Minnesota and Finland – Leading on Collaborative Innovation
2023-07-29 09:00 - 10:00 (America/Chicago) | Duluth Convention Center, 350 Harbor Drive, Duluth, MN, 55802, United States
This event is being held in-person and is open to everyone. Ticket prices vary and are available on the FinnFest website at the link below.
Presenter: Elaine Kumpula, Honorary Consul of Finland; Steve Riedel, Corporate Relations Officer, Global Minnesota
Minnesota is one of only a select group of states designated by Finland for a special trade relationship. In 2021, Finland and Minnesota signed a Letter of Understanding formalizing a new partnership to collaborate on selected topics, to the benefit of both. What’s in the Letter? What’s happened as a result and what new opportunities have emerged? Join this session to learn what both Finland and Minnesota have to gain from the partnership. Come asking the question “What’s in this for me and my business?”
View the complete schedule of events at FinnFest here.

Register

Podcast Episode: The 2023 Mandela Washington Fellows
2023-08-01 - 2023-08-15
This past month, an incredible group of emerging professionals from countries all across Africa have been visiting Minnesota as part of the Mandela Washington Fellowship program. This program is part of the U.S. State Department’s Young African Leaders Initiative and over the years has brought thousands of young leaders from Sub-Saharan Africa to the United States for academic and leadership training.
On this episode, hear from two of these impressive Fellows, Marcellin Tsihoboto and Sylvia Phaphali Adzitey. Marcellin is from Madagascar and serves as the chief officer of fishery and aquaculture at the Ministry of Fisheries and Blue Economy. His work focuses on the coordination of fishery- and aquaculture-related activity; resolution of conflicts between organizations, updating legislation, and fishery development projects. Sylvia is visiting from Ghana and is a senior nursing officer at the Tamale Teaching Hospital. She is also the founder of The FANCoD International, which works to prevent noncommunicable diseases and support persons living with them.

Listen below, or subscribe to our podcast on all major podcast apps.

Hear untold stories of international connections with new monthly episodes by subscribing to The Global Minnesota Podcast. Now available on all podcast streaming apps!
Links
Mandela Washington Fellowship
U.S. Embassy in Madagascar
Global Minnesota Professional Exchanges Program
This interview was recorded on July 26, 2023, and will be available for viewing on our Calendar of Events for several weeks. All interviews are archived on our podcast feed and in our Past Events calendar.

Great Decisions: War Crimes
2023-08-16 17:30 - 20:00 | The Woman’s Club of Minneapolis, 410 Oak Grove St, Minneapolis, 55403
This free event is being held in-person and is open to everyone. An optional dinner will start at 7:15 following the presentation. The dinner is $25 for Woman’s Club members and $30 for non-members (plus service fee and taxes).
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has challenged many international norms, including the prohibition on state aggression and the protection of civilians. Russian forces are not hiding their crimes; they attack civilian targets with missiles and have committed numerous atrocities in occupied areas. How can Russian leaders and forces be held accountable for these offenses? While policymakers are pursuing a number of options to achieve justice, it may be years before we truly understand the gravity of the war and its impact on Ukrainians.
This program is presented by the Woman’s Club of Minneapolis and is open to ALL.
The Great Decisions program addresses several of the most critical foreign policy issues facing the United States each year and serves as the focal text for discussion groups across the country. Global Minnesota facilitates one of the largest statewide Great Decisions programs in the country by providing access to a roster of local foreign policy experts and to discussion materials produced by the Foreign Policy Association. Join Global Minnesota and the Woman’s Club of Minneapolis for an in-depth discussion of this important topic.
Christi Siver, presenter
Christi is a perennially popular speaker at the Woman’s Club and has spoken on topics from Global Warming to Myanmar. She is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the College of St Benedict and St John’s University. She did her undergraduate work at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, OR, her Masters in International Relations and International Economics at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, and her Ph.D. in political science at the University of Washington. She teaches courses on international relations and international security. Her current research interests include international humanitarian law, military technology, and comparative law.
If you would like to register, please RSVP to the email address in the link below.
Register

Culture Through Cuisine: Nepal and Northern India
2023-08-22 18:00 - 20:00 | Everest on Grand, 1278 Grand Ave, Saint Paul, MN, 55105, United States
This event is being held in-person and is open to everyone.
Help us round out the summer with the next event in our Culture through Cuisine series as we head to St. Paul to visit Everest on Grand, a North Indian and Nepali restaurant. We’ll hear the stories behind each dish on the menu from restaurant owner, Roshan Chaudhary
Appetizers, dinner, dessert, and a non-alcoholic beverage are included with registration. Additional beverages, appetizers, and desserts are available for individual purchase.

MENU:

Appetizers:
Chicken Momo – Ground chicken with onion, ginger, garlic, cilantro and spices in a wheat flour pastry and steamed. Served with special Momo sauce.
Veggie Samosa – Deliciously spiced mixture of potato, peas stuffed into pyramid shaped pastry and fried.

Main Course:
Palak Paneer with Rice – Spinach and paneer (cheese) cooked with ghee in homemade special tomato-cream sauce.
Chicken Tikka Masala – Marinated chicken breast meat cooked in homemade special tikka-cream sauce.

Dessert:
Kheer – Rice slowly cooked in milk and seasoned with sugar, raisins, cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon.

Drink:
One juice or soda per person

Please reach out to Katie Kelley at kkelley@globalminnesota.org with any questions, dietary restrictions, or accessibility accommodations.

Learning from Germany: Countering Intolerance
2023-08-31 17:00 - 18:15 | Ramsey County Library – Roseville, 2180 Hamline Ave. N, Roseville, MN, 55113, United States
This event is now SOLD OUT. Please email our office at info@globalminnesota.org with any questions or to cancel your registration.
How do countries create societies that promote tolerance, resist extremism and protect minority populations? Join us for an important discussion on countering hate. Our panel brings together experts from Germany to provide a vital case study on the combination of policy and community-based action to address problems of the past and stem rising intolerance in the present. What lessons or approaches can the United States and other countries take from these examples?
Hosted by the Center for Holocaust & Genocide Studies and Global Minnesota, this special program will feature the work of German experts, each with decades of study and service in confronting extremism. They will explore approaches to strengthening civil society, building resilient communities, creating alternatives for at-risk youth, countering extremist narratives, protecting minorities, and helping partners around the world build their capacity to do the same. Our presenters from across the public sector are visiting Minnesota for a professional exchange program as part of the U.S. State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program. Don’t miss this opportunity to meet exceptional professionals and learn from their unique perspectives as they discuss this critical issue.
The discussion will be moderated by Dr. Sheer Ganor, University of Minnesota History Professor.

