Professional

exchange programs. In 1999 GCIV established a "Business for Russians"

program, funded by the State Department, that brings to Georgia new Russian

entrepreneurs for a five-week training program, linking them with their

American counterparts. Similar programs with other countries and in other

fields are now being pursued.

Home hospitality.

One of the best ways to increase international understanding is through

the establishment of personal friendships. So GCIV offers international

visitors the opportunity for a visit in a local home. For the international

visitor, this is often one of the highlights of their journey to Georgia,

as they experience "Southern hospitality" while establishing

a very personal connection in Georgia. The benefits are just as great

for the hosts, who enjoy learning about another culture. Often the friendships

thus established last for years.

Community

educational programs. GCIV provides community education programs designed

to increase public awareness of the global issues that affect Georgia.

This includes sponsorship of the Foreign Policy Associations' annual Great

Decisions discussion groups. These discussions, along with other lectures

and symposia, enable hundreds of Georgians to become better informed on

a wide array of international topics. The educational programs also provide

opportunities for international visitors to share their perspective on

global issues with their American counterparts.

Networking

opportunities. In addition to providing opportunities to meet with

short-term international visitors, GCIV provides networking opportunities

that enable residents of Georgia to establish international connections

with each other. The International Women Associates is a group of international

and American women that provides opportunities for international newcomers

to make friends and become oriented to life in Georgia. The International

Businesswomen's Network provides a monthly forum for businesswomen to

exchange knowledge and experience on international issues. And at GCIV's

annual International Consular Ball, hundreds of business and civic leaders

come together to salute the growing Atlanta Consular Corps.

Travel programs.

A natural extension of Georgia's growing international connection is the

desire to visit friends in other countries and to learn by visiting them.

GCIV offers a limited number of travel opportunities each year to its

members, featuring educational travel seminars that include home hospitality

with friends abroad.

GCIV is part

of a national network of community-based organizations with similar objectives.

Limited funding comes from the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs

of the U.S. State Department, but the majority of the financial support

is from individual members, corporate sponsors and state or local government

agencies.

The annual

International Consular Ball is scheduled for Friday, April 26, at the

Ritz-Carlton Buckhead. Guests of honor will include Gov. and Mrs. Roy

Barnes and Atlanta's 52 consuls and consuls general, headed by the Consul

General of Switzerland, Alexander Kubli, Dean of Atlanta's Consular Corps.

Each year,

the Ball honors the men and women of the Consular Corps for their role

in building trade and cultural relationships between the state of Georgia

and nations around the world.

Beginning with

a reception, the evening will feature a silent auction and raffle, followed

and Society Express. The silent auction will include approximately 100

items featuring both domestic and international travel packages, sport,

art events and restaurants, as well as a 1964 baby blue Lincoln Continental

convertible. Of special interest will be international items donated by

the Consular Corps. The top raffle prize will include two business class

round-trip tickets on American Airlines to any city in Europe to which

they fly.

The consuls

will be seated at the various corporate sponsor tables and will be introduced

at their tables by the emcee before being honored with a toast by Gov.

Barnes. The major corporate sponsors of the 2002 International Consular

Ball include Georgia Power; the Coca-Cola Company; Siemens Energy and

Automation, Inc.; Jones, Day, Reavis and Pogue; and American Airlines.

Individual

tickets are available at $150 per person. Corporate tables and sponsorships

are also available. Proceeds from the Ball will benefit the GCIV.

For more information

regarding tickets, tables and sponsorships, please contact the GCIV office

at 404-832-5560x16 or by e-mail at [email protected].