Global Minnesota

Culture Through Cuisine: Costa Rica
2023-06-06 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Marna’s Eatery, 4154 W Broadway, Minneapolis, 55422
This event is now SOLD OUT. Please reach out to Katie Kelley at kkelley@globalminnesota.org with any questions.
Make your way to Marna’s Eatery for a taste of Costa Rica in the next event from our Culture through Cuisine series. Registration includes dinner, dessert, a soft drink, and a short presentation by Rolando Diaz, owner and head Chef of Marna’s Eatery. Alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase during the event.
If you’re interested in learning more about Marna’s or seeing photos of their delicious food, take a look at their website here.
Menu
– Gallo Pinto: rice and beans blend
– Shredded Chicken/Carnitas with Pepper Tomato Sauce
– Costa Rican Cabbage Slaw
– Fried Sweet Plantain
– Yuca Frita
– Tres Leches Cake
About Rolando Diaz

Chef Diaz was born in New York City but grew up in the Central American paradise of Costa Rica. It was in his family’s wide love for food in Costa Rica that Chef Diaz learned the native dishes and his signature skills with ingredients and flavor combinations. Diaz’s creative menu reflects his heritage, training and experience and combines it with great American fare.

Podcast Episode: Connecting Minnesotan & Ukrainian Students
2023-05-22 - 2023-06-05 | MN
Global Minnesota recently launched a new virtual youth diplomacy program to connect Ukrainian and American high school students. In this program, students from Kyiv and Lviv, Ukraine are connecting with Edina High School students through online meetings and via social media platforms.
On the latest episode of The Global Minnesota Podcast, hear from Edina High School teacher Lindsey Smaka and Andrii Ushytskyi from America House, Kyiv on how these young people have deepened their knowledge, empathy and understanding of one another during this difficult time in Ukraine.
Global Minnesota will host a public event featuring the former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch on June 14. Hear a wide-ranging discussion with Ambassador Yovanovitch at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs starting at 6:00 PM. She will discuss her time in Ukraine, her diplomatic career, and will sign copies of her new memoir “Lessons from the Edge.” Sign up here.

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
Public Event with Ambassador of Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch
Global Minnesota K-12 Education Program
Yulia Tymoshenko
America House Kyiv
America House Lviv
Edina Global Scholars
This interview was recorded on May 4, 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.

Tour the Minneapolis Institute of Art
2023-05-13 13:00 - 14:30 | Minneapolis Institute of Art, 2400 3rd Ave. S., Minneapolis, 55404, United States
This event is AT CAPACITY. For any questions, please contact our International Student Engagement Manager Anna DeWitt at adewitt@globalminnesota.org
Back by popular demand! Join Global Minnesota for a tour of the Minneapolis Institute of Art!
International students and friends are invited to join Global Minnesota for a one-hour, customized guided tour of the Minneapolis Institute of Art. The tour will highlight unique international and local items from MIA’s incredible art collection. With more than 89,000 pieces, MIA’s collection represents every continent and over 5,000 years of history. The tour will be led by two knowledgeable MIA guides, including Global Minnesota member and retired career diplomat, Margo Squire!
Weather permitting, after the tour the group will have the option to walk to “Eat Street” (10-15 minute walk). Eat Street is an area known for its diverse selection of restaurants. Continue your exploration of local and international cultures with delicious food options including Mediterranean, Vietnamese, Mexican, and everything in between. The event is free, but registration is required. The event will take place at the Minneapolis Institute of Art and the tour group will meet in the lobby starting at 12:45 PM.

Agenda:
Meet in the MIA building lobby – 12:45 – 1:00
MIA tour – 1:00 – 2:00
Regroup – 2:00 – 2:15
Walk to Eat Street – 2:15

Transportation:
The Minneapolis Institute of Art is easily accessible by bus and car. Please reference the map and address at the bottom of the page.
If you have any questions about this event or require an accessibility accommodation, please contact our International Student Engagement Manager Anna DeWitt at adewitt@globalminnesota.

