Local University Honors “Blanket Drive for Syrian Refugees” as Most Inspiring Local Initiative

Next week, Virginia International University (VIU)’s Center
for Democracy & International Affairs (CDIA) will honor the recipient of
the 2013 Most Inspiring Local Initiative Award at a presentation and award
ceremony.

·        
DATE: Tuesday, February 25, 2014

·        
TIME: 6:30 – 8:00 pm

·        
LOCATION: Waples Mill Conference Room, 11200
Waples Mill Road, #360, Fairfax, VA 
22030

·        
Free and open to the public! Refreshments will
be provided.

The event is free and open to the public and will recognize
“Blanket Drive for Syrian Refugees,” a local campaign which gathered over
18,000 blankets and $10,000 to help in the relief efforts for Syrian refugees
in Turkey.

Honorees of the event include:

·        
Bob Lazaro, Mayor of Purcellville, VA

·        
Mustafa Akpinar, Principal of Pinnacle Academy

·        
Scott York, Chairman of the Loudoun County Board
of Supervisors

·        
Sharon Bulova, Chairman of the Fairfax County
Board of Supervisors

·        
Mark Gibb, Executive Director of the Northern
Virginia Regional Commission

·        
American Turkish Friendship Association

·        
Mid Atlantic Federation of Turkic American
Associations

·        
Hizmet Relief

The Most
Inspiring Local Initiative Award is voted on every year by the students and
faculty of the School of Public & International Affairs. The honorees are
presented with awards by the Center for Democracy and International Affairs
(CDIA).

The mission
of the CDIA is to promote global understanding of democratic governance as well
as to establish an international dialogue for cultural, political, and economic
exchange to aid in resolution of current international challenges. The CDIA was
established in 2013 to explore contemporary and historical issues associated
with democracy, liberty, and international affairs. The Center provides a forum
for presentations by government officials, journalists, and scholars; publishes
scholarly writings on subjects of governance and international affairs;
encourages and supports public participation in political processes; and
engages VIU students and faculty in stud and research on related subjects.

Please direct questions and RSVPs to Ms. Katherine Magalif
at CDIA@viu.edu. Learn more about Virginia
International University at www.viu.edu.