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
Category: Uncategorized
Author Pens Memoir on Surviving Genocide in Rwanda
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
A Rwandan Genocide Survivor’s Tale of Enduring is Worth the Read
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
Rwandan Genocide Survivor Denise Uwimana to Speak in Minneapolis
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
Celebrating Cultures: Global Minnesota opens doors to the world for Southgate students
Second, 3rd, and 4th-grade students from Southgate Elementary in Austin, Minnesota, traveled the world as Global Minnesota international volunteers Mariana, Gabriel, Moinak, and Daehan shared their cultures and perspectives on Brazil, Ghana, India, and South Korea with 15 classrooms.
This World Cultures Day event is part of Classroom Connection, which brought together Southgate students and teachers with international volunteers for interactive cross-cultural lessons that promoted international understanding, global perspectives, and connections. Through the program, the Austin Public Schools District aimed to celebrate the growing cultural diversity in classrooms as well as in the community by having learning opportunities available for its students. “This is an opportunity for our school to learn about different cultures and celebrate our students for who they are,” said Principal Katie Baskin. “We wanted to celebrate the different cultures that exist in our building. This is amazing. This opens the door to the world for them.”
Classroom Connection and World Cultures Day in Austin was funded in part by support from Hormel Foods Corporation, a member organization of Global Minnesota.
Celebrating Cultures: Global Minnesota opens doors to the world for Southgate students, Austin Daily Herald
Photo credit: Eric Johnson, Austin Daily Herald
Austin Students Reminded that it’s a Small World After All
Austin elementary school students were reminded that we all live in a global village, thanks to Global Minnesota’s Classroom Connection international volunteers from Brazil, Ghana, India, and South Korea. During a day-long World Cultures day, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th-grade students at Southgate Elementary traveled the world as Mariana, Gabriel, Moinak, and Daehan shared their cultures and perspectives on other parts of the world.
Classroom Connection and World Cultures Day in Austin was funded in part by support from Hormel Foods Corporation, a member organization of Global Minnesota.
Austin Students Reminded that it’s a Small World After All, Channel 6 KAAL-TV
Photo credit: Channel 6 KAAL-TV
Southgate Elementary Celebrates Different Cultures
Students at Southgate Elementary in Austin, Minnesota learned about countries from across the world, without ever leaving the classroom. Global Minnesota’s Classroom Connection international volunteers from Brazil, Ghana, India, and South Kore spent the day with 2nd, 3rd, and 4th-grade students and teachers for a World Cultures Day of interactive cross-cultural lessons that promoted international understanding, global perspectives, and connections.
Classroom Connection and World Cultures Day in Austin was funded in part by support from Hormel Foods Corporation, a member organization of Global Minnesota.
Southgate Elementary Celebrates Different Cultures, KIMT 3 News
Ambassador Teikmanis opens Latvian Honorary Consulate in Minnesota
On March 28, the Ambassador of Latvia to the U.S. Andris Teikmanis opened the Honorary Consulate of Latvia in the State of Minnesota. The Honorary Consulate will be located in Wayzata.
The opening was attended by more than 70 guests including other honorary consuls, local government, business, and Latvian community representatives.
The Ambassador was in Minneapolis for a two-day visit. During his first day, he visited local Latvians and met with Global Minnesota President Mark Ritchie.
Ambassador Teikmanis opens Latvian Honorary Consulate in Minnesota
Photo credit: Embassy of the Republic of Latvia to the United States of America
The humanitarian example of Razia Sultana, an ‘International Woman of Courage’
Star Tribune editorial writer John Rash sat down with 2019 International Women of Courage Award recipient Razia Sultana to discuss her work with the Rohingya diaspora and Great Decisions topic on global migration.
Global Minnesota was proud to host Razia for a professional exchange opportunity.
The humanitarian example of Razia Sultana, an ‘International Woman of Courage’
Photo credit: Brittany Lynk
The Twin Cities German Immersion School: A valuable asset for our community, our educational system, and for the global stage
Global Minnesota President Mark Ritchie authored an editorial about the value and contribution made by the Twin Cities German Immersion School to the international reputation for global-mindedness of Minnesota.
WCCO’s On Synapse: Think Tank of the Air Goes International
Global Minnesota President Mark Ritchie and Okey Anyanwu, Founder and President of Bizaa, sat down with Steve LeBeau, Chief Visionary Officer of Synapse Minnesota, for an international discussion on Minnesota’s global landscape.
Photo credit: Synapse Minnesota
40 years on, Iran’s Islamic Revolution still roils
In the latest Great Decisions Star Tribune editorial, columnist John Rash discusses the security and stability in the Middle East and Iran’s role in the region.