Panelists

Mr. Maximilian FELDMANN
Public Affairs & Project Manager, European Janusz Korczak Academy
Mr. Onur U ÖZATA
Lawyer, Rechtsanwalt Onur U. Özata
Ms. Anna STAROSELSKI
Spokesperson, WerteInitiative e.V.
If you require an accessibility accommodation, please contact our Events Manager Katie Kelley at kkelley@globalminnesota.org.
Presented in partnership with University of Minnesota Holocaust and Genocide Studies . Panelists are visiting Minnesota as part of the U.S. State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program.
Thanks to promotional sponsors the Center for German & European Studies, Department of German, Nordic, Slavic, and Dutch, Germanic-American Institute, Human Rights Program – University of Minnesota, the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas, and the United Nations Association of Minnesota.

The New China Playbook: Beyond Socialism and Capitalism
2023-09-11 08:00 - 09:00
PLEASE NOTE: This virtual event has been rescheduled for September 11 (originally scheduled for September 8). If you have already registered under the previous time, there is no need to re-register.
This free event is being held virtually and is open to everyone.
China is an economic powerhouse which has recently supplanted the United States as the world’s largest exporter of goods. What are the key steps to promoting successful relationships between Minnesota-based companies and China?
Join Global Minnesota and The U.S. Heartland China Association for a virtual conversation with economist and professor at the London School of Economics Dr. Keyu Jin. She will discuss the complex economic relationships between the U.S. and China. Dr. Jin recently released her first book, The New China Playbook, in which she details the economic history and development of China, the decisions that led them to a booming economy, and lays out a roadmap for future relations between the West and China. An audience Q&A will take place after the presentation moderated by Amy Xu, a partner at Hamre, Schumann, Mueller & Larson P.C.
Dr. Keyu Jin, presenter
Dr. Keyu Jin is an associate professor (with tenure) of Economics at the London school of Economics. She is from Beijing, China, and holds a B.A., M.A. and Ph.D. from Harvard University.
Her research is on international economics— such as why capital flows from poor to rich countries, how the global implications of U.S. monetary and fiscal policies have changed; and on how the rise of China impacts the global economy, from several perspectives —trade, capital flows, global interest rates and saving, demographics, productivity and technology.
This event is presented in partnership with the U.S. Heartland China Association and the China-United States Exchange Foundation.

If you require an accessibility accommodation or need more information, please contact our Events Manager Katie Kelley at kkelley@globalminnesota.org. Please note, your registration information (including name and email address) may be shared with our event partner organizations.
Thanks to promotional sponsors the Committee on Foreign Relations Minnesota, the Minnesota China Business Council, the South Dakota World Affairs Council, the United Nations Association of Minnesota, and the University of Minnesota China Center.
If you are registering for this event from outside the United States, please go here.

Building Bridges to Global Markets
2023-09-12 12:00 - 15:30 | Metro State University, 700 7th Street, Saint Paul, 55106, United States
This event is being held in-person and is open to everyone.
This program is presented by the U.S. Commercial Service.
Building Bridges to Global Markets is a series designed to connect SMEs within underserved communities with global business opportunities through events taking place in major cities throughout the U.S. This program brings no-cost, in-person exporting expertise to your community. Addressing issues most common to diverse businesses seeking international sales expansion, this event will introduce reliable contacts, accurate information, and ready-to-use resources that will place you firmly on the road to exporting success. Join the conversation with Global Minnesota hosted by the U.S. Commercial Service at Metro State University at noon on September 12. There will also be a separate international trade networking event later in the day at Lake Monster Brewing.
Topics Include
• Trade finance & access to capital
• Exporting essentials and available local resources/contacts
• Networking with trade experts and supporting organizations
Featured Speaker
Marisa Lago, Undersecretary, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce

LEARN MORE

Global Minnesota is proud to be a promotional supporter of this event.

International Trade Networking Reception
2023-09-12 17:30 - 19:00 | Lake Monster Brewing, 550 Vandalia St #160, Saint Paul, 55114
This event is being held in-person and is open to everyone.
Looking for a chance to gain exclusive insight into Biden Administration priorities for international trade and to network with leading business executives? This networking event at Lake Monster Brewing is hosted by the Minnesota District Export Council and the U.S. Commercial Service – Minnesota in partnership with Global Minnesota. This event follows shortly after a formal presentation, “Building Bridges to Global Markets,” earlier in the day at Metro State University.
The reception will feature a discussion with a senior U.S. Department of Commerce trade official, Marisa Lago, Under Secretary, International Trade Administration/U.S. Department of Commerce (expected). Her conversation will focus on the strategic priorities of the ITA and how they impact and support local communities, businesses and entrepreneurs to compete in the global marketplace. Ticket price includes admission, one free drink ticket, and light appetizers.

Speaker (expected)
Marisa Lago is the Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade. She was appointed by President Joseph R. Biden Jr. and sworn in on Dec. 28, 2021. She leads the federal government’s efforts to assist American businesses entering or expanding into international markets, enforce fair trade policies, promote travel and tourism to the United States and U.S. products and services overseas, provide in-depth trade analyses, develop strategies that will shape the future of international trade, and engage in commercial diplomacy across the globe.
Under Secretary Lago has a distinguished career in public service with expertise in international markets, trade, financial regulation and enforcement. Before joining the International Trade Administration, she led the New York City Department of City Planning and the City Planning Commission. In the Obama-Biden Administration, she served in the Department of the Treasury as Assistant Secretary for International Markets and Development.
Lago has also served as the Director of the Boston Redevelopment Authority and Chief Economic Development Officer for the City of Boston, President and CEO of the Empire State Development Corporation, Director of the Office of International Affairs for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and Global Head of Compliance for a major investment bank.
She received a Bachelor of Science in physics from The Cooper Union and her juris doctorate cum laude from Harvard Law School.

If you require an accessibility accommodation, please contact our Events Manager Katie Kelley at kkelley@globalminnesota.org.
Presented in partnership with the Minnesota District Export Council and the U.S. Commercial Service – Minnesota.

Podcast Episode: Crisis Negotiation & Improving Diplomacy
2023-09-19 - 2023-09-30
In October, some of Global Minnesota’s staff will be participating in the International Strategic Crisis Negotiation Exercise (also known as ISCNE) at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs. This is a diplomacy simulation designed to help college students learn about the negotiation process. To help the students prepare and to bring the discussion of critical issues to all Minnesotans, Global Minnesota will host two free public events featuring former U.S. Ambassadors. The first will include former Ambassador to Cyprus, Kathleen Doherty, on October 19, while the second will feature former Ambassador and Deputy Assistance Secretary of State Ron Neumann on October 30.
On this episode, hear from the local organizer for the ISCNE event, retired U.S. Navy Commander Jon Olson and Diplomat-in-Residence for the University of Minnesota – Duluth Tom Hanson. They’ve provide an exclusive preview of these two upcoming diplomacy events, the situation in Cyprus, and how Global Minnesota and the ISNCE program inform and engage the next generation of leaders.

