General

Bi- National Convergence at the US/Mexico Border

18. 18 people affiliated with the InterReligious Task Force on Central America (IRTF), traveled to the desert in Nogales, a town which straddles Arizona and Sonora earlier this month.

IRTF is a Cleveland based non-profit founded by people of conscience and faith after the martyrdom of two Cleveland women in El Salvador by U.S. trained military in 1980. Carrying on the legacy of other human rights defenders, IRTF educates, advocates, and organizes for peace, justice and systemic transformation through nonviolence. The Task Force works to change international policies, corporate actions and consumer behaviors that undermine justice.

1,000s. Thousands converged at the US/Mexico border to participate in the first Bi-National Convergence, which was organized by School of Americas Watch. SOA Watch’s longtime mission has been to close the infamous School of the Americas (SOA) which has trained thousands of military personnel in Latin America that have subsequently carried out egregious human rights violations against their own people.

After the US House of Representatives voted to defund the SOA in 1999, the Pentagon renamed it to the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (WHINSEC). For over 25 years a weekend vigil with annual participation nearing 20,000 people, has been held at Ft. Benning, GA to remember the thousands killed by graduates. IRTF has facilitated the participation of thousands from Ohio.

78,000+ In 2016, over 78,000 (the majority of whom come from Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala) have crossed the US/Mexico border and many more have been apprehended at the Mexico/Guatemala border. U.S. Customs and Border Protection apprehensions in the past twelve months totaled approximately 409,000, up 23% from the previous year. To better understand the root causes of Migration and address broader societal militarization, grassroots efforts were made this year to mobilize at the border. Our experience taught us about how neoliberal economic policies and the militarized “War on Drugs” have displaced thousands of Displaced Personss seeking to escape drug- and gang-related violence, as well as state sponsored violence.

In Nogales, and many other areas along the border, Mexican and US culture have been woven together. This fabric has been torn apart by laws that have created economic, social, and legal apartheid. The Obama administration has deported more than 2.5 million people, more than any other administration in US history. We hope all of those who support Global Cleveland, decide to become more informed and get engaged in issues of global justice. To get involved visit IRTFcleveland.org or join us on November 6th from 4-8pm at Beaumont School as we learn from Marlen Sanchez, agroecology expert from the Association of Campesino Workers in Nicaragua.

by Global Cleveland

Table 45 Launches Cultural Celebration of the Month and Sweepstakes

Zack Bruell interprets cuisines from around the world, as diners vie for a chance to win a dream vacation stay at a global destination and other valuable hotel and restaurant prizes

Table 45, renowned for its world-fusion cuisine at the InterContinental Hotel Cleveland, has announced its new Cultural Celebration of the Month promotion and sweepstakes. The celebration is an eight-month promotion featuring a different international cuisine each month as interpreted through the culinary lens of Chef Zack Bruell.

Each month starting in October, the restaurant will feature cuisine from popular up-and-coming regions from around the world to create special menu options and events, including drink and wine tastings, chef’s table specials, and cultural awareness. Zack and his team at Table 45, will consult with chefs from other InterContinental Hotels from around the globe to offer authentic regional dishes.

Cultural Celebration of the Month kicks off in October, when Table 45 takes on the distinctive flavors of Cuba. November will celebrate Moroccan cuisine, followed by Israeli, Portuguese, Ethiopian, Peruvian, Taiwanese, and the Yucatan Peninsula. Each month carries a timely cultural significance.

“We are excited to offer these one-of-a-kind dining experiences,” says Chef Zack Bruell. “It’s a way for us to engage our local international communities and offer a variety of new tastes from around the world.”

Diners and other participants will be entered in a chance to win the Grand Prize of a five-night stay for two at any InterContinental Hotel property in the world courtesy of The InterContinental Hotels Group. First place wins a free two-night stay at InterContinental Hotel Cleveland, local limo transportation to and from the hotel and dinner for two at Table 45. Second place wins a free dinner for four at the famed Chef’s Table, and Third prize is a selection of international wines from around the world featured in the Cultural Celebration of the Month promotion. With each visit, diners complete and submit tickets in their World Tour Passport for increasingly more chances to win.

“This is more than a promotion,” said Bruell, “This will be an opportunity for us to create new food each month that people won’t see anywhere else in Cleveland. And it will be incredible.”

