Serving Global Minnesota has been the honor of my life. Though I officially retired on October 10, rest assured that I will continue to remain an activist for our wonderful organization.

Looking back on my time with Global Minnesota, two big changes have happened on my watch that I am very proud of. The first was in the works as I arrived. The second was thrust upon us by COVID.

First, we embraced the “global” that was already shining brightly right here in Minnesota. We’ve enhanced our partnerships with groups like Minnesota Africans United, and with consular offices of Canada, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ethiopia, and Mexico. These relationships have deepened our roots into the fertile global soil that has nurtured generations of Minnesotans.  Being honored as “Partner of the Year” at the 2021 Gala of Minnesota Africans United was a major highlight in this regard.

Second, while the pandemic forced us to suddenly dive into an all-digital world, our amazing staff figured out how to use this new reality to make Global Minnesota truly global, and truly Minnesotan. Using digital platforms, we reached audiences in dozens of countries, across the United States, and in almost every nook and cranny here in Minnesota. Equally important, this digital/virtual component made it possible to be truly diverse and inclusive in our featured speakers and in our audiences. With digital programming, we’ve broken down accessibility barriers for those who are deaf, blind, or unable to travel to in-person events. We are on track to continue enhancing accessibility, including exploring options for some program translation into ASL and non-English languages.

In my transition from President to active member I am especially looking forward to volunteering from time to time, including giving tours of our beautiful State Capital to official visitors, international students, and to our members. I plan to continue serving as a champion for Global Minnesota and for our continued international engagement in this great state.

As we look toward the future, Global Minnesota Director of Operations Kathleen Oscarson will serve as Interim President during the search process for the next President. Kathleen’s decades of experience with Global Minnesota’s financial management, administration, membership, and programming will provide steady support during the upcoming transition process.

With gratitude to all our staff and board, past and present, who passed on to me a strong and vibrant Global Minnesota, I will continue to pay it forward well into the future.

Thank you all for this amazing opportunity.

–Mark Ritchie

 

Photos from Mark’s farewell event and a video section of Mark’s speech are available on a Facebook album here.

Global Minnesota is now accepting applications for the next leader of our organization! Please see the full position announcement here or read our summary below. For more information, or to submit your credentials for consideration, please email: [email protected]. All inquiries will remain confidential.

 

The President Role

Global Minnesota seeks a President to direct and support the organization’s mission to advance international understanding and engagement across the state. The President will have primary responsibility for developing and prioritizing Global Minnesota’s organizational goals and objectives, for driving growth and diversification of revenue streams, and for providing management and mentorship to a small, highly skilled team of professionals.

The President will be responsible for leading innovations in Global Minnesota’s programming, fundraising, and engagement efforts that ensure the organization’s long-term sustainability, and will have the exciting opportunity to chart the road map for Global Minnesota to reach new, increasingly diverse audiences with inclusive and courageous programming.

As an external face and voice of the organization, the President will be a booster for the state of Minnesota, building and strengthening relationships with key stakeholders, including foreign dignitaries and ambassadors, c-suite executives, students and educators, immigrant communities, and the Minnesota population at large.

Join Global Minnesota to lead the efforts to celebrate cultures, discuss foreign policy, connect with visitors from around the world, and place Minnesota at the forefront of global business and as a leader in finding solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

As the situation continues to unfold in Ukraine, Global Minnesota is committed to serving as a trusted resource of accurate information and analysis on global issues. To help you better understand this ongoing crisis, check out our past events about Russia and Ukraine, and be sure to register for our upcoming program on “Russia’s Goals in Europe” with Jill Dougherty, former CNN Moscow Bureau Chief.

Global Conversations DIGITAL: Russia’s Goals in Europe with Russia expert Jill Dougherty

Thursday, March 17; 6:00 pm CDT

 

COSPONSORED EVENTS

Standing Against Authoritarianism: Svietlana Tsikhanouskaya, Belarussian Opposition Leader in Exile

Thursday, March 3; 11:00 am CST

Presented by: World Affairs Council of Orange County

 

PAST EVENTS

Assignment Russia: Becoming a Foreign Correspondent in the Crucible of the Cold War with Marvin Kalb in partnership with The Russian American Business and Culture Council and The Russian Museum of Art.

Ukraine: War? Peace? The UN’s Role? hosted by The United Nations Association of Minnesota.

Ukraine at a Crossroads: A Conversation with Ambassador Chaly from 2017 with former ambassador of Ukraine Valeriy Chaly.

