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Communiqué EARLY SUMMER EDITION 2013
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Bringing the World to Minnesota and Minnesota to the World
Tuesday, May 21
Humanitarian Intervention A Celebration of Canada program The United States is frequently called upon with requests for humanitarian intervention by foreign governments, the international NGO community, and various other groups. As such, many are calling for the U.S. to adopt a “responsibility to protect” doctrine, similar to Canada’s International Commission on Intervention and State Sovereignty. “R2P”, as it has come to be known, raises serious questions about intervention on strictly humanitarian grounds: Is it legal? What are the ethics of using military force in response to human right violations? When and who should intervene? And finally, is it even effective? On May 21, join the Minnesota International Center and the University of Minnesota Interdisciplinary Center for the Study of Global Change for a discussion attempting to answer some of these questions with one of the world’s leading experts on humanitarian intervention, Dr. Lloyd Axworthy. Dr. Axworthy’s political career in Canada spanned 27 years, six of which he served in the Manitoba Legislative Assembly and over two decades in the Federal Parliament. He has held several Cabinet positions, including a four year tenure as Minister of Foreign Affairs during which he helped to establish the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty and the International Criminal Court in 1998. Upon leaving public office, Dr. Axworthy served as Director and CEO of the Liu Institute for Global Issues at the University of British Columbia before his appointment as The University of Winnipeg’s President and Vice-Chancellor in 2004.
Cosponsor: Interdisciplinary Center for the Study of Global Change When: Tuesday, May 21; registration 3:30 P; program 4:00 – 5:30 P Where: Cowles Auditorium, Humphrey School of Public Affairs, 301 19th Avenue S, Minneapolis; Parking is available at the 19th Avenue Ramp Cost: MIC members, students and cosponsor $5; Non-members $15
Saturday, June 22
Celebration of Canada Gala
Joe Brothers, MIC Celebration of Canada Gala Committee Member The theme of this year’s Celebration of Canada gala “Sustaining our Future Together” perfectly highlights the unique and essential relationship between the U.S. and Canada. This important relationship is forged by shared interests, similar values, and deeply ingrained economic ties. The Canadian Ambassador to the U.S., Gary Doer, recently remarked that the U.S. exports more goods to Canada than China, the United Kingdom, Germany and Japan combined, and that the Canadian market for exports is greater than the European Union M I N NESOTA I NTER NATI O NAL CENT ER
combined. In fact, 183,300 jobs in Minnesota alone directly depend on business and investment with Canada. The Canada-U.S. economic relationship is by far the largest and most important between any two countries in the world. In addition to the $1.7 billion dollars of goods which cross the border every day, hundreds of thousands of people traverse the 49th parallel daily. C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 2 J O I N T h E C O N v E R S AT I O N
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Celebration of Canada Gala by Joe Brothers This is a reality which is being effectively and responsibly dealt with by both federal governments who appreciate the critical social relationship that exists between our two nations. Canada and the U.S. are thoroughly allied by our common political values with respect to peace, human rights, and the rule of law. Although we may not necessarily agree on everything (for instance, if you asked a Canadian and an American which was the best hockey game ever played, you would be told the “Summit Series” by the former, and the “Miracle on Ice” by the latter), there is certainly a mutual commitment and understanding that our futures are inextricably linked to one another. In my opinion, MIC has fulfilled a significant responsibility in emphasizing the importance of building our future together, and has helped this newly arrived Canadian-Minnesotan feel a little closer to his home. It is my hope to see you at the gala so we can have a neighbourly conversation about the advantages of our mutually beneficial relationship! Joe Brothers is a freelance English-Spanish-French Translator, and worked as a political staffer for a Canadian Member of Parliament. Joe recently immigrated to Minneapolis from Waterloo, Ontario
MIC Member Spotlight
