Monthly Newsletter November 2021 |
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MOIA Director, Vanessa Ibarra, receives French National Order of Merit with the rank of Knight |
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MOIA is proud to congratulate our Director Vanessa Ibarra on receiving the prestigious French National Order of Merit with the rank of Knight from President Emmanuel Macron for her many years of dedicated service in advancing the France–Atlanta relationship! Merci to Consul General Vincent Hommeril of the Consulate General of France in Atlanta for his support and hosting a lovely ceremony and to Jon Keen, Chief Operating Officer of the City of Atlanta for his congratulatory remarks on behalf of Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and the City. Félicitations, Vanessa! -- View photos from the ceremony |
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Ambassadors of Brazil and Hungary Visit the City of Atlanta |
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Ambassador of Hungary to the United States Vanessa enjoyed welcoming the Ambassador of Hungary to the United States, H.E. Mr. Szabolcs Takács at a small reception hosted by Mr. John Parkerson, Honorary Consul General of Hungary in Atlanta. |
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Ambassador of Brazil to the United States MOIA also had the pleasure of welcoming Brazil’s Ambassador to the United States, Nestor Forster, to the City of Atlanta. Vanessa introduced Ambassador Forster at Georgia State University at a discussion hosted by the Atlanta Global Studies Center. The Ambassador spoke to faculty and students about Brazil’s political, economic, and diplomatic landscape. Meredith Steinmetz-Rodriguez, our Global Engagement Manager, later joined the Ambassador as he spoke with the World Affairs Council of Atlanta about Brazil’s relationship with the United States and City of Atlanta. Atlanta and Brazil have a strong diplomatic relationship, from a Sister-City relationship with Rio de Janeiro to being Olympic host cities. Thousands of Brazilians call Atlanta home and Georgia holds strong economic ties with the country. |
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GSU's Center for Urban Language Teaching and Research (CULTR): World Languages Week |
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MOIA Deputy Director Paulina Guzman had the honor of moderating Georgia State University CULTR’s World #Languages Week Diplomacy Panel, featuring Elizabeth Blumenthal, Foreign Service Officer at the U.S. Embassy Warsaw, Allen DuBose, Diplomat in Residence at the U.S. Department of State, and Todd Miyahira, Country Cultural Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy Brasilia. All three speakers discussed their fascinating experiences as foreign service officers and offered advice to students seeking to enter the field of diplomacy. They also discussed how the Department of State operates abroad, and how to prepare for a career in international relations. |
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Launch of the Netherland-American Foundation Atlanta Chapter |
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In honor of Dutch American Heritage Day on November 16, Director Vanessa Ibarra joined a reception celebrating the launch of the Atlanta Chapter of the Netherland-American Foundation, whose mission is to “build bridges between the Netherlands and the Southeastern United States by enabling the exchange of people and ideas that create appreciation, progress, and tolerance.” Consul General Ard van der Vorst of the Consulate General of the Netherlands in Atlanta said "the launch of this chapter reconfirms the growing importance of the City of Atlanta as an economic and cultural hub" and is a testament to the strong roots of the Dutch in the community. As the gateway to the Southeast, Atlanta is also home to the Netherlands American Chamber of Commerce of the Southeastern United States and the Atlanta Holland Club. Speakers and guests included NAF-Atlanta Board Chair Bernard van der Lande and Board members Derk Hendriksen and Cathelijn Kuis - van de Fliert. Joining them was Paige Alexander, CEO of The Carter Center, who discussed her experience of living in the Netherlands, what Americans and the Dutch can learn from one another, and the global Inform Women Transform Lives campaign. Thank you Consul General Ard van der Vorst, the Consulate General of the Netherlands in Atlanta, and the Netherland- American Foundation - Atlanta Chapter for the opportunity to celebrate #DutchAmericanHeritageDay and the ever-growing relationship between the Netherlands and the City of Atlanta. |
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MOIA partners with WACA and MAC for a discussion about Atlanta's international ecosystem |
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We enjoyed the opportunity to talk all things international with the World Affairs Council of Atlanta (WACA) and the Metro Atlanta Chamber (MAC). Our Director, Vanessa, participated in a panel with John Woodward, Vice President of Global Commerce for the Metro Atlanta Chamber and Cecily McLeod, Senior Counsel in the Atlanta office of Gordon & Rees LLP, to discuss the City of Atlanta's global ecosystem including business, education, and even sports. On the topic of diversity and inclusion Vanessa emphasized the importance of initiatives like our office's Women Export University program and the Metro Atlanta Chamber's Metro Export Challenge grant: "We love to see more entrepreneurs, esp. female entrepreneurs succeeding and thriving in the City of Atlanta." As John Woodward said, "The selling point of the City of Atlanta is the collaboration between all partners and organizations." Thank you to the World Affairs Council of Atlanta and the Metro Atlanta Chamber for partnering with us to work collectively to move the city forward. |
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Team MOIA in the community |
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MOIA Deputy Director, Paulina Guzman, attended the British Consulate-General in Atlanta's luncheon and virtual panel focusing on the future of transportation and zero emissions vehicles as part of COP26. One of the topics discussed was how the City of Atlanta is leading the charge for a 100% clean energy future with its EV Ready Ordinance and 50+ AFVs deployed in City fleet. Thank you to the British Consulate General for hosting such an important discussion and providing the opportunity to take part in the conversation. |