World Citizen: Journeys of a Humanitarian
2023-05-10 15:30 - 17:00 | The Woman’s Club of Minneapolis, 410 Oak Grove St, Minneapolis, 55403
This event is being held in-person and is open to everyone.
To be a World Citizen is to embrace and champion the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, knowing that all lives are valuable and equally deserving of protection and support. Join Global Minnesota and the Woman’s Club of Minneapolis for a conversation with Jane Olson, Iowa born humanitarian and human rights advocate, as she details her experiences supporting communities through moments of transition and crisis. Jane will share excerpts from her book and answer questions from the audience. A limited number of books will be available for purchase during the event. If you’d like to learn more about World Citizen or purchase a copy in advance, visit Jane’s website.
Registration includes dessert and coffee. Programs at the Woman’s Club are open to all.
About the Author:
Jane Olson has worked as a volunteer for many decades to promote peace and justice through international human rights and humanitarian organizations. She chaired the International Board of Trustees of Human Rights Watch from 2004 to 2010 and served as co-chair of the Women’s Refugee Commission. As founding board chair of Landmine Survivors Network/Survivor Corps, she gave leadership to LSN for 12 years.
Extensive travels with those and other humanitarian organizations took Jane to Nicaragua and El Salvador during the Contra Wars and to the former Soviet Union beginning with trips to Ukraine in 1989 and 1990, a time of revolution. As the former USSR fell apart and wars broke out, she participated in investigative trips to the former Yugoslavia including Bosnia, and to the Caucasus countries of Azerbaijan and Armenia.
Her missions to many countries in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America focused on human rights abuse and refugee conditions, HIV/AIDS, landmines, and other calamities caused by conflict and extreme poverty.
Jane is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and a board member of both the National World War II Museum in New Orleans and Direct Relief, based in Santa Barbara, CA. She is a board member of The Trusteeship, the Southern California chapter of the International Women’s Forum, a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and the Pacific Council on International Policy.
Jane grew up in rural western Iowa and graduated from the University of Nebraska. She lives with her husband, attorney Ronald L. Olson, in Pasadena, California. They have three children and eight grandsons.
If you require an accessibility accommodation please our Events Manager Katie Kelley at kkelley@globalminnesota.org.
Thanks to event co-sponsor United Nations Association of Minnesota. Thanks to promotional sponsor the Minnesota International NGO Network!

A Global Celebration Gala 2023
2023-05-06 17:30 - 21:30 | Metropolitan Ballroom & Clubroom, 5418 Wayzata Blvd., Golden Valley, MN, 55416
Registration is now closed. The Tour the World online auction is open to everyone! Click here to view items and start bidding.
Travel the world with Global Minnesota over the course of an evening as we celebrate the world’s countries and cultures with fine international cuisine and entertainment, as well as the Tour the World live and silent auctions. The Gala is a one-of-a-kind global celebration raising critical funds to support Global Minnesota programs that connect, inform, and engage Minnesotans with the world.
Join us for A Global Celebration, bringing together more than 350 Global Minnesota friends and supporters to raise funds for ongoing educational and cultural programs designed to help Minnesotans live, work, and lead globally. Individual, table, and corporate ticket packages are all available to customize your Gala experience.

Event Details

Individual tickets include dinner, entertainment, and complimentary beverages.
Become a Patron or Underwriter sponsor, which includes exclusive opportunities and benefits.
Invite your friends and host a table for 10.
Enhance your company’s global connections with a corporate sponsorship or table.
New location! We are excited to hold this year’s Gala at the indoor, newly renovated Metropolitan Ballroom, conveniently located at the crossroads of Hwy 394 and Hwy 100 in Golden Valley.
Free onsite parking
Mobile bidding will be used for the silent auction and open prior to the event. Staff will be available on-site to help.
Semi-formal attire is suggested.

Special thanks to Gala corporate sponsors, KNOCK, Inc., Fredrikson, Cozen O’Connor, MN Best, Inc., and UnitedHealth Group. We look forward to seeing you at the Gala!
Plans change? To convert your ticket to a fully deductible gift, email Alex at aalbrecht@globalminnesota.org.

Engaging the Diaspora to Rebuild Somalia
2023-04-28 18:00 - 21:00 | North Central University – Anderson Chapel, 825 E 14th St., Minneapolis, MN, 55414, United States
This free event is being held in-person and is open to everyone.
The Department of Diaspora Affairs, part of the Somali Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has recently developed its first ever Diaspora Policy. This is a significant national framework for engaging the Somali diaspora in contributing to the country’s humanitarian and development efforts.
The National Diaspora Policy provides a framework for engaging the diaspora in various sectors, including education, healthcare, infrastructure, and investment. It also aims to address the challenges faced by the diaspora in engaging with their homeland and seeks to create opportunities for them to contribute their skills, expertise, and resources.”
By creating partnerships and collaborations between the diaspora and government institutions, the National Diaspora Policy can help to foster effective engagement and ensure that the contributions of the diaspora are maximized. It’s essential to recognize the critical role that the diaspora plays in the ongoing development and stability of Somalia and to create an enabling environment that supports their involvement.
Join Global Minnesota and Senior Advisor to Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation: Dept. of Diaspora Affairs, Saciido Shaie to learn more about this new policy and what it means for the Somali community in Minnesota. We’ll also have an opportunity to discuss ongoing engagement for the greater diaspora community of Somali-Minnesotans.

You’ll hear from an amazing line up of speakers including:
Community Leader and Advisor to the Somali Minister of Foreign Affairs, Saciido Shaie
Richfield City Council member, Simon Trautmann
Brown Venture Group Co-Founder, Dr. Chris Brooks
North Central University president, Scott Hagan
With special remarks from Somalia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abshir Omar Huruse.
We invite attendees to join for their presentations, and enjoy conversation and networking with community members. There will also be an opportunity to submit questions to the guest speakers.
If you require an accessibility accommodation or need more information, please contact Saciido Shaie at saciido.shaie@gmail.com or our Events Manager Katie Kelley at kkelley@globalminnesota.org.
Thanks to event co-sponsors North Central University and Community Mediation and Restorative Services. Thanks to promotional sponsor Minnesota Africans United.

