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Since 1998, MCID’s Washington, DC
office has worked with the US Department of State’s Bureau
of Educational and Cultural Affairs to design and implement
the International Visitor (IV) Program. The IV program
emphasizes increased mutual understanding through
communication at the personal and professional levels and
annually brings to the United States approximately 5,000
foreign nationals from all over the world to experience
America firsthand. The visitors, who are current or potential
leaders in government, politics, the media, education, labor
relations, the arts, business and other fields are selected by
American Officials overseas. 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.
MCID works closely with the member
organizations of National Council for International Visitors (NCIV)
to capture the essence of communities across the United States
through professional programming, tours that highlight
regional history and geography, and hospitality hosted by
local families.
About MCID
The Mississippi Consortium for
International Development (MCID), established in 1989 and
headquartered in Jackson, Mississippi, represents a
collaborative endeavor of four historically Black institutions
of higher learning in Mississippi: Alcorn State University;
Jackson State University; Mississippi Valley State University;
and Tougaloo College. Since its inception, the Consortium has
rapidly gained an outstanding reputation in the management and
implementation of international exchange and development
training projects. Consortium objectives have been carried out
through academic and technical training, technical assistance,
leadership development, collaborative research, and social and
cultural exchanges.
MCID has had extensive experience in
project development and management through more than 500
international development and exchange projects involving
countries in Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Latin
America, the Newly Independent States (NIS), and the Middle
East. MCID has offices in Luanda, Angola; and Abuja, Nigeria;
and representatives in South Africa, Russia, and Romania.
Program Mission
To develop leaders, strengthen
institutions, engage citizens, establish community linkages,
and foster global partnerships that include government,
business, and civil society in order to enhance the
understanding of international affairs, strengthen democratic
values, promote international cooperation and advance human
achievement.
Individual projects explore in-depth
issues of pressing international concern through informal
dialogue with American counterparts and hands-on practical
experience aimed at fostering a rich understanding of global
matters.
Recent/Upcoming Programs
November 2003
Emergency Management for Sweden
U.S.-Spanish Counter Terrorism for Spain
October 2003
Administration of Justice for Ecuador
Judicial Systems for Egypt
Women in Journalism for Shanghai
September 2003
Quality Control of Exported Goods for Gaza
Appellate Court Judges for Brazil
Museum Administration and Management for United Arab
Emirates
Print Journalism for Syria
Print Media Management for Czech Republic
August 2003
Television Broadcasting for countries in the Eastern
Caribbean
Terrorism Prevention for Ireland
University Administration for Bangladesh
Information Technology Management for Okinawa
MCID Team
Crystal Kelch, Director of MCID
Washington (e-mail link: crkelch@mcidwashington.org)
– Ms. Kelch earned a Master’s of Business Administration
from American University with a sub specialty in International
Management. She completed her undergraduate work at Boston
University concentrating on International Affairs and
Economics. Before becoming involved in the International
Visitor Program, Crystal’s professional experience included
working with a public-private partnership building business
linkages between American and foreign companies and with a
nationally recognized investment management firm helping
investors make informed decisions about their portfolios. But
in the last decade, the International Visitor Program has
formed a pinpoint focus of Crystal’s career. During her
involvement with the program she has trained staff, supervised
the work of her fellow program officers, and created
insightful programs for many distinguished visitors from
around the globe. In January 2003, she assumed the position of
Director of MCID Washington.
Wanda Raiford, Senior Program
Officer (e-mail link: wanda@mcidwashington.org) –
Ms. Raiford joined MCID in 2001 as Program Officer and was
promoted to Senior Program Officer in January 2003. Before
joining MCID, Ms. Raiford practiced law in civil and criminal
appeals. She has worked as a Senior Attorney with the Florida
Attorney General’s and as an Assistant County Attorney for
Palm Beach County, Florida. She also represented clients at a
boutique criminal defense firm. She is admitted to practice
law in Florida and New York. In addition to her work as a
lawyer, Ms. Raiford was a legislative staffer with Senator Bob
Graham (D-Fla.), a lexicographer, a librarian and pastry cook.
She earned her JD from University of Miami School of Law and a
BA from Brown University.
Debbie Dabrowski, Program Officer
(e-mail link: ddabrowski@mcidwashington.org) – Ms. Dabrowski
joined MCID in January 2003 as Program Officer. She comes to
MCID from a career in public relations, with extensive
experience in events planning, project management, strategic
planning and budgeting, media relations, and publication
design. She previously worked at two top-10 global public
relations agencies, a corporation, and a nonprofit
organization. Ms. Dabrowski will earn a master’s degree in
International Education from George Washington University in
December 2003 in which her studies have focused on conflict
resolution, intercultural communication and international
exchange programs. She earned her BA in journalism from the
University of Maryland at College Park.
Julius Bass, Director of Finance
(e-mail link: DIRFNMC@aol.com) – Mr. Bass serves as MCID’s
Director of Finance. A graduate of Jackson State University,
Mr. Bass has worked with the organization since its inception.
Links
Mississippi Consortium for International
Development Headquarters
U.S. Department of State International Visitor Program
National Council for International Visitors
Alcorn State University
Jackson State University
Mississippi Valley State University
Tougaloo College
Contact Us
Please feel free to contact MCID
Washington.
By mail:
1012 14th Street, NW
Suite 1101
Washington, DC 20005-3406
Telephone: 202-737-2153 or 800-413-9845
Facsimile: 202-737-3434
E-mail: programs@mcidwashington.org
MCID Jackson can be reached at:
1225 Robinson Street
Jackson, Mississippi 39203
Telephone: 601-979-8648
Facsimile: 601-979-8657
E-mail: amack35781@aol.com
Internships
Are you enthusiastic, dedicated and
looking for a way to get substantive international relations,
education and multicultural communications experience on your
resume? The Mississippi Consortium for International
Development (MCID) is seeking interns to work 15-20 hours per
week. The internship is unpaid or for college credit.
As an intern, you will work with MCID
Program Officers to design programs for visitors from around
the world. Responsibilities would include:
-
Researching topic areas and helping
develop program itineraries
-
Compiling program materials for
visitors and meeting participants
-
Coordinating meetings between
international visitors and relevant DC-based experts in
specific fields
-
Working with U.S. State Department
Program Officers and Councils of International Visitors
around the country to implement programming
To apply, please send your resume and
cover letter to Debbie Dabrowski by e-mail at ddabrowski@mcidwashington.org
or by fax at 202-737-3434.
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