2024 U.S. Foreign Policy Update

In-person registration is now closed. To register to attend virtually, please use the form below. This event is being held in-person and virtually and is open to everyone.

Join us for the insightful and popular annual U.S. Foreign Policy Update with Diplomat in Residence and career Foreign Service Officer, Tom Hanson. Tom will explore and discuss the latest foreign policy developments, trends, and challenges facing the U.S. in the year ahead including the repercussions from the ongoing war in Ukraine, concerns facing China’s economy, renewed conflict in the Middle East, and ongoing global struggles for peace and security. Global Minnesota guests are encouraged to bring a friend at the member rate to experience one of our most popular programs. Don’t miss your chance to stay up-to-date on the year’s most impactful developments in international relations!

Post-Event Reception

After Tom’s presentation, join Global Minnesota for a reception to continue the conversation with our global community. You will also get the chance to meet our new Program Director Erin Hart. The reception is free and open to the public

About Tom Hanson

Thomas Hanson is a former U.S. Foreign Service Officer with the Department of State whose diplomatic postings included East Germany, France, Norway, the Soviet Union, Sweden, and the former Soviet Republic of Georgia.  He also participated in the opening of new U.S. embassies in Mongolia and Estonia, worked on the Foreign Relations Committees of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, and served as Director for NATO and European Affairs at the Atlantic Council of the United States in Washington, D.C.

Mr. Hanson currently is Diplomat in Residence at the Alworth Institute for International Affairs at the University of Minnesota – Duluth and has taught diplomacy at Carleton College.  He also serves as Chair of the Minnesota Committee on Foreign Relations and as Co-Chair of the Minnesota China Business Council. He is a past board member of the Oslo Center for Peace and Human Rights and Director at the Institute for Eastern Europe and Central Asia (IEECA). He is also a member of the U.S. Foreign Policy Working Group of the British International Studies Association (BISA) as well as the Council of Advisers at the Museum of Russian Art and the Minnesota Peace Initiative (MPI) at Norway House.

As a member of the Great Decisions advisory committee of Global Minnesota, Mr. Hanson speaks frequently on international issues and contributes to local and international media. He delivers an annual US Foreign Policy Update under the auspices of Global Minnesota and the Humphrey School of Public Affairs.

Mr. Hanson holds a BA degree from the University of Minnesota and graduate degrees from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy; the Institute of Advanced International Studies in Geneva, Switzerland; and the National School of Administration (ENA) in Paris, France.

If you require an accessibility accommodation, please contact Events Manager Katie Kelley at [email protected] two weeks ahead of the event.

Presented in partnership with the University of Minnesota Humphrey School of Public Affairs.

Thanks to promotional supporters the Committee on Foreign Relations — Minnesota, East-West Connections, Eugene J. McCarthy Center for Public Policy & Civic Engagement, the Minnesota International NGO Network, Saint Paul College, St. Cloud State University, South Dakota World Affairs Council, the United Nations Association of Minnesota, the University of St. Thomas, and World Without Genocide. 

If you are registering for this event from outside the United States, please go here.