Meet Joan Higinbotham Joan Higinbotham is celebrating her 40th year as an MIC member! In 1973, when she and her husband returned to the Twin Cities from Brazil, Joan saw a notice in the Star Tribune about volunteer opportunities which included hosting international students for the Minnesota International Center. The program arranged housing for international students in American homes for 4-6 weeks while the students took intensive English classes in preparation for attending the University of Minnesota. Upon joining the MIC volunteers, one of Joan’s first students to host happened to be from Brazil! As a result of a conversation at an MIC event with Fran Paulu, MIC’s then executive director, Joan started to work with the International Visitor Leadership Program, arranging activities and appointments for the visiting professionals from around the world. Then she took on leadership of MIC’s volunteer program, coordinating all the student housing stays. Because of her love of international relationship-building, Joan joined the MIC Board of Directors in 1983 and subsequently become its Chair. What does she find so worthwhile and special about MIC? M IN N ESOTA I N T ER NAT I O NAL C EN TER
What: MIC’s Celebration of Canada Gala where you will be able to travel the Tour the World silent and live auctions; dine on Canadian delicacies; and enjoy Acadian entertainment, while supporting the mission of the Minnesota International Center When: Saturday, June 22; 4:30 – 8:30P Where: At a private home in Long Lake Cost: Tickets begin at $200 per person; patron and underwriter opportunities available Advance registration available online. If you have not received your invitation in the mail, please contact Danielle Tessmer at 612.626.2406
“MIC is a master of citizen diplomacy. It is the best opportunity to meet people from around the globe to understand their various cultures, as well as introducing them to our American culture. It is a unique way for people living in the middle of the country to have international experiences on an on-going basis.” “And there are the benefits: The opportunity to host international guests in your home, the best way to meet one-on-one with the world; attending activities like the international receptions; and having the interesting programs with presentations on international events. At MIC, there is something for anyone interested in learning more about the world.” Supporting MIC makes all this possible. Joan closes, ”The world news can be overwhelming. The best way to understand the world is one person at a time. And MIC provides that opportunity.” Each year more than 500 emerging leaders come to Minnesota, where MIC acts as host and conduit for meetings and events to learn about areas of professional interest , American people and culture. IVLP is administered by the U. S. State Department, handselecting each participant to come to the United States and visit 3-4 different cities in regions around the country. The exposure to various places in this huge country of ours is in itself a cross-cultural experience!
J O I N T h E C O N v E R S AT I O N
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Letter from the President I am delighted to tell you that MIC will be celebrating its 60th year in the year ahead! We have an impressive history and have evolved to one of the largest World Affairs Councils in the U.S. Stay tuned in the coming months for specific 60th anniversary programming. In the meantime, we have come across a number of fun facts to share with you: •
International Center for Students and Visitors (later MIC) began 60 years ago with a $650 in contributions and a membership rate of $3 per year; Josef Mestenhauser, one of the MIC founders has been a stalwart supporter since the very beginning and still advises us today;
•
Fifty years ago MIC moved into the house at 711 East River Road and noted that, “our door will always be open to students wishing to...lounge, or use our...television, stereo, and radio set”;
The good news is that the Minnesota International Center has received a generous $20,000 matching grant to help us There’s still time • MIC was party-central for students forty years ago, with meet our fiscal year goal for an international spring festival for 1,000 people and a for you to join in individual contributions. Our holiday party that “pack(ed) MIC(‘s) house to capacity”; the excitement! fiscal year ends June 30, and we are extending the time for you • The merger of MIC and the University of Minnesota’s to participate until then! World Affairs center took place nearly thirty years ago, So please use the return leading to greater depth of programs on global issues envelope enclosed or go online at micglobe.org to make and raising our profile in the greater community and the your new or increased gift, or to join or renew your world; membership. Each dollar of your contribution will be • MIC was one of the first councils to host U.S. State matched by a dollar from our matching fund, so you can Department International Visitors back in the late 1950s. double the impact your gift