 

OTHER LOCAL EVENTS

The War in Ukraine: Implications for Global Peace and Stability

Wednesday, March 16; 7:00 pm CDT

Presented by: Humphrey School of Public Affairs

In the latest Star Tribune Great Decisions editorial, writer John Rash discusses 2022’s international outlook and America’s ability to effectively respond to geopolitical crises.

He also highlights Global Minnesota’s 2022 U.S. Foreign Policy Update program with former Foreign Service Officer Tom Hanson, happening January 19.

2022’s global risks include not reckoning with 2021’s domestic one – Star Tribune, January 7, 2022

Photo credit: Denis Balibouse/Pool via AP

Global Minnesota was honored to be named Partner of the Year by Minnesota Africans United (MAU) during their annual gala. Global Minnesota President Mark Ritchie was also honored as Supporter of the Year.

Thank you to MAU for their ongoing, valuable partnership. We look forward to working together in the year ahead!

In the latest Star Tribune Great Decisions editorial, writer John Rash discusses U.S. relations with Iran, re-entering the Iran nuclear deal, and the diplomatic dynamics of the Middle East.

‘Pivot’ to Asia may pivot back to Mideast – Star Tribune, October 15, 2021

Photo credit: Arash Khamooshi – New York Times

Star Tribune reporter Patrick Condon highlights our World Food Day 2021 Symposium and discusses the complex challenges – a global pandemic, the upheavals of climate change, and political and military conflicts around the world – that add up to an unprecedented test of the planet’s ability to feed its people.

World Food Day brings focus on global conflict, food security – Star Tribune, October 14, 2021

Photo credit: Claire Nevill, Associated Press

Insight News recently highlighted our World Food Day 2021 Virtual Symposium with a focus on the many distinguished speakers and presenters.

Global Minnesota Hosts World Food Day Symposium – Insight News, October 7, 2021

In a recent Star Tribune opinion piece, Global Minnesota President Mark Ritchie and former U.S. Senator Norm Coleman discuss U.S. engagement in global affairs and the positive impact it has on Minnesota.

America’s global leadership is bipartisan good sense – Star Tribune, August 15, 2021

Photo credit: Michael Conroy, Associated Press

In a recent Star Tribune editorial, writer John Rash talked with Dr. Bryan Wells, Chief Scientist at NATO, about the evolving role of science in the Western alliance.

Dr. Wells led a conversation during our recent NATO’s Climate Change program, which is available for viewing online.

Political science – and science – help guide NATO – Star Tribune, May 21, 2021

Photo credit: Alexander Zemlianichenko, Associated Press

Star Tribune editorial writer John Rash reflects on recent riots at the U.S. Capitol and discusses the geopolitical year ahead as President-elect Joe Biden faces foreign and domestic crises. The article quotes frequent Global Minnesota speaker and former U.S. Foreign Service Office Tom Hanson, as he prepares to speak at the 2021 U.S. Foreign Policy Update.

Geopolitical risks begin here at home – Star Tribune, January 8, 2021

In the 111th episode of the Twin Cities Wellness Collective™ Podcast, host Alex Morrall speaks with Global Minnesota President Mark Ritchie about the organization’s work to advance international understanding and engagement and Minnesota’s bid to host the world fair.

Star Tribune editorial write John Rash highlights Global Minnesota’s event on James A. Baker and his consequential career in both politics and governance including a look at the new biography, “The Man Who Ran Washington: The Life and Times of James A. Baker III,” co-written by the husband-and-wife team Peter Baker, The New York Times’ chief White House correspondent, and Susan Glasser, a New Yorker writer covering the Trump White House.

Country could use a ‘James Baker-like’ figure – Star Tribune, November 6, 2020

Photo credit: Chang W. Lee, New York Times

 

Star Tribune writer Adam Belz highlights Global Minnesota’s World Food Day 2020 virtual conference, one of several across the globe aimed at making more people determined to fight global hunger.

World Food Day aims to intensify the battle against hunger – Star Tribune, October 12, 2020

Photo credit: Channi Anand – Associated Press

Minnesota history reporter Curt Brown discusses the history of Minnesota’s involvement in the Commission for Relief in Belgium during World War I – the largest humanitarian effort in history – and Global Minnesota’s virtual exhibit opening of “When Minnesota Fed the Children of Europe,” a selection of thank you letters from Belgium to American children during this time.

Thank-you letters from 1915 point back to unlikely hero – Star Tribune, October 10, 2020

Resources

• About “Lettres de Gratitude” (PDF)

Twin Cities Business editor-in-chief Allison Kaplan highlights Global Minnesota’s World Food Day conference and the local food and agriculture industry’s commitment to addressing global challenges.

