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:

«Побратимський» візит вишгородців до Шамбургу«

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

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.