Global Minnesota

SDG Roundtable - Spring 2021
2021-06-08 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago)
A number of Minnesota citizen groups use the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals as a “North Star” to help guide their work. Our previous SDG Roundtable presentations featured a number of these groups, including West Central Initiative Fund, GHR Foundation, Ecotone, United Way, and Sundance Family Foundation.
This SDG Roundtable features the Shreya R. Dixit Memorial Foundation, a Minnesota advocacy group that works to increase road safety by advocating for laws, corporate policies, and individual commitments to eliminate the use of cell phones while driving. Their success – at the legislature and with major Minnesota companies – has expanded their mission to work with high school students, creating Distraction-Free Life clubs. They also incorporate the SDG 3.6 goal, reducing injuries and fatalities related to road crashes by half by 2030, into their work.
Vijay Dixit, co-founder and board chair of the Shreya R. Dixit Memorial Foundation, will present the history of the foundation and how the incorporation of SDG 3.6 related activities will help guide its future.

Presented in partnership with United Nations Association of Minnesota and Shreya R. Dixit Memorial Foundation.

Empowering Trade with Africa Through Agriculture
2021-06-12 13:00 - 15:30
In partnership with Minnesota Africans United and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, join us for a webinar focused on trade and agriculture in Africa.
The webinar will feature keynote speaker Dr. Kemba Marshall, Director, Land O’ Lakes Purina Animal Nutrition Center, Veterinary Services, and international guest speaker, Lizette Echobei, Founder of Nulla Farms in Cameroon, who will share her story and involvement in farming in Cameroon.
We’ll also hear from African entrepreneurs and farmers in Minnesota as they share insight into their organic farming journey, including the challenges and successes in providing healthy and safe food to communities while advancing Minnesota’s economic prosperity, and from experts in the field who will discuss the resources available in support of African farmers in Minnesota and in Africa.
Speakers include Global Minnesota President Mark Ritchie, and representatives from Nulla Group, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Land O’Lakes, Naima Farms, Kilimo Minnesota, Afro Connects, Global Empowerment, AgThrive, Afro Connections, and others.
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Presented in partnership with Minnesota Africans United and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, as well as AgThrive, Land O’Lakes, Naima Farms, and the Somali American Farmers Association.

70th Anniversary Virtual Gala
2021-06-18 18:30 - 20:00
Thank you to our Committee Chairs: Melissa and Uri Camarena; to our Committee: Karen Cooley-Kistler, Lili Hall Scarpa, Cheryl Meyer, Laura Robinson, Kaimay Yuen Terry, and Kay Thomas; and to our Honorary Co-Chairs: Sheila and Michael Bonsignore, Thomas and Phyllis Colwell, David and Margene Fox, Leni and David Moore, Susan and David Plimpton, Robert and Sibylle Scarlett, and Katherine and Lawrence Youngblood.
Sponsorships are nonrefundable and largely tax deductible (view details here). Donors wishing to waive benefits and take full tax deductibility may do so by checking the appropriate box below.

Global Conversations DIGITAL: Persian Gulf Security Issues
2021-06-23 12:00 - 13:00
The Persian Gulf remains tense as the rivalry between the regional powers of Saudi Arabia and Iran continues. Tensions escalated in early 2020 as the United States began to intervene in the Gulf, launching an airstrike that killed two Iranian military commanders.
Join us for this free Global Conversations as we discuss the historical influences that have led to tensions in the Persian Gulf and what role, if any, the United States should play. We’ll hear from John Radsan, professor at Mitchell Hamline School of Law, and Colonel Patricia G. Baker, Ed.D. who served two military tours in the region for extended periods of time.

