Helping promote Citizen Diplomacy:
"One Handshake At A Time."
EL PASO COUNCIL FOR INTERNATIONAL VISITORS
About EPCIV
Since 1961, the El Paso Council for International Visitors (EPCIV) has received foreign dignitaries invited by the US Department of State to tour the United States. This program is part of an effort by the US embassies around the world to acquaint emerging leaders of other nations with the United States so they will better understand our country when making decisions that affect us.
These visitors spend three to four weeks in the United States under the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. They visit four to six communities around the country where they are greeted and hosted by local volunteers. EPCIV is one of the many national communities that belongs to the network of volunteers under the National Council for International Visitors (NCIV). More than 90 heads of states and 600 cabinet ministers around the world have participated in the international visitor program, including Margaret Thatcher and Anwar Sadat.
Most international visitors come to El Paso for two to four days and stay in local hotels. During their visit, they meet with their professional counterparts in one to one-and-a-half-hour appointments, three or four appointments each day. An evening is spent dining with a local family to learn what El Paso family life is like. One full afternoon or morning may be left unscheduled so that the visitor activities include sightseeing, meeting the local press, shopping, speaking to classes and attending civic club functions.
The international visitors are mid-level managers on the "way up" in their chosen profession, which include government, education, journalism, and business. They are usually in the age range of 35 to 55, well-educated and often widely traveled. They visit business, government, and private sector agencies, that relate to their careers in their home country.
While some of these visitors speak English, others may require an interpreter. Almost all visitors are accompanied by an escort from the US Department of State who helps with interpreting for non-English speakers.
EPCIV Board of Directors
Jack Bristol, President
Sue Watts, Vice-President
Lillian Bristol, Secretary
David Buchmueller, Treasurer
Nick Zweig - Board Advisor
Board Members - Class of 2010
Kaywyn Byram
Pablo Salcido
Dick Schwein
Merrie Weber
Board Members - Class of 2009
Jerry Johnson
Don Moss
Florence Schwein
Larry Shulman
Esther Portillo, Executive Director
Dot Carmona, Asst. Program Officer
