Iowa Council for International Understanding

 

"Building cultural respect, at home

and around the world, one person at a time."

 

 

NEWS & EVENTS

 
 
2010 Passport to Prosperity

Guests enjoying the 2009 Passport to Prosperity gala event.

ICIU proudly presents the 2010 Passport to Prosperity honorees. Each of these accomplished Iowans, born of other nations, have chosen to make Iowa their home. They have contributed so much to our state's business, social, cultural and civic communities.

Cyndi Chen

Zeljka Krvavica
Shazia Manus

Learn more about the 2010 Passport to Prosperity and see photographs from the 2009 event by clicking here.

 

 

Pioneer-ICIU International Dialogue Series

The Pioneer-ICIU International Dialogue Series continues providing thought-provoking topics for discussion and education. Participants are invited to bring their own lunch to all presentations. Upcoming programs include:

Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Telling America's Story- Are We Winning the Battle for Hearts and Minds?
Presented by Dr. Sherry Mueller, NCIV President
12:00 to 1:00pm at the Downtown Des Moines Public Library
(1000 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50309)

Tuesday, October 5, 2010
An American Citizen in a Japanese Internment Camp
Presented by Grace Amemiya
12:00 to 1:00pm at the Downtown Des Moines Public Library
(1000 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50309)

This dialogue is sponsored by Iowa Council for International Understanding, Pioneer Hi-Bred, Drake University's Center for Global Citizenship, the Greater Des Moines Partnership and the Des Moines Public Library. 

 

 

Volunteer Opportunities

 

Spring 2010 volunteer opportunities

 

                      

 


Stay up to date on all things ICIU!!!

Click here to check out our latest newsletter!

 
 

2010 Iowa Student Global Leadership Conference

 

 

February 5-6, 2010

Now in its fourteenth year, the Iowa Student Global Leadership Conference (ISGLC) brings together 100 Iowa high school students for a weekend long conference to foster interaction among students from diverse cultural backgrounds and provide students an opportunity to learn about other countries and cultures.

“We come from all over the world; we know no one, and here we learn how much we have in common; we learn to improve ourselves and we want to improve communities of the world.”

Click here to learn more about the conference including student photos and videos!

Click here for more information.



 

Iowa Global Connect

 

Iowa Global Connect is Iowa’s centralized multilingual access point for individuals and entities to the international resources Iowa has available and provide existent international organizations and entities with enhanced access to those who are served by their mission. Global Connect accomplishes this mission through a systematic collaborative network accessed through a state-wide written resource guide, published through the Des Moines Business Record and a dynamic, searchable web service with a live call-in center envisioned in the near future.

  

ICIU is pleased to announce the launch of the 2009 multicultural resource guide. Printed in eight languages, the International Guide to Iowa is intended to connect newcomers to the resources they need to make a smooth transition, thus emodying the aim of Global Connect. Iowa’s first multilingual international guide will be distributed across the state this week, providing a valuable resource to global visitors and immigrants looking to live, work and raise a family in the state. In addition to basic emergency services and general needs, the 46-page guide includes information regarding employment opportunities, educational services and medical services. There will also be an electronic version, which has the potential to be translated into 49 different languages.

 

Click here to enjoy the International Guide to Iowa!

New Website Comming Soon !

ICIU has a brand new and improved website and it’s coming soon!

The new site is specifically designed to support the Iowa Global Connect program. Check back for updates and more information on the official launch.


ICIU's Interpretation and Translation Services

ICIU's is Iowa's premier translation and interpretation service in the state of Iowa and has offered its services to businesses, schools, organizations and individuals through a network of more than 100 interpreters and translators specializing in over 47 languages and dialects for over 30 years. ICIU's network of interpreters and translators are thoroughly screened and adhere to signed to codes of conduct and confidentiality. More than this, over 90% of ICIU's interpreters and translators are native speakers, ensuring that interpreters possess the important cultural knowledge and skills to assist in crossing both linguistic and cultural barriers.

ICIU continues to strive to not only meet the increasing demand for interpretive services, but also to improve the quality of the services provided. To achieve this, ICIU has launched a series of programs aimed at the professional development of its network, the education of its clients and the increased accessibility of its services. Click here to learn more.

For more information on ICIU's interpretation and translation services, contact Stephanie Hingtgen at stephanie.hingtgen@iciu.org or 515-282-8269 x 16.

 

 

Translations of Iowa Voter Registration Forms

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ICIU is pleased to provide the Iowa voter registration forms in multiple languages, such as, Vietnamese, Spanish, Laotian, and Bosnian. Please continue to check our website as we may have voter registration forms translated in other languages.

Click Here to Access Forms

Disclaimer:

These are not official voter registration forms. You must complete the English version of the voter registration form or by calling the Iowa Secretary of State's Office at 515-281-8849 or 888-SOS-VOTE (888-767-8683) to be registered to vote in Iowa.


 

Can't find what you're looking for? Click for an Alphabetical Listing of topics.



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Serve Your Community!

Become a Volunteer Emergency Interpreter!

ICIU offers free emergency interpretation services 24 hours a day, seven days a week to law enforcement, health and social service providers faced with life and death situations in which language is a barrier to providing appropriate services.

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This service assists Iowans of limited English proficiency in attaining access to basic services, while assisting service professionals in providing effective services to those in need.

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Download a Volunteer Emergency Interpreter Application


Interpreters & Translators Needed!

We are currently accepting applications for interpeters and translators for any and all languages.

If you or someone you know has an interest in interpreting or translating, download an an application to become part of the ICIU network of interpreters and translators.

Download Application

Laotian, Cambodian, Vietnamese, Thai, Swahili, Spanish, Malay, Kurundi and Burmese interpeters/translators are strongly encouraged to apply.

This is a great opportunity to work with Iowa's premier interpreter/translation service!

For more information, please contact Stephanie Hingtgen at stephanie.hingtgen@iciu.org or 515-282-8269 x16.