This month ICEA celebrates 10 years in business. Elena Seitz, a vice president of ICEA, gives a TV interview about ICEA’s role in “people’s diplomacy” and it’s importance for architects and other professionals in Ukraine. This video highlights ICEA’s work in the last 10 years.
The International Cultural-Educational Association (ICEA) invited a group of Ukrainian municipal workers and business owners from the city of Melitopol, near Zaporishzha, to participate in a program that was conducted in Elizabeth, New Jersey and Washington D.C., during November 29-December 6, 2011.
Members of Ukrainian delegation are Mayor of Melitopol – Sergiy Valter, Deputy Mayor of Melitopol – Valeriy Govorkov, Chief of International Business Development, Melitopol City Council – Iuliia Lysenko. They were interested in learning more about the American municipal system and the Sister Cities International program. Melitopol is looking at Elizabeth as a potential sister city.
The program provided presentations and meetings hosted by collaborating local Ukrainian organizations and the Mayor’s office of Elizabeth, which provided opportunities to network and develop new business relationships.
We are very grateful to the Elizabeth community leaders for meeting with the delegation from the Melitopol, Ukraine and arranging presentations and tours.
Our thanks to: Christian Bollwage – Mayor of Elizabeth; William Reyes- Director, Department of Planning and Community Development; Phyllis Reich – Public Participation Specialist, Department of Planning and Community Development; Bridget S. Zellner – Business Administrator; Carlos Carvalho – Superintendent of Public Works Department, Gordon F. Haas – Chief Executive Officer, Greater Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce.
Ukrainian delegates had important meetings in Washington D.C. with Olexander Motsyk – Ambassador of Ukraine in the United States of America, Yuriy Romanchuk – First Secretary of Ukrainian Embassy; with Nadia K. McConnell – President US-Ukraine Foundation, Markian Bilynskyj – Vice President, Director of Kyiv Office Operations. This is the third ICEA Program in partnership with the Association of Ukrainian Cities (www.auc.org.ua ) during 2011.
For more photos, please view this program's More Photos
The International Cultural-Educational Association (ICEA) invited a group of Ukrainian municipal workers and business owners from the city of Vyshhorod, near Kiev, to participate in a program that was conducted in Schaumburg and Chicago, Illinois, during October 09-14, 2011.
This particular group was interested in learning more about the American municipal system and the Sister Cities International program. Vyshhorod is looking at Schaumburg as a potential sister city.
The program provided presentations and meetings hosted by several collaborating organizations of the Chicago Ukrainian community and the Mayor’s office of Schaumburg, which provided opportunities to network and develop new business relationships.
We are extremely grateful to the Schaumburg community leaders for meeting with the delegation from the Ukraine and arranging wonderful presentations and tours. Special thanks to:
Al Larson – Mayor of Schaumburg,
Kathleen Tempesta – Senior Assistant to Schaumburg Village Manager,
Jodie Andrew – Acting Director of Finance Department,
Donna Leck – Revenue Manager,
Carey Plazak – Purchasing Manager,
Julie Summers Fitzgerald – Director of Community Development,
Matt Frank – Economic Development Coordinator,
Steve Weinstock – Director of Engineering and Public Works Department,
Martin Metreger – Logistics Coordinator,
David Varner – Deputy Director of Public Works Department,
Scott Kasper – Engineering Division Manager.
This is the second ICEA Program in partnership with the Association of Ukrainian Cities (www.auc.org.ua ) during 2011.
For more photos, please view this program's Photo Album.
Read the article in “Chas i Podii” newspaper:
In June-July 2011 ICEA organized the second exhibition of a well-known painter Aida Shatska at the Schaumburg Township District Library. Aida Shatska is among the greatest artists, who is gifted to see beauty in the every day surrounding. She has incredible skills to implement this beauty in the world of art and the world of teaching.
Her previous career in Ukraine was always intense and eventful: she successfully taught at the art college in Kharkov and was recognized as the best teacher. At the same time she has been producing art orders from different institutions, participating in the numerous exhibitions in Poland, Germany, France, USA. Also she takes part in the art exhibitions in Russia and Ukraine. Her works of art are found in private collections in the USA, Poland, Germany, France, Netherlands, Australia, Russia and Ukraine. Since 1995 Aida Shatska, this unique and distinctive representative of the modern Ukrainian art, lives in Chicago. She continues professional activities in her art studio. She has over 300 students of different ages.
