Global Minnesota

This past month, an incredible group of emerging professionals from countries across Africa visited Minnesota as part of the Mandela Washington Fellowship program. On this episode, hear from two of these Fellows, Marcellin Tsihoboto and Sylvia Phaphali Adzitey about their professional careers, their time in Minnesota, and the insights they will take back to their home countries.

On the latest episode of The Global Minnesota Podcast, hear from Elizabeth Horst and Kin Moy, two Senior Foreign Service Officers at the U.S. Department of State who are both originally from Minnesota. They discussed Minnesota’s recent bid to host a World Expo, the role that organizations like Global Minnesota play in citizen diplomacy, and how American foreign policy affects us all right here in America’s heartland. Special thanks to former Global Minnesota President Mark Ritchie and the entire Minnesota Expo 2027 Committee for their inspiring advocacy to bring the world to Minnesota. Though the 2027 Expo was awarded to Serbia, their incredible efforts have helped raise Minnesota's global profile.

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 July 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.

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.

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 more from this year’s World Press Institute International Fellows! This recording is from a Global Journalism Spotlight event that took place on March 23, 2023 a the Minneapolis Central Library. Each journalist presented on the major issues facing their respective countries, as well as their experience covering these issues. A live Q&A session with Minnesota Public Radio's Nina Moini followed the panel presentation.

Hear the insightful and popular annual U.S. Foreign Policy Update with Diplomat in Residence and former career Foreign Service Officer, Tom Hanson. Tom explored and discussed the latest foreign policy developments, trends, and challenges facing the U.S. including a look at the impacts of Russia’s war in Ukraine, increasing tensions between the U.S. and China, and movements to promote peace and human rights from Ethiopia to Iran. The event included a Q&A session with Tom, moderated by Molly Hayes Baril, Great Decisions speaker and former foreign affairs officer.

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

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. Hear this conversation with Global Minnesota and Alight 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 led a moderated Q&A session.

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

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 Pavon, 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.

This episode is a recording of a public event featuring Under Secretary of State Uzra Zeya, whom Global Minnesota had the distinct honor of welcoming to Minnesota. While here, she met with students seeking Foreign Service careers and shared her profound insights at a public conversation on democracy and human rights.

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 first podcast interview, Nick is joined by Yigit Ates, Director of Commodity Exchanges at the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye. Mr. Ates recently visited Minnesota as part of the U.S. State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program.

In his latest book, The Cubans: Ordinary Lives in Extraordinary Times, world-renowned author and former New York Times foreign correspondent Anthony DePalma chronicles several stories of hope and despair from throughout the modern history of this Caribbean island nation. Global Minnesota hosted DePalma at the Hennepin County Library for a presentation and discussion about Cuba, his life, and the stories told throughout the book.

World Food Day 2022 - part 2

World Food Day 2022 part 1

2022-10-04 Lunch & Learn Behind the Scenes at the UK Natural History

Service in Afghanistan A Conversation with Ambassador Ross Wilson and Margo Squire

Global Book Club: Heroes of Environmental Diplomacy SDG Roundtable from 2022-08-05

The situation in Myanmar, including the coup by the military in February 2021 and the ongoing human rights crises, coupled with civil resistance by those opposed to the regime, has led to the chaos in the Southeast Asian country. Is it possible for democracy to prevail in Myanmar? Join us for a conversation with Professor Tun Myint, Ph.D., Associate professor of Political Science at Carleton College, as he discusses how neighboring countries are reacting to the situation in Myanmar and what role will ASEAN play.