Madison Mayor Troy Trulock was among featured speakers at the International Services Council of Alabama summit, “Diplomacy Begins Here.” (CONTRIBUTED)

HUNTSVILLE – The International Services Council of Alabama (ISC) sponsored the “Diplomacy Begins Here: Celebrating Public and Citizen Diplomacy across the United States” in Huntsville recently.

The summit’s primary objective was to assist young professionals in leaning about global diplomacy and what to do ‘at home’ to engender this awareness, ISC Executive Director Jacqui Shipe said.

The event at Doubletree Suites in Huntsville was held in partnership with Global Ties U.S., the U.S. Department of State and the International Visitors Center of Jackson, Miss.

The interactive workshop offered sessions such as “Training and Engaging Volunteers” and a lunch-and-learning meeting with John Zogby, author of “Global Millenials.”

Joining the afternoon sessions, student leaders from Oakwood University, Alabama A&M University, University of North Alabama, Calhoun Community College, Drake State Technical College and Athens State University assisted in presentations. Members of Huntsville Young Professionals and Rotaract, A&M’s collegiate chapter of Rotary International, also participated.

The audience learned about the National Association for the Prevention of Starvation, which brings rapid relief, especially to children, in crisis situations like the tsunami in Sri Lanka, the aftermath of 9/11 in New York City and survivors of hurricanes, floods and tornadoes. Steven Black explained service-learning projects of Impact Alabama, which involves 20-plus Alabama universities and colleges.

That evening, Madison Mayor Troy Trulock was a feature speaker at the Celebratory Dinner.

In March 2015, ISC will again host a Central American Youth Ambassadors delegation. Organizers need host families to accommodate 30 youth.

ISC was founded in 1965 when international military personnel trained at Redstone Arsenal found a lack of venues for after-hours interaction. Huntsville Rotary Club convinced the Huntsville mayor, Huntsville City Council and Madison County Commission about the need for personal development.

ISC is aligned with the Department of State. ISC youth leadership programs intend to advance mutual understanding between the United States and other countries, Shipe said.

In 52 years, ISC has coordinated more than 80,000 visitors. For more information, visit iscalabama.org or Facebook/ISC Alabama.