ASSE has expanded its reach beyond the United States and increased its influence internationally. During the past year, ASSE has signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with the Abu Dhabi EHS Center and the Nigerian Institute of Safety Professionals (NISP). ASSE also has international chapters in the Middle East, Kuwait, Nigeria, Philippines, and India.
During November 2011, an ASSE delegation traveled to Brazil and visited the cities of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro for nine days. Under the leadership of Delegation Leader Darryl C. Hill, the group had the opportunity to meet with government organizations, university leaders, and professional safety organizations. The delegation included 13 safety and health professionals who are ASSE members, and two ASSE professional staff representatives. Delegates represented the United States, Australia, Canada and Germany.
The People to People Citizen Ambassador Program was founded in 1956 by president Dwight D. Eisenhower as a vehicle to expand international relations beyond the structure of governmental agencies. People to People International is a non-political, private-sector organization dedicated to the promotion of international understanding and friendship through educational, cultural, and humanitarian activities by exchange of ideas and experiences. Delegates pay a fee to the organization to arrange the trip. The fee pays for the costs of the trip, including airfare, lodging, transportation, most meals, and visits to several cultural sites. People to People arranges all professional and cultural meetings and visits, and provides national and local guides in each city. The guides also act as formal interpreters and provide assistance with navigating the cultural norms of the country visited. This was ASSE's second trip overseas organized by the People to People International. The first trip occurred in November 2010 to China.
