MIC
Minnesota International Center Minnesota’s World Affairs Council
The power of the
personal
Educate Exchange Engage Enjoy Support
Minnesota International Center
Our mission is to inspire our community to understand global issues and culture in an ever changing world. Additional information about MIC events and programs can be found at: www.micglobe.org 1
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MIC exchange programs are sponsored by the National Council for International Visitors (NCIV) MIC is an affiliate of the World Affairs Councils of America (WACA) and coordinates the Great Decisions program in Minnesota for the Foreign Policy Association.
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MIC has 501(c)(3) status and meets the Charities Review Council’s Accountability Standards
“It gives students a chance to see all these other cultures and how they contribute and how they connect to their life here.” Lori, IB MiddleYears programme coordinator North East Middle School
“It’s been really interesting today, learning about different cultures and different ways of life people have from around the world. When we grow up and when we get a job with people from different countries, we won’t pre-judge them or leave them out.” 2
Christian, 7th grader, North East Middle School
“I like to let the kids know what is really similar about us and what is really different.” Phebe, international speaker from Nigeria
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Educate 3
Today, global education is more important than ever. Students in the United States and around the world need to understand the global environment in which they will live and work. Through its K-12 education program, the International Classroom Connection, MIC helps teachers inspire their students to learn about the world, either through individual classroom presentations or by hosting a schoolwide World Cultures Day. These events include culture-specific music, dance, language, folklore, geography and artifacts that contribute to bringing the world to their doorstep - a tour of the world within the school. MIC offers free workshops to prepare international speakers to share their cultures, traditions and life stories with Minnesota schoolchildren. Teachers are offered “Universals of Culture” workshops to help them integrate a global perspective into their classrooms and prepare for the visits by MIC’s international speakers.
m ic · Opening Global Doors to Minnesota and the World
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MIC exchange programs are sponsored by the National Council for International Visitors (NCIV) which is funded by the Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State under the authority of the Fulbright-Hayes Act. At the same time, IVLP offers today’s and tomorrow’s foreign leaders the opportunity to experience firsthand the richness and diversity of American political, economic, social and cultural life. Minnesota is recognized by the Washington programming agencies as a prime destination for international visitors visiting the United States because of Minnesota’s strengths in: education; grassroots democracy and the political process; human rights and prevention of trafficking in persons; agricultural advances; medical technology; journalism and the arts.
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“I am left with an impression of friendliness and openness. It was especially nice to see and talk to so many Somali people who were visible in all kinds of jobs and who impressed us with their knowledge and reflections.”
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“Our interaction with the world must be a conversation not a monologue …. These exchanges are a strategic pillar of our nation’s public diplomacy.” Dina Habib Powell, assistant secretary of state for Educational and Cultural Affairs
“It has been so interesting to meet leaders from around the world who are on the forefront of working with human trafficking victims and prosecution of human traffickers and to see the similarities between the problems and goals we all face.” Linda Miller, Civil Society (Minnesota professional resource)
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“This event was a great example of informed public discourse on issues of critical importance to our country.” Steve Hunegs, executive director, Jewish Community Relations Council
“We just love this program, so we don’t miss meetings! We treasure that time together, talking about issues that matter.” Great Decisions group leader
“A great way for people of like minds and interest to connect and share ideas.” Feedback from an attendee at a reception with IVLP visitors from Africa and Latin America
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World Affairs public forums offer opportunities for members to hear influential leaders in business, government and the media speak about the international issues which are dominating the headlines. Topics run the gamut from the role of religion in world affairs, to microfinancing, to diplomacy and peacekeeping. On a more local level, as the Minnesota coordinator of the Great Decisions program, MIC provides opportunities for residents statewide to engage with each other to discuss issues of importance in American foreign policy. To start the conversation, the discussion groups are provided with a series of topics by the Foreign Policy Association, which sponsors the Great Decisions program nationally. On an even more personal engagement level, MIC brings members together at events, such as Meet the MIC, special receptions with IVLP visitors, and international networking cocktails - all opportunities to meet others who have an interest in international affairs.
m ic 路 Opening Global Doors to Minnesota and the World
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Many MIC members enjoy opening their homes and hosting international guests for a meal, which can be as informal as a barbecue, or as formal as setting a table with fine china and crystal. MIC’s dinner hosting program is the ultimate example of the power of the personal … international visitors, whether they’re professionals here through IVLP or students studying at a local university, are eager to enjoy the relaxed exchange of stories and opinions over the dinner table. Then there’s MIC’s WorldQuest - a chance to enjoy the cut and thrust of an international trivia competition. This is one of MIC’s most popular annual events - when teams of eight compete to test their knowledge of “all things international”… …and Academic WorldQuest, an offshoot of the public competition, for high school student teams only. The winning team goes to Washington, D.C. with all expenses paid by MIC to compete in the national competition.
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“Hosting guests through MIC has been an eye-opener … Our guests have helped us to see beyond the thin cultural layer to recognize and cherish them as people who have the same desires, needs, hopes and dreams as we do.” Karin Trieber, MIC dinner host
“Salaam! We have not words with which to thank you for your warm hospitality. None of us felt like we were meeting you for the first time. We thank you warmly for extending your hospitality and offering much more than a dinner invitation.” Escort, group of international visitors from Pakistan
“WorldQuest allows us to connect with Twin Cities residents interested in international issues and have fun while we’re doing it.” Canadian Consulate team member
“We all had a blast! It was fun to meet people from teams across the nation. It was also fun to be at the actual competition and learn the answers to some really difficult but interesting geography questions” Mounds Park Academy winning team member
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Without support for MIC by internationally-minded individuals like yourself, there will be fewer opportunities in Minnesota for: our children to learn firsthand about the world; our business community to prepare for the challenges they face when competing globally; our community to be educated about international issues; Minnesota’s business, cultural and agricultural strengths to be showcased; international students and the Minnesota community in which they live and study to be connected; and our community to be welcoming to people visiting from overseas Individual contributions are the strongest source of funding for MIC. If you believe that education about international issues and exposure to other cultures are essential at all levels of our community, then the Minnesota International Center is worthy of your support. Support · m i n n e s o ta i n t e r n at i o n a l c e n t e r
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There are many ways to support MIC: Become a member Give an additional or year-end donation Attend MIC’s annual fundraising benefit Include MIC in your will/estate planning Spread the word about MIC to your friends, colleagues and family members and encourage them to support MIC
Support the Minnesota International Center
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MIC is a nonprofit 501(c) (3) organization and meets the Minnesota Charities Review Council standards. For individual and corporate membership information or to make a contribution to MIC please visit www.micglobe.org or call 612.625.4421
MIC would like to thank the following for their contributions: Photography Craig Bares, Bares Photography Adam Konczewski Copy Lynda Salway, Minnesota International Center
The Minnesota International Center is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization founded in 1953 to promote greater awareness and understanding of other cultures.
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Our mission is to inspire our community to understand global issues and cultures in an ever changing world.