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

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

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

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/. READ FULL ARTICLE

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

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

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

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

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.
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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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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