Free Event - Keeping the Faith: Expatriate Communities Living in the Triangle

Event Series Brings Together Muslims and Non-Muslims

Raleigh, (PRWEB) June 21, 2003 -- The International Visitors Council / World Affairs Council (IVC / WAC) of Research Triangle Park has been awarded a grant from the National Council for International Visitors via the Office of Public and Intergovernmental Liaison, Bureau of Public Affairs, U.S. Department of State entitled Diverse Tradition / Common Ideals. In light of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the project is designed to bring together Muslim and non-Muslim citizens to openly discuss and explore similarities and differences. The project will include three dialogues -- all free and open to the public -- on three separate topics, in addition to a half-day event. IVC / WAC is partnering with The Interfaith Alliance of Wake County to administer the project.

The first dialogue -- Keeping the Faith: Expatriate Communities -- will explore the firsthand experiences of Muslims living in the Triangle. Date is Tuesday, July 1, 7 -- 9 p.m., at the Century Center, 100 North Greensboro Street, Carrboro.

The discussion will include a small delegation of international visitors from the Middle East and North Africa who will be here to explore Islam in America. The event will include refreshments and opportunities for socializing and networking. This event is ideal for people of all ages and all faiths, and will focus on the experiences of local youth and their families.

RSVP to ivc@northcarolina.edu

Keeping the Faith: Expatriate Communities is part of series entitled Diverse Traditions / Common Ideals, a joint project of the International Visitors Council / World Affairs Council (www.ivc-rtp.org) and The Interfaith Alliance of Wake County (www.interfaithalliance-nc.org). Funding for the project is courtesy of the National Council for International Visitors through the Office of Public and Intergovernmental Liaison, Bureau of Public Affairs, U.S. Department of State.

WHO WE ARE
For 30 years, the International Visitor Council has brought participants to the Triangle from all over the world to meet and confer with their professional counterparts and to experience the United States firsthand. The visitors, who are current or potential leaders in government, politics, business, the media, education, and other fields, are selected by American officials overseas. They come to the United States for two to four week periods of sponsored travel through the auspices of the International Visitor Program of the Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs, United States Department of State.

When their national itinerary includes the Triangle area, the International Visitors Council arranges their professional activities in a wide variety of fields, including biotechnology, business management, pharmaceuticals, environment law, government, grassroots democracy, print journalism, and broadcasting, finance, trade issues, the arts, and education. The emphasis of the program is to increase mutual understanding through communication at the personal and professional levels.

More than 200 current and former Heads of State, 1,500 cabinet-level ministers and many other distinguished world leaders in government and the private sector have participated in the International Visitors Program.

Our 2002 merger with the Triangle World Affairs Council complements our current programming and gives us additional resources, including access to former ambassadors and other prominent individuals available for speaking engagements in our area.