Listen below, or subscribe to our podcast on all major podcast apps.

Hear untold stories of international connections with new monthly episodes by subscribing to The Global Minnesota Podcast. Now available on all podcast streaming apps!
Links
Event Page: Cyprus in Context with Ambassador Doherty
Event Page: Modernizing Diplomacy with Ambassador Neumann
National Security this Week on KYMN Radio
Article on Cyprus and Money Laundering by Kathleen Doherty

This interview was recorded on September 13, 2023, and will be available for viewing on our Calendar of Events for several weeks. All interviews are archived on our podcast feed and in our Past Events calendar.

SDG Roundtable: Smart Grid Innovations from Germany
2023-09-19 09:00 - 10:30 | Apex Conference Center, 40 S 7th St, Minneapolis, MN, 55402, United States
This free event is being held in-person and is open to everyone.
Electrical grids around the world have seen a shift toward a complicated mix of traditional plus an increasing share of renewable energy sources. Smart grid and energy storage technologies are seeing great growth. And a more efficient and cleaner grid is better for all of us.
Join us for the latest in our Sustainable Development Goals roundtable series to learn about Smart Grid Innovations from Germany. Global Minnesota is pleased to partner with the German American Chamber of Commerce (GACC) in Chicago as well as the GACC Minnesota chapter in welcoming to Minnesota a delegation of German smart grid and energy storage companies. Germany is a global leader in smart grid technology and these companies represent some of the latest innovative thinking on how to make the world’s electricity grids smarter, cleaner and better at energy storage.
Global Minnesota corporate member Cozen O’Connor, a leading Minneapolis business law firm with offices across the country, will be our venue partner in Minneapolis. Barbara Mueller, Minnesota’s Honorary Consul for Germany and a Partner at Cozen O’Connor, will be available to welcome the delegation.
While the event is open to all companies, especially those companies active in energy, smart grid and storage technology will benefit from a chance to learn from and possibly partner with these German firms looking at the U.S. market.
Following briefings by the German company representatives, participants will have an opportunity to network with our visitors.
Click here for a flyer about the companies visiting along with their websites.
If you require any accommodations, please contact our Corporate Relations Officer Steve Riedel at sriedel@globalminnesota.org.
Presented in partnership with Cozen O’Connor and the German American Chamber of Commerce.

Hubert H. Humphrey Fellows Welcome Reception
2023-09-19 16:30 - 18:30 | Humphrey School of Public Affairs, Humphrey Forum, 301 19th Ave. S, Rm 105, Minneapolis, 55454
This free event is being held in-person and is open to everyone.
On behalf of the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, we are delighted to extend this special invitation to you! We cordially invite you to join us as we welcome the exceptional 2023-24 cohort of Hubert H. Humphrey Fellows.
The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program has been instrumental in fostering global leadership and promoting positive change in communities worldwide. We are proud to introduce you to this year’s Fellows, a group of outstanding professionals who have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to public service and are currently in prominent leadership positions in their respective countries.
The Fellows, through their dedication and expertise, have made substantial contributions to advancing the well-being of their communities, nations, and the world. Their diverse areas of expertise encompass public administration, governance, education, public health, environmental sustainability, and many others.
To gain insights into the impactful work of the incoming Fellows, we encourage you to explore their bios and learn more about their initiatives in their respective home countries. The Fellows home countries span the globe – Armenia, Honduras, Jordan, Morocco, Pakistan, Palestine, the Philippines, the Slovak Republic, Togo, Ukraine, Uruguay, and Vietnam. You can find all the details on their backgrounds and bios here.
This event will provide an excellent opportunity for networking and fostering meaningful connections with this year’s cohort of Fellows, who will be working and studying in Minnesota for nine months. Join us and help to expand our collective commitment to creating a brighter future through public service and cross-cultural collaboration. Light appetizers and drinks will be served.
If you require an accessibility accommodation, please contact our Events Manager Katie Kelley at kkelley@globalminnesota.org.
Presented in partnership with the Humphrey School of Public Affairs. Thanks to promotional sponsors Books for Africa, Citizens for Global Solutions Minnesota, the Minnesota International NGO Network, and the United Nations Association of Minnesota.

Great Decisions: Famine in the 21st Century
2023-09-20 17:30 - 20:00 | The Woman’s Club of Minneapolis, 410 Oak Grove St, Minneapolis, 55403
This free event is being held in-person and is open to everyone. An optional dinner will start at 7:15 following the presentation. The dinner is $25 for Woman’s Club members and $30 for non-members (plus service fee and taxes).
Fears of global food shortages have followed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has disrupted grain shipments from the major grain producer. But what about countries and regions that were suffering before this impending shortage? How is famine defined, and how is it different from simple food shortages? What, if any, remedies are there?
This program is presented by the Woman’s Club of Minneapolis and is open to ALL.
The Great Decisions program addresses several of the most critical foreign policy issues facing the United States each year and serves as the focal text for discussion groups across the country. Global Minnesota facilitates one of the largest statewide Great Decisions programs in the country by providing access to a roster of local foreign policy experts and to discussion materials produced by the Foreign Policy Association. Join Global Minnesota and the Woman’s Club of Minneapolis for an in-depth discussion of this important topic.
Emily Miller, presenter
Emily Miller is an experienced international development and humanitarian practitioner. She served as Senior Program Coordinator of a two year study in Karamoja, Uganda led by the Feinstein International Center (with funding from the World Bank); and Program Manager for Monitoring and Evaluation, Accountability & Learning (MEAL) with Catholic Relief Services as part of their emergency recovery efforts in response to Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. She’s also held roles at The Alliance to End Hunger and Bread for the World in Washington, DC.
Emily holds a Master’s degree from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, specializing in Human Security and Humanitarian Studies, and a BA in Political Science with a minor in International Studies and Human Rights from the University of Dayton where she earned the Truman Scholarship. She has studied in Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Bangladesh and lived and worked in Uganda and the Philippines. She and her husband relocated to the Twin Cities right in 2020.
If you would like to register, please RSVP to frontdesk@womansclub.org or click the link below.
Register

International Student Day at Mall of America
2023-09-23 11:00 - 14:00 | The Lounge at Mall of America, 60 E Broadway, Bloomington, MN, 55425, United States
This event is being held in-person and is open to international students.
Welcome to Minnesota! Join Global Minnesota and Study Minnesota for a scavenger hunt at the Mall of America. Take the opportunity to connect with other international students from around the Twin Cities while you check out one of the state’s biggest attractions and learn more about programs to support your study abroad experience.
Meet in the Lounge on the second floor to get signed up for our student newsletter, pick up some free gifts, and grab instructions on how to complete the scavenger hunt. Study Minnesota will be handing out free t-shirts to the first students that arrive while supplies last.
Snacks, drinks, and prizes will be provided. We hope to see you there!

