GCIV

Georgia's capital city Atlanta is alight with FIFA World Cup festivities as the Mercedes-Benz Stadium will host eight matches in June and July.

Fun fact, last year GCIV hosted international exchange participants from more than half of the 48 countries competing in the World Cup. To see which countries, check out our 2025 annual report:
https://www.gciv.org/about-gciv/annual-reports

Join the GCIV team next Thursday, June 18 at 5:30 PM for a FIFA World Cup 2026 watch party in Decatur Square. Which country are you cheering for?

Celebrate Juneteenth with Exchange Programs - U.S. Department of State International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) participants! GCIV is looking for dinner hospitality hosts on either June 18, 19 or 20 for 9 technology professionals from the Dominican Republic focused on microelectronics.

Dinner hospitality is not only often the highlight and most impactful portion of international exchange programs, but also leads to lasting friendships and invitations abroad.

Group transportation is provided for dinner hospitality.

If you are interested in hosting any of these individuals or have questions, send us a message!

Learn more about GCIV's dinner hospitality program:
https://www.gciv.org/programs/dinner-hospitality

Celebrate Juneteenth at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights on Friday, June 19, 2026.

Join us as we honor the history and legacy of Juneteenth through exhibitions, family-friendly activities, crafts, storytime, live performances, and civic engagement experiences all day.

Families can enjoy storytime sessions at 11 AM and 1 PM featuring "Juneteenth for Mazie" by Floyd Cooper. At 12 PM, experience a vibrant performance by Giwayen Mata, celebrating African and African American traditions through music and movement.

The day continues from 6–9 PM with Slice of History, a Civic Season event for young adults featuring interactive learning, food, and community in partnership with the National Women's History Museum and Made By Us.

Spend the day exploring the stories, culture, resilience, and freedom movements that continue to shape our nation.

Learn more: go.civilandhumanrights.org/juneteenth26

Join GCIV virtually this Thursday at 7 PM for the next Global Decisions: International Regulation of AI lecture by Baudouin Ngah Akoh, Advisor and Fellow of the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR)’s Security and Technology Programme.

With more than 14 years of experience across the UN system and other international organizations, Baudouin contributed to the Biological Weapons Convention, the Meeting of States Parties in Geneva and UNIDIR’s Responsible AI in the Military Domain Consultations. He is the author of more than five books on diplomacy, disarmament and security.

Registration is required to receive the event link. $40 for all 8 lectures or $10 for any individual lecture. Free for any students currently enrolled in high school or college and GCIV members at the Attaché level or higher.

Click here to register: https://secure.givelively.org/event/georgia-council-for-international-visitors-inc/2026-global-decisions-lecture-series

Check out GCIV's June e-newsletter for upcoming holiday weekend dinner hospitality opportunities, the next Global Decisions lecture, International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) spotlight, GCIV's new intern, fellowship deadlines and more!
https://mailchi.mp/gciv/june2026news

Make sure you're subscribed to get the latest delivered directly to your inbox on the first of every month. Sign up or read previous e-newsletters archived on the GCIV website:
https://www.gciv.org/about-gciv/newsletter-archive

Thank you to all who have given their lives while in service of the U.S. armed forces!

For anyone with active duty military in their family, we hope you take advantage of this free opportunity to visit the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library over the summer!

We are a Blue Star Museum! Starting this Saturday (May 16) through Labor Day (September 7), active duty military and up to five family members will receive free admission to our museum by showing a valid military ID. We are open Monday-Saturday from 9:30am-4:30pm.

Did you know Kazakhstan is the 9th largest country in the world and is bigger than the state of Alaska?

Learn more by hosting 4 Kazakh ICT professionals in your home for dinner next weekend on May 30 or May 31. Visitors are participating in an Exchange Programs - U.S. Department of State International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP).

Message us for more details or visit https://www.gciv.org/programs/dinner-hospitality to learn more about GCIV's dinner hospitality program.

Thanks Georgia Municipal Association for hosting local government leaders from Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, and Tunisia participating in a Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) of the U.S. Department of State International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) to discuss the relationship between cities and state and federal government, collaboration among municipalities, community organizations, the business sector, and the services provided by GMA and Georgia’s cities.

Another excellent example of the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and best practices that occurs during international exchange programs.

Interested in connecting with U.S. Department of State international exchange participants or want to see who's coming to town? Visit www.gciv.org.

Join us virtually on Thursday, May 14 at 7 pm for the next Global Decisions: Sports Diplomacy lecture by D.C.-based sports consultant Travis Murphy.

Register here: https://secure.givelively.org/event/georgia-council-for-international-visitors-inc/2026-global-decisions-lecture-series

Don't forget GCIV hosts a timely virtual discussion Global Decisions: Sports Diplomacy on May 14 as Atlanta prepares to host eight matches of the FIFA World Cup at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in June and July.

Click here to register:
https://secure.givelively.org/event/georgia-council-for-international-visitors-inc/2026-global-decisions-lecture-series

FREE for any students currently enrolled in high school or college and GCIV members at the Attaché level or higher!

Host 12 cybersecurity professionals from around the world on May 10 or 11 or 4 Kazakh ICT professionals on May 30 or 31 in your home for dinner!

International visitors are participants in Exchange Programs - U.S. Department of State International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP).

Dinner hospitality provides international exchange participants a firsthand look at American life beyond professional meetings, meaningful, casual conversations with Georgia residents and cultural exchange in a relaxed, welcoming setting.

Message us for more details!