An organization created to welcome refugees in 1938 is still a national leader in international understanding. The Council for International Understanding hosts visitors who come to learn Iowa’s lessons in fields like democracy, and agriculture.Leaders in various fields get information about agriculture, democracy, broadcasting. For example, a visitor from Fiji last week was talking with Iowans about biotechnology and food safety. Executive Director Michelle Soria says the council’s annual meeting tonight features L-D McMullen, director of the Des Moines Waterworks, who’s been working with a Ukrainian city to build and maintain a good city water system.Soria says it’s not an aid program, but a sharing of information on international issues. The Council’s funded by U-S State Department grants as well as corporate and individual contributions. The group’s nominated for a 2001 Nobel Peace Prize, in conjunction with the National Council for International Visitors.
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