40 years on, Iran’s Islamic Revolution still roils
Photo credit: Associated Press
‘A world with fewer rules’ is among top global risks
Former U.S. Foreign Service Officer and frequent Global Minnesota speaker Tom Hanson spoke with Star Tribune editorial writer John Rash about the erosion of international institutions and the global order itself.
‘A world with fewer rules’ is among top global risks
Photo credit: Darko Vojinovic, Associated Press
2017-18 Annual Report
In 2017-18, we proudly built on the organization’s long history of advancing international understanding by doing what we do best: connecting Minnesotans with the world through local opportunities. From classroom visits, to free community discussions, to workplace exchanges, more than 21,000 participants sought to expand the borders of their global mindset.
We value the support of so many who made these programs possible. Please read and share the 2017-18 annual report, and learn how you helped bring global perspectives to local audiences.
Global Minnesota 2017-18 Annual Report
Mark Ritchie Named New Global Minnesota President
Nationwide search yields worldly, collaborative leader and passionate Minnesota advocate.
Mark Ritchie has been named Global Minnesota’s next president. He will assume his new post in January 2019.
Ritchie will succeed Carol Engebretson Byrne, who announced her plans to step down in July, after 21 years of service. Under Byrne’s leadership, Global Minnesota created compelling programs statewide on important global topics, advancing international understanding for thousands of Minnesotans while tripling the organization’s revenues. Today, we are one of the top World Affairs Councils in the nation.
The Global Minnesota board of directors selected Ritchie after conducting an in-depth, nationwide executive search. In his role as the leader of Minnesota USA Expo, Ritchie led the public-private partnership to host the 2023 World Fair Expo in Minnesota and is currently pursuing the 2027 bid.
“Mark brings strong expertise in international affairs and is a recognized advocate for Minnesota – we couldn’t be more pleased to have him as Global Minnesota’s next leader,” said Ertugrul Tuzcu, Global Minnesota board chair. “As an effective cross-sector leader, his strategic acumen and drive will lead Global Minnesota into the next decade of the 21st century – and help raise Minnesota’s profile in the world.”
Media Mentions
- Mark Ritchie, former Minnesota Secretary of State, to lead nonprofit international education organization – Star Tribune
- The leadership torch passes at Global Minnesota – Star Tribune
- Former Secretary of State Mark Ritchie’s next big adventure: ‘Global Minnesota’ – Pioneer Press
Photo credit: Christopher Ena – Associated Press; Star Tribune
World watches Saudi, U.S. response to Khashoggi crisis
In the latest Great Decisions Star Tribune editorial, columnist John Rash discusses U.S. global engagement and the military and how it relates to the Jamal Khashoggi case, which has spiraled into a foreign-policy crisis for the U.S. and Saudi Arabia.
World watches Saudi, U.S. response to Khashoggi crisis
Photo credit: Leah Millis, Associated Press
From Soviet tanks in 1968 to Russian clicks in 2018
In the latest Great Decisions Star Tribune editorial, columnist John Rash discusses Russian foreign policy and media, specifically in the digital age.
Trump’s disruption of international order comes with peril
In the latest Great Decisions Star Tribune editorial, as columnist John Rash discusses the waning of Pax Americana during a period of demographic, technological, social, and political change.
Trump’s disruption of international order comes with peril
Photo credit: Markus Schreiber, Associated Press
Carol Engebretson Byrne to Step Down After 21 Years
Global Minnesota announces that after 21 years of leadership, Carol Engebretson Byrne will step down from her role as president in January 2019.
Under Byrne’s leadership, Global Minnesota has created groundbreaking programs on important international topics, engaging tens of thousands in Minnesota to know more about the world. The organization has financially grown by more than 300 percent and has experienced transformational change with Byrne at the helm, including increased outreach to the community, more free programs to remove barriers to expert insights on key foreign policy issues, the initiation of a robust corporate membership program, a move to a new facility, and the organization’s rebrand and name change to ensure its vital mission remains relevant for future generations.
Byrne’s departure will mark the end of an important time for the organization, which has only had five presidents or executive directors throughout its 65-year history of work in advancing international understanding and knowledge in Minnesota. “I am privileged to have served as a steward of the worthy mission of this amazing organization that makes such a positive difference in our community and world,” Byrne said.
The Global Minnesota Board of Directors has engaged Ballinger|Leafblad, an executive search firm with extensive experience in the nonprofit sector, to conduct a national search. More details will be available soon on our website and in upcoming communications.
Additional Communication
Cambridge Analytica tactics pose a growing global threat to democracy
In the latest Star Tribune Great Decisions editorial, writer John Rash discusses the intersection of media and foreign policy, specifically the use of social media to fragment and fracture societies and the democratic process.
Cambridge Analytica tactics pose a growing global threat to democracy
Photo credit: Noah Berger, Associated Press