Event Highlights

Free snacks and drinks
Free shirts and Mall of America coupon books while supplies last
Scavenger hunt competition for a chance to win Mall of America gift card prizes
Connect with Global Minnesota & other international students

Information about transportation to Mall of America can be found here.
Thanks to partners Mall of America and Study Minnesota for their support for this event.
If you require an accessibility accommodation, please contact our Events Manager Katie Kelley at kkelley@globalminnesota.org.

U.S. Policy Toward Latin America with Ambassador Ayalde
2023-10-03 16:30 - 18:00 | Humphrey School of Public Affairs, Humphrey Forum, 301 19th Ave. S, Rm 105, Minneapolis, 55454
This event is being held in-person and is open to everyone.
Join the Humphrey School of Public Affairs and Global Minnesota for a conversation with former U.S. Ambassador to Brazil and Paraguay, Liliana Ayalde. Ambassador Ayalde will delve into critical topics concerning U.S. policy towards Latin America and the Caribbean. Ambassador Ayalde has held senior leadership positions at the U.S. State Department and USAID, and at the United States Southern Command, and will provide insights into the region’s challenges and opportunities. These include migration and the U.S. southern border, human rights, economic and political development, and Chinese involvement in Latin America.

About Ambassador Ayalde
Ambassador Ayalde retired from the U.S. Foreign Service following a distinguished 38-year career. She held senior positions in the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), dedicating her diplomatic service to foreign affairs, development, defense, and security in Latin America and the Caribbean. Ambassador Ayalde served as the Civilian Deputy to the Commander and Foreign Policy Advisor at the United States Southern Command in Miami until September 2019 and was appointed as the U.S. Ambassador to the Federative Republic of Brazil between 2013-2016. Prior to this appointment she served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs in the Department of State. She was also the Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Latin American and Caribbean Bureau for USAID. Following her assignment as USAID Mission Director in Colombia, where she had responsibility for the development assistance portfolio under Plan Colombia, she was confirmed as the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Paraguay. She also held assignments in Bangladesh, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Bolivia.
Ambassador Ayalde is currently a senior advisor for the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), and serves on several boards such as the Wilson Center’s Latin American Program, the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and IREX, a non-profit organization focused on development, governance and education. She is a member of the American Academy of Diplomacy and serves on the International Advisory Group of Global Americans. She is the recipient of numerous honors and awards, including USAID’s Distinguished Career Award, the Department of State’s Distinguished Service Honor Award, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff’s Joint Distinguished Civilian Service Award, the highest award given to a civilian by the Department of Defense. She was also honored with recognitions by governments in countries she served, including the Order of San Carlos by the Government of Colombia, the Order for Gran Cruz by the Government of Paraguay, and received several recognitions by the Government of Brazil. Ambassador Ayalde earned her B.A. from the School of International Studies at American University in Washington, D.C. and a M.P.H. from Tulane University in Louisiana. She is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese and has a working knowledge of French.
Presented in partnership with Humphrey School of Public Affairs.
Learn More

Global Social with Women Leaders
2023-10-05 17:30 - 19:00 | Wood+Paddle at the Royal Sonesta, 31 S 7th St, Minneapolis, MN, 55402, United States
This event is SOLD OUT. Please contact our Events Manager Katie Kelley at kkelley@globalminnesota.org for any questions.
Don’t miss this special opportunity to meet two impressive delegations of international women leaders: one promoting peace and security and another focused on protecting women and children. These professionals will be meeting with organizations across Minnesota to share their knowledge and experiences. Connect with emerging leaders from over 25 different countries and hear how their examples can inspire women around the world. Network with members of Parliament, media editors, non-profit managers, police commissioners, political party leaders, and academics at Wood+Paddle in the Royal Sonesta Hotel.
Light appetizers and non-alcoholic drinks will be served with alcoholic beverages also available for purchase. Limited free parking is available beneath the hotel.
These groups are visiting Minnesota as part of the U.S. State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program.
International Visitor Leadership Program
The International Visitor Leadership Program is the U.S. Department of State’s premier professional exchange program. Through short-term visits to the United States, current and emerging foreign leaders in a variety of fields experience this country firsthand and cultivate lasting relationships with their American counterparts. Professional meetings reflect the participants’ professional interests and support the foreign policy goals of the United States.
Be a part of this special event for Global Minnesota members and their guests to meet these international visitors and learn about their cultures, countries, and professional work. Space is limited, so secure your registration now.
Want to attend but not yet a member? Check out the many benefits of membership and join today!
Thanks to the Royal Sonesta Hotel for their partnership on this program.
If you require an accessibility accommodation, please contact our Events Manager Katie Kelley at kkelley@globalminnesota.org.

Podcast Episode: Global Business Outlook
2023-10-10 - 2023-10-25
Global Minnesota is launching the inaugural event in a new annual event series designed to provide a snapshot of international business megatrends and insights for Minnesota companies in search of strategies in response. The Global Business Outlook promises to be the premier event for tracking and adapting to global business megatrends and for understanding the risks and opportunities they present. The event will include a keynote presentation about business megatrends, a panel of major Minnesota multinational corporations, and networking with over 100 Minnesota business professionals. Confirmed guests include leadership officials from the US Commercial Service, Greater MSP, the Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce and the Minnesota Consular Corps.
On this episode, hear from the keynote speaker for the Global Business Outlook, John Pournoor, CEO and founder of Government Analytica. His has 35 years of experience working at the intersection of governments and industry. Most recently, he was the VP of Government Affairs for a Fortune 100 multinational, where he engaged policymakers at the federal level, in 29 states and in 37 countries. He has served on numerous boards and has been appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce to the Minnesota District Export Council. John launched Government Analytica out of a passion to unlock the public value of government proposals to inspire policymakers to improve lives. He helps his clients shape the conversation through thought leadership content. He unlocks the policymaker impasse by using his company’s access to data and analytics to show the public value and the greater good of these proposals. Government Analytica has helped companies, advocates, associations, coalitions, commissions, and councils to unlock the public value behind their proposals and receive or save millions of dollars. He is a tireless advocate and volunteer for community-based organizations, including Global Minnesota. He divides his time between Washington DC and Minnesota.

Listen below, or subscribe to our podcast on all major podcast apps.

Hear untold stories of international connections with new monthly episodes by subscribing to The Global Minnesota Podcast. Now available on all podcast streaming apps!
Links
Event Page: Global Business Outlook
Government Analytica
Global Minnesota Corporate Membership

This interview was recorded on September 14, 2023, and will be available for viewing on our Calendar of Events for several weeks. All interviews are archived on our podcast feed and in our Past Events calendar.