The main idea of this exhibition was getting together the pupils of a famous teacher. Among her studets were: Natalia Pokaschevska, Angelika Krasnova, Emma Brutman, Katya Urbanovich and her mother Natasha Urbanovich, Stella Noskina and Faina Hartman, Rastel Fialko, Michell Herskovich, Mishell Mironov, Nicka Kolbasova. They share a common perception of beauty with their teacher. Their art work was also part of this exhibition.
See info about previous Art Exhibition of Aida Shatska by ICEA.
View Aida Expo Photo Ablum.
During the week of April 8-16th, 2011 International Cultural Educational Association (ICEA) hosted a group of Russian educational leaders in Palatine, IL. The delegates were taking part in the congressionally sponsored Open World Program, which brings political and civic leaders from Ukraine, Russia, Georgia and other post-Soviet states to the United States for short-term professional trips.
The delegation focused on theme :” United States’ higher education system as a model for preparing young people for their future”. Our Open World guests were:
Mr. Andrey Anatolyevich Dudnik – Director, State Educational Institution, Regional Sports School (Olympic Reserve) Specialized in Swimming, Member of the Commissions on Social Policy, Education, Health and Environmental Protection, Kemerovo Region Public Chamber.
Mr. Aleksandr Ivanovich Korshunov- Head of Science and Research Office, Izhevsk State Technical University, Professor, Izhevsk State Technical University, Votkinsk City Branch.
Ms. Galina Gennadyevna Parikhina- Head, Petrozavodsk State University, Office of International Exchange & Education Programs .
Ms. Galina Nikolayevna Yulina – Deputy Director, K.G. Razumovskiy Moscow State University of Technology & Management, Institute of Technology in the Humanities and Social Sciences.
Ms. Yelena Aleksandrovna Yurina – Director, Academy of Social and Educational Technologies under G.R. Derzhavin Tambov State University.
Ms. Alevtina Albertovna Filippova – Facilitator.
From ICEA accompanying the group were: Larisa Koval, President of ICEA, Sergey Likhovid, Executive director of ICEA, our partner TD Marketing Global and Vita Mindich, Interpreter.
Our guests were extremely interested to learn applications of new techniques, quality control, distance learning, International cooperation and development. The delegates discussed postsecondary educational programs and their applications, policies, international programs, funding and demand. Additional topics of interest included educational accreditation, types of degrees, school ratings and market demand. Some of the delegates made presentation about their work. (10-15 minutes).
In Palatine the delegates met with the Mayor of Palatine Mr. Jim Schwantz and visited William Fremd High school.(principal Lisa Small). They compared different educational models: the Harper Community college( dr. Richard F. Johnson, Jill Izumikawa, Sarah R. Stark) and the Oakton Community College (president, professor Margaret B.Lee, Professor of Education Coordinator, Global Studies Katherine Schuster) Career Education Corporation (Ilona Kreynis) .
They also learned the new technology of education in the Roosevelt University (Alice Blomquist , dr. Douglas Knerr), the Robert Morris University( meeting coordinator Sara O’Neal) and ORT Institute (director Marina Chudnovsky) and were delighted with work of the Schaumburg Library(Jean Dravet, Patricia Barch). The delegates familiarized themselves with Palatine's historic and cultural landmarks.
Home stays with Palatine-based constituents allowed the delegates to experience American family life. They took take part in several cultural and community activities, like: meetings with Marta Litas (“Forerver young”), meeting with editors the Russian newspaper “Reklama” and Russian Radio Faina Kravchenko and Lubov Meleshko. The delegates visited the Art museum, attending concerts and shows, and sightseeing tours of Chicago.
View photo album.
Special thank you to our hosting families :
Sergey Likhovid
Lana Rubinstein and Tony Zverev
Evdokija and Ilya Bunin
Irina Artemchuk
Read article about this program in the Chicago Russian Language newspaper Reklama.
The International Cultural-Educational Association (ICEA) and TD Marketing Global, Inc. in partnership with the Ukrainian company called “Business Trip Center” (www.businesstrip.in.ua) invited a group, including mayors of Ukrainian cities, municipal workers, business owners and others, to participate in a program conducted in Beverly Hills and Los Angeles (state California) during March 26 to April 2, 2011.