About the Speakers
John Radsan is a professor at Mitchell Hamline School of Law in Saint Paul, Minnesota, where he teaches comparative counterterrorism, constitutional law, criminal law, criminal procedure, evidence, and national security. He is a former federal prosecutor and a former assistant general counsel at the Central Intelligence Agency. His combination of law enforcement experience and intelligence community experience gives him a unique perspective within the legal academy. John’s scholarship on extending the rule of law to intelligence activities has appeared as book chapters and in many journals including the Cardozo Law Review, the Illinois Law Review, the Iowa Law Review, the Journal of National Security Law & Policy, the Michigan Journal of International Law, and the Texas Law Review. He has testified before the House Judiciary Committee concerning the legal implications of the destruction of CIA interrogation tapes and provided a written statement to the House Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs concerning the legality of armed drones. During his government career, John served on legal assistance projects in Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. In addition, he has taught courses in Chile, England, Ireland, Russia, and Turkey. Between his assignments with the Justice Department and the CIA, he managed the Iran Commercial Initiative for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and served as a consultant to Search for Common Ground and the American-Iranian Council. He graduated with honors from Duke University and Harvard Law School.
Colonel Patricia Baker is a career military officer with more than 29 years of service including two combat tours in Iraq. Her first tour as a commander encompassed the first year of Operation Iraqi Freedom from March 2003 to March 2004. As the command and control unit commander in the 4th Infantry Division, Colonel Baker’s primary duties were flight missions for diplomats and strategic military leaders. Upon returning to Iraq for a second tour, Colonel Baker was assigned to the aircrew of Ambassador Crocker from September 2008 to May 2009. Again, her primary duties included flight missions for US and Iraqi diplomats, as well as strategic military leaders. Currently, she is the Chief Financial and Property Officer to the Minnesota Air and Army National Guard charged with oversight of assets and funds of the Minnesota National Guard. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation from the University of North Dakota, a Master of Science in Management from Marquette University, and doctorate in Education from the University of Minnesota. Colonel Baker is a UH-60 [Blackhawk] rated helicopter pilot and a 2019 U.S. Army War College Fellow with the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy of Tufts University.
Presented in partnership with the Friends of the Minneapolis Central Library, Hennepin County Library – Minneapolis Central, Landmark Center, Edina Senior Center, Friends of the Edina Library, Minneapolis Public Schools Community Education, Plymouth Library, and Washburn Library.
If you are registering for this event from outside the United States, please go here. If you are registering from inside the United States, please use the form below.

Brazil and the United States: Bilateral Relations and Trade Opportunities
2021-07-08 10:00 - 11:00
Join us for a business webinar for a look at bilateral relations and trade opportunities between Brazil and the United States, presented by the Brazil-Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.
Hear from featured speaker Ambassador Nestor Forster Jr., Brazilian Ambassador to the United States, with an introduction by Gabrielle Gerbaud, Executive Director, Minnesota Trade Office & Chief Protocol Officer, State of Minnesota.
The program will be moderated by Jeffrey Hanson, President, Brazil-Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.
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Presented in partnership with the Brazil-Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and Minnesota Trade Office.

Lunch & Learn with Mandela Washington Fellows
2021-07-16 11:00 - 12:15
Join us for a free event for Global Minnesota members! Our new Lunch & Learn series continues with a virtual visit with 25 scholars participating in the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders.
Learn about their professional work, countries, and cultures! The program will include small group breakout sessions with the Fellows.
Biographies of Fellows

The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is the flagship program of the U.S. Government’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). Established in 2014, the Mandela Washington Fellowship has brought nearly 4,400 young leaders from every country in Sub-Saharan Africa to the United States for academic and leadership training. The Fellows, between the ages of 25 and 35, are accomplished innovators and leaders in their communities and countries.
Register to engage in this exciting opportunity. Not a member? Join today!
Presented in partnership with the University of Minnesota Humphrey School of Public Affairs.

SDG Roundtable: Summer 2021
2021-07-27 12:00 - 13:00
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a United Nations plan to build a better world for people and our planet by 2030. These goals recognize that ending poverty must go hand-in-hand with strategies that build economic growth, address social needs such as education, health, and equality, and tackle climate challenges by working to preserve oceans and forests.
Hear from Karen Brown, Director, Interdisciplinary Center for the Study of Global Change and Katey Pelican, DVM, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Department of Veterinary Population Medicine as they discuss the full range of SDG-related activities happening throughout the University of Minnesota.
If you are registering for this event from outside the United States, please click here. If you are registering from inside the United States, please use the form below.