2023 China Town Hall
2023-10-11 17:45 - 19:30 | Humphrey School of Public Affairs, Cowles Auditorium, 301 19th Avenue South, Minneapolis, 55455
This event is being held in-person and is open to everyone.
Join us for the 2023 China Town Hall: Local Connections, National Reflections, organized by the National Committee on United States-China Relations and locally hosted by the University of Minnesota China Center and Global Minnesota.
The program will feature a live webcast with Nicholas Burns, current U.S. ambassador to China, followed by an on-site discussion with Duncan J. McCampbell, Associate Professor of International Business and Law at Metropolitan State University. Guests can submit questions for Ambassador Burns in advance using this form.
Program
5:45 p.m. — Welcome and recognition of sponsors
6:00 p.m. — Live webcast featuring Nicholas Burns, U.S. ambassador to China
7:00 p.m. — Local speaker Duncan J. McCampbell, associate professor of international business and law at Metropolitan State University

Speakers
Nicholas Burns
Nicholas Burns is U.S. Ambassador to China. Nominated by President Biden and confirmed by the Senate, he was sworn into office on December 22, 2021.
As Ambassador, he leads a team of experienced, dedicated, and diverse public servants from 47 U.S. government agencies and sub-agencies at the U.S. Mission in China, including at the Embassy in Beijing and at the American Consulates in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Wuhan, and Shenyang. He oversees the Mission’s interaction with the PRC on the full range of political, security, economic, commercial, consular, and many other issues that shape this critical relationship.
Ambassador Burns has had a distinguished career in American diplomacy, serving six U.S. Presidents and nine Secretaries of State over 27 years. His State Department roles have included Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, the State Department’s third-ranking official and most senior career diplomat (2005-2008); U.S. Ambassador to NATO (2001-2005); U.S. Ambassador to Greece (1997-2001); and State Department spokesman (1995-1997). Before that, he worked at the National Security Council at the White House (1990-1995) where he served as Special Assistant to President Clinton and Senior Director for Russia, Ukraine and Eurasia Affairs and as Director for Soviet Affairs for President George H.W. Bush during the collapse of the USSR.
Duncan J. McCampbell
Duncan J. McCampbell is an American lawyer and associate professor of international business and law at Metropolitan State University in Minneapolis. Following a career in private law practice, Prof. McCampbell joined West Publishing (now Thomson Reuters Legal), the world’s largest legal publisher. His work—much of it overseas—involved building new legal publishing businesses in the UK, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Canada, Hong Kong, and Australia. In his last overseas assignment, he was posted to Beijing in 2007 as managing director of TR’s China start-up, Westlaw China.
Leaving business for academia, Prof. McCampbell became a tenured associate professor in the College of Management at Metropolitan State, where he teaches undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral courses in law, international business, and marketing, while serving as department chair. He teaches regularly in China, holding visiting scholar appointments at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, South China University of Technology in Guangzhou, and at Huaihua University and Hunan Institute of Science and Technology in Hunan Province, PRC.
Presented in partnership with The China Center.
Register Here

International Business Roundtable: U.S.-China Relations, De-Risking, and its Impact on Corporate Strategy
2023-10-12 08:30 - 10:00 | Dorsey & Whitney LLP, 50 South Sixth St., Suite 1500, Minneapolis, 55402
Registration now open! This event is being held virtually and in-person and is geared towards those with a business interest in China.
Join Global Minnesota for a discussion about U.S.-China relations and how they are impacting corporate strategy for U.S. and multinational companies. The program will feature a keynote from Amy Celico at Dentons Global Advisors-Albright Stonebridge Group followed by a panel of business and legal leaders discussing how recent developments in U.S.-China relations are driving corporate strategy decisions. The event is offered in partnership with Global Minnesota corporate members Dorsey & Whitney and KPMG.
Topics will include:

Developments in U.S.-China relations, including recent actions taken by both governments that could impact business strategies.
Steps companies are taking to diversify and/or localize China sourcing to stabilize operations, ensure continuity, and minimize the impact of U.S. actions against China.
Legal considerations associated with due diligence limitations in China, as well as restrictions associated with Chinese business activities.

REGISTER
SPEAKERS / PANELISTS
KEYNOTE
Amy Celico,
Partner, Dentons Global Advisors-Albright Stonebridge Group

PANEL DISCUSSION
Lori Riley,
SVP, People, Communication & Legal, Northern Tool + Equipment
Valentin Povarchuk
Sr. Corporate Counsel, Seagate Technology

Nelson Dong,
Of Counsel, Dorsey & Whitney LLP
Jessica Libby, Moderator
Principal, KPMG LLP

Presented in partnership with Dorsey & Whitney LLP, KPMG LLP, the U.S. Commercial Service, and the Minnesota Trade Office.

Great Decisions: Global Economic Warfare
2023-10-18 17:30 - 20:00 | The Woman’s Club of Minneapolis, 410 Oak Grove St, Minneapolis, 55403
This free event is being held in-person and is open to everyone. An optional dinner will start at 7:15 following the presentation. The dinner is $25 for Woman’s Club members and $30 for non-members (plus service fee and taxes).
How useful are sanctions and economic coercion in today’s financial environment? Hear about specific examples of economic warfare measures (i.e., sanctions, trade embargoes, travel restrictions, cyber attacks) taken by the U.S. and other countries, their effectiveness, and their impacts on the lives of citizens in targeted countries. This presentation will explore the theory behind implementing sanctions and will examine the decision-making process used in adopting economic warfare in the U.S. It will also encourage discussion around the question: Should countries always be left with the choice between outright war or the adoption of sanctions, or are other policy alternatives worth considering?
This program is presented by the Woman’s Club of Minneapolis and is open to ALL.
The Great Decisions program addresses several of the most critical foreign policy issues facing the United States each year and serves as the focal text for discussion groups across the country. Global Minnesota facilitates one of the largest statewide Great Decisions programs in the country by providing access to a roster of local foreign policy experts and to discussion materials produced by the Foreign Policy Association. Join Global Minnesota and the Woman’s Club of Minneapolis for an in-depth discussion of this important topic.
Rob Scarlett, presenter
Rob Scarlett has had a 40-year career in international sales and manufacturing; and although still active in business, has shifted more of his time into service as a director and/or advisor to several small and medium-size companies and philanthropic organizations. Shortly after graduating from Carleton College in 1966, he became part of a private NGO team that created some of Latin America’s first microfinance institutions. Building on that experience, he began a decades-long business career that kept him active throughout Latin America, Central America, Mexico,
and the Caribbean.
In recent years, Rob has served on many boards including serving as Board Chair for Global Minnesota and President of Minnesota-Uruguay Partners of the Americas. He grew up in Germany and acquired German as his second language. He later acquired fluency in Spanish and Portuguese and has also lived and worked throughout Europe, South Africa, and most countries in Latin America.
If you would like to register, please RSVP to frontdesk@womansclub.org or click the link below.
Register

