Upcoming Events
GCIV Global Decisions Lecture Series: The International Space Race
Join GCIV virtually on Thursday, November 12, 2026 for the final GCIV Global Decisions lecture, formerly known as Dunwoody Great Decisions, for a discussion on The International Space Race led by Dr. Davide Guzzetti of Auburn University.
Be part of the conversation and join us on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026 at 7:00 pm EST. Click the following link to register: https://secure.givelively.org/event/georgia-council-for-international-visitors-inc/2026-global-decisions-lecture-series
Registration is required to receive the event link. $10 for the individual lecture if you haven’t already registered for the series. Free for any students currently enrolled in high school or college and GCIV members at the Attaché level or higher.
Dr. Davide Guzzetti is the William & Pamela Moench Endowed Associate Professor of Aerospace Engineering in the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering at Auburn University.
Dr. Guzzetti’s research focus is astrodynamics and space mission design in complex space environments. He leads the 3i Space Dynamics laboratory, focusing on astrodynamics, space mission design, artificial intelligence, and extended reality applications.
Kenya Program
*Focus: Driving Economic Growth through Creative Industries
*seeking dinner hospitality
Global Giving Tuesday
Please remember GCIV on Dec. 1 in your charitable giving for Global Giving Tuesday: www.gciv.org/donate
GCIV Holiday Celebration
RSVP now for the annual Georgia Council for International Visitors (GCIV) Holiday Celebration on Thursday, Dec. 10 from 6:30-8 pm at Arnall Golden Gregory LLP (AGG)!
Get to know other GCIV members who share international interests and help cultivate positive global change. Light refreshments and hors d’oeuvres will be served, and the first two hours of parking at Atlantic Station is complimentary. Capacity is limited, please RSVP as soon as possible to emily@gciv.org.
The Georgia Council for International Vistiors (GCIV) implements professional international exchange programs on behalf of the U.S. Department of State and other federal agencies. GCIV's mission is to foster professional, cultural and educational experiences that connect Georgia citizens and international leaders to cultivate positive global change. GCIV hosted 315 international visitors from 98 different countries and territories to the state of Georgia in 2025. To learn more, visit Gciv.org/about.
Nigeria Program
Focus: Protecting Intellectual Property to Promote Innovation and Trade in Creative Industries
GCIV Office Closed
GCIV’s office is closed this week. We look forward to connecting with you in 2027! Until then, check out GCIV’s 2026 annual report.
GCIV Consular Corps Celebration
Save the date to join the Georgia Council for International Visitors (GCIV) in honoring the Georgia Consular Corps!
A Night for Peace: Uniting Nations through Diplomacy and Friendship will convene leaders from government, business, science, culture, and the arts, creating a unique forum where Georgia’s diplomatic community connects with the region’s civic and economic leadership for an evening of cultural dining, exciting entertainment, and networking on a global scale.
For sponsorships and to RSVP, email emily@gciv.org.
Middle East and North Africa Regional Program
Focus: Combating Violence: Assault Awareness and Prevention
GCIV Global Decisions Lecture Series: Georgia and the Global Economy
6:30-7:00 PM Networking social, Asbury Room, Dunwoody United Methodist Church
7:00-8:30 PM Global Decisions: Georgia and the Global Economy lecture by Trevor Williams, Global Atlanta (join in-person or virtually)
GCIV Members-Only Reception
Join GCIV for an exclusive reception welcoming 10 sports educators focused on water safety from the Dominican Republic at YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta Leadership and Learning Center, Room 205, 569 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. NW, Atlanta, GA 30314.
The professional exchange participants are all affiliated with the sport and physical education program of the Instituto Superior de Formación Docente Salomé Ureña (ISFODOSU), a public institution of higher education in Santo Domingo, the capital and largest city of the Dominican Republic, specialized in training education professionals. Spanish is the official language of the Dominican Republic.
One of the many benefits of GCIV membership is the opportunity to connect with emerging world leaders traveling to our state through professional international exchange programs.
Must be a current GCIV member and RSVP to attend. RSVP and confirm your current membership status by emailing emily@gciv.org. Current GCIV members are welcome to bring a guest, please include all names in your RSVP.
