International Groups

Iowa Council for International Understanding
Dr. Judith Conlin
Executive Director
1000 Walnut, #1105
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 282-8269
http://www.iciu.org/
info@iciu.org

Since 1938, the Iowa Council for International Understanding (ICIU) has been working to fulfill its mission to build cultural respect at home and abroad one person at a time. Throughout the organization's history, the many volunteers who provided leadership and time to the organization always believed the Council should be dedicated to international understanding between Iowans and the rest of the world. To this end the Council currently administers a variety of programs which aim to connect Iowans with people, ideas and cultures from around the world.

Interpretation & Translation:

Interpretation and translation services provided by experienced language experts in over 30 languages, serving medical, judicial and governmental services  as well as  Individuals and corporations, with 90+%  being natives of their country, helping those they serve to overcome both linguistic and cultural barriers. Our emergency interpretation services are offered free of charge in emergency situations for law enforcement, health and social services. ICIU also provides a program of professional development for all contracted interpreters and translators.

International Visitors:

Community Connections Program:  Sponsored by USAID, Community Connections brings groups of people primarily from the former Soviet Union to Iowa to improve their professional skills but also to gain an understanding of the United States and its people.  Designed to promote public diplomacy and allow visitors to personally connect with Iowans, participants stay with local families throughout their 3-week program.

International Visitor Leadership Program:

ICIU joined the National Council for International Visitor (NCIV) network in 1976 and is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. The purpose of these visits is for international leaders to learn about Iowa, its policies and procedures in business and government, and to enrich the lives of Iowans. These meetings have provided the starting point for many of lasting personal and institutional ties between Iowa and other countries around the globe. Visitors represent a wide variety of fields including government, business and finance, education, law and civic education, communications and the media, foreign relations, arts and culture, and community issues. Typically, visitors spend three to four days in Iowa, meeting with six to ten Iowa colleagues.

Educational Programs:

Iowa International Fellows Program: Annual college leadership program involving 60 international and Iowa students, meeting for four sessions across the academic year on different themes of local and global interest. The program provides interactive learning opportunities between Iowa and international students, and Iowa leaders, increasing their understanding of Iowans and the role of the state in the global environment, while promoting continuing relationships among program participants.

Iowa Student Global Leadership Conference: an annual leadership conference that brings 200 Iowa youth and international exchange students studying in Iowa high schools together to examine key global issues that will have impact on the world in the future. Participating Iowa students work in partnership with international students to recommend actions and solutions for the future, and to discuss ways youth can address issues of concern in their countries.

International Issues Forums: ICIU hosts two forums on international issues a year. The program seeks to explore the relationship between global events and local actions, highlighting topics of interest to the community and bringing in notable experts to offer insight and provide dialogue.

Passport to Prosperity:An annual signature dinner event which honors the achievements of selected Iowa immigrants and refugees.