Communiqué www.micglobe.org
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Tuesday, March 20
Culture through Cuisine: China FOR MIC MEMBERS AND THEIR GUESTS ONLY
Join us for another Culture through Cuisine adventure at the Tea House – voted Best Chinese Restaurant 2011 by City Pages. If you’re looking to add a little spice to your culinary life, the Tea House is for you. With its authentic Szechuan menu, Tea House is not for the faint of heart, but if your heat-averse palate can’t handle the fish fillet in chile bean paste or the beef in garlic sauce, don’t despair – there will be plenty of other milder dishes to enjoy … scallion pancakes and Buddha’s vegetable delight, for example. As usual, we will have a speaker (tba) who will talk about China – its cuisine and culture. When: Tuesday, March 20; 6:30 – 8:30 P Where: Tea House, 2425 University Avenue SE, Minneapolis Cost: MIC members and their guests $35 (includes tax and gratuity); Cash bar available. Advance registration requested
Monday, April 30
enRoute: International Education and NGOs When: Monday, April 30; 5:30 – 7:30 P
SPRING EDITION 2012
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Bringing the World to Minnesota and Minnesota to the World
Saturday, June 2
A Celebration of Türkiye Turkey is a gateway country between the Middle East and Europe; a secular, democratic country with a predominantly Muslim population. It is a founding member of the United Nations, and is a member of NATO, OEDC, the G-20 and the OSCE, confirming its status as a leading economic player in the world. MIC has chosen Turkey as its focus country for its annual fundraising gala and Judith Frost Lewis, an MIC board member) will be chairing the 2012 Celebration of Türkiye committee. We are delighted to have Ertugrul and Karen Tuzcu, Minnesota residents who are Turkish nationals, serving as Honorary Chairs, and MIC is working closely with the Turkish Consulate General in Chicago to provide an authentic Turkish experience for all gala attendees. Turkish Consul General Fatih Yildiz has agreed to attend as the Guest of Honor. The menu for the event will be designed in consultation with the chef who regularly caters for the Turkish Consulate General in Chicago. Our Tour the World auction will offer a tempting array of items – including travel packages to Turkey; a fournight stay at the Sumahan on the Water in Istanbul; a dinner with Consul General Yildiz in Chicago; and an original sculpture entitled “Medusa’s Dream” from the Armaggan Gallery. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore Turkish cuisine and culture - Mark your calendar for Saturday, June 2! Watch for more details as they become available.
Where: Hell’s Kitchen, Fireside Room, 9th Street & Marquette Avenue, Minneapolis
When: Saturday, June 2, 4:30 - 8:30 P
Cost: MIC members and students $5; Non-members $10 (includes hot and cold appetizers, cash bar)
Cost: Tickets start at $200 per person (Patron and Underwriter opportunities are available at $500, $1,000, $2,500, $5,000)
Advance registration requested MIN N ESOTA IN T ER NAT I O NAL C EN T ER
Where: On the grounds of a private home in Wayzata
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Spring Edition 2012
Saturday, March 3
Bringing Turkish Culture to Minnesota Classrooms The Minnesota International Center has been selected by the Turkish Cultural Foundation to participate in “Portrait of Turkey 2012”, a program offering education about Turkey and its contributions to the global community. To launch this yearlong effort, MIC will host a workshop for Minnesota teachers on Saturday, March 3. Topics to be addressed will include language, customs, history, family life and the Turkish approach to education. The workshop will include panel discussions and classroom application and is targeted to middle school and high school educators, although all educators are welcome. Speakers will include: Kemale Pinar, chair-elect of the NAFSA Recruitment, Admissions and Preparation Knowledge Community Ceren Kaysadi, an MIC K-12 Education Program speaker and member of the Global Citizenship Student Council and Middle Eastern Student Association at Macalester College. Belma Erdogan-Haug, president of the Turkish American Association of Minnesota (TAAM) Members of the Turkish American Society of Minnesota (TASMN) have also been invited to participate in the workshop. Participants in the March 3 workshop, who are also middle or high school teachers, are eligible to apply for two places on a 2-week summer study tour program to Turkey funded by the Turkish Cultural Foundation. The study tour will include visits to historical sites, seminars, and meetings with Turkish educators. Application forms will be available at the workshop and are due April 1, 2012. When: Saturday March 3; registration 8:30 A; workshop 9:00 A - 4:30 P Where: U of M Continuing Education and Conference Center, St. Paul Campus Cost: $15 (includes continental breakfast, Turkish buffet lunch and workshop materials) M IN N ESOTA I N T ER NAT I O NAL C EN TER