Global Book Club: The Heartbeat of Iran
2021-08-04 12:00 - 13:00
In her new book, “The Heartbeat of Iran: Real Voices of A Country and Its People,” award-winning journalist, author, and humanitarian Tara Kangarlou offers an intimate look at the lives of ordinary Iranians through a series of personal stories. They are stories filled with intimacy and irony that guide the reader through the nuances of life in Iran and offer a glimpse at Iranians who belong to an international community.
Join us for a virtual conversation with Tara Kangarlou as she discusses, “The Heartbeat of Iran” and the stories that fill its pages. The program will be moderated by Global Minnesota President Mark Ritchie.
“The Heartbeat of Iran” is available for purchase through Magers & Quinn Booksellers.
About the Speaker
Tara Kangarlou is an award-winning journalist who previously worked for NBC-LA, CNN, and Al Jazeera America. Her writing and reporting have also appeared in TIME, Vanity Fair, Al Monitor, and the Huffington Post. Tara has spent much time in the Middle East covering the ongoing Syrian conflict – in particular the Syrian refugee crisis and the MENA region at large. As a result of her work in the field, in 2016 Tara founded Art of Hope – the first U.S. nonprofit that’s strictly focused on providing trauma-relief and mental health support through Art Therapy for Syrian refugees and vulnerable host communities in Lebanon. After nearly four years of reporting and writing, her debut book The Heartbeat of Iran was released on June 1, 2021.
If you are registering for this event from outside the United States, please click here. If you are registering from inside the United States, please use the form below.
Presented in partnership with TeamWomen.
Photo credit: Tara Kangarlou

The Impact of Diplomacy and Development on Minnesota
2021-08-10 13:30 - 14:30
Presented by the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition, join us for a virtual town hall discussion with Representative Tom Emmer on how investments in America’s international affairs programs impact U.S. national security and Minnesota’s economy.
From combatting the global COVID-19 pandemic to supporting Minnesota exports and cultural exchanges, Rep. Emmer will talk about the importance of U.S. global engagement.
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Presented in partnership with the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition and MINN Minnesota International NGO Network.

Book Talk: Skiing Into the Bright Open, by Liv Arnesen
2021-08-12 18:00 - 20:00 | Norway House, 913 East Franklin Ave., Minneapolis, MN, 55404
Presented by Norway House, join us for a free virtual and in-person discussion with Norway House’s 2020 Going Viking Honoree Liv Arnesen as she presents her new book “Skiing Into the Bright Open,” which details her solo journey to the South Pole.
A tale of solitary adventure in the bleak and beautiful bone-chilling cold of Antarctica, “Skiing into the Bright Open” tells a story of gritty determination, thrilling achievement, and perseverance in the face of near despair and daunting odds; it is, ultimately, an object lesson in the power of a dream if one is willing to pursue it to the ends of the earth.
Following the presentation will be a moderated discussion and Q&A session with Liv led by Global Minnesota President Mark Ritchie.
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Copies of “Skiing Into the Bright Open” will be available for purchase at the event.
Presented in partnership with Norway House.

Afghanistan — Inside Out: A Conversation with Mark Ward & Zaher Wahab
2021-09-02 14:00 - 15:00
After nearly 20 years of war and a U.S. military withdrawal, the ground situation in Afghanistan has become increasingly uncertain and unstable for civilians as the government collapsed at the feet of the Taliban insurgents. Even before Kabul fell to the Taliban, evacuations were difficult given the volatile conditions and securing the safe departure of those seeking to flee is a race against time.
Join us in partnership with WorldOregon as we hear from Mark Ward, a 30-year diplomatic veteran and Director of the Syria Transition Assistance and Response Team at the U.S. Department of State, and Zaher Wahab, Professor Emeritus at Lewis & Clark College and educator at the American University of Afghanistan, as they discuss the rapidly evolving situation in Afghanistan and what society looks like under Taliban rule.
The program will be presented via Zoom.
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About the Speakers
Mark Ward is a retired career diplomat who recently left Afghanistan where he was country director for the International Medical Corps for two years after leaving the U.S. Department of State State Department. Ward is now living in Corvallis. He was also previously Country Director for the International Medical Corps in Afghanistan, ran the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance at USAID, and was Special Advisor on Development to the Special Representative of the Secretary General for the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan.
Zaher Wahab taught for many years at Lewis & Clark College and more recently was living in Kabul and teaching at American University of Afghanistan. He served as a senior advisor to the Minister of Higher Education in Afghanistan for five years from 2002-2007 He served as a senior advisor to the Minister of Higher Education in Afghanistan for five years from 2002-2007, and was instrumental in designing and teaching in the only Masters Degree program for teacher education faculty throughout Afghanistan.
Presented in partnership with WorldOregon.

