Seeking Foreign Partners to Co-Organize Live, International Dialogues
About Learning Life & Its Citizen Diplomacy Initiative
Based in Washington DC in the USA, Learning Life is an educational nonprofit that seeks to spread learning in everyday life beyond school walls. Learning Life’sCitizen Diplomacy Initiative (CDI) engages lower-income American families in live internet dialogues and project collaborations with similar families in other nations free of charge. Through these dialogues and project collaborations, Learning Life aims to nurture more informed, skilled, connected and caring global citizens in the long-term.
How CDI Works
CDI puts eligible American families, starting in Washington, D.C.’s Wards 7 and 8, in live video dialogue with families in other nations. The dialogues occur about twice times per month, usually on Saturdays or Sundays, and last about two hours. The dialogues take place in the families’ homes, or in a quiet place nearby (e.g., library, office, community center) if more than one family is participating in the same locality.
The families first engage in a “get to know you” dialogue in which they introduce themselves and are free to ask respectful questions to learn more about each other. After this introductory dialogue, the families have the opportunity to collaborate on varied projects (e.g., a photo album offering their international perspectives on community change) intended to develop their knowledge and civic skills (e.g., photography, video, research, writing, public presentation, event organizing) as they work together locally and internationally.
Learning Life volunteer dialogue moderators, language interpreters and project consultants support the families in their dialogues and projects. Families that stick with the dialogues and projects over months and years gradually build a portfolio of project experiences and products (e.g., photo albums, videos, articles, reports, art, events) that document their developing local and international interests, knowledge, skills, and social connections.
Parents or families are not paid to participate; they must be interested in participating for the benefit of their children. Benefits include the ability to practice English, learn more about American society, make valuable social connections, and work on skills-building and resume-enhancing projects that can open doors to better schools and jobs.
Seeking Partners & Families
Learning Life is looking for interested (a) community organizations outside the USA willing to co-organize live dialogues between American families in the USA and families in their own community, and (b) families abroad willing to participate in the live dialogues.
Families must have:
(a) At least one parent/legal guardian or mentor, and one or more children ages 10-18 willing to participate.
(b) A total household income of less than their country’s median annual household income.
(c) Parents with less than 4 years of university leading to a degree
(d) Taken no more than two vacation flights outside their country as a family.
(e) Have few or no contacts (family or friends) outside their country with whom the family communicates.
For more information, contact Learning Life’s Director, Paul Lachelier, via email at paul@learninglife.info. Please include a telephone number and/or Skype address at which you can be reached, and best times to call.
Anacostia International Inaugural Meal Features Senegalese Feast
Last weekend, Learning Life volunteers and D.C. families converged on a unique restaurant in metropolitan Washington D.C. for an extraordinary Senegalese feast.
The lunch last Saturday, generously sponsored by CoFunder, inaugurated an international meal series that is part of Learning Life’s Citizen Diplomacy Initiative (CDI). CDI engages lower-income families in D.C. Wards 7 and 8 in live internet dialogues and project collaborations to nurture more informed, skilled, connected and caring global citizens in the long-term. To help spread world learning in Wards 7 and 8, and to enrich CDI families’ international experience, Learning Life is this year initiating Anacostia International, which will offer CDI families free, sponsored meals and cultural conversation at metro D.C. ethnic restaurants, and country presentations free and open to the public at the Anacostia Arts Center on Good Hope Road SE in Anacostia.
Fifteen guests — including four CDI families from Wards 7 and 8 plus Learning Life volunteers and guests — enjoyed a variety of traditional dishes and drinks at Chez Dior, a well-regarded restaurant in Hyattsville, Maryland, and the only Senegalese restaurant we know of in metro Washington. The feast included:
Drinks:
Bissap: a deep purple-colored juice infused with hibiscus flower
Ginger juice made with ginger root and pineapple
Pain de Singe: a sweet, silky juice made from the fruit of “monkey bread” trees
Appetizers:
Vegetarian Nems: Vietnamese-influenced fried spring rolls stuffed with vermicelli and mushrooms, served with a “nuoc mam” sweet pepper sauce
Fataya: Senegalese patties stuffed with seasoned minced meat
Main Course Dishes:
Yassa Chicken: Chicken legs in a delectable onion sauce
Tiebouzieune: Barjack fish served with carrots, yucca, eggplant and cabbage
Lamb in a Senegalese peanut sauce with sweet potatoes and carrots.