Cyprus in Context with Ambassador Doherty
2023-10-19 17:30 - 18:45 | Humphrey School of Public Affairs, Humphrey Forum, 301 19th Ave. S, Rm 105, Minneapolis, 55454
This event is AT CAPACITY. Please reach out to our Events Manager Katie Kelley at kkelley@globalminnesota.org with any questions.
In 1960, Cyprus became independent from the United Kingdom, but its early years were marked by violence between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. The United Nations established a buffer zone in 1964 to diffuse rising tensions. Ten years later, after a Greece-sponsored coup in Cyprus, Turkey sent thousands of troops to the island, citing its right as a guarantor power to do so. Nearly 200,000 Greek Cypriots living in the northern part of the island were forced or fled to the south; 60,000 Turkish Cypriots living in the south did the same to the north. The island and the capital city of Nicosia have been divided since then, despite international attempts to reunify Cyprus. U.N. troops remain to protect the peace, but periodic flare-ups of violence have occurred as recently as August 2023. Join Global Minnesota for a conversation with former U.S. Ambassador to Cyprus, Kathleen Doherty.
Due to its location in the Eastern Mediterranean, Turkey, Greece, the United Kingdom, Russia, the United States and increasingly Israel and China see Cyprus as having strategic geopolitical importance. The island is also known as a favored investment spot, including illicit finance of Russia, China, and others; and now has the highest percentage per capita of refugees in Europe. Given all of these dimensions, is there a diplomatic path forward for a long-term solution? Ambassador Doherty will outline the current status of the Cyprus issue, the obstacles to establishing a permanent solution, and how diplomacy can play a critical role in mediating these tensions.
About Ambassador Doherty:
Ambassador Doherty served in Cyprus from 2015-2019. Before her appointment as Ambassador, Kathleen Doherty, a member of the Senior Foreign Service, served as Deputy Chief of Mission in Rome between September 2013 and September 2015. She previously spent two years as Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, where she had responsibility for managing relations with the European Union and Western Europe. Prior to that, she was the Director for the Office of European Union and Regional Affairs.
Before returning to Washington D.C. in 2010, she was Counselor for Economic Affairs in the U.S. Embassy in London. Her other overseas assignments include Moscow, Rome and the Dominican Republic.
Ambassador Doherty speaks Italian and Spanish and previously Portuguese and Russian, and received one of the Department’s highest honors for her work on U.S.-EU relations. She has a M.Sc from the London School of Economics and a B.A. from Colgate University. She is a member of the Council on Foreign Affairs, a board member of the American Academy of Diplomacy, and a board member of the Women’s Foreign Policy Group.
Presented in partnership with the Humphrey School of Public Affairs.
Thanks to promotional sponsors the Minnesota International NGO Network, and the United Nations Association of Minnesota.
If you require an accessibility accommodation, please contact our Events Manager Katie Kelley at kkelley@globalminnesota.org two weeks ahead of the event.
Listen below to our latest podcast episode to learn more about this event!

Film Screening: Finding Her Beat
2023-10-25 19:15 | Main Cinema, 115 Main St., Minneapolis, MN, 55414, United States
This event is being held in-person and is open to everyone.
Join Global Minnesota, the MSP Film Society, and TaikoArts Midwest for a special screening of the award-winning local film Finding Her Beat on October 25 at The Main Cinema. Bring your friends for this documentary exploration connecting a traditional Japanese musical style with local Minnesota artists. A portion of ticket sales will also go to support Global Minnesota’s programs connecting Minnesota with the world.**
FINDING HER BEAT is a story of a master Japanese drummer and a Korean adoptee from Minnesota who boldly convene an all-female troupe to perform Taiko, the Japanese drumming art that has been off-limits to women for centuries. The group faces down hurdles to prepare for a historic performance in snowy St. Paul. Buoyed by dynamic drum performances and do-or-die spirit, FINDING HER BEAT is an energizing and uplifting story of music, cultural expression, and sisterhood.
View the trailer here.
**Tickets must be for the October 25 show at 7:15pm.
GET TICKETS

Modernizing America's Diplomacy with Ambassador Neumann
2023-10-30 18:00 - 19:00 | Wilder Foundation, 451 Lexington Pkwy N, Saint Paul, MN, 55104, United States
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! This free event is being held in-person and virtually and is open to everyone.
Diplomacy is vital to protecting Americans at home and abroad, advancing the nation’s security interests, and opening markets for American goods. However, this critical resource requires reinvestment and modernization to meet the rising challenge of changing geo-political landscapes and priorities. Central to achieving that objective is enhancing the professional capacity of America’s diplomats to maximize the promotion of U.S. national interests.
While the State Department’s footprint has grown from 41 diplomatic posts throughout the world in 1900 to more than 270 missions today, the need to increase the ability to hire and retain the highest quality individuals continues. In a dynamic and significantly connected world, what does our nation need from those representing us on the diplomatic front? How can the diplomatic corps be prepared for future opportunities and unexpected disruptions? Join Global Minnesota for a conversation with Ambassador and former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Ronald Neumann about his recommendations to modernize America’s diplomacy. Ambassador Neumann will share his personal insights and provide a behind-the-scenes look at diplomacy from his long career representing the United States. The venue is located just off the light rail at the corner of Lexington and University in St. Paul.
SPECIAL OFFER! We will be giving away a FREE ticket to our upcoming Culture through Cuisine: Ecuador at La Mesa to one lucky in-person attendee to Ambassador Neumann’s discussion.
About Ambassador Neumann:
Formerly a Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Ronald E. Neumann served three times as Ambassador; to Algeria, Bahrain and finally to Afghanistan from July 2005 to April 2007. Before Afghanistan, Mr. Neumann, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, served in Baghdad from February 2004 with the Coalition Provisional Authority and then as Embassy Baghdad’s liaison with the Multinational Command, where he was deeply involved in coordinating the political part of military actions.
Prior to working in Iraq, he was Ambassador in Manama, Bahrain (2001-2004), Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Near East Affairs (1997-2000) with responsibility for North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, and Ambassador to Algeria (1994 to 1997). He was Director of the Office of Northern Gulf Affairs (Iran and Iraq; 1991 to 1994). Earlier in his career, he was Deputy Chief of Mission in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and in Sanaa in Yemen, Principal Officer in Tabriz, Iran and Economic/Commercial Officer in Dakar, Senegal. His previous Washington assignments include service as Jordan Desk officer, Staff Assistant in the Middle East (NEA) Bureau, and Political Officer in the Office of Southern European Affairs.
Ambassador Neumann serves as the President at the American Academy of Diplomacy where he has focused particularly on efforts to maintain adequate State and USAID budgets and staffing and upgrade professional formation to enable these institutions to carry out their responsibilities. He is on the Advisory Board of a non-profit girls’ school in Afghanistan, the School of Leadership, Afghanistan (SOLA) and the Advisory Board of Spirit of America. He is on the board of the Middle East Policy Council and the Advisory Council of the World Affairs Councils of America. He speaks some Arabic and Dari as well as French.
Presented in partnership with the American Academy of Diplomacy, the Una Chapman Cox Foundation, and the ASU Leadership, Diplomacy, & National Security Lab.
Thanks to promotional sponsors the Committee on Foreign Relations Minnesota, the Minnesota International NGO Network, and the United Nations Association of Minnesota.
If you require an accessibility accommodation, please contact our Events Manager Katie Kelley at kkelley@globalminnesota.org two weeks ahead of the event.
Listen below to our latest podcast episode to learn more about this event!

