November 2023 Newsletter
From the Desk of the Executive Director
It’s finally fall! I write that with great enthusiasm, and I’m sure anyone who spent all summer here can relate. Getting back into the season meant a record number of visitors to Global New Orleans for this calendar year, including five IVLP groups in September and seven in October. We also hosted a Humphrey Fellow and a group of 12 development fellows from the Asia Foundation. To close out the year, we have one more group coming in November (Human Rights Across the Americas) and a final group in December (Promoting Social Change Through the Arts). That brings the number of IVLP participants to 320 individuals and 25 projects. We are incredibly proud of this accomplishment as we collectively continue to build our programming post-COVID.
I was able to attend two regional summits with other members of the IVLP network, Global Ties US, the State Department and the many partner organizations we work with. The first was in August in Burlington, Vermont, where I was very impressed hearing the Mayor and Governor speak about climate change action and initiatives in the state. In September, I traveled to Kansas City, Missouri, where I participated in some fantastic sessions where I learned more about how the State Department works with embassies to create the priority areas programs and recruit IVLP participants.
I also got to speak on a panel at MusiCon, a music industry conference, specifically to highlight our group this past July, “Promoting Social Change Through Music,” and also more broadly on how music is the ultimate diplomatic strategy to build understanding and collaboration. Soon, I’ll be heading to Washington, DC to participate in Network DC, which is an opportunity to spend a week with our partners at the national level. This program was competitive and I am honored to have been selected.
As we close out the year, I wanted to close my missive with a more somber reflection on the horrific events happening in Gaza. Now more than ever, our work to break down the barriers of country, race, and religion is desperately needed to make a freer world for everyone. While I struggle personally with how to handle the tragedy unfolding, I am reminded that small actions can mean big change and what we do at Global New Orleans to bring people together is the most worthwhile thing we can do.
In Community,
Laila
IVLP Updates
Boosting The Creative Economy Through Film
Louisiana, famously known as "Hollywood South," stands as a beacon of excellence in the film industry. Our local Citizen Diplomacy network was thrilled to share their invaluable expertise with September’s IVLP delegation, focusing on the theme of "Boosting the Creative Economy and Expression in Film." This diverse group of eight IVLP participants hailing from Saudi Arabia brought with them a wealth of talent and passion, including filmmakers, producers, and industry visionaries. During their stay, they had the privilege to engage with prominent figures in our thriving film community, such as Chris Stelly and Stephen Hamner from the Louisiana Economic Development's Louisiana Entertainment division, gaining insights into the remarkable incentives and development programs available in our beautiful state. Their journey continued as they met with Katie Pryor and Nathan Hall of the Baton Rouge Film Commission, explored the cutting-edge facilities of the Celtic Media Centre with Kevin O'Neal, and delved into NOVAC's workforce development initiatives in the film industry with Stevie-Rayne Vaughn and Kenneth White. The delegates also had the chance to dive into the world of digital production at Crafty Apes with David Burton and Madeline Kornman. They discussed the broader New Orleans film industry landscape with Carroll Morton, Director of Film New Orleans for the City of New Orleans, and explored Starlight Studios with a comprehensive tour led by Kevin Murphy and Billy Burk. Furthermore, they exchanged ideas and insights with Sarah Escalante, Executive Director, and Monika Leska, Managing Director, of the New Orleans Film Society, and enjoyed an immersive experience at the Zeitgeist Multidisciplinary Arts Center with founder Rene Broussard.
We take immense pride in announcing that this delegation departed from Louisiana enriched with invaluable lessons in industry development and cutting-edge techniques.
Young Leaders RISE - Renew, Inspire, Serve, Empower
What a week we had with our IVLP Group titled “Young Leaders RISE- Renew, Inspire, Serve, Empower”, focusing on youth leadership development! These emerging leaders hailed from all over the Near East and North Africa. It was profoundly inspiring to be present for their meetings with local organizations working in youth empowerment here in New Orleans and to digest the complex considerations in their work with youth in their respective communities. Spending time with these folks was a privilege and a reminder that exchanges matter and that citizen diplomacy and cross-cultural collaboration are the backbone of our growth as a global community.