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Paulina also joined French Consul General Vincent Hommeril and the French Consulate's reception welcoming Villa Albertine's first resident for the City of Atlanta. Villa Albertine is a French residency program to the U.S. for artists and thinkers to explore a wide range of local issues and immerse themselves in the community of the host city. The City of Atlanta welcomes Maboula Soumahoro as our first resident! |
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Vanessa Ibarra joined the Consulate General of Belgium in Atlanta's King's Day celebration (photo bottom left) and Global Engagement Manager Meredith Steinmetz-Rodriguez attended the Goethe-Zentrum Atlanta's hybrid performance of "Ich bin ein Berliner" by Cuban-American playwright Vanessa Garcia at Ponce City Market's RoleCall Theatre (photo bottom right). Thank you to Consul General Michel Gerebtzoff for hosting a wonderful reception and to Oliver Gorf of the Goethe-Zentrum Atlanta for an enjoyable evening celebrating the anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall. |
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Vanessa also visited the new location of the GACC South - German American Chamber of Commerce of the Southern U.S., Inc. at Atlantic Station and met with Matthias Hoffmann, President & CEO, to discuss the importance of strengthening Germany's relationship with the City of Atlanta and the many ways to connect US and German businesses. |
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Inform Women, Transform Lives: MARTA Advertising |
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Have you seen these #Info4Women posters during your commute? The City of Atlanta and The Carter Center recently began advertising the Inform Women, Transform Lives campaign across various MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) trains, stations, and busses. Stay informed, Atlanta, by visiting www.atlstrong.org/inform-women, calling 311, or texting "info4women" to 888777. |
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Dr. Yvonne Smith, Chair of the Atlanta - Montego Bay Sister City Committee for receiving Jamaican Diaspora Award |
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MOIA extends our congratulations to Dr. Yvonne Smith, Chair of the Atlanta – Montego Bay Sister City Committee, for receiving the Jamaican Diaspora Awards in the Southern USA by the Consulate General of Jamaica in Miami. The award recognizes Jamaicans who have positively impacted the development of Jamaican communities in the diaspora and made significant contributions to the Jamaican economy. Atlanta and Montego Bay have a rich and extensive history since becoming Sister Cities in 1972. Dr. Smith has been a key player in the economic and philanthropic efforts between the two cities in her role as Committee Chair. She has led efforts to address food insecurity caused by the pandemic in both Atlanta and Jamaica and helped establish food distribution programs in Union City and the Metro Atlanta area throughout 2020. |
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2021 World Series Champions! Congratulations, Atlanta Braves! |
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Aiding Afghans in Atlanta: How You Can Help with Resettlement Efforts Tuesday, November 30, 2021 | 12:00 PM | Zoom |
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In FY 2022, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Atlanta will welcome over 800 Afghan humanitarian parolees plus another 900 refugees who will resettle in Atlanta from Syria, Myanmar, and other crisis zones. Join the World Affairs Council of Atlanta on Tuesday, November 30 at noon with Justin Howell, Executive Director of the IRC in Atlanta, as they discuss how Atlantans can welcome our new neighbors who were so recently evacuated from Kabul. |
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Global Atlanta's Consular Conversations: British Consul General Luncheon Wednesday, December 1, 2021 | 12:00 - 1:30 PM | Miller & Martin |
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On December 1, join Global Atlanta for a discussion with Andrew Staunton, British Consul General of Atlanta. The discussion will include a one-on-one conversation with the Global Atlanta editorial team, followed by a moderated audience Q&A. A follow-up of the event will be published in an article following the discussion. This event will take place in person at Miller & Martin, and after the event, Consular Conversations Annual Pass holders will have access to the recording of the discussion. For public health and safety reasons, everyone attending in person must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and wear masks during the event. |
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Atlanta WEI 2021 Cohort Graduation Thursday, December 2, 2021 | 6:00 - 8:00 PM | Virtual |
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Atlanta's Women's Entrepreneurship Initiative will celebrate the graduation of their third cohort! The event will take place virtually December 2nd from 6-8pm and will feature presentations from City of Atlanta leaders, Hawks CMO Melissa Proctor, and spotlights of all 15 entrepreneurs. Please share with anyone that is interested in attending a great event highlighting women’s entrepreneurship in the city. Congratulations to all entrepreneurs! |
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GCIV 39th International Consular Ball September 17, 2022 | Flourish Atlanta |
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The Georgia Council for International Visitors 39th annual International Consular Ball will take place on September 17, 2022 from 6:00-11:00 PM at Flourish Atlanta. Chaired by Vanessa Ibarra, MOIA Director, the theme of the 2022 International Consular Ball is Lights Camera Action: Atlanta Showtime, celebrating Atlanta’s prominence in film and entertainment. |
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Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms Announces City Advances to Green Zone of Reopening Plan Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms issued an Executive Order lifting the city-wide mask mandate based on positive data pertaining to the number of COVID-19 cases. While the latest data advances the City to the Green Zone of the reopening plan, a mask requirement will remain in all City of Atlanta facilities. 11/09/2021 | 10:46 AM Read the full press release here --- For more updates, please visit www.atlstrong.org |
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