Podcast Episode: Decarbonizing Minnesota with Business Finland
2023-04-25 - 2023-05-10 | MN
In a new series of audio conversations, Global Minnesota Marketing & Communications Manager Nick Hayen talks with some of the amazing people Global Minnesota connects with in our mission to advance international understanding and engagement.
This episode features Marika Ollaranta and Helena Saren from Business Finland, which is dedicated to promoting Finland’s international business ties. They will be part of a delegation of Finnish businesses and the Ambassador of Finland visiting Minnesota in May focused on helping Minnesota businesses learn decarbonization best practices.
Interested in meeting this delegation in May? Contact Corporate Relations Officer Steve Riedel to find opportunities for global access and exposure to meet your company’s Sustainable Development Goals.

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

Links
Global Minnesota Corporate Membership
Business Finland
Finland Decarbonization Targets
Minnesota 2040 Carbon Targets

This interview was recorded on April 19, 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.

Edina Great Decisions: China & the U.S.
2023-04-24 16:00 - 17:30 | Edina Community Center, 5701 Normandale Rd, Edina, MN, 55424, United States
For the past ten years, the United States and China have been locked in a competition for who has the greatest global influence. One major point of contention is the issue of Taiwan, which has become even more relevant recently with the possibility that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine may prompt China to take similar action regarding Taiwan. How will the United States engage a China which is increasingly seeking to expand its sphere of influence?
This program is presented by Edina Community Ed through a partnership with the Edina Senior Center, the Edina Library, and Edina Community Center.
The Great Decisions program addresses nine 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 Friends of the Edina Library at the Edina Community Center for an in-depth discussion of the tense relationship between the world’s two largest powers.
Kannan Solayappan, presenter
Kannan Solayappan grew up in Chennai in Southern India and earned his undergraduate degree in chemical engineering at a university in Bangalore. He then worked for 15 months in an Indian nylon factory as a graduate engineer. In the late 1980s, he saw the promise of computers and went to Australia to study computer science, graduating with a master’s in 1992. He then got married and came to work in the U.S. Starting as a software developer in the San Francisco Bay area, he moved to Minnesota in 1998 and has been a software consultant here for over 20 years now. In these years he has worked in most of the major companies in Minnesota, including IBM, Mayo Clinic, American Express, Cargill, 3M, United Health Care, Medtronic, U.S. Bank and now Wells Fargo. He lives in Eagan with his wife, Vallikannu, who works as a banker in Wells Fargo.
Special thanks to the Friends of the Edina Library for hosting this program.
If you would like to register, please use the button below.
Register

What's Next for the U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy?
2023-04-24 14:00 - 15:00 | Humphrey School Johnson Community Room 180, 301 S 19th Ave, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, United States
This event is now AT CAPACITY. Please reach out to Katie Kelley at kkelley@globalminnesota.org with any questions.
America’s diplomatic options in the Indo-Pacific region are as strained as ever. Tensions around Taiwan, electronic and aerial surveillance, and concerns over an expanding Chinese sphere of influence have all coalesced to leave many wondering if a new Cold War is imminent between China and the United States. How can the U.S. navigate these difficult waters? What should America’s strategy in the Indo-Pacific look like?
Join Global Minnesota and the Humphrey School of Public Affairs for a discussion with Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Kin Moy. Mr. Moy is an alumnus of the University of Minnesota and a career Foreign Service Officer. He will cover a wide range of topics including U.S. foreign policy in East Asia, the U.S.-China relationship, and Taiwan. Mr. Moy will offer an overview of his work and the major issues facing his department, followed by a moderated Q&A session.

About Kin Moy:
Kin Moy is the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau East Asian and Pacific Affairs (EAP). He has been a Foreign Service Officer for 31 years and is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, holding the personal rank of Career Minister. Prior to assuming the duties of his current position, he was the Senior Bureau Official of EAP and the Acting Assistant Secretary and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Intelligence and Research. His most recent diplomatic assignment abroad was Chief of Mission of the American Institute in Taiwan. He has also served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, with responsibility for China, Mongolia, and Taiwan. He was Deputy Executive Secretary in the Office of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Director of the Executive Secretariat Staff in the Office of Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. In addition to his Washington assignments, he has served in the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, and the U.S. Consulate in Busan. He has been selected twice for the Presidential Rank Award. He graduated from Columbia University and the University of Minnesota, and is a Mandarin and Cantonese speaker. Mr. Moy is married to Kathy Chen and they have four children.

If you require an accessibility accommodation, please contact our Events Manager Katie Kelley at kkelley@globalminnesota.org. The event will take place in the Josie Johnson Community Room (#180) at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs building.
Presented in partnership with the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, the University of Minnesota Institute for Global Studies, and the University of Minnesota China Center. Thanks to promotional sponsor the Minnesota China Business Council.

