Presentation to CU meeting on October 14, 2004 by Ben Jones, Executive Director of the Louisville International Culture Center (LICC)
Fun fact: Would someone like a bread baker be eligible for a trip to the US? (See answer at end.)
We are together in the business of international understanding
Comparing the LICC's mission with that of Community Unity, Ben Jones talked about how LICC works for international understanding and linkages between institutions in Louisville and southern Indiana and the rest of the world.
He described the programs offered by LICC as follows:
We want people interested in reconciliation and peace.
When asked what can local Kentuckiana citizens do to help, Ben Jones encouraged volunteers who might want to open their homes as host families or spend time with international visitors. Because of the changed direction since 9/11/01, the emphasis is moving from former Soviet Union visitors to those from Muslim countries. As a result, people with Arabic language skills are especially needed. "We want people interested in reconciliation and peace," Jones said and urged people to visit LICC's website for how they might help. He also noted that the LICC visitors are not immigrants, refugees or tourists. The Louisville Mayor's Office of International and Cultural Affairs handles coordinates programs with these people.
Jones also encouraged Community Unity to investigate establishing a sister city relationship as he hopes to do between Campbellsville, Kentucky and a city in Ukraine.
Fun fact answer: Yes! Ben Jones described a young woman baker from Ukraine who was chosen to learn more about her craft in Louisville, KY. She left Louisville loaded down with baking equipment and ideas that she later used to increase her bakery business tenfold back home.
Fun fact: Would someone like a bread baker be eligible for a trip to the US? (See answer at end.)
We are together in the business of international understanding
Comparing the LICC's mission with that of Community Unity, Ben Jones talked about how LICC works for international understanding and linkages between institutions in Louisville and southern Indiana and the rest of the world.
He described the programs offered by LICC as follows:
- International Visitor Program and Community Connection - largely funded by the US Government, to bring international visitors into contact with Louisville area businesses and citizens. These visitors are usually early in their careers in education, business, government, etc. They work as interns in local settings and stay in local residents' homes. A technical assistance program also sends experts here to other countries, for example, Louisville experts have consulted in the Ukraine.
- Public education in local schools - the Global Education Network (GEN) uses international visitors and Culture Kit resource boxes of artifacts to educate children about other cultures. For use of these GEN resources, people may e-mail the director Claudia Crump at ccrump700@cs.com.
- Adult education - takes the form of the Louisville World Affairs Council is one of 80 World Affairs Councils of America that provides a forum for discussion on issues such as globalization. Upcoming topics can be found at www.licc.org.
We want people interested in reconciliation and peace.
When asked what can local Kentuckiana citizens do to help, Ben Jones encouraged volunteers who might want to open their homes as host families or spend time with international visitors. Because of the changed direction since 9/11/01, the emphasis is moving from former Soviet Union visitors to those from Muslim countries. As a result, people with Arabic language skills are especially needed. "We want people interested in reconciliation and peace," Jones said and urged people to visit LICC's website for how they might help. He also noted that the LICC visitors are not immigrants, refugees or tourists. The Louisville Mayor's Office of International and Cultural Affairs handles coordinates programs with these people.
Jones also encouraged Community Unity to investigate establishing a sister city relationship as he hopes to do between Campbellsville, Kentucky and a city in Ukraine.
Fun fact answer: Yes! Ben Jones described a young woman baker from Ukraine who was chosen to learn more about her craft in Louisville, KY. She left Louisville loaded down with baking equipment and ideas that she later used to increase her bakery business tenfold back home.