Besides tasting Senegalese cuisine, the four participating CDI families learned through invited speakers about Senegalese cuisine, the concept of “food culture” (the foods and food behaviors of a social group, including their ways of growing, processing, cooking, eating and disposing of food), food-related social entrepreneurialism in Africa, and more generally, the importance of Africa to Americans and the world.
The four families are currently learning about Senegal through live internet dialogues with two Senegalese families living in the nation’s capital, Dakar. Soon, these families will begin their first skills-building project together, creating an electronic “photovoice” album of photos they take in their own communities in answer to the question “what is the past, present and future of your community?”
As part of Anacostia International, Learning Life is planning more international meals this year at Latin American, Middle Eastern and Asian restaurants in metro Washington. Stay tuned for more!
Thanks to Samson Williams of CoFunder for helping to germinate the idea of an international meal series, and for making this inaugural lunch possible. Thanks also to Learning Life volunteers and guests Emilie Mondon-Konan, Hellen Fissihaie of F3Global, Issa Ndiong of the Senegalese Association of the DMV, and Mamadou Fall, owner of Chez Dior, for their contributions to this inaugural Anacostia International meal!
Interested in sponsoring a future meal, or getting involved in Anacostia International? Contact us at email@learninglife.info.
Chez Dior, a well-regarded Senegalese restaurant
Intern Spotlight: Erin Birmingham
This is the first in a series of spotlights on our spring 2017 student interns. Learning Life’s student volunteers this spring are translating documents, conducting research, fundraising, and doing outreach locally and internationally for our Citizen Diplomacy Initiative (CDI), among other activities. Erin Birmingham, interviewed below, is helping with CDI research, writing, fundraising and social media.
Where were you born and raised?
I grew up in a military family, so while I was born in California, I moved around a lot within the States and also lived overseas. In the United States, I lived in California (four times), Georgia, Hawaii, and Virginia until I was 12 years old. I then spent two years each in Moldova and Saudi Arabia.
What school do you attend, and what is your year and major there?
I currently go to the University of California-San Diego. I am a fourth-year International Studies-Political Science major with a Middle Eastern focus and Russian language proficiency.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I enjoy exploring museums, spending time with family, and finding new places to eat! Some of my favorite foods belong to Pakistani and Syrian cuisines, though Mexican food is probably my favorite. I also love to play sports (soccer, softball, and volleyball), watch movies, and read when I get the chance. My favorite movie has got to be “Catch Me If You Can,” with Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks. My favorite book is definitely The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini.
Is there a life experience you have had that has particularly shaped you as a person thus far? If so, what is it, and how has it shaped you?
Eleventh grade was a particularly influential year for me, as I had just moved to Saudi Arabia and enrolled in the International Baccalaureate Program. My school facilitated a program called “Week Without Walls,” in which students traveled to Ghana, China, or the Philippines. I went on the Philippines trip, and spent five days volunteering in Manila. I helped build houses for impoverished communities through Gawad Kalinga, dividing my time between physical labor and getting to know the local children. I had seen poverty living in Moldova, but spending time with those Filipino children, and seeing how happy they were with what little they had, inspired me to be thankful for every privilege I enjoy. It also inspired me to spend my entire college career giving back to my community. I’ve spent the last four years volunteering with organizations who help the homeless, children with AIDS, men and women with breast and ovarian cancer, and children with muscular dystrophy, among many more.
What are your career plans?
My career plans are uncertain at the moment, but I know I’d like to do something internationally focused.
Why did you choose to intern with Learning Life?
Learning Life’s Citizen Diplomacy Initiative is what caught my eye. Having been a diplomat myself, I understand the importance of education. When I lived in Moldova, I met many people who did not know their rights and so were exploited through forced bribes and corruption. I witnessed a revolution against Moldova’s Parliament in which people resorted to violence because
their lack of education prevented them from taking a peaceful, intelligent stand on the issues. In addition, what we see on the news isn’t always the case, but many people do not have the means to experience other cultures first-hand. Educating the less-privileged through diplomacy is an incredible mission, and I’m so glad to have the chance to be a part of it.
What is the most beautiful place you have seen on Earth, and why is it so beautiful?