Minnesota Food And Ag Leaders Team Up For World Food Day – Twin Cities Business Magazine, October 9, 2020

Mohamed Ahmed, community partner and Executive Director of Average Mohamed, has been named the recipient of the 2020 Citizen Diplomacy Award by the U.S. Department of State.

The award honors American citizens and organizations leading efforts to renew and strengthen U.S. relationships with the world that further U.S. foreign policy and public diplomacy. Mohamed is being recognized for his grassroots work on countering violent extremism by engaging audiences, particularly youth, in meaningful discussions about true Islamic values and democratic ideals, institutions, and civil society.

A proud American citizen, Mohamed immigrated to Minnesota from Somalia more than 20 years ago. Frustrated by the lack of messaging countering extremist propaganda and a high number of ISIS recruits coming from his community, he created and launched the cartoon, “Average Mohamed.” By speaking plainly and directly to Somali youth in Minnesota and abroad about the true teachings of the Qur’an, Mohamed encourages them to reject violent extremism and inspires them to think critically about diversity and community-building.

Mohamed has played a crucial role locally in his volunteer work as a Professional Exchanges resource for Global Minnesota. Global Minnesota is a proud host of the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program, hosting hundreds of professionals from around the world each year. Mohamed has met with more than 30 of these visiting groups who want to share ideas and expertise on reaching young people to counter messages of extremism.

“Mohamed Ahmed is the epitome of a citizen diplomat,” said Global Minnesota President Mark Ritchie. “By tirelessly engaging youth and offering them alternatives to extremism, he has had a real-world impact on U.S. foreign policy priorities.”

Mohamed was presented with the award by senior U.S. State Department officials in a virtual ceremony on Wednesday, September 30. View a recording of the ceremony online at: https://youtu.be/rtGje7aZykU.

Read the full press release.

In the News

• Minneapolis cartoonist recognized for ‘Average Mohamed’ series – City Pages, October 2, 2020

Early this week, without warning, the U.S. federal government announced it will expel all international students who are enrolled in colleges or universities observing COVID-19 safety guidelines by offering their classes online. This attack on our higher education institutions could dramatically impact nearly 1 million students and seriously damage our reputation as a destination of choice for future leaders from across the world. The financial impact on Minnesota’s colleges and universities and loss of this talent pool of well-educated future employees will further damage our state’s short and long-term economic well-being.

Warmly welcoming students from other countries and supporting them during their stay in Minnesota was this organization’s original mission – and our slogan was simply “They arrived as strangers, may they depart as friends.” Over time, we saw how these friendships became “two-way streets” of understanding and partnerships, and our literature reminded members that “You Have Friends Everywhere in the World.”

While Global Minnesota is a non-partisan, nonprofit membership organization that stays strictly non-partisan, we are fiercely committed to our values, our mission, and to honoring the heritage we’ve inherited from our founders. We cannot stand by and watch 70 years of work be undermined in this way.

This order by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency is receiving severe criticism. Harvard University and MIT have sued, the University of Minnesota filed an amicus brief in support of the lawsuit, university leaders are speaking out about the chaos being created for institutions and students alike, and some members of Congress are taking up the issue as crucial to the nation’s future.

If you agree that this should not stand, please consider the following:

• Call, email, and write both Minnesota senators and your representatives in Congress.
• Send a letter to the editors of newspapers, magazines, journals, and other publications.
• Join the social media outcry and encourage others to speak up for international students.
• Contact your alma mater and find out how you can support their efforts – all are impacted.

Global Minnesota was founded 70 years ago to ensure that international students were properly greeted and supported throughout their time in our state. At that time, there were alarming stories in the media about young men and women coming to study in our country being met with racism and discrimination. One example was an especially alarming incident highlighted in the national magazine, The Church Woman, that caught the attention of Gladys Brooks, one of our “founding mothers.” Ms. Brooks raised this example in a luncheon speech to our local Metropolitan Council of Church Women:

“Over 30,000 young men and women from 121 foreign countries are in our colleges today. We know their impressions of America will be good or otherwise, depending upon the experiences they have while here. We also know these outstanding students may take positions of responsibility in their home countries, and that their impression will influence other decisions. It is very important that you and I play our small part in showing these visitors what this great country of ours is really like.”

This past year has been difficult for everyone, including international students who had their entire educational experience turned upside down. Global Minnesota has been working to provide support and we are grateful to all of our members who have stepped up in this effort.

Minnesotans are famous for making our voices heard. Global Minnesota is proud to be part of this tradition.