The promotion will last 8 months starting October 2016. In June of 2017, Table 45 will host a World Cultural Celebration Reception for frequent participants and will include the announcement of the Grand Prize Sweepstakes Winner from monthly entries.For more information visit: http://www.tbl45.com/culturalcelebration

Written By: Pete Baka

About the InterContinental Hotels Cleveland

The InterContinental Hotel and Conference Center is located at 9801 Carnegie Avenue in Cleveland. The hotel features 35,000 square feet of newly renovated meeting space, including a 500-seat, state-of-the-art amphitheater, a grand ballroom and eight large meeting rooms. With 295 guest rooms and 27 suites, The InterContinental’s guest rooms have recently undergone a modern transformation to provide the best-in-class design, comfort and convenience. The InterContinental Cleveland recently received the AAA Four-Diamond Award for 2015. The hotel was also named one of the best in Ohio by U.S. News & World Report.

The nearby InterContinental Suites Cleveland is located at 8800 Euclid Avenue in Cleveland. The suites offer 162 one-bedroom rooms with living and dining room areas combined with wet bars. And the newly opened Holiday Inn Cleveland Clinic boasts 276 rooms located on the campus of the Cleveland Clinic at 8650 Euclid Avenue. This modern flagship Holiday Inn has several meeting spaces, fast casual dining and bar at Moce Café and is an affordable option to other offerings in the area.

by Global Cleveland

Next Generation Latino Leadership Program

Hispanics In Philanthropy (HIP) is pleased to announce the launch of the 2017 cohort of the Next Generation Latino Philanthropy Leadership Program, supported by the Cleveland Foundation and the American Express Foundation.

Applications now open to emerging Latino leaders through November 18, 2016

The year-long fellowship provides an opportunity for emerging leaders to gain the skills needed to excel as a diverse social sector leader. Targeted towards early to mid-level professionals in the nonprofit, philanthropic, and government sectors, the NGEN Latino Philanthropy Leadership Program provides access, tools, key in-person and online leadership trainings, and mentorship opportunities from seasoned leaders.

Applications are now open for those interested in gaining and strengthening the key leadership skills and high-level relationships needed to support their long-term professional growth.

Application Timeline:

• Open Applications: September 21 – November 18, 2016*
• Informational Webinar: October 25, 2016
• Decision Announcements: December 20, 2016
• Fellowship Launch: January, 2017

*Special consideration will be given to those applicants in the Midwest, particularly in the Cleveland metro area.

Please feel free to circulate this announcement within your networks and to refer potential candidates to the HIP team. We look forward to cultivating yet another cohort of diverse philanthropic leaders to strengthen the sector at-large and our greater communities.

Please contact Anne Hand, Senior Program Manager, at [email protected] or 415-837-0427 ext. 3300 with any questions.

by Global Cleveland

Our International Newcomer Communities Today: Displaced Personss Welcome

Global Cleveland and The Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage present: Our International Newcomer Communities Today: Displaced Personss Welcome?

From America’s undocumented International Newcomer population of 11 million to the Syrian Displaced Persons crisis, to the growing demand for employment visas for skilled workers, the Migration debate puts our economy, our borders and our communities under the microscope.

This presidential election is one of the most consequential of our time. America – along with our friends and allies – faces a choice between a world that is open or closed. Join us as Isam Zaiem (Council on American-Islamic Relations), Leen Midani (senior at CSU, Syrian asylee), Veronica Dahlberg (Executive Director, Hola) and Global Cleveland’s Joe Cimperman discuss some of the main Migration issues of our day.

Learn more about the components and prospects of sensible Migration reform, and hear why changes to our Migration policy are needed through the perspectives of business, technology, faith and law enforcement.

This event is FREE, but registration is required—LIMITED SEATING! Register HERE.

Sponsored by:

Margaret W. Wong & Associates and The City Club of Cleveland

by Global Cleveland

Global Cleveland Welcomes New Americans during One World Day

The Cleveland Cultural Gardens, a string of 29 gardens, are amongst the greatest gems of our great city, located along Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd and the adjacent East Blvd. On August 28, 2016,  the 71st annual One World Day Celebration was held, presented by Cleveland City Councilman Kevin Conwell. Throughout the day thousands of people gathered to see the parade of flags (featuring colorful costumes of dozens of nationalities), take trolley tours of every garden, watch cultural performances, and sample amazing ethnic food. 

The Global Cleveland team was happy to participate in all of these experiences, but we were most excited to welcome our newest American citizens who were sworn in during the Naturalization Ceremony. During the Celebration, following the parade, there is special a Naturalization Ceremony to welcome and celebrate community members who have completed the requirements to become citizens of the United States. 