Global Conversations DIGITAL: The Two Koreas
2021-09-22 18:00 - 19:00
The Korean Peninsula is facing a defining era. Attempts by South Korean President Moon Jae-in and former U.S. President Donald Trump to repair the rift between North and South lost momentum as Pyongyang continued to test long-range missiles for its nuclear weapons program. As the rift between the U.S. and China grows further, South Korea may end up in the middle of the two superpowers.
Join speaker Dr. Raymond Kuo, Political Scientist with the RAND Corporation, and expert in international security and East Asia, as he discusses what the future holds for U.S.-Korea relations.
About the Speaker
Dr. Raymond Kuo is a Political Scientist at the RAND Corporation and an expert in international security and East Asia. Previously, he was the Executive Director of the Midwest International Policy Institute. Previously, Dr. Kuo was a tenure-track professor at Fordham University and the University at Albany, SUNY, and has also worked for the United Nations, the International Center for Transitional Justice, and others. He has two forthcoming books: “Following the Leader: International Order, Alliance Strategies, and Emulation,” and “Contests of Initiative: Confronting China’s Gray Zone Strategy.” Dr. Kuo’s other research has appeared in International Security, the Journal of Conflict Resolution, The National Interest, and The Diplomat, among others. Dr. Kuo hold a Ph.D. from Princeton University, an M.Sc. from the London School of Economics, and a B.A. from Wesleyan University.
Presented in partnership with the Friends of the Minneapolis Central Library, Hennepin County Library – Minneapolis Central, Landmark Center, Edina Senior Center, Friends of the Edina Library, Minneapolis Public Schools Community Education, Plymouth Library, and Washburn Library.
If you are registering for this event from outside the United States, please go here. If you are registering from inside the United States, please use the form below.

Global Trade Virtual Conference 2021
2021-09-24 09:00 - 14:30
Presented by Minnesota Africans United, join us for a virtual conference on the U.S.-Africa trade partnership.
Under the theme “Light up Ahead – Burgeoning Opportunities of Trade in Africa,” the conference will focus on trade and investment opportunities within agriculture and health care between the U.S. and Africa.
The conference will feature keynote speaker Her Excellency Dr. Joyce Banda, former President of the Republic of Malawi.
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Presented in partnership with Minnesota Africans United, Prosper Africa, and Bremer Bank.

Global Book Club: The Dissent Channel - American Diplomacy in a Dishonest Age
2021-10-04 12:00 - 13:00
In her new book, “The Dissent Channel: American Diplomacy in a Dishonest Age,” author and former diplomat Elizabeth Shackelford recounts her assignment in South Sudan, and offers a firsthand example of devolving state of U.S. foreign policy and accountability around the world. Winner of the 2020 Douglas Dillon Award for a Book of Distinction on the Practice of American Diplomacy, “The Dissent Channel” exposes a foreign policy driven more by inertia than principles, to suit short-term political needs over long-term strategies.
Join us for a virtual conversation with former U.S. Foreign Service Officer Elizabeth Shackelford as she discusses, “The Dissent Channel” and her experience as a diplomat during the precarious rise and devastating fall of the world’s newest country, South Sudan.

About the Speaker
Elizabeth Shackelford is a senior fellow in U.S. foreign policy with the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. She was a career diplomat with the U.S. Department of State until December 2017, when she resigned in protest of the Trump administration. Her resignation letter was the first to draw widespread attention to the declining state of diplomacy under Donald Trump. As a Foreign Service Officer, Elizabeth served in Somalia, Kenya, South Sudan, Poland, and Washington, D.C. For her work in South Sudan during the outbreak of civil war in 2013, she received the Barbara Watson Award for Consular Excellence, the State Department’s highest honor for consular work. Elizabeth is the author of The Dissent Channel: American Diplomacy in a Dishonest Age, winner of the 2020 Douglas Dillon Book Award. Her op-eds and commentary have been published in numerous outlets including Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times, and Slate. She has a BA from Duke University and a JD from the University of Pittsburgh.
If you are registering for this event from outside the United States, please go here. If you are registering from inside the United States, please use the form below.

9th Annual Cine Latino Film Festival
2021-10-08 | Main Cinema, 115 Main St., Minneapolis, MN, 55414, United States
Showcasing some of the best new films from U.S. Latino, Latin American, and Iberian filmmakers, Cine Latino celebrates the rich filmmaking histories and cutting-edge film industries of these regions. This year’s Cine Latino will also honor and highlight the African impact on and contributions to Latin American and Ibero history and culture through a special focus on Afro-Latino films.
Presented as a hybrid festival, Cine Latino will include lively in-person events and screenings, engaging filmmaker conversations, and as Cine Latino at Home/en Casa virtual cinema platform.
LEARN MORE
Use promo code GLOBALCL21 to receive a discount.
Cine Latino is presented by the MSP Film Society. Global Minnesota is proud to be a sponsor of Cine Latino.