Social Evolution in Iran: Toward a New Iran-US Understanding
2023-04-19 18:00 - 19:15 | Humphrey School of Public Affairs, Humphrey Forum, 301 19th Ave. S, Rm 105, Minneapolis, 55454
This event is being held in-person and virtually and is open to everyone.
In September 2022, a rare social uprising rocked one of the most tense and complicated regions of the world. Following the death in police custody of a 22-year-old woman, Mahsa Amini, nationwide protests erupted across Iran that continued for months and garnered international attention. What came to be known as the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement highlighted the bravery and resilience of the Iranian people, especially the women who defied entrenched patriarchal structures to claim their trampled rights. This moment of social evolution in Iran represents a unique opportunity for the people of Iran and the United States to engage in a new dialogue, understand each other better and bridge the gaps in relations between their two countries. Join Global Minnesota for an in-depth discussion with Iranian journalist Kourosh Ziabari at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs.
About Kourosh:
Kourosh Ziabari is an award-winning journalist from Iran, an Asia Times correspondent, and a Chevening Scholarship recipient. He is a 2022 World Press Institute fellow and an alumnus of the Dag Hammarskjold Fund for Journalists fellowship at the United Nations. He is the recipient of a Professional Excellence Award from the Foreign Press Correspondents Association. Also, he is the silver winner of the Prince Albert II of Monaco and United Nations Correspondents Association’s Global Prize for Coverage of Climate Change. Ziabari was a finalist for three Kurt Schork Awards in International Journalism in 2020, 2021, and 2022. His writings have appeared in Foreign Policy, Al-Monitor, The National Interest, openDemocracy, Middle East Institute, Middle East Eye, Atlantic Council, and The New Arab.

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 sponsor the Middle East Policy Council.
Global Minnesota understands that certain topics can be very sensitive, especially for community members within Minnesota. Global Minnesota and the Humphrey School believe in presenting a broad range of perspectives on complicated issues. We encourage and appreciate an active and respectful dialogue during the Q&A session which will be open to everyone – both in-person and virtually. If you are unable to attend, please feel free to send questions in advance to kkelley@globalminnesota.org and we will ensure that a wide variety of perspectives are addressed. Our organizations look to continue the conversation beyond this event to bring additional speakers to Minneapolis to discuss Iranian affairs.
If you are registering for this event from outside the United States, please go here.

Culture Through Cuisine: Philippines
2023-04-17 18:00 - 20:00 | Apoy, 4301 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, MN, 55409, United States
This event is SOLD OUT. Please reach out to our Events Manager Katie Kelley at kkelley@globalminnesota.org with any questions.
Join us for a kamayan, a traditional feast from the Philippines in which no utensils are used. Lumpia (egg rolls), longaniza (sausages), ukoy (yam fritters), tocino (pork shoulder), tilapia, and fresh fruit and veggies are displayed on banana leaves.
Hear from Sherwin Resurreccion, one of Apoy’s owners, about the kamayan tradition and the process of opening one of the first Filipino restaurants in the Twin Cities.
Registration includes a selection of appetizers and entrées, light dessert, and a soft drink. A cash bar will be available as well. See Apoy’s drink menu here.
Speaker:
Sherwin Resurreccion, owner of Apoy

Urban Expedition: Scotland
2023-04-16 13:00 - 15:00 | Landmark Center, 75 5th St. W, St. Paul, MN, 55102
This event is being held in-person and is open to everyone.
This program is presented by the Landmark Center.
Explore the globe with the 2023 season of Landmark Center’s popular Urban Expedition! 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 Ecolab, the Xcel Energy Foundation, Ramsey County, Travelers, and RBC Wealth Management.
Urban Expeditions are free and open to the public.

LEARN MORE

Global Minnesota is proud to be a sponsor of the Landmark Center’s Urban Expeditions series.

Tour the Minneapolis Institute of Art
2023-04-01 12:00 - 13:30 | Minneapolis Institute of Art, 2400 3rd Ave. S., Minneapolis, 55404, United States
This event is now SOLD OUT. Please reach out to adewitt@globalminnesota with any questions or concerns.
International students and friends are invited to join Global Minnesota for a one-hour, customized guided tour of the Minneapolis Institute of Art. The tour will highlight unique international and local items from MIA’s incredible art collection. With more than 89,000 pieces, MIA’s collection represents every continent and over 5,000 years of history.
Weather permitting, after the tour the group will have the option to walk to “Eat Street” (10-15 minute walk). Eat Street is an area known for its diverse selection of restaurants. Continue your exploration of local and international cultures with delicious food options including Mediterranean, Vietnamese, Mexican, and everything in between. The event is free, but registration is required.

Agenda:
MIA tour – 12:00 – 1:00
Regroup – 1:00 – 1:15
Walk to Eat Street – 1:15

Transportation:
The Minneapolis Institute of Art is easily accessible by bus and car. Please reference the map and address at the bottom of the page.

If you have any questions about this event or require an accessibility accommodation, please contact adewitt@globalminnesota.