Naturalization ceremonies are typically held every other Friday, at the Federal Courthouse, and for the past three months Global Cleveland has been welcoming our newest Citizens with welcome packets. These packets include welcome letters from Mayor Frank Jackson, County Executive Armond Budish, and Global Cleveland staff. The packets also include a certificate from Global Cleveland Board Chair David Fleshler, President Joe Cimperman, and Founder Albert Ratner; along with resources to help connect our newest citizens get connected to social and economic opportunities in the region. 

Nearly 2500 individuals are naturalized annually in Cuyahoga County and about 95% of them reside in the Greater Cleveland area. It is important for us to welcome our newest American citizens because we understand the civic and economic impact that result from increased rates of citizenship. 

There are many reasons why an International Newcomer chooses to become a naturalized United States citizen. People come to America from all over the world in the hopes of attaining a better life for themselves and their families and to call this great land of ours home. Cleveland is a state with a rich heritage of International Newcomers and their families contributing to make our state special.

Global Cleveland was a proud sponsor of the One World Day Celebration and the naturalization that took place that day, and those that take place every other Friday. For more information or to volunteer to attend a naturalization ceremony with us visit us at https://globalcleveland.org/volunteer/naturalization where you’ll find a full list of ceremonies taking place this year. 

by Global Cleveland

Who We Are

Often when I come to work and encounter Clevelanders who have travelled thousands of miles and 3 lifetimes to get here the words of Winston Churchill come to the fore: "You will make all kinds of mistakes, but as long as you are generous and true and also fierce, you cannot hurt the world or even seriously distress her. She was meant to be wooed and won by youth."

The people we serve daily, whether native born or from one of over a hundred twenty nations represented in Cleveland are risk takers, deep believers, compassion sharers, job creators, shelter providers, fellow journeyers.

They come with a wisdom too often with a high price but full of hope and common sense and a generosity that is bottomless. I start to think it's because they left their first or second homes to come here and make it work. I think maybe they had some experience on the flight or road in. Maybe it's because they have that entrepreneurial spark and steel will that helps them make it. But then I am reminded that what our International Newcomers have is what we all have, theirs is just closer to the surface.

We celebrated Passport Awareness Month with a great gathering at Market Garden Brewery in Ohio City. Over 200 people from 48 nations and many citizens of the United States came to share their journey stories and encourage more people to get a passport and use it. We met some amazing people and yet they would be the first to remind us that they in so many real ways are no different than us.

Tonight our community at Global Cleveland bid a fond and grateful farewell to CJ Mosure, one of the first and longest serving staff members of our organization. While born in these United States, CJ in so many ways served our international community and our region as a volunteer, employee, and friend. He proved to all of us that it is possible to do great good for people from around the globe by focusing on who and what is right here in front of us, giving it your all and being kind to who you encounter.

Good thoughts for all of us in whatever field we choose. Good practice for us to recognize the world in Cleveland and the Cleveland in the world. To all of our collaborators and friends, thank you for believing in the welcome of our community, regardless of whose passport you hold. To CJ, thank you for being a champion for so many with your heart and brilliance. We'll all try to be more generous, true and fierce as you were for so many. Thank you.

Written By: Joe Cimperman, president of Global Cleveland

by Global Cleveland

7th Annual Chagrin Documentary Film Festival: 76 Films From 24 Countries!

The Chagrin Documentary Film Festival, will be held Oct. 5- 9 in Chagrin Falls. Founded in 2010 to honor the filmmaking spirit of local filmmaker David Ponce, the Festival is designed to create a family-friendly and educational environment within the backdrop of beautiful Chagrin Falls. 

Global Cleveland is the proud sponsor of the short film, Kansuksa, Directed by Bryce Cyrier. Join us Thursday, October 6th at 1:30 pm or Sunday, October 9th at 11:00 am at Chagrin Valley Little Theatre to see this film. Below is a brief summary:

Kansuksa

Directed by Bryce Cyrier

USA, Laos, 18 minutes

Deep in the mountains of northern Laos, children travel far from home to get an education. One woman works tirelessly to help these kids gain access to school and get an education. She is stymied by a lack of support.  

The Festival program guide and online schedule include information on all films, programs and events. Festival ticket options include: Individual tickets $10; Festival Opening event $20; Closing Event $10; Havana Nights $30; and an All-Fest Pass, including five days of films, for $75. Festival membership packages are also available at www.chagrinfilmfest.org.

Here  are a few special film related events:

Dinner at Swingos  - World Premiere

Radius Restaurant at South Franklin Circle will host a “Dinner at Swingos” for the world premiere of the documentary, The Swingos Celebrity Inn, directed by Andrew Marquard on Tuesday, Oct. 5 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at South Franklin Circle. Dinner is $45, reservations to be made at 440-247-1300. Film follows at 7:00pm - $10.