will make for MIC’s work, Today MIC continues to be a leader in the field hosting bringing the world to Minnesotans of all ages. 500 international visitors annually, 10% of all the U.S. You can see from the articles in this newsletter about State Department Visitors hosted in the U.S.; the special events and impact that your membership • Fifteen years ago MIC developed our first website; makes in bringing global understanding to our • MIC started our wildly successful international trivia community. In the increasingly inter-connected world, competition, WorldQuest, ten years ago; knowledge and personal interactions with people and issues facing our country are more important than • MIC has one of the largest Great Decisions programs in ever. Global savviness is essential for our students and the U.S. and created the first Great Decisions conference professionals as they compete in world markets. Thank in the nation four years ago; you to all of you who support MIC’s global vision with • MIC started as a volunteer organization 60 years ago. your contributions, attendance at events and word-ofToday, although we have a paid staff of 14, we still rely on mouth to bring others into MIC. many hundreds volunteers to carry out our mission. YOU are the people who make everything we do possible. Please use this special opportunity to make even We have depended upon your generous support for the last 60 years and more of an investment in MIC’s financial well-being. we are so grateful for all you do – Thank You! After all, it is our individual members who provide the most stable source of funding for MIC’s work! If you have any questions, please contact Tricia Carol Engebretson Byrne, President Rhodes at 612.625.0620 or trhodes@umn. edu
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Bringing the World to Minnesota and Minnesota to the World
For MIC Members and Their Guests ONLY
See you in Greece in July!
Member Corner
After the winter we have endured, let’s look forward to sampling some of the best Greek cuisine in the Twin Cities! On Tuesday, July 16, MIC members and their guests are invited to another Culture through Cuisine event, this time at The Gardens of Salonica (gardensofsalonica.com), with proprietor and chef Anna Christoforides. Anna also leads tours of Greece several times a year, so her Greek culture is as fresh as the organic and natural ingredients she uses in the restaurant’s dishes. The menu? … Something to whet everyone’s appetite, including those of you who are vegetarian, gluten-free and dairy-free.
Culture through Cuisine
When: Tuesday, July 16; registration 6:00 P; dinner 6:30 – 8:30 P Where: 19 Fifth Street NE, Minneapolis Cost: $40 per person prix fixe menu; cash bar for beer and wine. Advance registration requested. Space is limited, so, members, be sure to register early. For questions, please contact Tricia Rhodes at 612.625.0620 or trhodes@umn.edu.
MIC Brings the World to Minnesota and Minnesota to the World Yet Again! On April 4, MIC had the pleasure of hosting 24 talented and experienced teachers of English as a Second Language for a Member Reception. These teachers came from 22 different countries - from Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Central and South America. Large countries such as Argentina and India, and small ones like International Visitor the Maldives and Montenegro. What did they all have in Leadership Program common? They were emerging leaders in the education field who traveled to Minnesota because of MIC’s member-supported International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). As a popular member benefit, these receptions with international visitors always create great energy; exchanging experiences and meeting new friends with shared global awareness and interests. They remarked on how meaningful it was for them to meet American families in their homes, Your Membership Dollars Supported being hosted for an American dinner and meeting people one-on-one. 4 Minnesota Teachers to Participate in They all said how excited they Turkish Study Tour were to have come in the U.S., most MIC, in partnership with the World Affairs Councils of them for the first time. They will of America and the Turkish Cultural Foundation, take back that people are very friendly is proud to announce that, following this spring’s and kind; and that Americans always workshop on Turkey and an application process, apologize for things the visitors didn’t four outstanding Minnesota teachers have been even notice! selected for a study tour to Turkey this summer: Sharing the opportunity to meet and talk with these distinguished Ethan Cherin, St. Paul Central High School global leaders is a highlight of MIC’s member-only programming. Kathryn Haddad, Bloomington Kennedy High School If you haven’t attended a recepSt. Paul Central’s Academic WorldMichelle Neal, Orono High School tion, please come. And if you aren’t a Quest team in Washington, D.C. James Redelsheimer, Armstrong High School for the national competition member, we encourage you to join us! |
