Bryan College’s Center for International Development has built strong, global partnerships with experts around the world since 2003.
Bryan College’s CID has made it a primary goal to connect their community with those who do similar work across the globe in order to learn from each other and foster long-lasting, mutually beneficial relationships.
Dennis Miller, CID director said, “Bryan College stresses the importance of outreach not only in our local community, but around the world.”
CID has built countless operational relationships, including a 15-year partnership with Partnership for Families, Children and Adults. Since 2005, Bryan and Partnership have worked together in empowering individuals and building communities on a global scale.
During that time, Mr. Miller has connected Partnership with 17 guests from countries all around the globe including Romania, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, Greece and China, who typically specialize in human rights issues, such as human and sex trafficking and abuse of women and children from countries all around the globe. Regina McDevitt and Sandra Hollett from Partnership visited Slovakia a total of four times to work with the shelters for abused women and children.
Mr. Miller said, “Chattanooga organizations like Partnership for Families, Children and Adults partner with us on international programs, with many organizations hosting professionals that we bring from European countries to learn how Americans conduct their work or business in a similar field.”
In 2018, Bryan College and Partnership hosted Theresa Turtukowskyj, the director of CARITAS, an international Catholic charity out of Rome, for two days in which she was able to observe their Women’s Family Violence and Sexual Assault Center.
During her time, Ms. Turtukowskyj educated staff on her work with physically and developmentally challenged individuals at CARITAS in Austria, where she currently runs three major facilities.
CID also sent Carmen Quezada from The Partnership to Emanuel University in Romania to give lectures on the topic of domestic violence to social assistance majors.
“In a true give and take spirit, Partnership has brought home priceless experiences and knowledge to benefit our clients while also sharing the practices that have worked best for us to help them serve the vulnerable in their communities,” said Partnership Chief Operating Officer Regina McDevitt.
Since 2003, CID has organized more than 600 global education lectures, seminars, conferences, and projects to provide Bryan students and others with the opportunity to interact with major international experts in areas such as business, politics and government, communications, Christian worldview, and more.