On Thursday, August 25, 2014, Akron International Friendship (AIF) welcomed international delegates to Akron. The delegation of 22 international guests representing 19 different countries around the world, arrived to participate in a one day Habitat for Humanity project to help do work on 2 houses in Twinsburg. The group is part of the International Visitors Leadership Program through the US State Department. Akron International Friendship (AIF) is the local program agent for this and other international leadership groups. AIF helps promote Akron as a great place with many local resources in a variety of business and innovation themes.
The delegation called “Change Makers,” examined the rise of social entrepreneurship in the US and how innovation can drive social and environment change. Social entrepreneurs identify social problems and apply market-based solutions to organize, create and manage ventures that engage the community to solve social problems.
AIF would like to thank Mary Shepherd, Family Services and Volunteer Coordinator at Habitat of Humanity Summit County for assisting us with the arrangements.
Akron International Friendship is located in Quaker Square Suite 233, and AIF was founded as Hosting International Travelers in 1977. Its visionary founders realized that our community is enhanced by the presence of international dignitaries, scholars and guests. Each of AIF’s volunteers – local and international – is a citizen diplomat. Citizen diplomacy is the understanding that it is each of our responsibility to better understand global diversity, cultures, religions, and situations. It is also our privilege to share the best of American values: goodwill, volunteerism, professionalism, hospitality, diversity and pride in our democratic nation- with our international guests.