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

Podcast Episode: Empowering Minnesota's Youth through Comic Books
2023-11-01 - 2023-11-15
One of Global Minnesota’s key programs is our professional exchanges program. As part of this, we welcome people from around the world to Minnesota to share ideas and best practices with their professional counterparts here to effect real change. The topics explored are as diverse as the visitors themselves, who find their way to Minnesota through a variety of international exchange programs. This past year, Global Minnesota partnered with more than 435 local professional resources to arrange appointments for more than 300 visitors from 137 countries and regions. One such program is the Young Leaders of the America’s Initiative. This State Department program empowers young entrepreneurs to strengthen their capacity to launch and advance their ideas and effectively contribute to social and economic development in their home communities.
On this episode, hear from one of last year’s YLAI Fellows who recently returned to Minnesota to showcase his new projects as part of the State Department’s Citizen Diplomacy Action Fund. Leorian Ricardo is Creative Director at Moro Studio, an arts and publishing studio that is leading the development of the comic book industry and providing professional opportunities for young talent and new, underrepresented voices in the Dominican Republic. He shared his comic book workshops called “Be the Superhero of Your Own Story” at local schools including Gideon Pond Elementary, Nova Classical Academy, and Risen Christ Catholic School and spoke with next generation creators at the Minneapolis College of Art & Design. He was also featured at our recent Global Social with international visitors on October 5th.

Listen below, or subscribe to our podcast on all major podcast apps.

Hear untold stories of international connections with new monthly episodes by subscribing to The Global Minnesota Podcast. Now available on all podcast streaming apps!
Links
Global Minnesota Professional Exchanges
YLAI Program
CDAF Fellowship
Moro Studio Website
This interview was recorded on October 6, 2023, and will be available for viewing on our Calendar of Events for several weeks. All interviews are archived on our podcast feed and in our Past Events calendar.

Get To Know Global Minnesota
2023-11-06 17:30 - 19:00 | Global Minnesota, 1901 University Ave. SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55414
This event is being held in-person and is open to everyone. New members and potential members are encouraged to attend!
Come discover what Global Minnesota has to offer! Visit the Global Minnesota office to learn about our programming, sign up for our weekly newsletters, and learn what membership is all about. Plus, all attendees will receive a $5 discount voucher for any public program for which Global Minnesota is the main sponsor between now and June 30, 2024.**
Snacks, soft drinks, and a door prize will be provided. Metered street parking and ramp parking are available in the surrounding area. We hope to see you there!
**Offer not applicable to partner programs.**

Culture Through Cuisine: Ecuador at La Mesa
2023-11-28 18:00 - 20:00 | La Mesa, 230 Cedar Lake Rd S, Minneapolis, 55405
This event is now SOLD OUT. Please reach out to Katie Kelley at kkelley@globalminnesota.org with any questions.
Located where the equator meets the snowcapped peaks of the Andes and the steamy Amazon jungle in northwestern South America, Ecuador is a compact country with impressive diversity. Enjoy a unique culinary experience with traditional Ecuadorian food from the team at La Mesa. This locally-owned and operated restaurant shares the warmth and beauty of Latin culture through fresh, hand-crafted Ecuadorian and Latin-inspired cuisine in a warm, inviting atmosphere.
Menu
Starter: Locro de Papa – Ecuadorian potato soup with avocado, queso fresco & cilantro garnish
Main: Choice between Hornado (Classic Ecuadorian roasted pork with a llapingacho, mote, aji, tostado and tomato-red onion curtido (gf)) or Veggie Platter (Rice and beans, roasted plantains with queso fresco, avocado, and a llapingacho with aji and tomato-red onion curtido (v/gf)).
Dessert: Tres leches cake
Additional alcoholic and specialty beverages can be purchased during the event. Registration includes the starter, main dish, dessert, tax, and tip.
Please reach out to Katie Kelley at kkelley@globalminnesota.org with any questions, dietary restrictions, or accessibility accommodations. This is a plated meal, so please let us know as soon as possible if you have any dietary restrictions. Dietary requests should be submitted at least 5 days before the event.

Global Business Outlook
2023-11-29 17:30 - 20:00 | 3M Innovation Center, 2350 Minnehaha Ave E, Saint Paul, MN, 55119, United States
Registration is now closed. For questions or last-minute registration, please contact Katie Kelley at kkelley@globalminnesota.org. This event is being held in-person and is open to everyone.
New in 2023: Are you and your business ready for 2024? With so many uncertainties and disruptions in the post-pandemic global economy, which trends are pivotal for your success? Which emerging trends and risks demand your attention? Global Minnesota’s new Global Business Outlook event will address these and other questions on November 29. Building on the success of our annual Foreign Policy Update held every January, this event is business-focused: our inaugural event will explore those global business megatrends that can pose risks—or lead to growth opportunities for Minnesota businesses.
Leading the discussion on global megatrends is Dr John Pournoor, CEO of Government Analytica. John’s keynote will focus on his annual 2024 Top 12 Global Megatrends.
The keynote is followed by an elite panel of Global Minnesota Corporate Members. Representatives from leading multinationals will share their insights and recommendations on how companies can pivot from risk to opportunity.
Panel Discussion:

Cargill: Cedric Garrigues, Global Head Corporate Strategy
Medtronic: Brett Knappe, Vice President, Global Regions Strategy
Ecolab: Sam Hsu, Executive Vice President – Strategic Planning
Moderator: Lori McDougal, Global Minnesota Board Member, formerly senior executive at United Health

Ever wonder how 3M has managed to innovate solutions in virtually every sector of our economy? The guided tour of 3M’s spectacular Innovation Center is now at capacity to see the incredible range of 3M breakthroughs in material science and product innovation. Small group tours will be scheduled in batches from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. prior to the main event.
After the event, enjoy exceptional networking with Global Minnesota corporate members and members of Minnesota’s international business community. Cost of registration includes light appetizers and a beverage.
Raise your company’s global profile and unlock premier marketing opportunities by sponsoring this event!
Thanks to promotional supporters Minnesota Africans United, the Minnesota Consular Corps, Minnesota International Business Council, the Minnesota Trade Office, the United Nations Association of Minnesota, and the U.S. Commercial Service.
If you require an accommodation, please contact our Events Manager Katie Kelley at kkelley@globalminnesota.org two weeks ahead of the event.
Listen to our latest podcast episode to learn more about this event!
﻿