World Food Day 2021 Virtual Symposium
2021-10-15
Join our World Food Day symposium live stream below for a closer look at the world’s food systems and how we can build a better food future together.

The symposium includes presentations from leading international, national, and local experts on the impacts of climate change, global conflict, and COVID-19 on the world’s agri-food system and the transformation needed to create a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient food future for the world.
The symposium is presented on Global Minnesota’s YouTube channel. To enable closed-captioning during the live stream program, follow instructions for use with Google Chrome.
Speakers and Presenters

Agenda

Thank You to World Food Day 2021 Sponsors

Gold Sponsors – Hormel Foods Corporation, Land O’Lakes Inc., McKnight Foundation
Silver Sponsors – Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota, Regenerative Agriculture Foundation

Thank you to promotional partners: Agriculture & Trade Policy, Books for Africa, Conflict Cuisine, Eating City, Food Tank, Global Ties U.S., GREATER MSP, International Relations Council, Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture, Minnesota Women’s Press, MyFormulary Health, Public Diplomacy Council, Second Harvest Heartland, Social Gastronomy Movement, South Dakota World Affairs Council, United Nations Association of Minnesota (UNA-MN), and Upstate International and World Affairs Council Upstate.
If you are registering for this event from outside the United States, please click here. If you are registering from inside the United States, please use the form below.

11th Annual Cyber Security Summit
2021-10-25 - 2021-10-27
Join us for the virtual 11th Annual Cyber Security Summit, a premier event to meet with and learn from top leaders in cybersecurity from 39 states and more than 20 countries.
Under this year’s theme, “Power and Peril of Connection,” Summit content will address today’s cybersecurity challenges head on while keeping an eye on emerging threats. The robust agenda features more than 100 powerful sessions with leading edge cybersecurity leaders who will reveal what’s working to counter threats, what’s amiss, and how you can maximize the Power and avoid the Peril of Connection.
Use promo code GM to receive a 40% discount on registration now through September 24.
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The summit will be presented as a virtual event.
Global Minnesota is a marketing partner of the Cyber Security Summit.

International Roundtable: Changing Landscape of Sustainability
2021-10-28 10:00 - 11:30
Join a panel discussion with business leaders regarding sustainability and how Minnesota businesses and civil organizations are embracing their role in moving the sustainability movement forward.
Topics

Understanding how sustainability is woven into today’s business environment
Discussion of how businesses are viewing sustainability commitments as a business imperative
Understanding U.S. tax and legal developments tied to sustainability developments

Speakers
Monica J. Gorman – Keynote Speaker
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Manufacturing, Industry & Analysis, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce
Gayle Schueller – Keynote Speaker
Senior VP and Chief Sustainability Officer, 3M
Nick Reinke – Panelist
Senior Manager, Strategy and Market, Land O’Lakes, Inc.
David Reiling – Panelist
Chief Executive Officer, Sunrise Banks & Chairman Global Alliance for Banking on Values
Matt McNeil – Panelist
Principal, KPMG LLP
Troy Keller – Panelist
Partner, Dorsey & Whitney LLP
Jessica Libby – Moderator
Principal, KPMG LLP
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Presented in partnership with Dorsey & Whitney LLP, KPMG LLP, and the Minnesota Trade Office.

On Exhibit: "When Minnesota Fed the Children of Europe"
2021-11-09
A special exhibit at MSP Airport notes the contributions of Minnesota to hunger relief in Europe during and after World War I. The exhibit is available for viewing into fall of 2021.
During World War I, many people in Europe faced starvation due to the German occupation and British blockade. In response, a Commission for Relief in Belgium was created to help feed children and mothers in Belgium and northern France. More than half of the food aid that went to Europe was wheat and wheat flour, much of it coming from the farmers and flour mills of Minnesota. This hunger relief effort became one of the largest humanitarian efforts in history, feeding more than 150 million Europeans from France to Russia between 1914 and 1923.
Children from Belgium sent letters of gratitude to American children. A selection of these letters has been translated and used to create a powerful exhibit shown across the United States.
Presented in partnership with the Consulate General of Belgium in New York City, the Embassy of Belgium, the French American Chamber of Commerce of Minnesota, the Mall of America, Wafels & Dinges, and Wallonia-Brussels International (WBI).

