The International Visitors Council of Philadelphia (IVC) has selected Raad J. Alsarraj, an environmental engineer in Urban’s Philadelphia Office, as the recipient of its 2006 International Partners for Peace Humanitarian Award.

The award was presented to Raad, and his wife Nawal, on April 26 at the IVC’s 52nd Annual Meeting held at Philadelphia’s City Hall.

The Alsarrajs, long-time supporters of humanitarian and peace efforts, were a host family for a student from Mosul, Iraq, the Alsarrajs home county. The IVC helped him get a scholarship to Drexel University. “He became a member of our family,” Raad said. “We never expected an award, but it is a reminder to us that people still appreciate good will, and we are honored.”

The IVC fosters partnerships among people from the Greater Philadelphia area with citizens of other countries to strengthen democratic ideals, encourage economic development and promote cultural understanding though the exchange of ideas and knowledge. IVC, formed in 1954, is the region’s leading international organization.