All Partners of the Americas Chapters function as local, independent organizations directed by volunteers working together. The D.C. - Brasilia Partnership fosters Inter-American friendship, cooperation, and inter-cultural understanding by linking in a partnership the people of the District of Columbia and of the Federal District of Brazil. Partners members join with local community members and local and national organizations in both communities to develop and implement projects and exchanges which enhance the educational, social, economic, and cultural well-being of both communities. More specifically, our Partnership has historically engaged in a wide variety of two-way cultural, educational and development exchanges in areas such as: teacher education, ethics and character education, youth leadership, NGO development, physical disabilities, art and culture, HIV/AIDS and drug prevention, university linkages, business promotion, and environmental conservation.
The Annual Meeting of D.C. Chapter members is held in May or June of each year at a location within the District of Columbia or surrounding metropolitan area. Board meetings are held throughout the year and are open to all members and interested parties. Information about meetings and other events may be found on our website.
Officers are elected by our Chapter membership, for two-year terms.
Current officers of the Washington, D.C. Chapter are as follows:
President - Maury Sterns
Vice President for Administration - Rodolfo Morais
Vice President for Membership - Maricy Schmitz
Vice President for Programs - Fausto Lerner
Secretary - Joycelyn Stevens
Treasurer - Don Reichley
At-Large members of the Board of Directors are:
Carlos Vera – Chair of NGO/Government Relations Committee
Anne Pellicciotto - Chair of Arts and Social Action Committee
Sandra Parker Provenzano –Vice Secretary
Tony Barone – Vice Treasurer
Bill Bailey - Webmaster
Lois Long – Historian
Beth Outterson - Previous President
Executive Committee:
The Executive Committee includes all officers noted above plus:
Webmaster - Bill Bailey
NGREP Chair - Carlos Vera
ASA Chair - Anne Pellicciotto
Outreach (Lecture Series) Chair - Lisa Martin
Our Chapter maintains a website:
http://www.dcbrasiliapartners.org/, contact information for the officers and Board members noted above may be found on our website.
The goals and objectives of our Partnership as noted above have been carried out over the years by successful planning and implementation of a wide variety of projects and programs. At this time, we are focussing our activities in three theme areas. These are:
- Arts and Social Action Exchange
- NGO - Government Relations Exchange
- Ambassadors of Hope
- Arts and Social Action
Based on the rich tradition in the Arts in Brazil along with commitment to social action in their communities, as well as a varied US interest in the arts and community development, this ongoing annual exchange program is now in its 5th year. In November 2009, we hosted an artist from Brasilia who shared experiences with the DC community by leading workshops, teaching classes, holding exhibitions, and interacting with local artists. In 2010, we will send a DC artist to Brasilia. This program underscores the potential long term impact that can result from linking art with social action. Committees of artists in DC and Brasilia serve as the foundation for selecting and hosting participants in this exchange program. Beginning in May 2010, committee members from both chapters will interact directly via monthly tele-video conferences to facilitate the exchange and to develop an ongoing set of activities.
NGO - Government Relations Exchange. Since Brasilia, DF, and Washington, DC, are major capital cities, both Partners groups felt it would be appropriate to tap into the richness of this special connection to promote an educational and cultural exchange by building on the abundance of NGOs in each city and the dynamics of the federal and district governments in relating to the NGO community.
The program, launched in 2007, is an exchange of NGO professionals interested in learning about the relations between NGOs and Government in DC and Brasilia and ways to improve those relationships. In 2008, we sent a Rep from the DC-based Latin American Youth Center to Brasilia and Brasilia sent a Rep from Missão Criança to DC. Starting in 2009 the exchange initiated a focus on “youth at risk” Last October, we sent a Rep from DC-based Sasha Bruce House to Brasilia, and during 2010 we will host a Rep from a Brasilia-based NGO that also shares a focus on “youth at risk.” As this ongoing program continues with annual exchanges we plan to gradually build small groups among alumni in both capital cities to regularly exchange ideas for strengthening NGO/Government relations and their ability to respond to the challenges facing “youth at risk.”
Ambassadors of Hope. DC/Brasilia Partners has sponsored four high school student exchanges over recent years. Schools in DC and in Brasilia select six students and two teachers to participate in the exchange. Prior to the trip, students engage in language learning, technology exchange, and community service activities. Upon return, students share experiences with their home communities. Partners chapters work with students and teachers at each school to raise funds to cover travel costs. In 2010, we will either confirm another local school as DC host or we may invite local NGOs to sponsor student volunteers. Visiting students would still interact with schools but would be based in NGOs and focus on the role of youth in the community. Students on past exchanges report that their favorite part of the trip was the homestay and friendships made. Ambassadors of Hope is a transformational experience for youth who might not otherwise be able to afford it.