SDG Roundtable: Fall 2021
2021-11-10 12:00 - 13:00
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a United Nations plan to build a better world for people and our planet by 2030. These goals recognize that ending poverty must go hand-in-hand with strategies that build economic growth, address social needs such as education, health, and equality, and tackle climate challenges by working to preserve oceans and forests.
Hear from Nicholas S. Deychakiwsky, Senior Program Officer in Civil Society at the Mott Foundation, as he discusses why a large, private philanthropic organization such as the Mott Foundation believes that the SDGs have relevance to its local partnerships and how using the SDGs in their work advances their mission to achieve a just, equitable, and sustainable society.

About the Speaker
Nick Deychakiwsky is a Senior Program Officer at the Mott Foundation working in two Civil Society program areas: Enhancing Community Philanthropy and Strengthening Civic Space. In late 1990, Deychakiwsky moved to Ukraine, where he worked in various roles supporting democratic and economic reform before joining the Mott Foundation in 2000. Working in the Foundation’s former Prague office, he was responsible for grantmaking in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova until late 2006. He subsequently managed U.S. and global nonprofit/philanthropic sector infrastructure and community philanthropy grantmaking. Since 2016, Deychakiwsky has served as a board member for the United Philanthropy Forum. Deychakiwsky earned a Master of Business Administration from Columbia University and worked for Mobil Oil as a supply analyst before returning to school to study music and obtain a master’s degree in choral conducting.
Presented in partnership with the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation.
If you are registering for this event from outside the United States, please go here.

Lunch & Learn with Humphrey Fellows
2021-12-01 12:00 - 13:00
Join us for an exclusive, free event for Global Minnesota members! Our Lunch & Learn series continues with a virtual visit with Hubert H. Humphrey Fellows.
Hear from Marlon Bockarie-Konteh of the Ministry of Youth Affairs in Sierra Leone, and Christina Ruhinda of the Tanzania Network of Legal Aid Providers, as they share more about their professional work, countries, and cultures! The program will include time for Q&A with the Fellows.
The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program brings accomplished mid-career professionals from developing designated nations and emerging democracies to the United States for a year of academic study, related professional experience, and cultural exchange. Fellows learn about the U.S. cultural, political, and economic systems and further develop a sense of the global context in which they and their countries operate.
This program will be presented on Zoom.
Register to engage in this exciting opportunity. Not a member? Join today!
Presented in partnership with the University of Minnesota Humphrey School of Public Affairs.

2021 WorldQuest International Trivia - Virtual Competition
2021-12-02 19:00 - 20:30
Our popular and fun WorldQuest international trivia event returns this year as a VIRTUAL competition!
Gather with others or play on your own and join us for a lively evening of trivia that will test your world knowledge. Challenging new questions will cover flags, capitals, geography, people in the news, and current events. We’re also excited to welcome back Tom Crann, host of All Things Considered for MPR News, as emcee.
Event Details

The event will be virtual – presented on Zoom and played on Kahoot!
Be prepared to play by downloading the free Kahoot! app on your mobile device. Learn how to get started.
Prizes for the top three winners and Spirit competition will be awarded.
Spirit Competition: Send a photo or record a short, fun video (1-1:30 min.) showing your best WorldQuest spirit! Submit your photo video no later than November 26, 2021, using WeTransfer and enter okrohn+awq@globalminnesota.org in the email field. Entries will be judged on creativity!

Early-Bird Pricing – Extended!
Enjoy early-bird pricing of $5 for members/students and $15 for nonmembers.
Presented in partnership with the University of Minnesota’s Global Programs and Strategy Alliance.
If you are registering for this event from outside the United States, please click here. If you are registering from inside the United States, please use the form below.

Global Conversations DIGITAL: A Report from COP26
2021-12-15 18:00 - 19:00
The recent UN COP26 summit in Glasgow, Scotland, brought together world leaders, climate experts, advocates, and more to accelerate action towards climate goals that protect our planet and ensure a greener, more resilient future for all.
With Minnesota as one of the fastest-warming states in the U.S., according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, our future is at the center of climate change action.
Join us for a timely discussion with climate experts in Minnesota who attended COP26 as they report on developments from the summit and what they mean for our state.
Speakers

Ashley Fairbanks, Creative Director, 100% Campaign
Bella Garrioch, COP26 Support Intern, Climate Generation: A Will Steger Legacy
Jessica J. Hellmann, Director & Ecolab Chair for Environmental Leadership, Institute on the Environment, University of Minnesota
Rep. Frank Hornstein, Minnesota House of Representatives
Roopali Phadke, Professor of Environmental Studies, Macalester College

Presented in partnership with Climate Generation: A Will Steger Legacy, Friends of the Minneapolis Central Library, Hennepin County Library – Minneapolis Central, Landmark Center, Edina Senior Center, Friends of the Edina Library, Minneapolis Public Schools Community Education, Plymouth Library, and Washburn Library.
If you are registering for this event from outside the United States, please click here. If you are registering from inside the United States, please use the form below.

