May 2013 Newsflash

319 7th Street

Suite 200

Des Moines, IA 50309

P: 515.282.8269 F: 515.282.0454

For news, events and program updates:

www.iowainternationalcenter.org

For multi-lingual resources:

www.welcometoiowa.org

Iowa International Center Honored

(L to R: Dr. Richard Deming, Dr. Judith A. Conlin, Kristi Knous,

Barry Griswell, Mary Brubaker, Gale Brubaker, Janet Norton and

Rhonda Greenway)

Iowa International Center was recognized Monday, May 13th as a

finalist for the 2013 Better Together Award given by the Commu-

nity Foundation of Greater Des Moines. Our work in the commu-

nity, building social capital, making links between groups and in-

dividuals, and welcoming the world to Iowa all factored into this honor.

"This recognition of our work comes as we are celebrating 75 years of welcoming the world to Iowa." stat-

ed Executive Director Dr. Judith Conlin. "From our founding in 1938, helping refugees from Germany and

Poland, to our on-site ESL classes, Sehgal Family Foundation International Visitors Center and interpreta-

tion and translation services, Iowa International Center remains a critical resource for all Iowans."

Nominate a New Iowan! Nominations are now open for the 2013 Passport to Prosperity award. Nomination form and information can

be found at www.iowainternationalcenter.org - http://iowainternationalcenter.org/programs/passport-2012-

draft/ .

Passport to Prosperity recognizes the achievements and contributions made by immigrants and refugees in Io-

wa. Help us celebrate the outstanding contributions New Iowans make to our state, from leadership in busi-

nesses to artistic contributions to volunteering.

Then join Iowa International Center Saturday, September 28 for an evening of international food & entertain-

ment and the opportunity to learn about the inspirational people who make Iowa great!

DuPont Pioneer Iowa International Center Dialogue Series

The Pioneer Hi-Bred-Iowa International Center Dialogue Series engages Des Moines’

public and business professionals in dialogue on global issues and Iowa’s personal and

organizational connections abroad. The series continues to facilitate important conversa-

tions that make a difference in Iowa and elsewhere.

All programs are held at the Downtown Des Moines Public Library, 1000 Grand Avenue.

Tuesday, July 16 * Noon-1pm

"Saving Chimpanzees at the Edge"

Presented by Lilly Arajova

Ms. Ajarova is the Executive Director of the Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Wildlife

Conservation Trust in Uganda. Chimpanzees are endangered, and their home is what is left of the forests of

Equatorial Africa. It is estimated that there are today fewer than 150,000 chimps remaining in the wild; one

hundreds years ago there were probably over a million.

Director Ajarova will offer insight and predictions about the future of these amazing, intelligent animals and

talk about her lifetime of work to preserve vulnerable animal populations.

Note: Director Ajarova will be in Iowa as part of the 2013 ZACC (Zoos & Aquariums Committing to Con-

servation) Conference, scheduled for July 8-13 at Blank Park Zoo. This conference is open to those interest-

ed in wildlife conservation, locally, nationally and internationally. For more information, go to http://

www.blankparkzoo.com/index.cfm?nodeID=48429&audienceID=1 .

Tuesday, June 11 * Noon-1pm

"Japanese Cultural Idiosyncrasies"

Presented by Dr. Sachiko Tamura Murphy

You find yourself in the Land of the Rising Sun surrounded by a massive sea of black-

haired people, with eyes cast on their smart phones. You must proceed to meet people

whether your purpose be sightseeing, educational exchange, or selling Iowa products. Dr. Murphy, a native

of Kofu, Japan, will help you interpret some rather perplexing idiosyncrasies.

On-Site ESL Classes Wrap Up First Session

The first fifteen week semester for the On-Site ESL class at Deer Ridge apartment complex just held a

"graduation party" for the 28 adults who have been learning English, critical life-skills and the laws. What is

more, the graduation party included celebrating the fact that several of the students had just secured

jobs! The goals and objectives of the new pilot project are being met.

The Iowa International Center is currently conducting assessment tests and registration for the summer ses-

sion, which will begin June 3 and run through July 31. Qualified ESL instructors have been hired for the

eight week summer session.

These classes are sorely needed by the hundreds of refugees living in apartment complexes all over Des

Moines. Almost all are newly arrived refugees from Burma, Nepal, Eritrea, Somalia, and Sudan. Imagine

what it must be like to arrive in a new country, not knowing the language or the customs and having no ac-

cess to learning them. This is why we are taking the classes to where the people are living.

Help us welcome refugees to Iowa and provide them with the support they need to live, work and raise their

families in safety and security.

Your tax-deductible donation will help provide educational materials for these new Iowans:

• $45 will pay for one hour of ESL class

• $135 will pay for one week of ESL classes

There are many other levels at which you can support Iowa's refugees, immigrants and international visitors.

Please visit our Support Page to make a secure donation. Go to www.iowainternationalcenter.org.