The program provided presentations and meetings hosted by collaborating organizations, including the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, Los Angeles Mayor's office and Mayor of Beverly Hills, Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce, which provided opportunities to network and develop new business relationships.
Our program objective was to introduce the members of the Ukrainian delegation to the American municipal system, provide opportunities for Ukrainian cities to participate in the Sister Cities International program, and learn about new strategies for municipal government being employed by American cities in the present economic situation.
See photo album
ICEA presents Art Expo at the Schaumburg Township District Library: 130 S. Roselle Road, Schaumburg, IL 60193. The expo will continue until December 2010.
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Featured artist: Aida Shatska
About the artist:
Aida Shatska was born in Ukraine where she lived and taught art until 1995. She now resides in Chicago, USA. Her paintings are known worldwide and are part of private collections in USA, Australia, France, Germany, Holland, Poland, Russia and Ukraine. The Ministry of Culture in Ukraine purchases her work for Ukrainian museums in Ukraine and Russia. Aida Shatska has her own art studio in Chicago. She has taught more than 300 students, some of whom came to see her expo in Schaumburg.
About the Expo:
This expo was organized by ICEA in partnership with Schaumburg Township District Library. Special thanks to Nataliya Pokaschevska, Vlad Karpenko and Sergey Koval for the dedicated effort in organizing the event.
Many thanks to Tom Javorcic, Director of Graphic Services, for preparing such a wonderful poster for the event, which stated: “This fine art and exhibition is brought to you by ICEA International Cultural Educational Association.”
Dates: November – December 2010
Address: 130 S. Roselle Road , Schaumburg, IL 60193
View Photo Album.
The International Cultural-Educational Association (ICEA) invited a group of international architects and builders to participate in a program conducted in New York City and Washington , D.C. during August 1-7, 2010.
The program provided presentations and meetings hosted by collaborating organizations, including the American Institute of Architecture (AIA), National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS), Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (New York office) and others which provided opportunities to network and develop new business relationships.
The program included attending the Expo “Design DC 2010: Insight & Innovation at the Washington Convention Center during August 3-5.
Our program objective was to introduce a group of international building executives and professionals to the American suppliers at the tradeshow. This particular group was interested in learning more about high-rise building technology and materials.
See photo album.
In April 2010 a group of six Ukrainian librarians came to <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = “urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags” />Chicago to learn about American library and educational systems. The delegates were selected by the Open World committee who since 2005 had sent more than 10,000 delegates to U.S.A.
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ICEA, the hosting organization, headed by Larisa Koval, president, had designed the program in which the delegates had an opportunity to visit local libraries, schools and businesses, learn from their experiences, share their own and get inspired with new ideas.
Among Chicago libraries the group visited Northwestern University Library, Indian Trails Public Library, Schaumburg District Library, Chicago Public Library, Palatine Public Library, Harper College Library and others.
The delegates also met with Jim Schwantz, mayor of the city Palatine, and Konstantin Kudryk at the General Consulate of Ukraine in Chicago.
At the end of the 10-day program, each delegate took home a certificate of graduation, “READ” poster with their photos on it from Indian Trails Public Library District (made only for celebrities) and, of course, tons of pictures, memories and new ideas. Among those ideas was creating a section of Ukrainian language literature at some of the American libraries, which is yet to be seen.
More photos in Photo Album.
The program was designed by Larisa Koval, PHD, president of ICEA, member of Ukrainian Academy of Science.
For more information and to participate in the similar program, please email: larisa_koval@hotmail.com
The International Cultural-Educational Association (ICEA) hosted a group of Ukrainian builders who participated in a program conducted in January 16-27, 2010.
Attending the International Builder’s Show in Las Vegas during January 19-21, 2010 was included in the program. The program provided seminar and international meeting hosted by the National Home Builders Association and International Housing Association.
The program was conducted in New York, Los Angeles, Honolulu and Las Vegas. Combining business and cultural experience was the idea of this program.
On the photos below see:
Ukrainian Housing Construct Complex Mitec, Mykahylo Matsiyevskyy, President; Ukrainian Housing Construct Complex Mitec, Galina Savka, Vice President; Elena Seitz, ICEA, Programs Director and others. 
View Home Builders Jan 2010 photo album.
For more information and to participate in similar program, please contact:
Elena Seitz at elenaseitz@hotmail.com