Film ticket and dinner are separate.

Film Background: From Elvis to Led Zeppelin, Swingos Celebrity Inn served as the stomping ground for many famous celebrities and musical acts in Cleveland, Ohio. From the odd requests to the crazy parties, Jim Swingos reflects on a long legacy of providing great food and rooms to some of the most famous people of all time. 

Havana Nights

Step into a night in old Havana with the film Craving Cuba, Cuban food, rum drinks and music by the Foreigners Three. Friday, October 7 at 6:00 pm Chagrin Falls Township Hall, 87 N. Main St. An outdoor cigar tasting curated by JoVann's Tobacco Shop

Film Background: Excitement over Cuba is at an all-time high, with this forbidden paradise on everyone’s mind. As beautiful, passionate and alluring as Cuba is, it is also very complicated. The film shares a powerful story about the American Dream and yearning – for freedom, for country, and for identity across four generations on both sides of the Florida Straits.

Hungarian Film and Food

Enjoy Hungarian refreshments courtesy of the Northeast Ohio Hungarian community following to the screening of Condemned to Live, directed by by Noemi Veronika Szakonyi and Mate Artur Vincze. The screening is Friday, Oct. 9 at 7:00 PM at  the Chagrin Valley Little Theatre River Room. 

Film Background: Imagine being sentenced to death for what you think. Following the failed Hungarian Revolution of 1956, scores of innocent people who didn’t see eye to eye with the Soviet-backed government were sentenced to death or thrown in jail. The film offers a shocking portrait of the impossibility of processing this trauma and the survivors’ incessant compulsion for remembrance. 

To learn more about the Festival, see full schedule and tickets, visit www.chagrinfilmfest.org, call the Festival office at 440-247-1591 or look for us on Facebook and Twitter.

by Global Cleveland

Traveling Internationally for Student Recruitment

 Global Cleveland caught up with George Burke, who is currently traveling abroad and working to connect international students to opportunities to study in the United States.

Where will you be traveling?

I am traveling from Sept 11-Sept 30. I will be in Chennai, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, and Mumbai, India; Dhaka, Bangladesh; and Kathmandu, Nepal

What meetings or activities do you have planned for this trip?

I will be meeting with Education USA Representatives in Chennai, Mumbai, and Dhaka. I will be visiting international schools, some local high schools, attending a couple of Educational Fairs and International Education Recruitment Partners. I also visit in a couple cities with students who have either studied at CSU or CWRU that I have personally known over the years.

When you are working to promote studying in the United States to international students, what have you found to be the most common questions or concerns?

The parents’ number one concern is safety and expenses, while the students are most interested in both their academic and non- academic activities. They are interested in what work options and internships are available. I find the biggest challenge is having everyone recognize how different the US environment is, both academic and non –academic, from their own country. Something in the US that is not offered in other countries is the concept of almost limitless choices. But the options and choices are entirely dependent on taking the risk to explore and discover new things and new people. They often expect there is one perfect answer and one perfect school or perfect major. Trying to get someone to understand that even if an institution is not ranked number 1, higher education in the US actually opens the door to use their own initiative to get what they want, and that even though you start on one path once you arrive in US new options are always available that they don’t expect. Consistent with that is explaining US learning philosophy. In the US it is not the teacher’s responsibility to give you the answers but equip you with becoming a self- learner.

What are some changes you have seen in international student enrollment over the years?

After 40 years of involvement in international higher education, changes are varied. When I first became involved in the mid 70’s was the first explosion of oil money around the world. That meant students from Algeria, Iran (many personally financed), Libya, all countries of Mideast, Venezuela, and Nigeria where being sent on huge government scholarships. During that time period, the Chinese and Indian students were almost just graduate students who received graduate assistantships or specialized international scholarships. Then there was the oil crisis and Iranian revolution, which closed off many of those individuals. Then in the 80’s and 90s the world economics shifted toward Southeast Asia and students from Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia. That lasted until the financial crisis in the 90’s. But interestingly enough the world was becoming wealthy and international student numbers continued to grow in the US. Now of course when the Chinese and Indian currencies became useable on the international market it has lead to increased numbers of undergrad Chinese students and the last 3 years’ double digit % increase in undergrad Indian students.

The biggest change I have seen over the years has been among US universities. In the early years, international students were either key to scientific research or an added plus. But very few US universities had a comprehensive integrated approach to international education and international students. For many schools, it has now become a way to offset declining US domestic high school populations and balance their budgets; the importance of integration and diversity is lost. Recruitment is to meet enrollment and economic goals.

