Iowa Council for International Understanding

A Thank You to the Past and Open Arms to the Future

from

Executive Director

Judith Conlin

 

As ICIU celebrates 70 years of connecting Iowans with people, ideas and cultures from around the world, it also opens a new door toward the future as it welcomes several staff changes. I began my work as the Executive Director of ICIU on March 1, 2008 and have the wonderful opportunity of working with people genuinely and passionately dedicated to international understanding. I would first like to give recognition to our departing staff as they advance in their new endeavors. It has been a privilege working with these very dedicated and committed individuals and we are fortunate to not say good-bye as they take off their “staff hats” and put on their “volunteer hats” for ICIU. Colin Peterson, who has managed our Language and Interpretation Programs and the Intern Program, had the opportunity to go with United Way and Paritosh Kasotia, who has managed the Educational Programs, Forums, and Grants, accepted a position with the State Public Policy Group. We owe them both a great deal of gratitude for jobs exceedingly well done.

 

Two outstanding team members have also recently joined the staff of ICIU.

 

Christina Sibouih joined the ICIU team in May 2008. She manages the Iowa International Fellows Program, Iowa Student Global Leadership Conference, International Issues Forums, as well as various responsibilities concerning marketing and grants development. Christina obtained her B.A. in Applied International Studies from Grand View College in Des Moines, Iowa and her M.A. in International Studies and Diplomacy from Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane Morocco. She has also studied economic development and globalization in Chile and Argentina, culture and Society in Morocco and recently completed her Master’s thesis investigating the role of identity in conflict in Sudan.

She has spent the past six years living, studying and working in Morocco and comes to us after working for the National  Democratic Institute for International Affairs Morocco office where she was intricately involved in democracy and governance  programs, particularly civil society development and the organization of and participation in the first-ever International  Observation Mission for the 2007 Legislative Elections. Christina is fluent in Spanish, French and Moroccan Arabic with  intermediate competency in Classical Arabic. She has an unswerving passion for languages and cultural understanding and  enjoys discussions at the café, traveling, dancing, being outdoors and spending time with family and friends.

 

Cammeo Medici joined the ICIU team in June 2008. A recent graduate of Drake University in International Relations, she has assumed the position of International Language Programs and Intern Manager. She was a Rotary International Exchange Student and studied at Liceo Linguistico in Rovigo, Italy. Cammeo completed her independent research in Cape Town, South Africa, where she investigated the risks and health concerns related to the use of paraffin for household energy needs. She was awarded the George Washington Carver Intern Award in recognition for her service at the World Food Prize Foundation, graduated Summa Cum Laude, and while at Drake served as a member of the Global Ambassador's Program and the International Student Association. Cammeo has also worked with Big  Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa and the Adult Literacy Center. She has experience speaking Italian, Spanish, and Xhosa. Cammeo enjoys spending time with family and friends, outdoor activities, going to shows, and traveling. 

 

We all celebrate the accomplishments of this wonderful organization to which so many have contributed so much and are dedicated to working toward an even brighter future!

                           Announcements                            

 

ICIU Board Member Receives Prestigious Honor

ICIU Board Member Lori Chesser was recently honored by the American Immigration Lawyers Association with a Presidential Award at their 2008 Annual Conference on Immigration Law in Vancouver, British Columbia. Lori was honored for her work at Davis Brown, which was deemed to be "Outstanding Service in Preparing for ICE Large Scale Enforcement Actions."

Congratulations to Lori and her immigration department for this award and the work that they have accomplished in the wake of the recent Postville raids.

 
Save the Dates - Community Connections Group Comming!

ICIU will be hosting a Community Connections Program in July! This group of Ukrainians will need home stays for most of their trip. This is hosting the visitor(s) overnight and helping to get them to and from the Hotel Fort Des Moines in the mornings and evenings. Several fun events will be planned with the group as a whole. Dates are July 11th-18th and July 20th – 30th.

Please contact Deborah Lake if you want to share your home with this dynamic group.

They are here to look at Youth Summer Camps and how to revive summer program for Ukrainian youth.

Deborah can be reached at deborah.lake@iciu.org or 515-282-8269 x 12 or http://www.iciu.org

Click for a Community Connections Flyer.

 

ICIU Pleased to Provide Translations of Iowa Voter Registration Forms

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 to access the Forms

Disclaimer:

These are not official voter registration forms. You must complete the English version of the voter registration form (found at http://www.sos.state.ia.us/pdfs/elections/voteapp.pdf) 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.

ICIU Celebrates 70 Years of International Understanding

Since its inception in 1938, ICIU has been an integral part of this community. Originally founded to assist refugees fleeing Europe during WWII, the Iowa Council for International Understanding has expanded its scope of operation to include a variety of programs and services dedicated to building cultural respect at home and around the world one person at a time.

Court Interpreters Needed

If you or someone you know has an interest in judicial interpreting, please contact Cammeo Medici at 515-282-8269 ext 16. This is a great opportunity to work as a contracted interpreter with ICIU, Iowa’s premier interpretation/translation provider. The ideal candidate

will have prior training and experience providing interpretation in a judicial setting. Click for more Information.

 

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