2022 U.S. Foreign Policy Update
2022-01-19 18:00 - 19:30
Join us for the insightful and popular annual U.S. Foreign Policy Update with Diplomat in Residence and former career Foreign Service Officer, Tom Hanson. Tom will explore and discuss the latest foreign policy developments, trends, and challenges facing the U.S. including a look at President Joe Biden’s first year in office and the continued global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The program will be presented virtually only on Zoom. The evening will include a Q&A session with Tom, moderated by Molly Hayes Baril, Great Decisions speaker and former foreign affairs officer.
About Tom Hanson
Tom Hanson currently serves as Diplomat in Residence at the Alworth Institute for International Affairs at the University of Minnesota – Duluth. His U.S. Foreign Service 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. A member of Global Minnesota’s Great Decisions advisory committee, Tom speaks frequently on international issues and contributes to local and international media. He is also a board member of the Oslo Center for Peace and Human Rights, the International Leadership Program at the University of St. Thomas, and the Cultural Entrepreneurship Program at the University of Minnesota – Duluth. Tom holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota and graduate degrees from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy; the Institute of Advanced International Studies in Switzerland; and the National School of Administration in France.
Member Special!
Join or renew in January at the $75 membership level or more and you can attend the U.S. Foreign Policy Update for FREE! Pease email Alex Albrecht, Membership and Gala Coordinator, to receive a special registration link to join us for free.
Presented in partnership with the University of Minnesota Humphrey School of Public Affairs.

International Day of Education 2022 - The Power of International Exchange
2022-01-24 09:00 - 16:00
On January 24, the United Nations will observe the fourth annual International Day of Education, celebrating the role of education for peace and development around the world. Global Minnesota is once again proud to host one of the largest International Day of Education events in the United States, featuring international, national, and local advocates and activists who are shaping the future of learning.
Global Minnesota was created 70 years ago to welcome and support international students arriving at our colleges and universities. Our motto was “They’ve Come as Strangers, May They Leave as Friends.” Over the years our work expanded to include educational programs designed to reach all Minnesotans, “from Kindergarten to the C-Suite,” to fulfill our mission to advance international understanding and engagement.
This year’s program will focus on international educational exchange – learners traveling to other parts of the world to gain new perspectives, and learners coming to Minnesota to be part of our world-class and increasingly globally-diverse educational system. Join us for presentations and insights from leaders in international educational exchange, including a keynote presentation by Jeffrey Sachs, Director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University and President of the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network.

The program will be presented on Global Minnesota’s YouTube channel. To enable closed-captioning during the live stream program, follow instructions for use with Google Chrome.
Speakers and Presenters

Agenda

Thank You Sponsors

Platinum Sponsor

Silver Sponsor – Sunrise Banks

Thank you to promotional partners: Humphrey School of Public Affairs, South Dakota World Affairs Council, St. Cloud State University, Study Minnesota, and World Affairs Councils of America.
If you are registering for this event from outside the United States, please click here. If you are registering from inside the United States, please use the form below.

Assignment Russia: Becoming a Foreign Correspondent in the Crucible of the Cold War
2022-02-10 19:00 - 20:00
Marvin Kalb, the award-winning journalist who has written extensively about the world he reported on during his long career, now turns his eye on the young man who became that journalist in his newest volume of memoirs “Assignment Russia: Becoming a Foreign Correspondent in the Crucible of the Cold War.”
Chosen by legendary broadcaster Edward R. Murrow to become one of what came to be known as the Murrow Boys, Marvin takes readers back to his first days as a journalist, and what also were the first days of broadcast news.
Join a discussion with author Marvin Kalb as he discusses his new book “Assignment Russia: Becoming a Foreign Correspondent in the Crucible of the Cold War.” The program will be moderated by Global Minnesota President Mark Ritchie.
About the Speaker
Marvin Kalb is a former senior adviser to the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting, a Harvard Professor emeritus, former network news correspondent at NBC and CBS, senior fellow nonresident at the Brookings Institution, and author of 16 other books, the most recent of which is the first volume of his memoirs, The Year I Was Peter the Great (Brookings).
Presented in partnership with the Russian-American Business and Cultural Council and The Museum of Russian Art.
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Urban Expedition 2022: Ghana
2022-02-13 13:00 - 15:00 | Landmark Center, 75 5th St. W, St. Paul, MN, 55102
Explore the globe with the 2022 season of Landmark Center’s popular Urban Expedition – returning to in person! Designed for everyone to enjoy, Urban Expedition offers the opportunity to learn more about the world. With a focus on a different destination, each program in the series provides cultural experiences that include music, dance, crafts, and traditions.
Join Landmark Center and Global Minnesota, in partnership with the Ghanaian Association of Minnesota, as we travel to Ghana in mid-February.
Urban Expeditions are free and open to the public.

