discussion.
Questions? Call 412-281-7970 or email welcome@worldaffairspittsburgh.org.
Many thanks to the Eden Hall Foundation for their generous support of this event!

Pittsburgh's Quantum Theatre Continues Celebration of 20th Season With Opening of Tango Operita "Maria De Buenos Aires"

2011-03-01T14:17:00.007-05:00

Who: Quantum Theatre
What: Maria De Buenos Aires by Astor Piazzolla; directed by Karla Boos
When: March 24 – April 17, 2011 (Opening and Press Night March 25)
Curtain Wednesdays – Saturdays 8PM, Sundays 7PM.
Where: The YMCA in East Liberty, 120 S Whitfield St, Pittsburgh, PA 15206
Tickets: Call ShowClix 1-888-71-TICKETS or visit www.quantumtheatre.com to book; $30 - $45 with a limited number of $16 student tickets.

Quantum Theatre – known for staging its shows in unique places that aren’t theaters – continues its 20th Anniversary Season with Astor Piazzolla’s poetic, musical story – the story of a woman, and the story of the tango.

Attack Theatre will perform the iconic tango, collaborating with Quantum as they have on great past projects Kafka’s Chimp and The Voluptuous Tango. Carolina Loyola-Garcia (The Red Shoes) speaks the dramatic poetry in Spanish as the Duende (Goblin) character, mirrored by Karla Boos in English.

Maria de Buenos Aires’ cradle lies on the banks of the delta of the Rio de la Plata, from which Argentine peasants and European emigrants bore her into the suburbs of Buenos Aires in the 19th century. While waiting for their lot to improve, they combined the Argentinean milonga of the countryside with the Afro-American rhythms of the candombe, the Hispano-Cuban habanera, and various European dances to produce the multicultural tango, its unmistakable tonal colors created by the combination of bandoneon and strings.

Maria, like the tango she personifies, passes through various phases. Initially upwardly mobile as she progresses from the suburbs to nightclubs in the city center… she experiences her heyday in cabarets and bordellos; then her exploitation, exhaustion, decline and death; and spectacular rebirth. All of this exists in the journey of Maria de Buenos Aires’ protagonist against the backdrop of political turmoil Argentina experienced mid-20th century.

Music director Andres Cladera and stage director Karla Boos’ Maria De Buenos Aires will cater to all the senses, uniting expressive, live orchestral music, the passionate rhythm of the tango, a surreal poetic text by Horacio Ferrer, and a visual manifestation of that poetry through video created by Joe Seamans.

Argentine mezzo Raquel Winnica sings Maria, Carlos Feliciano the ubiquitous Payador, and Buenos Aires bandoneon player Benjamin Bogart leads the ensemble of eight. In Spanish and English, the work will be accessible to non-Spanish speakers; a special treat for Pittsburgh’s Spanish-speaking population.

The Neighborhood Initiative: Quantum Theatre creates its work this season in the corridor of communities surrounding Penn Avenue. This extended occupation has allowed the company to reach out to residents, businesses, and community organizations with special deals and partnerships that maximize Quantum’s benefits to the neighborhood and expand the economic impact each show has on its temporary home.

Maria de Buenos Aires will be staged in the ballroom of the East Liberty YMCA at 120 S. Whitfield Street, its fading glory an honorary character; a symbol of the rebirth still to come in this dynamic neighborhood.

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

2011-02-16T12:10:00.007-05:00

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.

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

2011-02-14T15:03:00.006-05:00

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.

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

2011-02-08T10:18:00.005-05:00

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.

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

2011-01-21T11:00:00.009-05:00

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.

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

2011-01-20T11:31:00.004-05:00

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!

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

2011-01-14T16:32:00.001-05:00

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.

Clyde Prestowitz to Discuss Global Competitiveness at Jan. 18 World Affairs Council Lunch

2011-01-11T14:36:00.003-05:00

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