Courageous Leadership: Efforts to Educate Women & Girls in Afghanistan
2023-03-30 18:30 - 19:30 | St. Catherine University, 2004 Randolph Ave, Saint Paul, 55105
This event is being held in-person and is open to everyone, but advanced booking is strongly recommended. This event is presented by Katie Leadership Impact at St. Catherine University.
This event celebrates truly courageous Afghan social entrepreneurs leaders. They are refugees from their homes, relentlessly working to bring Afghan women and girls education and hope. Hear from Pashtana Zlamia Khan Durrani, Founder of LEARN Afghanistan, and Roya Mahboob, Founder & CEO of Digital Citizen Fund. These amazing women will be discussing their leadership journeys and their experiences creating organizations that directly address literacy for women in Afghanistan and beyond. Attendees will hear about action items they can take within their own communities and how they can contribute to improving literacy worldwide.

LEARN MORE

Presented by St. Catherine University.

SDG Roundtable: Engagement with North Rhine Westphalia, Germany
2023-03-28 08:30 - 11:00 | Ever-Green Energy, 305 St. Peter Street, Saint Paul, MN, United States
This event is SOLD OUT. Please reach out to kkelley@globalminnesota.org with any questions.
Global Minnesota is pleased to present the inaugural event in a new series of Sustainable Development Goal Roundtables! The new series will focus more closely on private industry: how are companies achieving their own SDG goals and where does the needed innovation and expertise come from? What can we learn from our international partners in achieving our common goals?
Germany has a global reputation for their “Energy Transition” to renewables, and their move away from coal and nuclear energy. In recent years, the German state of North Rhine Westphalia has had an excellent partnership with Minnesota on these and related energy and environmental topics.
Join us Tuesday March 28, in partnership with the German American Chamber of Commerce–Midwest and Ever-Green Energy to welcome a business delegation from NRW. These companies and experts are eager to meet and partner with Minnesota companies. You’ll hear from a spectrum of presenters offering exciting new technologies and ideas.
You will also meet event host Ever-Green Energy, a Minnesota ‘superstar’ in embracing global best practices in energy efficiency, carbon reduction, and circular economy. Ever-Green CEO Ken Smith has been a regular visitor to Germany, helping Minnesota stay ahead in its own energy transition.
In addition to short presentations from NRW, there’ll be opportunities to meet and network with our visitors from Germany. Registration includes a light breakfast which will be served beginning at 8:30 AM.
Presented by the German American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest, Inc., Ever-Green Energy, Honorary Consulate of Germany in Minnesota, NRW Global Business GmbH.

Edina Great Decisions: War Crimes
2023-03-27 16:00 - 17:30 | Edina Community Center, 5701 Normandale Rd, Edina, MN, 55424, United States
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has resulted in widespread charges of war crimes and calls for justice. But what exactly are war crimes? Opinions of what constitutes a war crime have evolved, as have ways to identify and punish the perpetrators. How will the war crimes committed in Ukraine be dealt with?
This program is presented by Edina Community Ed through a partnership with the Edina Senior Center, the Edina Library, and Edina Community Center.
The Great Decisions program addresses nine 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 Friends of the Edina Library at the Edina Community Center for an in-depth discussion of the fast-moving dynamics of the U.S.-Russian relationship.
Rick Olson, presenter
Rick Olson is a retired professional with a variety of educational and life experiences. He has worked as an economist, an attorney, a certified financial planner, an agricultural loan officer, an agricultural cooperative president, a State Representative in Michigan and a school business manager. He obtained a law degree from Stanford Law School and completed the coursework in two Ph.D. programs (Agricultural Economics and Education Administration). He obtained his training to be a National Issues Forum moderator from Michigan State University Cooperative Extension and has moderated numerous forums, including several repeat performances at the Gerald Ford Presidential Library in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He is also a trained moderator for Better Angels conducting workshops on communication skills across the political divide. An avid traveler, he has been in 41 countries and in all 50 of the United States. He currently resides just south of Prior Lake with his wife of 52 years, a retired school superintendent, who now is a full time daycare grandmother. He is the founder/President of a non-profit organization (Best Future Center) that supports a private school in the Nakivale Refugee Settlement in Uganda.
Special thanks to the Friends of the Edina Library for hosting this program.
If you would like to register, please use the button below.
Register

Global Journalism Spotlight: Covering Today's Stories
2023-03-23 18:00 - 19:45 | Hennepin County Library – Minneapolis Central, 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN, 55401, United States
This event is being held in-person and virtually and is open to everyone.
How are journalists fighting institutional disinformation around the world? What tools are available to those threatened by censorship in places like Pakistan and Turkey? Hear these stories and meet this year’s World Press Institute International Fellows! Each journalist will briefly present on the major issues facing their respective countries, as well as their experience covering these issues. A live Q&A session will follow the panel presentation.
The event will take place virtually and in-person in Pohlad Hall at the Minneapolis Central Library. Read about this year’s International Fellows here.
About the World Press Institute
World Press Institute was established in 1961 to strengthen and promote the founding principles and best practices of journalism in the United States and around the world that lead to transparency and accountability of the government and private sectors.
Each year, WPI brings together 10 professional journalists from all over the world and immerses them in the governance, politics, business, media, journalistic ethics and culture of the United States. Through a demanding, curated schedule in which they journey across the United States, they learn about the roles and responsibilities and evolving business models of the U.S. media, while engaging in the life and times surrounding them.