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Great Decisions for All Great Decisions Teacher Training Institute for Middle and High School Educators At a time when global education is essential for U.S. students to compete in all fields, several studies have shown that there is a low priority for teaching high school students about the world. In response, The Foreign Policy Association (FPA) and MIC are working together to develop innovative models to stimulate curiosity and learning about global issues and to provide resources for Minnesota’s middle and high school teachers. This past October, MIC held its annual Great Decisions Conference which included sessions especially for educators. This coming June, the FPA will host its annual Great Decisions Teacher Training Institute in New York City. MIC will recommend one high school or middle school teacher to attend the Institute (most expenses paid by the FPA) with the understanding that the teacher will initiate or expand the Great Decisions program for students in their community. Last year’s Institute brought together teachers from New York, Minnesota, Texas, Vermont, Illinois, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The teachers were able to hear directly from experts on issues addressed in the Great Decisions briefing book and share resources with one another to enhance their effectiveness when teaching the Great Decisions topics. Although the date for the 2012 Teacher Training Institute is not yet confirmed, teachers who might be interested in being considered for this opportunity are encouraged to contact MIC so that detailed information can be provided to them as soon as it is available. Great Decisions: Foreign Policy Resources in an Election Year This year’s Great Decisions topics are … Middle East Realignment: The Arab upheaval Promoting Democracy: Foreign policy imperative Mexico: Transborder crime and governance Cybersecurity: The new frontier Exit from Afghanistan & Iraq: Right time, right pace? State of the Oceans: Waves of change Indonesia: Prospects for prosperity Energy Geopolitics: Quandaries intensify The 2012 Briefing Books may be ordered now and will be available mid-January 2012. For all questions about Great Decisions, please contact Carol Steinberg at csteinbe@ umn.edu or 612.625.9618. Don’t forget: MIC is partnering with the Star Tribune to feature a Great Decisions topic once a month on their Opinion Page in tandem with the Rash Report. J O I N T H E C O N V E R S AT I O N
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Spring Edition 2012
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Letter from the President As you look at this month’s Communiqué, you will see a sample of our reach across Minnesota and around the world. I hope you enjoy reading the testimonials from an enthusiastic mother who helped bring an MIC World Cultures Day to her school and from a satisfied member who feels his membership is a MUST to help navigate today’s world. And there’s the heartwarming story about Nargis, a State Department International Visitor, who – inspired by her visit to Minnesota - was able to start an innovative program for children with disabilities in her home country of Uzbekistan. The staff and board at the Minnesota International Center recently completed a new five-year strategic plan to provide a roadmap to strengthen our programs and
bring much-needed capacity to grow the organization. Minnesota has been recognized as a state to envy because it has cities cited as “third most literate in the U.S.” and one of “The Best Places in the Country to Live” and one of “America’s Top BrainPower Cities.” It has more Fortune 500 companies per capita than any other state as well as more theater seats per capita than any other metro area outside of New York City.
So wouldn’t we all agree that Minnesota deserves first-rate international learning opportunities and that MIC can and should do more to meet this need? Our goal is for MIC to be a trusted, nonpartisan source of context and understanding for international events. We strive to provide our community with opportunities to learn and thrive in our world today and encourage MIC’s
Currently Under Construction
Stay tuned!
members – nonprofits, corporations, academic institutions, government agencies, and individuals from all walks of life – to look to MIC to gain insight on today’s international challenges. So what does MIC need this coming year to help us continue to inform Minnesotans about the issues facing our world today? –YOU! We will be successful because of your attendance at our public events, your willingness to open your home to international visitors for dinner, your commitment to learning about what is going on in other countries and how those events are going to affect us all – even at a local level, and - last but not least - your financial support for the organization. Thank you!
Carol Engebretson Byrne, President
Program with Turkish dignitaries in April. Watch for details as they become available.
Hosting International Students and Scholars FOR MIC MEMBERS AND THEIR GUESTS ONLY
One of MIC’s less visible but very rewarding activities is hosting for dinner or a short homestay international students and scholars here on special programs at the University of Minnesota. Working with offices at the University of Minnesota during the past year, MIC arranged hosting for visitors from Bahrain, Japan, Russia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen. These experiences took on a new reality as the earthquake and tsunami occurred in Japan and the events of Arab Spring began to unfold. Concerns regarding dietary questions and even religious differences disappeared as open discussion and sharing led to new insights. MIC expects to be offering several opportunities to host these types of international visitors during the spring and summer and it’s not too early to let us know if you are interested M IN N ESOTA I N T ER NAT I O NAL C EN TER
in participating. In addition to hosting those studying in short-term programs, MIC continues to arrange holiday dinner hosting for international students in ongoing academic programs at the U. So, if you are interested in sharing your observance of Passover or Easter, please let us know.
