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
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.
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:
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.
Star Tribune editorial writer John Rash discusses Canada Day and the 50th anniversary of the establishment of what is today the Consulate General of Canada in Minneapolis. He also highlights Global Minnesota’s webinar to mark Canada Day, which will explore various aspects of the Canada-Minnesota relationship.
Amid tension at the top, U.S.-Canada ties are tight – June 26, Star Tribune
Photo credit: Elaine Thompson, Associated Press
We are grieving the senseless killing of yet another neighbor, George Floyd.
Nearly 250 years since the promise of “Liberty and Justice for All,” many in our country are still denied these basic rights – facing discrimination, dehumanization, and disrespect day after day, year after year. Oppression remains a deadly reality for African Americans, Native Americans, other People of Color, and other minority groups.
Many of us have taken part in demonstrations with our children, neighbors, and friends. These demonstrations of public protest, outrage, and resolve have brought our whole society to a screeching halt – giving all of us an opportunity to turn our attention to very difficult issues that can’t be changed without hard work and uncomfortable conversations. Justice is possible. Stopping the brutality is possible.
At Global Minnesota, our mission is advancing international understanding and engagement. We believe it is engagement that moves people towards understanding.
And so we are beginning with the engagement of our team at Global Minnesota. We are taking time to talk about how our work can better focus on responding to the pernicious and unresolved issues that have led us to anger and grief. How can we better understand the complex dynamics of racism and disadvantage, division and cohesion, both within our organization and our community? How can we engage with our partners in the broader community to think more deeply and carefully about these issues? What are the implications of what we are learning and unlearning when it comes to our own work, our own hearts?
We don’t have all the answers – in fact we have very few. First, we will concentrate on engaging, listening, learning, asking the hard questions, and being there when it is difficult or uncomfortable. As we travel this path, we will share what we learn and invite you to share your expertise and join us.
Photo credit: City Pages
Liz Schrayer, President and CEO of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition, was featured in the USA Today Opinion section for her op-ed about the choices America faces in a post-COVID-19 world and the importance of international engagement.
The right response to the coronavirus is global engagement, just like after World War II – May 10, 2020, USA Today
Photo credit: Themba Hadebe, Associated Press
During these challenging times of physical distancing, Global Minnesota is committed to keeping you informed, connected, and engaged with the world. We’re thinking about you, your families, and the important connections you may hold to others across the globe.
We also remain steadfast in our mission to advance international understanding and engagement. And while our programs may look a little different at the moment, we are continuing to build bridges rather than barriers as we create a world that is safe for all.
Thank you for your support and shared commitment in our work.
At Global Minnesota, our valued members, partners, volunteers, and employees are at the heart of what we do. That’s why we want to share how Global Minnesota is working to help keep our constituents healthy and safe during the novel COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak.
We are closely tracking communication from federal and local health agencies to make sure we stay up-to-date and monitor the situation. Based on official health guidance and in an effort to do what we can to help keep our community safe and healthy, we have canceled or postponed some Global Minnesota-hosted events. However, several of our programs will move online and be offered in a digital format. We hope you will join us for the important global conversations we have coming up. Visit our Calendar of Events for more information.
You can also visit our Past Events page for online content from previously held events.
As the COVID-19 situation evolves, we will continue to communicate with you on the status of future events and how to best keep our Global Minnesota community safe. Thank you for your partnership during this unprecedented time and your continued commitment to cultural exchange.
More information about COVID-19 can be found on MDH’s Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) website. MDH has set up a COVID-19 public hotline that is open from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday. The hotline number is 651-201-3920.
Pioneer Press writer Rubén Rosario sat down with 2020 International Women of Courage awardee Susanna Liew from Malaysia to learn about her courageous story and work in fighting for religious freedom.
Susanna is one of this year’s 12 recipients of the U.S. State Department’s International Women of Courage Awards and is honored for her selfless dedication to fight on behalf of members of religious minorities who have disappeared in Malaysia or face persecution for their beliefs. She has endured police harassment and death threats, but has never stopped actively pursuing justice, including on behalf of her husband Christian pastor Raymond Koh, who was abducted in 2017.
A Courageous Woman’s Search For Her Abducted Husband Marches On
Star Tribune reporter Kelly Smith writes about the Trump administration’s decision to tap Global Minnesota Board Chair and Minnesota native Ambassador Ross Wilson to lead the U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan at a critical time as the U.S. negotiates a peace agreement.
Trump administration taps Minnesota native to lead U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan – Star Tribune
Read the full press release regarding Ambassador Wilson’s transition.
WCCO News covers Global Minnesota Board Chair Ambassador Ross Wilson’s return to foreign service to lead the U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan after the departure of Ambassador John Bass.
Minnesota Native Ross Wilson Named To Lead U.S. Embassy In Afghanistan
Read the full press release about Ambassador Wilson’s transition.
Ambassador Ross Wilson has taken a leave from his role as board chair of Global Minnesota to accept a request by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to lead the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, at a critical time for that country and the region.
For nearly four decades, career diplomat Wilson represented the United States Foreign Service at home and abroad. He served as U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan in 2000-03 and to Turkey in 2005-08. In 2014 Ambassador Wilson was called back to government service as head of mission and chargé d’affaires in Turkey and again in the Republic of Georgia in 2018-19. Last week, he was sworn back into the U.S. Foreign Service and takes over from John Bass at our Kabul embassy.
“Afghanistan is an extraordinarily challenging, but also very consequential assignment and I am honored by the trust and confidence that Secretary of State Pompeo and the Department of State have placed in me,” Wilson said.
“At Global Minnesota, we work to advance international understanding and engagement. We were founded on the twin principals of public and citizen diplomacy. Ambassador Wilson’s return to public service exemplifies his personal and professional commitment to the importance of diplomacy. We are extremely proud to have been led by Ambassador Wilson whose experience in international relations is unmatched,” said Mark Ritchie, Global Minnesota President. “We wish him the best in his new assignment and know that he will make every effort to bring peace to the region.” Global Minnesota board vice chairs, Martha (Muffy) MacMillan, philanthropist and Cargill Foundation Director, and Thea Keamy, Senior Vice President for Corporate Strategy and Business Development at Land O’Lakes, Inc. will provide leadership until an interim chair is named.
Media Mentions
Looking back at 2018-19, we are enormously proud of what we – together with members, donors, supporters, and partners – accomplished and the momentum we’ve created to shape our future and the future of our great state.
Covering Brazil to Vietnam and 109 countries in between, our programs engaged more than 22,000 in learning about the world. We deeply value the support of so many who made these connections possible.
Please read and share the annual report, and learn how your support and participation are helping shape Global Minnesota’s future.
In the November Great Decisions Star Tribune editorial, writer John Rash discusses the deep expertise within the U.S. Department of State and the continued public service by so many to represent the U.S. and its best interests.
In the latest Great Decisions Star Tribune editorial, writer John Rash discusses the crisis in Syria with Stéphane Dujarric, spokesman for the United Nations Secretary-General, who was in Minnesota for a visit hosted by the United Nations Association of Minnesota, Global Minnesota, and Citizens for Global Solutions.
The world fails to save Syria’s citizens – Star Tribune
Photo: Hussein Malla, Associated Press