Celebrating 20 Years Of Welcoming International Visitors

See more pictures from the Reception in our Gallery. 

On November 15, 2018, PAAC hosted its second annual Citizen Diplomacy Reception celebrating the generous community of volunteers that welcomed emerging leaders traveling to Hawai‘i through the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). Volunteers were joined by an IVLP group examining U.S. foreign policy in the East Asia-Pacific region, PAAC board members, and PAAC members for a lively evening of networking and “talk story” at the East-West Center.

PAAC has served as the local IVLP coordinator for the State of Hawai‘i since 1998. Since then, PAAC has shared Hawai‘i and its spirit of aloha with 1,384 visitors from around the world. In 2018 alone, PAAC hosted 17 IVLP programs, connecting 125 leaders from 26 countries with 44 locally-based organizations.

Participant Voices

“Before the program, I didn’t realize how ambitious Hawaii was in pursuing emissions reductions. The trip gave me a greater appreciation of Hawaii’s ambitions and challenges, especially in relation to decarbonising Honolulu.”

“I have never been to Honolulu before. I felt I was able to immerse myself and build a much better picture of Hawaii."