One of our Cultural Vistas Alumni Network members asked President Obama a question at an Entrepreneurship Summit in Havana. And that’s just one of our alumni.
What have our alumni been up to?
- Christine A. Elder (Robert Bosch Foundation Fellowship, 1994) was nominated by President Obama on February 12, 2016 and was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on May 17, 2016 as the new U.S. Ambassador to Liberia.
- Jennifer Morgan (Robert Bosch Foundation Fellowship, 1996) was named the co-executive director of Greenpeace International.
- Yuuki (Kizuna Project, 2013) was featured in The Guardian‘s coverage of the fifth anniversary of the March 11 tragedy. She recounted her experience of the day and talked about her U.S. exchange two years later, where she organized a screening of Japan in a Day. “I thought my time in the U.S. would have been worth it even just for organizing this screening.”
- Ian Bateson (Alfa Fellowship, 2013), contributed an op-ed to the New York Times titled “Ukraine Declares War on Journalism.” Ian says, “This is dangerous in any society, but especially in Ukraine right now, where critical journalism is especially necessary.
- Dan Regard (Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange, 1986), co-founder and CEO of iDiscovery Solutions, weighed in on Apple iPhone security on Bloomberg BNA.
- Cordell Carter (Robert Bosch Foundation Fellowship, 2007) was named one of the 2016 Zhi-Xing China Eisenhower Fellows.
- Jaydelyn Reise De Vera and Sandy Jan Labarosa (YSEALI Generation: Earth, 2015) continue to advance their environmental initiatives—ASEAN Green Power and One Baby, One Tree—born during our workshop in Siem Reap, Cambodia. In May, they organized a Zumba Dance-a-thon (see photos) to raise funds to distribute health kits across the country. They’re also hosting an interactive workshop, taking place this week, to educate students on deforestation issues and proper plastic disposal in Sablayan, Philippines.
- Idania del Rio (International Visitor Leadership Program, 2015), graphic designer, posed a question to President Obama at the recent Entrepreneurship Summit in Havana, Cuba. A participant on the WEAmericas project, she asked for clarification on the rules and regulations of U.S.-Cuba trade, so that companies like hers can begin to sell their unique Cuban souvenirs and products. “Where can I buy a couple of t-shirts? I think Malia and Sasha would like them,” joked President Obama.
Events + Alumni Network News
- On May 25, we hosted an online alumni discussion with three Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals alumni: Tim Hernquist (1997), Jennifer Huffman (2011), and Nancy Mancilla (1999). Watch the full discussion here.
- TODAY: On June 8, we’re hosting an alumni get-together in Portland, Oregon. If you’re in the area and want to join, let us know.
- Save the Date: On June 28, we’ll be launching our 2016 photo contest. Open to all alumni, the winner will receive a trip to Washington, D.C. for FotoWeekDC and a gallery event with their photo featured.
Want to get involved? Join the Cultural Vistas Alumni Network.
If you’re part of the Cultural Vistas Alumni Network that’s interested in doing more, or just have some news to share, contact us at alumni@culturalvistas.org.
Richard Bobo works to amplify the impact of public diplomacy by supporting, engaging and connecting Cultural Vistas' alumni around the world.
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