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
In a recent Star Tribune editorial, Global Minnesota Board Chair and former Ambassador to Turkey Ross Wilson discussed recent military action in Syria and provided an analysis of U.S. policy towards Syria, Turkey, and U.S. Kurdish allies.
Star Tribune reporter Rochelle Olson highlights the 12th annual Great Decisions Conference on U.S.-Mexico relations, including Ambassador of Mexico Martha Bárcena Coqui and former U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Jeffrey Davidow.
Global conference speakers say U.S.-Mexico are family, must form beneficial economic union
During her visit to Minnesota, Ambassador of Mexico Martha Bárcena Coqui spoke with the Star Tribune about trade between the U.S. and Mexico and its direct impact on Minnesota.
In September, Classroom Connection and World Cultures Day returned to Austin, Minnesota for a day of cultural exchange and learning. Global Minnesota international volunteers from Ethiopia, Ghana, Japan, Pakistan, and Tunisia spent the afternoon with students from Neveln Elementary School and Sumner Elementary School. From a lesson on how to greet each other in Urdu, the national language of Pakistan, to passing around special garments that the Tunisian people wear, students learned more about the world and the different people who live in it.
Global Minnesota connects cultures with Neveln students
Photo credit: Austin Daily Herald
The Star Tribune’s editorial board highlighted U.S.-Japan trade relations and its impact on Minnesota farmers. The piece includes quotes from retired U.S. Navy Admiral Dennis Blair, who spoke at Global Minnesota’s Global Conversations in Minneapolis as part of a visiting delegation from the Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA.
During the latest Doing Business Roundtable, visiting speaker Wendy Cutler, Vice President and Managing Director with the Asia Society Policy Institute in Washington, D.C., spoke with the Star Tribune about U.S.-Japan trade ties.
In the latest Star Tribune Great Decisions editorial, writer John Rash discusses the intersection of Sino-American relations and the climate crisis.
Global Minnesota Board Chair and former Ambassador to Turkey Ross Wilson was quoted in a recent Star Tribune editorial on Turkey’s decision to purchase a Russian missile-defense system and its impact on future U.S.-Turkey relations.
Mshale reporter, Cynthia Simba, covered Somali Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ambassador Ahmed Isse Awad as he spoke about Somalia’s emergence from years of civil war and the progress attained thus far, during his recent visit to Minnesota.
Somalia’s foreign minister says diaspora playing key role in rebuilding country
During his visit to Minnesota, Somali Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ambassador Ahmed Isse Awad spoke with Star Tribune reporter Greg Stanley about Somalia’s growing economy and need for skilled workers and investment as the country rebuilds.
A rebounding Somalia is ready to welcome back those who left, ambassador says
In the latest Star Tribune Great Decisions editorial, writer John Rash discusses the nexus of cyber conflict and geopolitics.
Even from a co-founder, Facebook faces calls for reform
Photo credit: Francois Mori, Associated Press
During her time in Minnesota, author and genocide survivor Denise Uwimana spoke on WCCO’s mid-morning about her survival of the 1994 Rwandan genocide and discussed the work she’s done to bringing healing to the region.
Denise was the featured speaker at the month’s Global Conversations.
Author Pens Memoir on Surviving Genocide in Rwanda
In a recent interview, Pioneer Press city editor Rubén Rosario discussed healing, forgiveness, and survival with author and Rwandan genocide survivor Denise Uwimana, as well as her new memoir “From Red Earth: A Rwandan Story of Healing and Forgiveness.”
Denise will speak at this month’s Global Conversations.
A Rwandan genocide survivor’s tale of enduring is worth the read
Photo credit: Denise Uwimana
Mshale contributing writer Cynthia Simba sat down with author and Rwandan genocide survivor Denise Uwimana to discuss her recent memoir and nonprofit organization, Iriba Shalom International, which works with both former Hutus and Tutsis to foster forgiveness and reconciliation in the region.
Denise will speak at this month’s Global Conversations.
Rwandan genocide survivor Denise Uwimana to speak in Minneapolis
Photo credit: Denise Uwimana