Lynda Young 's comments

Now I really understand the term “citizen diplomacy”. That’s what we (ICW) and our members are – citizen diplomats. For four days this February, my husband, Bob Sorrenti, and I joined Royce Anderson and Sharon Olander at the National Council for International Visitors (NCIV) national meeting in Washington, DC. We had the unique opportunity to meet and share our experiences with dedicated people from across the country and the world in those jam-packed days of activities. We began with a lovely reception and a chance to hear Rick Steves of PBS’s “Rick Steves’ Europe” speak about his quest to help Americans better understand our world through travel. The following days were spent in a variety of plenary and breakout sessions on such topics as advocacy, cultural competency, business relationships and homestays.

There were many highlights: the luncheon with ambassadors – over 60 ambassadors from all over the world joined us for lunch. We had a chance to speak with the ambassador from Romania and exchange ideas and business cards. The US Department of State reception – a fabulous evening in the diplomatic reception rooms where the Secretary of State, the Vice President and Members of the Cabinet entertain the leaders of the world. That evening, the “leaders of citizen diplomacy” schmoozed (my favorite thing to do!) with people from the State Department and with each other as we wandered around the Benjamin Franklin State Dining Room and took in all the beautiful furnishings and paintings. Breakfast on the Hill was a chance to meet with our elected representatives and their aides. Our own congressman, Jim McGovern, was one of the speakers (introduced by Royce). Afterwards, Bob and I visited the offices of Senators Kennedy and Kerry to spread the good word of ICW. The Embassy Receptions were a special occasion, too. We went to the Indonesian Embassy where we were greeted warmly, sampled many dishes and enjoyed a performance of “The Umbrella Dance”. Royce’s presentation on partnering with your local businesses was also a highlight! He discussed a survey he did with a number of CIV’s (Councils for International Visitors), looking at ways to get local businesses involved and to show the impact on businesses.

These few days were a wonderful opportunity to see our nation’s capital in an entirely different light. The meetings emphasized how important we are in the activities we do with ICW, whether opening up our homes, our businesses, and  our various cultures to international visitors. As the mission of NCIV states: “In a vibrant democracy, the individual citizen has the right – even the responsibility – to help shape foreign relations ‘one handshake at a time’ “.  We hope others will take advantage of this chance to attend the next NCIV conference. It is indeed time well-spent.

(Read Rick Steves' blog on his experience at this meeting)