International Affairs Council Announces 2008 Citizen Of World Award Recipient

Todd Culpepper, executive director of the International Affairs Council (IAC) (www.iacnc.org), has announced that Rev. Ray Buchanan is the 2008 Citizen of the World Award Recipient. The IAC has given the Citizen of the World Award annually since 1995 to honor the North Carolinian who, in the eyes of the selection committee, has done the most for the internationalization of the state. Rev. Buchanan will be honored at the Citizen of the World Award Dinner on Thursday, Oct. 16 from 6-9 p.m. at the Brier Creek Country Club.

Rev. Buchanan is the co-founder and president of Stop Hunger Now, a model for providing rapid, cost-effective responses to international crisis situations. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina Wilmington, a Master of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Divinity from Shenandoah University and Conservatory. Rev. Buchanan is a member of the board of directors of Food Resources Bank, International Food Bank Association and Faithnet.

For more information on the International Affairs Council, the Citizen of the World Award or the Citizen of the World Award Dinner, please visit www.iacnc.org.

Related Links:
www.iacnc.org
www.stophungernow.com
www.mmimarketing.com

News Facts:
• Todd Culpepper, executive director of the International Affairs Council (IAC) (www.iacnc.org), has announced that Rev. Ray Buchanan is the 2008 Citizen of the World Award Recipient.
• The IAC has given the Citizen of the World Award annually to honor the North Carolinian who, in the eyes of the selection committee, has done the most for the internationalization of the state.
• Rev. Buchanan will be honored at the Citizen of the World Award Dinner on Thursday, Oct. 16 from 6-9 p.m. at the Brier Creek Country Club.
• Rev. Buchanan is the co-founder and president of Stop Hunger Now, a model for providing rapid, cost-effective responses to international crisis situations.
• He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina Wilmington, a Master of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Divinity from Shenandoah University and Conservatory.
• Rev. Buchanan is a member of the board of directors of Food Resources Bank, International Food Bank Association and Faithnet.
• For more information on the International Affairs Council, the Citizen of the World Award or the Citizen of the World Award Dinner, please visit www.iacnc.org.

Quotes:
"We are delighted to honor Rev. Ray Buchanan for all of his great efforts," said Culpepper. "He has made an immense impact on the internationalization of the state of North Carolina and he definitely deserves to be recognized for it."

About International Affairs Council:
International Affairs Council (IAC) is a nonprofit organization that promotes understanding of world affairs, citizen-to-citizen diplomacy and the recognition of North Carolina as a center of education, culture and business. IAC, which began in 1973 as the Research Triangle International Visitors Center (IVC), plans itineraries for visiting international dignitaries and professionals interested in business development, education and other topics, as well as hosts events that bring high-profile speakers from around the world to the Triangle. After beginning as a service of the office of the University of North Carolina’s then-president Terry Sanford, IVC was incorporated under N.C. law on July 30, 1975 as a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization. During the early 1980s, the organization was revitalized and moved to a larger office space with additional staff thanks to the support of Dr. William Friday, who was president of the UNC system at that time. In 1986, the name of the organization was changed to International Visitors Council. Since then, the organization has quadrupled the number of visitors it hosts each year to over 600 and now has six staff members. In 2002, IVC merged with Triangle World Affairs Council to become International Visitors Council/World Affairs Council. In 2005, the board of directors appointed a special committee that decided on the current permanent name: International Affairs Council. IAC’s mission is to improve international relations, raise awareness of national and global issues and attract foreign dignitaries and professionals to the state. It receives grant funding from the U.S. Department of the State, corporate and philanthropic foundations, individual members and numerous other sources. For more information, visit www.iacnc.org.

Keywords:
Todd Culpepper, International Affairs Council, Rev. Ray Buchanan, University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Shenandoah University and Conservatory, Stop Hunger Now, Food Resources Bank, International Food Bank Association, Faithnet, Citizen of the World Award, Co-Chairs, Brier Creek Country Club, Citizen of the World Award Dinner, North Carolina, International Visitors Council

Patty Briguglio
MMI Associates, Inc.
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