Check out a preview of these topics with two of the WPI Fellows on our podcast!

If you require an accessibility accommodation, please contact our Events Manager Katie Kelley at kkelley@globalminnesota.org.
If you are registering for this event from outside the United States, please go here.

Podcast Episode: Global Journalism with World Press Institute Fellows
2023-03-15 - 2023-03-22 | MN
In a new series of audio conversations, Global Minnesota Marketing & Communications Manager Nick Hayen talks with some of the amazing people Global Minnesota connects with in our mission to advance international understanding and engagement.
This episode features two World Press Institute International Fellows, Ms. Fauziyya Tukur, a senior journalist focusing on disinformation for the British Broadcasting Corporation from Abuja, Nigeria, and Mr. Saqib Tanveer, social media editor for the Independent Urdu newspaper based in Islamabad, Pakistan. The World Press Institute was established in 1961 to strengthen and promote the founding principles and best practices of journalism. Each year, WPI brings together 10 professional journalists from all over the world and immerses them in the governance, politics, business, media, journalistic ethics, and culture of the United States. While they journey across the United States, they learn about the roles and responsibilities of the U.S. media, while engaging in the life and times surrounding them. Global Minnesota and WPI will showcase all ten of these individuals at a free Global Journalism Spotlight event at 6:00PM on March 23 at the Minneapolis Central Library.

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

Links
Global Journalism Spotlight: Covering Today’s Stories

This interview was recorded on March 11, 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 Global Social with International Visitors
2023-03-13 17:00 - 19:00 | KNOCK, Inc., 1307 Glenwood Ave., Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55405
This event is being held in-person and is open to Global Minnesota members and their guests.
Global Minnesota is proud to host two international visitor delegations in early March.

A group of 5 leading prosthetics experts from Ukraine hosted by the Congressional Office for International Leadership

A coalition of 20 leaders advancing the representation of women in politics sponsored by the U.S. State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program. These leaders are visiting from Albania, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Eswatini, Federated States of Micronesia, Georgia, Ghana, Israel, Italy, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Ukraine, and Zimbabwe.

Join us at KNOCK, Inc. in Minneapolis for the opportunity to warmly welcome these visitors and learn more about their important work.
Congressional Office for International Leadership
Founded in 1999 by Congress, the Open World program, administered by the Congressional Office for International Leadership, maintains a vast network of more than 29,000 alumni in strategic countries including Russia, Ukraine, and others in the Balkans, Caucuses, Central Asia and Eastern Europe. COIL supports international outreach efforts for Members of Congress by conducting exchanges that establish lasting professional relationships between emerging leaders and their U.S. counterparts. Program participants are provided with extensive exposure to American politics, accountable governance, and citizen diplomacy, while being home hosted by American families.
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 exclusive event for Global Minnesota members and their guests to meet these international visitors and learn about their cultures, countries, and professional work. The evening includes light appetizers and beverages.
Want to attend but not yet a member? Check out the many benefits of membership and join today!
Presented in partnership with KNOCK, Inc. Special thanks to Lili Hall and KNOCK, Inc. for hosting this program.
If you require an accessibility accommodation, please contact our Events Manager Katie Kelley at kkelley@globalminnesota.org.

Urban Expedition: Nigeria
2023-03-12 13:00 - 15:00 | Landmark Center, 75 5th St. W, St. Paul, MN, 55102

March Euro-Cocktail
2023-03-02 17:30 - 19:30 | Mall of America: Parkview Meeting & Event Center, 390 North Garden, Bloomington, MN, 55425, United States
This event is being held in-person and is open to everyone.
Join Global Minnesota and the chambers of commerce of Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, Norway, and Sweden for the first Euro-Cocktail of 2023 at Mall of America! Enjoy an evening of networking with members and friends of the Euro-American business community in Minnesota. Ticket price includes appetizers and a welcome drink, with a cash bar available.
Global Minnesota members and European Chamber members can take advantage of discounted ticket pricing. Not a member? Learn about member benefits and get started here.

GUEST SPEAKER
Phil Hansen
President, Global Minnesota
LEARN MORE

Presented in partnership with the Finnish-American Chamber of Commerce, French-American Chamber of Commerce, German-American Chamber of Commerce, Latvian-American Chamber of Commerce, Mall of America, Norwegian-American Chamber of Commerce, and the Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce.