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Urban Expedition is produced by Landmark Center with sponsorship from Global Minnesota.

Global Book Club: "It is Well" the Autobiography of Dr. Okechukwu Ukaga
2022-02-16 12:00 - 13:00
In his new autobiography “It Is Well,” Dr. Okechukwu (Okey) Ukaga recounts growing up in Nigeria in the early 1960s during the country’s civil war and at time when his home region of Biafra was seceding. Over the next few years, his family was uprooted each time the warfront encroached. But as chaos enveloped the country, Okey found at a young age that he had a deep reservoir of faith. In “It is Well,” Okey offers readers a reassuring story of how even when life is hard, all shall be well if we have faith in ourselves and our journeys.
Join us for a virtual conversation with Dr. Ukaga as he discusses, “It Is Well” and how his hopeful perspective has guided him in a life that has traversed two continents and tumultuous periods of history — from civil war to the COVID pandemic.
About the Speaker
Okechukwu “Okey” Ukaga, is an Assistant Dean at the University of Minnesota Extension and Global Minnesota board member. Raised in Eastern Nigeria, he considers himself to have two homes and maintains residences in both the United States and Nigeria. He is the co-author of five books on sustainable development and program evaluation, and received his Ph.D. in agricultural and extension education from Penn State University.
Presented in partnership with Magers & Quinn Booksellers.
If you are registering for this event from outside the United States, please click here. If you are registering from inside the United States, please use the form below.

Urban Expedition 2022: China
2022-02-20 13:00 - 15:00 | Landmark Center, 75 5th St. W, St. Paul, MN, 55102
Explore the globe with the 2022 season of Landmark Center’s popular Urban Expedition – returning to in person! Designed for everyone to enjoy, Urban Expedition offers the opportunity to learn more about the world. With a focus on a different destination, each program in the series provides cultural experiences that include music, dance, crafts, and traditions.
Join Landmark Center and Global Minnesota, in partnership with CAAM Chinese Dance Theater, as we travel to China in February.
Urban Expeditions are free and open to the public.

LEARN MORE

Urban Expedition is produced by Landmark Center with sponsorship from Global Minnesota.

Global Conversations DIGITAL: Myanmar and ASEAN
2022-02-23 18:00 - 19:00
The situation in Myanmar, including the coup by the military in February 2021 and the ongoing human rights crises, coupled with civil resistance by those opposed to the regime, has led to the chaos in the Southeast Asian country. Is it possible for democracy to prevail in Myanmar?
Join us for a conversation with Professor Tun Myint, Ph.D., Associate professor of Political Science at Carleton College, as he discusses how neighboring countries are reacting to the situation in Myanmar and what role will ASEAN play.
About the Speaker
Tun Myint, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Carleton College. He was a student leader of the 1988 democracy movement in Myanmar and is a widely respected expert on the politics and society of the country. He is a founder and member of the editorial board of the Independent Journal of Burmese Scholarship, director of the Public Memory of Myanmar digital archive, and has contributed expert analysis on Burmese politics for media outlets, including PBS, Minnesota Public Radio, Radio Free Asia, CNN, and the BBC. He is the author of Governing International Rivers: Polycentric Politics in the Mekong and the Rhine. Professor Myint served as a member of the Technical Advisory Team of the Federal Constitution Drafting Coordinating Committee of the Union of Burma from 2000 to 2005, and was previously Research Fellow of Asia Policy Program, a joint program of the National Bureau of Research and Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars.
Presented in partnership with the Friends of the Minneapolis Central Library, Hennepin County Library – Minneapolis Central, Landmark Center, Edina Senior Center, Friends of the Edina Library, Minneapolis Public Schools Community Education, Plymouth Library, and Washburn Library.
If you are registering for this event from outside the United States, please click here. If you are registering from inside the United States, please use the form below.
