Brief History of IICL
In 1988, Dr. Elsa Potter, a West Texas schoolteacher had begun to ask
herself, 'What can I do to make the world a better-off place?' Responding
the signs of the times as she saw them at Tienneman Square, the dismantling of the Berlin Wall, and the embrace of Arafat and Rabin, Potter threw aside her cynicism
about the possibility of worldpeace becoming a reality. She
felt a drive and a call to live out the sisterhood she found with the
entire human race when a Peace Corps Volunteer (1978-80).
Already dedicated to the formation of Hispanic youth, Potter knew that
there was still further to go. She began to see what one person of her
talents, means and experience could do. She tried to act on these
insights. Soon she recognized that even though she possessed two Master's
degrees, a doctorate would put her far forward in the Cause. She moved her life from El Paso to Kingsville and in 1998 was granted the degree, doctor
of education in the bilingual field. She also made a study and internships
of institutional education that certified her as education manager, both on
the school and the district level.
The International Institute of Culture and Language became a juridical
reality as a Texas nonprofit on December 7, 1994, while Potter was still a
student at Kingsville's Texas A&M University (TAMU-K). Always
international in scope, she was accompanied by two US citizens and by four
Costa Ricans as well.
The IICL in Belize
IICL and the UNO
Paradigm Shift
The IICL in Belize
Belizean Inclusion
On the auspicious day of its incorporation, the Institute flew four flags:
those of the US, Texas, Costa Rica and Belize. Although no Belizean was
seriously interested at the time in taking part, Potter borrowed the
Belizean flag from the Belize Consul in Houston and had it present at the
proceedings as an earnest of future involvement by Belizeans. She
knew that the words of then Solicitor General Gian Gandhi would mightily
encourage the right Belizeans, as they had herself: 'This will be good
for Belize.'
Belizean Jurisdication
On November 29, 2003, the Belize Companies Registry handed Dr. Potter the
simple document of recognition. This was in consequence of IICL having sought and received permission to eliminate "Ltd." From its title and to be excused from selling shares. Renewal one calendar year later was
sponsored by, Belizean businesswoman Ms. Delmy Ramirez from Kontiki Extension. All subsequent renewals have been Belizean-backed.
Belizean Leadership
Dr. Potter is Founding Coordinator of the Institute. It is patterned upon the
ideals and structure of the Peace Corps. There are also connections to the
United Nations, explained below.
Successive Country Directors have served four-year terms of office: Hon.
Martin Galvez, 1993-1997; Mr. Luis Garcia, 1998-2002; Mr. Ronaldo Villas,
2002-2006. The current Belize Country Director is Mr. Timoteo Romero. Assistant Belize County Director is Mr. Emil Pulido.
A brief detente around 1998 permitted Doctor Potter to terminate her
education at TAMU-K. Besides the personnel of this directors' panel, IICL
Belize now counts Trustees, Directors, Most Valuable Players and
Volunteers.
IICL and the UNO
On a visit to Costa Rica's University for Peace (UPEACE) late in 2006,
Dr. Potter met the leadership of The Earth Charter Initiative (ECI). The
latter is a United Nations programme working through and with UPEACE to
bring world society into a culture of peace. This culture of peace is
designed to overtake and replace multilevel violence throughout the world.
ECI itself is a loose organisations comprised of individuals,
non governmental (non profit) organisation and nations on record as
earnestly seeking peace plus ways to achieve it. Please refer to:
Earth Charter, UNO
Paradigm Shift
Pre - 9-11 examples of projects were writing a manual or book, discussing
and documenting solutions to a professional concern, or creating a written
description of the steps and process to resolve a problem. This is no small undertaking for those adults who must first create among themselves a feeling of brotherly empathy as they establish basic interpersonal
communication skills. Then projects and activities can begin.
It is far easier for children, who are naturally able to figure out simple
ways to communicate as they play together.
Since 9-11, we have realised that our work is all the more necessary.
IICL also has responded at the time of national emergency--the 2008 Belizean inundations--with a small drive for the relief of flood victims. "It is wrong," said Dr. Potter, "To be off here spinning theories while our sisters and brothers from right here in this little country are suffering. We need to act for them." Thanks to the initiative of peace-brother Emil Pulido, in Belmopan.
Our Origin
What we do
Our focus is to encourage friendliness between people from culturally diverse
backgrounds. We do this by creating space and time for people of
different cultures, if possible with similar roles. They come together for
social and practical sharing.
We are glad when we have persons of the same occupation.
Where we work
As an IRS-recognized nonprofit, the Texas corporation is located in
Austin. It is an administrative office only, with emphasis on raising
funds and on raising friends.
Belize, a tiny and very peaceable nation of Central America, was selected
early-on as the ideal location for interculturation sessions. This small
recently independent country has a completely peaceful history and
infrastructure.
Our elect Director-at-Large from the Caribbean is Ms. Ramonita Constancia Figueroa of the Dominican Republic.
Under Four Flags
Showing respect for our original founding
in 1994, we fly the flags of Belize, Texas, Costa Rica and the US.
Why IICL?
We at the IICL look for a better world society based on truth, peace, and
friendship: a positive culture to replace the errors and negativity of old and
outmoded human interaction.
Accomplishments...
Then:
- IICL archives are now housed at Riviera, Kleberg County, Texas
- Student Booster Club active at Texas A & M in Kingsville from 1994-1998
- Video Production and pilot programming.
Now:
- Regular meetings of the Belize branch.
- 2008 humanitarian help to flood victims, working with the
National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO)through the
Department of Human Resources.
- The Institute has commenced to develop a 2 acre tract of land in Belmopan
City to be known as our Friendship Centre. see the
photo gallery for more info.
Archives:
INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CULTURE AND LANGUAGE AND ITS FOUNDER
The Institute was founded to welcome professional interest groups from every nation of the world to spend time with a counterpart group in a workshop or corporate-retreat setting.
Establishment of IICL comes right-out of the thought and observations of an educator-generalist who at the close of the Eighties, began to ask herself, What can I as an individual do for the peace of the world?
Now a retired educator, Dr. Potter has been taking-care of IICL "on a shoestring and a prayer." She adopted a very simple Belizean lifestyle so as to forget herself one-hundred percent and to be at the service of others while she furthers the Cause that drives her life and all her ambitions.
Within Belize alone, the ethnic and linguistic diversity are both astonishing and heartening. 'Small-group meetings between representatives of only two or three ethnicities at a time for dialogue, sharing and even the preparation and serving of traditional delicacies will be our modus operandi. As the Institute is set-up to be at the service of the world and the community, we will dedicate appreciable space to a reading room to supplement the local area libraries, not duplicate nor replace them.
The Institute was founded at Kingsville, Texas on December 7, 1994 by a mostly broke and sporadically employed doctoral student of Texas A&M University-Kingsville who had not been present fulltime in the halls of academe for at least seventeen years. Potter went-on four years later to be named to the national honour of Giraffedom in the Girafe organisation. A Giraffe sticks out its neck for the common good. Dr. Elsa Potter, founding coordinator and International Director of IICL, has done just that.
Born in Massachusetts and now living, working and studying in Belize, Central America, Dr. Potter seeks interested parties of like mind to become part of this international worldpeace endeavour.
Belizeans ready to ask what they can do for their country through this little NGO, are urged to contact Dr. Guillermo Rivas, Chair, Friendraising-Fundraising Committee, #17 Bullet Tree road, San Ignacio Town.
All other interested parties apply through Elsa to the Development Office of North America, P.O. Box 1436, Austin, Texas, USA 78767-1436.
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