2023 High School Academic WorldQuest Competition
2023-03-01 15:30 - 18:00 | Mall of America: Parkview Meeting & Event Center, 390 North Garden, Bloomington, MN, 55425, United States
This event is being held in-person and virtually and is open to Minnesota high school students only.
Test your students’ global IQ at our annual international knowledge competition for high school students – Academic WorldQuest. This FREE event challenges high school students across the state of Minnesota in a fun and interactive manner to think globally about critical issues facing the U.S. and the world. This year’s competition will be held IN PERSON at the Mall of America’s Parkview Meeting & Event Center. There will also be an option to compete online via Zoom and MyQuiz. Online teams must have an on-site proctor during the competition.
The winning team will represent Minnesota at the national Academic WorldQuest competition presented by the World Affairs Councils of America, in April 2023.
Competition Details

FREE to compete
Each high school (9-12 grade students) can register up to 2 teams of 4 students for the in-person event on a first-come, first-served basis. All high schools also have the option to register an unlimited number of teams to participate online.
Refreshments provided for in-person participants
First place team receives a championship trophy for their school and the opportunity to represent Minnesota at the national competition in Washington, D.C. in April.
Team Spirit Award: The chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card! See details on how to participate.
Access the Study Guide
Review the 2023 topics

REGISTER YOUR SCHOOL!

Space is limited, be sure to register early! Teams registering after in-person capacity is reached will be competing online. Questions? Please email Sylvia Oxenham, K-12 Education Manager.
Academic WorldQuest is a youth education program of the national network of World Affairs Councils. Presented in partnership with the Mall of America and the World Affairs Councils of America.

Global Conversations: Responding to the Humanitarian Crisis in Somalia
2023-02-28 12:00 - 13:00 | MN
This event is being held virtually and is open to everyone.
Ongoing drought conditions and a changing climate have culminated in agricultural disaster in the East African nation of Somalia. Millions are facing acute hunger insecurity and many are leaving Somalia for neighboring Kenya, seeking stability and improved conditions. Join Global Minnesota and Alight for a conversation about the unfolding humanitarian crisis, the global response, and an update on Alight’s work in both Somalia and Kenya. Our keynote speaker, Zeinab Aidid, is a Communications Specialist for Alight’s Horn of Africa programs. After her presentation, Great Decisions speaker and MINN Board Member Emily Miller will lead a moderated Q&A session.
Speakers:
Zeinab Aidid
Zeinab Aidid is a Somali Canadian humanitarian worker currently based in Nairobi, Kenya. She has worked with Alight as a Communications Specialist for the past 5 years in Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya. She’s passionate about storytelling and challenging the often negative perceptions of people in need. Her work serves to shed light on the resilient communities Alight supports.
Emily Miller (Moderator)
Emily Miller is an experienced international development and humanitarian practitioner. Areas of practice and research include economic recovery, global famine and nutrition interventions, conflict and reconciliation, emergency response, monitoring, evaluation, and learning, and human rights with a focus on supply chain and ethical labor practices.

If you require an accessibility accommodation, please contact our Events Manager Katie Kelley at kkelley@globalminnesota.org.
Presented in partnership with Alight. Thanks to event promotional partner Minnesota International NGO Network (MINN).
If you are registering for this event from outside the United States, please go here.

International Business Roundtable: Trilateral Trade in North America
2023-02-28 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 open to everyone.
Join Global Minnesota for a discussion about trade and investment among the United States, Canada, and Mexico featuring senior diplomats from Canada and Mexico. The program will feature a fireside chat followed by a panel of business leaders discussing selected practical issues in business among the three countries.
Topics will include:

The general business environment in North America, including important developments from the perspectives of the Canadian and Mexican governments.
Government policies towards trade and investment, including implementation of the U.S. Mexico Canada Agreement (“USMCA”) and national security reviews
Particular sectors where recent trilateral developments impact North American business, including agriculture, climate change, electric vehicles, semiconductors, and others.

REGISTER

SPEAKERS / PANELISTS
FIRESIDE CHAT
Consul General Ariel Delouya,
Consulate General of Canada
Ambassador Iván Roberto Sierra Medel,
Head Consul of Mexico, Consulate of Mexico
Phillip Hansen, Host
President, Global Minnesota

PANEL DISCUSSION
Consul General Ariel Delouya,
Consulate General of Canada
Ambassador Iván Roberto Sierra Medel,
Head Consul of Mexico in Saint Paul
Jessica Libby,
Principal, KPMG LLP
Dave Townsend, Moderator
Partner, Dorsey & Whitney LLP

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

Urban Expedition: Norway
2023-02-26 13:00 - 15:00 | Landmark Center, 75 5th St. W, St. Paul, MN, 55102

Culture Through Cuisine: Uzbekistan
2023-02-21 18:00 - 20:00 | Samarkand, 16 Nathan Lane North, Plymouth, 55441
This event is now SOLD OUT.

Experience the vibrant culture and unique tastes of Uzbekistan at the next Culture through Cuisine! You’ll enjoy an evening of Central Asian food at Samarkand restaurant and hear from restaurant owner Aziz Radjabov about Uzbek culture and his experience living in Minnesota.
Sample a delicious dinner of Uzbek pastry, bread, dumplings, salad, kebabs, and pahlava dessert cake. Ticket price includes traditional Uzbek tea, coffee, and soft drinks. A selection of beer and regional wines will also be available for purchase separately.