“We had a wonderful experience. [She] was a pleasure to host and open to sharing her culture and religion with us.” ~ MIC member commenting about hosting a guest from the United Arab Emirates To volunteer for either type of hosting, please contact Carol at 612.625.9618 or csteinbe@umn.edu
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Show Me The World!
Courtesy of Nicole Melancon, 1st Grade Mother, Burrough’s Community School Yesterday was the first ever schoolwide World Cultures Day (WCD) at my son’s elementary school. I had volunteered for this program eight years ago, when I was pregnant with my first child, and promised myself I’d bring it to his school someday. Eight years later, I did. Our excellent, enthusiastic Art teacher had each class create a postcard from a different country around the world and they were mounted on the walls in the atrium, so students and parents could see them as they walked in the front doors of the school. There were more than 800 postcards in all! The music teacher joined in the fun, teaching each grade songs from around the world. Each morning in the week prior to the WCD, a song was played over the loud speaker before the morning announcements at school. Students experienced the world at their doorstep as they “traveled” to different countries every 35 minutes throughout the day, meeting the 60 international speakers and presenters
Count Me In Courtesy of Mark Rebstock, NCIV Network News On December 3, to commemorate the UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities, a packed auditorium of people gathered in Termez, Uzbekistan to watch the “Count Me In” program developed by the PACER Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, featuring six, child-size, multicultural puppets that portray children with disabilities. How did this innovative program get to Uzbekistan? Ms. Nargis Ziyavatdinova participated in an IVLP project on Women and NGO Development in 2002 where she was introduced to The PACER Center. This provided her with inspiration and ideas for her own work and upon
MIC and Me Courtesy of John Babcock, Vice President, Finance, Satellite Industries, Inc. and MIC Member I first joined MIC in the early 1990’s while attending the U of M. When I entered the business world, I maintained my involvement because of the incredible resources available. I have attended programs as well as volunteering at the MIC Gala. Many of my personal friends as well as business associates are also members… making it a great destination organization for anyone involved in international business. MIC’s work is important because every day you see examples how of the world is getting smaller. We wake up in the morning
representing 40 countries! There was turbulence when things didn’t go as planned, confusion when they didn’t fully understand the accent of the speaker but, best of all, the excitement that comes with traveling and experiencing new cultures. At the end of the day, the principal asked all 770 students to stand and give their thanks to the international speakers who had spent the day with them. To see the smiles, excitement and to hear the cheers of gratitude from all the kids made my heart melt and was the most rewarding part of the day. For it demonstrated that the day was a huge success. It showed that no matter what skin color we have, beliefs and religion we follow or what language we speak, we are all the same. To feel this moment of unity and compassion for others brought tears to my eyes. I hope it was just one step in bringing the world closer together in accepting our differences and promoting world peace. returning home to Uzbekistan, she transformed IMKON, an organization that provided educational opportunities for children with disabilities, into a leading voice for disability advocacy and inclusion. When she returned to Minneapolis in February 2011 as part of NCIV’s Gold Star Tour, PACER graciously donated six puppets to IMKON. With curricula, scripts and training materials now translated into Uzbek, Nargis uses the “Count Me In” program in primary schools and other public venues to help children and adults learn about disabilities and chronic illnesses in an effort to bridge the gap between typical students and those with disabilities. This story serves as a valuable reminder about the power of citizen diplomacy and the ability of people working in NGOs and government to collaborate and accomplish a worthwhile project with remarkable results. and immediately learn about events that have happened around the world while we slept. These events affect our day in so many ways, from a change in the stock market in Asia to a major political event in Europe, to an election in Latin America to a natural disaster in the Pacific Islands. We are incredibly networked into the world as businesses and individuals. MIC helps us understand, process and react to all those dynamics. I have particularly enjoyed hosting dinners for international visitors. These expose you to cultures and people whom you might not normally meet. You always walk away with something that affects your life in some manner. For those of us who are connected to the international community for both business and in our personal lives, an MIC membership is a must. |
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Spring Edition 2012
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Emerging Leader – Elke Schmidt
MIC’s Successful Malaysia Trip
MIC is proud to announce that Elke Schmidt, a recent MIC intern, has been chosen to participate in the National Council for International Visitors’ Citizen Diplomacy Program for Emerging Leaders. The purpose of this program is to instil in the next generation of leaders a better understanding of and appreciation for citizen diplomacy and the role it plays in shaping foreign affairs. They will also learn about the Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program and the operation of the NCIV network. Elke has just completed her BA at the University of Minnesota, graduating with a double major in French Studies and Global Studies with a minor in Teaching English as a Second Language. She was an exchange student in Salzburg, Austria, and spent an academic year in Senegal, studying education development. She plans to work abroad before attending graduate school for international education reform.