There’s a large canyon in Moldova that my nanny took me to one night which overlooks the entire city of Chisinau. I remember it vividly, as I sat on the edge and took in the fantastic sight. Many would not consider a third-world country with dilapidated remnants of the Soviet Union to be beautiful, but that night it was spectacular. Sitting atop the canyon, a circus gleamed in the light of the Planet Hollywood store next door, and apartment lights twinkled in the distance.
Anacostia International Launching in February in D.C.
In February, Learning Life will launch Anacostia International (AI) — a monthly series intended to bring international affairs “east of the [Anacostia] River” to Wards 7 and 8 of Washington D.C.
Background
The United States has an enormous cultural, environmental, economic and political impact on the world. At the same time, the world is becoming more globally interdependent as transportation and communication technologies improve, and more people, goods and services move across national borders. Many of today’s pressing issues — trade, development, terrorism, climate change, disease, piracy, slavery, etc. — are often international in scope. For all these reasons it is important for more Americans to become informed and caring citizens of the world.
As the capital of the United States, Washington D.C. has many people involved in international affairs, yet these tend to be disproportionately white, educated, higher-income people clustered in the wealthier neighborhoods of the city. International affairs, however, should not be the province of a privileged few because international affairs affects everyone. Furthermore, experiencing the cultures of foreign countries can help open minds and hearts, and turn more American families on to a life of engagement with the world.
Anacostia International
Learning Life is organizing Anacostia International to help meaningfully connect more families in Washington D.C., particularly in Wards 7 and 8, to the world. AI will be composed of two kinds of events:
A country presentation seriesfeaturing two or more diverse presenters — artists, musicians, dancers, journalists, teachers, students, business and nonprofit leaders, travelers, diplomats, etc. — who will present or perform about a chosen country’s culture, history and current affairs.
An international meal seriesinviting lower-income D.C. Ward 7 & 8 families participating in Learning Life’s Citizen Diplomacy Initiative to taste and learn about the food and culture of different countries via metro D.C. restaurants.
The country presentations will occur every other month on a Saturday afternoon at the Anacostia Arts Center (1231 Good Hope Road SE, Washington, DC) starting in March, and will be open to the public. The meal series will occur in intervening months likewise on a Saturday afternoon at a different metro D.C. restaurant each month starting in February.
We invite individuals and organizations to sponsor AI in this launch year at the levels described below. To discuss sponsorship, please email Learning Life’s Director, Paul Lachelier at paul@learninglife.info to set up a time to meet or talk.
Sponsorship Levels
Anacostia International Ambassador: $800
Ambassadors make possible an AI country presentation for 25 guests ($500 value), and an AI meal at a related restaurant for up to five Ward 7 & 8 families ($300 value).
Benefits of being an Ambassador:
Opportunity to take part in selection of the country and metro D.C. restaurant
Invitation for 1-2 people to be guests and speaker(s) at both events
Recognition as an Ambassador at Learning Life’s website
Special thanks via Learning Life’s email list reaching 900+ people in metro D.C.
Special thanks via Learning Life’s email list and social media pages that reach 10,000+ people worldwide
Anacostia International Country Sponsor: $500
Country Sponsors make possible an AI country presentation to 25 guests.
Benefits of being a Country Sponsor:
Opportunity to take part in selection of the country to be presented
Invitation for 1-2 people to be guests and speaker(s) at the presentation
Recognition as an Ambassador at Learning Life’s website
Special thanks via Learning Life’s email list reaching 900+ people in metro D.C.
Anacostia International Meal Sponsor: $300
Meal Sponsors make possible an AI meal for up to five Ward 7 & 8 families.
Benefits of being a Meal Sponsor:
Opportunity to take part in selection of the metro D.C. restaurant
Invitation for 1-2 people to be guests and speaker(s) at the meal
Recognition as an Ambassador at Learning Life’s website
CDI puts eligible American families, starting in Washington, D.C.’s Wards 7 and 8, in live video dialogue with families in other nations. The dialogues occur about twice times per month, usually on Saturdays or Sundays, and last about two hours. The dialogues take place in the families’ homes, or in a quiet place nearby (e.g., library, office, community center) if more than one family is participating in the same locality.
Learning Life is looking for interested (a) community organizations outside the USA willing to co-organize live dialogues between American families in the USA and families in their own community, and (b) families abroad willing to participate in the live dialogues. 