Dominican Republic Program
Focus: International Sports Programming Initiative: Dominican Republic Swimming Exchange
Senegal Program
Focus: Creating Opportunities through Entrepreneurship and Commercial Development
GCIV Global Decisions Lecture Series: U.S. Engagement of Africa
Join us virtually on Thursday, September 10, 2026 for the sixth GCIV Global Decisions virtual lecture, formerly known as Dunwoody Great Decisions, for a discussion on U.S. engagement of Africa led by Margaret McElligott.
Be part of the conversation and join us for our webinar on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026 at 7:00 pm EST. Click the following link to register: https://secure.givelively.org/event/georgia-council-for-international-visitors-inc/2026-global-decisions-lecture-series
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.
Margaret McElligott is the Assistance Director of International Students and Scholars at the University of Wyoming, known for its cutting-edge research and individualized attention.
She previously worked for the U.S. Department of State in Cabo Verde, the U.S. Mission to the UN in New York, Washington, Brazil and Mali. Prior to her government service, Margaret worked in journalism at Washingtonpost.com and AllAfrica.com.
Multi Regional Program
*Focus: We the People: Free Speech as a Cornerstone of Democracy
*seeking dinner hospitality
Europe Regional Program
Focus: U.S. Energy Policy: Security, Independence and Innovation
GCIV Global Decisions Lecture Series: Role of Civil Society in Peacebuilding
Join us virtually on Thursday, August 13, 2026 for the fifth GCIV Global Decisions virtual lecture, formerly known as Dunwoody Great Decisions.
Dr. Charity Butcher, Director of the School of Conflict Management, Peacebuilding and Development at Kennesaw State University (KSU), will present on the role of civil society in peacebuilding.
Be part of the conversation and join us for our webinar on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026 at 7:00 pm EST. Click the following link to register: https://secure.givelively.org/event/georgia-council-for-international-visitors-inc/2026-global-decisions-lecture-series
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.
Dr. Charity Butcher is the Director of the School of Conflict Management, Peacebuilding and Development and a professor of Political Science and International Affairs at Kennesaw State University (KSU).
She received her PhD in political science from Indiana University in May 2009. She is a registered mediator with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution (general civil mediation and domestic relations mediation) and a member of Mediators Without Borders International.
Dr. Butcher has published 20+ articles and four books. Her
research focuses on conflict management, human rights, the role of terrorism in civil wars and the importance of ethnicity and religion in international conflict.
She is the current Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Political Science Education. Dr. Butcher won the 2017 Jacqui Briggs EPS Prize for the best article published in its professional journal, European Political Science, for the article, “Using Dating as an Analogy to Teach IR Theory.” She also received the 2021 Distinguished Teaching Award from the American Political Science Association (APSA).
Dinner Diplomacy
Connect with 10 Azerbaijani sports officials over casual hosted dinner
Middle East and North Africa Regional Program
Focus: Trafficking in Persons: Prevention and Mitigation
Multi Regional Program
*Focus: Freedom 250: AI Innovation and Security
*seeking dinner hospitality hosts
FIFA World Cup 2026 Watch Party with GCIV
Join GCIV members and special guests in Decatur Square to cheer on as Team USA takes on Australia in the FiFA World Cup 2026.
Dominican Republic Program
*Focus: U.S. Leadership in R&D+i Centers for Semiconductors
*seeking dinner hospitality hosts
GCIV Global Decisions Lecture Series: International Regulation of AI
Join us virtually on Thursday, June 11, 2026 for the fourth GCIV Global Decisions virtual lecture, formerly known as Dunwoody Great Decisions.
Baudouin Ngah Akoh, Advisor and Fellow of the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR)’s Security and Technology Programme, will present on the international regulation of AI.
Be part of the conversation and join us for our webinar on Thursday, June 11, 2026 at 7:00 pm EST. Click the following link to register: https://secure.givelively.org/event/georgia-council-for-international-visitors-inc/2026-global-decisions-lecture-series
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.
Baudouin Ngah Akoh has more than 14 years of experience across the UN system and other international organizations,
He previously served as Executive in Residence Fellow at the Geneva Centre for Security
Policy (GCSP). He has also served with the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and as Officer-
in-Charge for the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS). Baudouin holds a
Master of Science in Sustainable Development, specializing in Peace, Conflict and International
Relations, as well as a Master of Business Administration in Human Resource Management and
Employment Relations.
His expertise includes Military AI governance, responsible Defence AI, Lethal Autonomous
Weapons Systems (LAWS), arms control, international humanitarian law, crisis governance and
multilateral diplomacy. Baudouin has 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.