This picture shows participants on MIC’s one-of-a-kind excursion to Malaysia in January 2012 at the dinner hosted by former Prime Minister of Malaysia Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his wife, Tun Jeanne Abdullah at their home. The goal was to reconnect MIC members with Malaysian contacts from the 2010 Celebration of Malaysia, furthering the mission of the organization and fundraising for future programs. The trip offered opportunities to explore Malaysian art, culture, history and politics; highlights included high level briefings at the U.S. Embassy and the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
WorldQuest Results
Academic WorldQuest 1st place: Medtronic’s “In It to Win It” nd 2 place: Wells Fargo 3rd place: At Least There Are Door Prizes Team Spirit Award: Atatürk and the Turkish Delights
1st place: St. Paul Academy 2nd place: Chaska High School 3rd place: St. Paul Preparatory Team Spirit Award: St. Paul Preparatory
Complete details for all Cosponsored Programs and Member Discounts available at www.micglobe.org COSPONSORED PROGRAMS Nobel Peace Prize Forum – The Price of Peace Thursday, March 1 – Saturday, March 3 Where: Augsberg College and the University of Minnesota NEW THIS YEAR – A Business Day at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs National Security Forum at William Mitchell College of Law Tuesday, March 6; 6:30 P Speaker: Jeh Johnson, General Counsel, U.S. Department of Defence Where: William Mitchell College of Law Auditorium, 875 Summit Avenue, St. Paul Cost: Free and open to the public but advance registration required Iran in the New Century Monday, March 19; 6:30 - 8:30 P A conversation with Hooman Majd, author of “The Ayatollah Begs to Differ”
MEMBER DISCOUNTS Moderator: John Radsan Where: William Mitchell College of Law Auditorium, 875 Summit Avenue, St. Paul Cost: $50 (Persian food, music and displays in connection with the Persian New Year) Advance registration required 4th International Conference on Hmong Studies Friday, March 30 – Saturday, March 31 Topics: Transnational Marriage between Hmong-Americans and Hmong-Lao; What Does it Mean to be Hmong in the Twin Cities, Minnesota According to the 18 Clan; Council and Associated Hmong Men and Women Leaders?; Navigating Multiple Worlds: A Qualitative Study of the Lived Experiences of Nine Hmong; Hmong Youth Arts Culture: Affecting Change Through Hip-Hop Where: Concordia University, St. Paul
Ballet of the Dolls FAITH Friday, May 4; 7:30 P With a cast talkback program and postperformance party Where: Ordway Center for the Peforming Arts, St. Paul Cost: MIC member discounted ticket price $25 (includes all fees). All seats in any of the price ranges are included in the $25 ticket price, depending on availability. This is an exceptional value for MIC members ONLY! Cultural Proficiency Workshops MIC members continue to save 10% on workshops exploring American Indian, Somali, Latino, Hmong and Ethiopian cultures-a terrific way to learn more about Minnesota’s increasingly international population and build your intercultural communication skills. |
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MIC Contributors & Corporate Members
Global ($15,000+) Sit Investment Associates, Inc. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Executive ($10,000+) Horton Holding, Inc. The Mosaic Company
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Contributing Patron ($2,500+) KPMG LLP RBC Wealth Management Wanner Engineering
Associate ($500+) Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER) Global Language Institute Hamre, Schumann, Mueller & Larson, P.C. Julia Knight, Inc. QRDC, Inc. Sheer Wind Smart Skin, Inc. TripleInk Sponsoring Hotels The Marquette Hotel Radisson Plaza Hotel
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Senior Global ($20,000+) Cargill Carlson
Associate Patron ($1,000+) Bepex International, LLC Gray Plant Mooty Medica Minneapolis Area Association of REALTORS Polaris Industries St. Jude Medical
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Millennium ($30,000+) 3M/3M Foundation Best Buy Co., Inc. General Mills, Inc.
Leadership Patron ($5,000+) Colwell Industries, Inc. Donaldson Company, Inc. Dorsey & Whitney LLP/Dorsey & Whitney Foundation Ecolab Inc. Faegre Baker Daniels LLP Fredrikson & Byron, P.A. Propel Event Transportation Management Target Corporation The Lakeland Companies Thomson Reuters United Health Group U.S. Bank
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Premier ($50,000+) Delta Air Lines, Inc. Medtronic, Inc.
Bringing the World to Minnesota and Minnesota to the World
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