Speaker:
Owner: Aziz Radjabov
If you require an accessibility accommodation, please contact our Program Director Tim Odegard at todegard@globalminnesota.org.
Menu
Appetizers:
Samsa (Uzbek traditional puff pastry filled with ground beef mix)

Mantu (steamed dumpling with ground beef and onion)

Traditional Bread

Salad:
Achchik-chuchuk (tomatoes and onions with spices)

Entrees:
Plov Samarkand (Rice, beef, currants, garlic, onions, carrots, and spices)

Shish Kebabs – Beef (Lyulya) and Chicken

Broiled Cornish Hen with tomato-garlic sauce

Dessert:
Pahlava (honey-walnut cake)

Podcast Episode: Event Preview -- Humanitarian Response in Somalia
2023-02-15 - 2023-02-27 | MN
In a new series of audio conversations, Global Minnesota Marketing & Communications Manager Nick Hayen talks with some of the amazing people Global Minnesota connects with in our mission to advance international understanding and engagement.
On this episode, we are offering a sneak peek into an upcoming event from Global Minnesota. On February 28, we will host a virtual webinar in partnership with the Minnesota-based relief agency Alight. Alight works to build a meaningful life for and with people displaced throughout the world and everywhere the need arises. In this podcast interview, Nick is joined by Zeinab Aidid, who currently works for Alight as the Communications Specialist for the Horn of Africa. She is one of Alight’s on-the-ground partners working to coordinate relief efforts and discussed the current humanitarian situation in Somalia, and Alight’s work to bring supplies, support, and dignity to displaced persons throughout the Horn of Africa. To hear the whole story on February 28, sign up for the virtual event here.

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

Unable to listen to the podcast? You can also read the computer-generated transcript here:
Event Preview – Humanitarian Response in Somalia Transcript

Links
Global Conversations: Responding to the Humanitarian Crisis in Somalia
Alight

This interview was recorded on February 13, 2022, and will be available for viewing on our Calendar of Events for several weeks. Registration is not needed for this program. All interviews are archived on our podcast feed and in our Past Events calendar.

Urban Expedition: Philippines
2023-02-12 13:00 - 15:00 | Landmark Center, 75 5th St. W, St. Paul, MN, 55102

Planning for Life After Graduation: Visas and Immigration Options for International Students
2023-01-31 16:30 - 18:00 | MN
This event is being held virtually and is open to everyone.
International students from any college or university in Minnesota are welcome to attend.
Planning for life after graduation can be a challenge, especially for international students. Join Global Minnesota and Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP for an information session about post-graduation visa and immigration pathways. The conversation will cover visa options including F-1 OPT, F-1 STEM OPT, H-1B work visas, J-1 issues and waivers and more, followed by a question and answer session. The discussion will also include a brief overview of the permanent residence process. This information session is designed for international students considering working or living in the United States after their studies, but is open to everyone.
About the Speaker:
Beth Carlson is a senior lawyer at Faegre Drinker and has practiced immigration law for almost 25 years. Beth moves corporate talent across borders, counsels U.S. and international companies on business immigration issues and is a recognized leader for her skills in complex immigration matters, including all types of work visas and permanent residence issues. Beth takes a pragmatic approach to business immigration and advises companies and their foreign national employees on all issues, including those specific to F-1 students, H-1B workers and J-1 exchange visitors. She is creative and solution driven to explore work visa and permanent residence options that may not be readily apparent.
This event is presented in partnership with Global Minnesota corporate member, Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP.

Registration: Please register to attend the event below. A Zoom link will be sent out to everyone who has registered a few days before the event.
Contact Anna (adewitt@globalminnesota.org) with questions.

Podcast Episode: Classroom Connection -- Honduras and Argentina
2023-01-26 - 2023-01-28 | MN
In a new series of audio conversations, Global Minnesota Marketing & Communications Manager Nick Hayen talks with some of the amazing people Global Minnesota connects with in our mission to advance international understanding and engagement.
In this podcast interview, Nick is joined by Alejandro Pavón, an international student from Honduras who recently finished a study abroad at the University of St. Thomas. As part of the Classroom Connection program, he taught lessons about Honduras’ language and culture to Agustina Borre’s English learner’s class at Roseville Area High School. They both joined to talk about their experiences with the Classroom Connection program.
Classroom Connection is part of Global Minnesota’s K-12 Education programs and brings the world to classrooms all over Minnesota. International volunteers, many of whom are students at local universities, help teach sessions on their country’s culture and language in a fun and interactive format that sparks the curiosity of our youngest learners. These lessons are interactive with classroom teachers, unique to each class, and can be conducted either virtually or in-person. There is no fee to participate and Global Minnesota staff handle logistics for volunteer placement and travel. To learn more and get your classroom signed up, visit globalminnesota.org/education.

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

Unable to listen to the podcast? You can also read the computer-generated transcript here:
Classroom Connection – Honduras & Argentina Transcript

Links
Global Minnesota Classroom Connection
St. Thomas University
Minnesota United
Hamline University
Roseville Area High School
Mate

This interview was recorded on December 20, 2022, and will be available for viewing on our Calendar of Events for several weeks. Registration is not needed for this program. All interviews are archived on our podcast feed and in our Past Events calendar.