Are there particular fields that are more popular with international students?

As far as majors are concerned, of course the STEM fields and business make up 80% of the demand, but with the growth in numbers over those 40 years from 150,000 to over 1 million, you will find increases in all fields. Of particular interest for countries like China and India, which have gone from third world to economic and population leaders, they are interested in fields like psychology, communication, and fine arts. There continues to be a demand for Community Colleges to help offset the ever-increasing extreme expensiveness of both Private and Public 4 year institutions.

What was one unexpected experience you had on this trip?

When I landed in Chennai on Tuesday at 4am after traveling 36 hours, I took a nap in my hotel got up at 10am I heard there were riots in Bangalore and it might impact my second stop. So I spent part of my first 24 hours in country working with travel agents, and diverting my travel to other cities not originally on my schedule. But by the time Wednesday hit all had normalized and under control so my next stop Bangalore went on as scheduled.

Traveling through South Asia this time I faced two interesting challenges: riots over water rights in Bangalore, India and a sense in the west that Dhaka, Bangladesh is a dangerous place to go. After experiencing both places I found the fears we have about unfamiliar countries do not really exist in reality.

My thoughts while sitting in the Bangladesh airport waiting to go to Kathmandu made me think about whether you see life as a glass half full or a glass half empty. This made me realize that since 2001, America has been a country tending to the belief that the glass is half empty. And worse, we act as if the glass will break and there will be no more water. We look more backward rather than forward and we think it is more important to protect than to explore and look to the future. I have found in the eyes of many that I meet that the less they have, the more each day they have hope.

My wish for all Americans is to be thankful and feel they are fortunate to be in a country that is not over crowded, that has good water and most important the likelihood to move forward is truly in our own hands and heart. Many people of the world have bigger hearts and more dreams where there are fewer opportunities.  They wake up every morning thinking they will find a way to fill the glass, while too many Americans wake up fearing the glass will be broken.

How can Cleveland most benefit from international students coming to Northeast Ohio?

Northeast Ohio has and continues to benefit. Not only adding to student enrollments it opens up Cleveland to be a destination for companies, increasing a highly skilled work force, it adds to the faculties at the universities and colleges. They are definitely a benefit to expand all facets of the economy.

by Global Cleveland

Dan Hanson and CAP donates computers to Thomas Jefferson International Newcomers Academy

The volunteers of Computers Assisting People (CAP) were happy to donate 30 PCs to International Newcomers Academy at Thomas Jefferson. Since the mid-90’s, CAP volunteers have donated almost 20,000 PCs (and countless printers, routers, scanners, etc.) to almost 500 Cleveland non-profits and schools.

CAP realizes that the information technology age has divided the world into two separate classes – the technology “haves” and “have-nots” aka the Digital Divide. Information is power and computer technology is the means to acquiring that information and hence, that power. Employment opportunities and even everyday life are dependent on computers.

The mission of CAP Inc. is to reach those elements of society that may not have the opportunity to benefit from the technology that many of us take for granted. Thus we have focused on assisting the urban poor, senior citizens, shelters, children, schools, the disabled, returning felons, veterans and similar groups that can really be empowered by technology. And we have the success stories to prove it. For more information visit www.capinc.org

From Thomas Jefferson International Newcomers Academy:

We are very grateful for the generous donation of 30 computers made by Dan Hanson and the volunteers of Computers Assisting People, Inc. This has been a great benefit for our International Newcomer students. Our student body grows so quickly throughout the year and our computer labs tend to be booked regularly for standardized testing. The donation has made it possible for our middle school and high school students to have the ability to access computers in their classrooms daily for learning purposes. With the extreme need for our students to acquire 21st century skills, access to technology is imperative. Our students and staff greatly appreciate this new partnership!

We have found that many types of connections with the community have been essential to the success of our school. We are extremely grateful, but not only for donations of technology, school supplies and much needed uniforms. Just as important, have been the human connections that have been made. We are so lucky to have wonderful adult volunteers for tutoring, mentoring, and career information sharing; as well as other students from Cleveland area schools (such as Hawken, Bay Village H.S., St. Joseph Academy, etc.) who have built friendships and shared wonderful opportunities speaking English and engaging with our newcomer Displaced Persons and International Newcomer students.

So far, Cleveland has demonstrated itself to be an extremely welcoming city to our newcomers!

Written By: Dan Hanson (Computers Assisting People) and Maria Bozak (Thomas Jefferson)

by Global Cleveland