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MIC’s International Visitor Leadership Program – A Two Way Street Daniel Getahun, MIC’s International Visitor Leadership Program Manager I regularly hear about Minnesotan hosts and resources connecting with visitors during their trips abroad, but I never thought I would personally have the opportunity to do so. So when in January 2013, my wife and I took a “once in a lifetime” trip to Southeast Asia, I made sure to contact some of the International Visitors (IVs) from South-East Asia for whom I had recently arranged professional programs in Minnesota. Doing so was one of the best decisions I made (the worst being booking a 7-hour minivan trip within Cambodia and sampling a fermented Thai whiskey during a Bangkok market tour). Our first destination was Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, a rapidly modernizing city with traffic patterns that can only be described as anarchic. We were received by Huong, who visited Minnesota in May 2012 on an IVLP project examining “NGO Management” (during which she and her colleagues met with local organizations such as MIGIZI, Hmong American Partnership, and even the Minnesota Zoo). Huong brought us to her office at Saigon Children’s Charity (SCC), a dynamic NGO providing scholarships and vocational education to disadvantaged Vietnamese youth. We met her colleagues and visited the Thang Long English Vocational School, where, as a supplement to their public school education, teens learn English and critical job-readiness skills. Huong oversees development at SCC, and shared that one key insight she gained from her IVLP visit to the U.S. is that Vietnamese NGOs need to do a better job demonstrating their impact to donors, not only with data but also with personal stories. She had already put into practice some new ideas since her IVLP trip, and the Director at SCC, in addition to showering her with praise, told us how grateful the organization was to the State Dept. for Huong’s IVLP opportunity. In Phnom Penh, Cambodia, we had an unforgettable exchange with Sokunny, who had visited Minnesota in December 2012 on an IVLP project examining “HIV/AIDS Education and Prevention”. Appointments for her group had included the Minnesota AIDS Project, Clare Housing and University of Minnesota Youth and AIDS Projects. One meeting she personally found very helpful was a joint discussion with representatives from Minneapolis Public Schools and the Minnesota Department of Education, who provided a great deal of health education curriculum and HIV/AIDS resource materials. Sokunny said that although HIV/AIDS education was technically included in public school curriculum in Cambodia, educational resources and expertise are lacking, and the country continues to have one of the highest HIV/AIDS rates in Asia, primarily due to the rampant (and illegal) sex trade. Sokunny and her colleagues FHI 360 (a D.C.-based NGO) provide free workshops in the city to raise awareness of safe sex practices
and encourage HIV-testing among sex workers. My wife and I found the realities of this situation and Sokunny’s work to be disturbing and frustrating (as did she, at times), and yet we were encouraged by her compassion and pragmatic approach to stopping the spread of the disease in Cambodia. We ended our trip in the sprawling metropolis of Bangkok, where we had an informational meeting about the IVLP process at the U.S. Embassy (I was encouraged to hear that Thai IVs frequently have excellent feedback about visiting Minnesota). We also met with Aggarin, an emerging leader in the Thai government, who had visited Minnesota in October 2012 on a project examining “Protection of Intellectual Property Rights”. As we observed the countless vendors and market stalls selling counterfeit American goods in Bangkok, I immediately understood why Aggarin had been nominated for his IVLP project. Among other responsibilities, he is drafting intellectual property legislation that will develop stricter patent and trademark laws in Thailand. The majority of IVs have had no prior exposure to the U.S. Through my own trip I was able to appreciate the essential role that Minnesotans and MIC members play as “citizen diplomats” in their interactions with these visitors. The impact of the IVLP and person-to-person exchanges is real. Whether meeting with an IVLP group to share professional expertise or hosting visitors for a casual dinner in your home, you are creating experiences that will have an impact on international relations and understanding as the visitors develop into the next generation of world leaders. |
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