We'd like to thank our local partners, The Bryan Bell Metropolitan Leadership Forum, Better Nola, New Orleans Business Alliance, and Urban League of Louisiana for meeting with this IVLP Group and continuing to foster global connections.
Other Projects
Humphrey Fellowship - Antal Borcsok
In addition to the IVLP groups that visited New Orleans, we also hosted a Humphrey Fellow from Honduras, Antal Borcsok, owner and operator of Tela Marina. In our three-day immersive experience, we were able to take a private river boat tour with Delta Discovery Tours and Captain Richie Blink. This was an amazing way to experience the unique ecosystem and ever- changing riverscape in South Louisiana. Antal also met with Beaux Jones of the Water Institute of the Gulf, Dr. Nina Balan of the Beach at UNO, Dr. Bridget Bordelon of the Lester E. Kabacoff School of Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Administration at UNO, Kristi Trail and Corey Miller of the Pontchartrain Conservancy, John Fallon and Rich Toth of the Audubon Institute, and Rashida Ferdinand and Dr. Robert Lane of Sankofa Wetland Park and Nature Trail. Many thanks to the Institute of International Education for allowing us to build this exciting agenda!
Asia Foundation
In October, we once again partnered with the Asia Foundation to bring 12 leadership and development fellows to New Orleans. Hailing from Fiji, Cambodia, Pakistan, India, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Australia, Mongolia, Thailand and Nepal, this exemplary group had no one specific area of focus, though all shared a common thread of equity and justice. They met with partners at the Louisiana Public Health Institute (LPHI) to learn about health equity and policy in our state, discussed disability rights and LGTBQIA rights vis-a-vis sustainable tourism with partners at University of New Orleans, had a powerful discussion with advocates at the Voice of the Experienced (VOTE) and learned about the continued struggle to rebuild the Lower 9th Ward and the incredible community activists that continue the work at lowernine.org. They also took a decolonized tour of the French Quarter from an indigenous perspective and the Down the River Tour of the Chemical Corridor with the Louisiana Bucket Brigade. Of course, they had to top it all off with a visit to Preservation Hall and a Mardi-Gras themed dinner at GNO Board President Kim Smith’s Marigny home.
“Reflecting on the overall trip, our visit to New Orleans was really a standout. Each of the site visits really touched deeply on the themes of cultural appreciation, community focus-community led programs, diversity and inclusion, local engagement, intersectionality and identity management, social impact and advocacy. VOTE, Louisiana Bucket Brigade, Miss Lola-Jean and the Lower Nine Ward were just so powerful. It hit at the heart of what we are all trying to do in our respective countries.”
We’ve got a new member of our team!
IVLP Intern, Gianna Taveras
Gianna is a sophomore at Tulane, but originally hails from Long Island. She is a business-political science major and plans to go on to study law. She enjoys reading and spending time with kids. We’re thrilled to have her on board!
Toast Diplomacy 2023
We had some fantastic member events this year and there’s one left! Our Annual Membership Meeting will be held on December 13th. If you haven’t renewed your membership recently, now is the time! Please note that we have added a pay-what-you an option as we don’t want money to be a barrier, we just want you to be in our community! Members in good standing will be asked to vote for new board members this year and what an exciting lineup of people we have. As always, we will have food, drink and good cheer.
Please renew today so you don’t miss the invitation!
We’re moving!
We have loved our beautiful office space at 1239 Baronne, but in 2024 we have decided to go virtual! While much of our work is done in the field, we sometimes need meeting space for board meetings or IVLP presentations.
If you are able to offer any in-kind meeting space support, please reach out to Laila via email, laila@globalneworleans.org .
Community Events
Nov. 13th, 2023 - Modigliani Quartet
Friends of Music is in its 69th consecutive season bringing world class chamber music to the city of New Orleans.
For more information & dates, please visit https://www.friendsofmusic.org/
If you would like us to include your events in our quarterly newsletter, please email office@globalneworleans.org