Podcast Episode: Life as an Ambassador with Kathleen Doherty
2023-12-01 - 2023-12-31
Earlier this year, Global Minnesota had the honor of welcoming the former U.S. Ambassador to Cyprus, Kathleen Doherty, for an in-depth public conversation about the unique situation of this divided Mediterranean island. She provided an excellent summary of the static conflict in this region and what it means for all of us here at home, as well as the wider world abroad. You can catch that recording here.
On this episode, hear Ambassador Doherty continue the conversation about her diplomatic career, careers in the foreign service, and a behind-the-scenes look at life as an Ambassador.
Listen below, or subscribe to our podcast on all major podcast apps.

Hear untold stories of international connections with new monthly episodes by subscribing to The Global Minnesota Podcast. Now available on all podcast streaming apps!
Links
Event Recording: Cyprus in Context
Ambassador Doherty Bio
This interview was recorded on November 14, 2023, and will be available for viewing on our Calendar of Events for several weeks. All interviews are archived on our podcast feed and in our Past Events calendar.

2023 WorldQuest International Trivia Competition
2023-12-07 18:00 - 20:30 | Science Museum of Minnesota, 120 W Kellogg Blvd, Saint Paul, MN, 55102, United States
This event is being held in-person and is open to everyone. This event is now SOLD OUT. Please email Events Manager Katie Kelley at kkelley@globalminnesota.org with any questions.
Do you have what it takes to be Minnesota’s next global trivia champion? Join us for the 2023 Community WorldQuest competition on December 7! Gather your friends to assemble a team for our popular annual battle of international wits. Topics will feature national flags, capitals, geography, people in the news, current events, and topics from our Global Connect newsletter. Study up on past issues of the Global Connect here!
Space is limited, so sign up today. Don’t have a team? Don’t worry. Register as an individual and we’ll pair you up with amazing teammates.

Event Details

Registration is available for teams of up to 8 or individuals who want to be placed on a team.
Discount for Global Minnesota members (at least one participant on a team needs to be a member to receive member group rate).
New location: Science Museum of Minnesota, Elements Cafe
MPR’s Tom Crann will be returning as Emcee!
Winning teams will receive bragging rights and door prizes. Best Team Spirit will be awarded as well.
Check-in and dinner will start at 6:00 pm with the competition kicking off at 7:00 pm. A cash bar will be available.
High school, college and university students can play for a discounted price. Please enter your school name in the form below.
Individual Registration Cost: $35 students, $40 Global Minnesota Members, $50 non-members
This year, the competition will be conducted via MyQuiz. Scoring is automatic and final.
Parking: $10 in the lot under the Museum. Nearby lots and street parking are also options.

Thanks to event sponsor Horton Inc.!
If you require an accessibility accommodation, please contact Events Manager Katie Kelley at kkelley@globalminnesota.org two weeks ahead of the event.

Podcast Episode: Life as an Ambassador with Ronald Neumann
2023-12-20 - 2024-01-04
Earlier this year, Global Minnesota had the honor of welcoming the former U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan, Algeria, and Bahrain, Ronald Neumann, for an in-depth public conversation about the critical need to modernize the State Department. He provided a comprehensive summary of ways in which we can better support our diplomats abroad, and the implications of this important work here at home. You can catch that recording here.
On this episode, hear Ambassador Neumann continue the conversation about his diplomatic career, careers in the foreign service, and a behind-the-scenes look at life as an Ambassador.
Listen below, or subscribe to our podcast on all major podcast apps.

Hear untold stories of international connections with new monthly episodes by subscribing to The Global Minnesota Podcast. Now available on all podcast streaming apps!
Links
Event Recording: Modernizing America’s Diplomacy
Ambassador Neumann Bio
American Academy of Diplomacy
America’s Other Army (Book)
American Diplomat (Podcast)
The General and the Ambassador (Podcast)
This interview was recorded on November 10, 2023, and will be available for viewing on our Calendar of Events for several weeks. All interviews are archived on our podcast feed and in our Past Events calendar.

SDG Roundtable: Tools to Envision a Restorative Future
2024-01-11 09:00 - 11:00 | Sunrise Banks Corporate Headquarters, 2525 Wabash Ave., St. Paul, MN, 55114
This free event is being held in-person and virtually and is open to everyone.
We all plan ahead. Companies and organizations set sustainability goals with a combination of short-term and long-term targets. But what about very long-term goals? The United Nations SDG goals reach out to the year 2050 and beyond. What does the road look like– and what tools are available– for such long-range thinking and planning? And how do we set a course that is not only sustainable but restorative?
Join us January 11 when nationally recognized futurist Trista Harris will keynote the next Sustainable Development Goals Roundtable offering some answers to these questions. Trista is the president of FutureGood, a consultancy that helps visionary leaders build a better future. She speaks internationally about using the tools of futurism in the social sector.
The event will also feature additional experts on sustainable–and restorative–development. You’ll hear cases and examples from around the world on how it’s possible to envision solutions 30 or more years into the future.
You’ll come away with a better understanding of why now is a good time to look at the future–and how to envision the impact of your own work 30 or more years from now.
Global Minnesota is pleased to partner with corporate member Sunrise Banks in hosting this event. Laura Wildenborg, Fintech Innovation Manager for Sunrise Banks, will share the role banks can play in facilitating organizations to achieve their future sustainability goals.
As a socially responsible bank, Sunrise’s mission is to empower financial wellness through innovation. The bank focuses on positive community engagement with ethical banking and partners with like-minded companies to extend its mission nationally and around the world. Sunrise is a certified B Corporation, a certified Community Development Financial Institution and member of the Global Alliance for Banking on Values.
Event Speakers:

Keynote: Trista Harris, President, FutureGood
Panelist: Tim Roman, CEO, Ecotone Analytics
Panelist: Ken Smith, CEO, EverGreen Energy
Panelist: Laura Wildenborg, Fintech Innovation Manager, Sunrise Banks
Moderator: Bjorgvin Saevarsson, Founder, Yorth Group

If you require any accommodations, please contact our Corporate Relations Officer Steve Riedel at sriedel@globalminnesota.org.
Corporate Member Resources: Open the link to see how Global Minnesota corporate members offer expertise, services, or technology that can help with your organization’s sustainability goals.
Thanks to promotional supporter the United Nations Association of Minnesota.
If you are registering for this event from outside the United States, please go here.
