Celebrating
60 years
www.micglobe.org | 612.625.1662
SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2015 EDITION | Bringing the World to Minnesota and Minnesota to the World
Friday, October 9
8th Annual Great Decisions Conference: Human Trafficking in the 21st Century
A serious challenge to humanity and one of the fastest growing criminal industries, human trafficking tears at the very fabric of our existence. The U.S. and the international community have adopted various treaties and laws to prevent trafficking, but to truly understand and combat the issue, we must find the root causes enabling traffickers to exploit millions of victims. In addition, as one of the world’s leading human trafficking importers, the U.S. bears a special responsibility to combat this practice. On Friday, October 9, we will explore the impact of human trafficking in the 21st century as part of our 8th annual Great Decisions conference. Great Decisions is America’s largest discussion program on world affairs, and MIC is proud to coordinate the largest Great Decisions program in the country and hold the only statewide annual conference. This year’s keynote address and panel discussions will examine a variety of topics related to human trafficking, including broader U.S. foreign policy implications, federal anti-trafficking legislation, and Minnesota’s achievements in responding to this serious crime. Speakers and special guests include John Rash, editorial writer for the Star Tribune; Tom Hanson, former U.S. Foreign Service Officer and Diplomat in Residence at the University of Minnesota – Duluth. In addition, speaking invitations have been extended to national and local experts on human trafficking, human rights, and related policy issues, including Dave Pinto, Minnesota State Representative and prosecutor in the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office; Brenda Schultz, Director Responsible Business with Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group; and U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar. The conference is open to the public, and participants in MIC’s Great Decisions program are especially encouraged to attend. Become an MIC member today and attend at the member rate!
When: Friday, October 9; registration 8:30 am, conference 9 am – 2 pm Where: Minneapolis Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis Cost: MIC members and cosponsors $15; Nonmembers $30; Free for students with student I.D.; Includes continental breakfast and individual boxed lunch; Advanced registration required
The Great Decisions conference is offered at a reduced rate due to generous support from the Carlson Family Foundation and the Foreign Policy Association. MIN N ESOTA I N T ERTODAY NAT I O NAL CAT EN T ER REGISTER MICGLOBE.ORG
OR CALL 612.625.1662
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1901 University Avenue SE Minneapolis, MN 55414
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Communiqué Celebrating
60 years
September / October 2015 Edition
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REGISTER TODAY AT MICGLOBE.ORG OR CALL 612.625.1662
Friday, November 13
Save the Date! WorldQuest International Trivia Competition Mark your calendar for MIC’s annual WorldQuest competition on Friday, November 13 at the McNamara Alumni Center at the University of Minnesota. Assemble a team of internationally-savvy friends and colleagues for an evening of friendly competition. Rise to the top of the leaderboard by correctly answering questions on country specific flags, capitals, geography, people in the news, current events, 2015 Great Decision topics, and MIC’s focus country – the Republic of Korea. Online registration and event information coming soon!
September / October 2015 Edition
Letter from the President
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MIC CORPORATE MEMBERS
Globally minded companies that value membership with the Minnesota International Center
July marked our new program year at MIC and I am delighted to report that we, once again, ended the past year in the black. Our Celebration of Germany Gala was our most successful ever, and I’m confident I’ll be able to say that again next year at the end of our Celebration of the Republic of Korea. See the photographs on page 5 and you can judge for yourself what a great time everyone had celebrating Germany – while raising funds for MIC programs! But enough of looking back, let’s concentrate on what’s ahead at MIC. We have a terrific line up of programs for the next couple of months. There’s something for everyone’s taste and interest; be it social and light-hearted or educational and profound. The Great Decisions conference on human trafficking obviously falls into the second category and is a topic on which we at MIC feel it is important to continue to shine a bright light. September marks the first anniversary of our free monthly series, Global Conversations, at the Minneapolis Central Library. The topic “Sectarianism in the Middle East” also falls under the educational heading. But then, there’s a GlobalSocial with international visiting youth leaders which, as its name suggests, is definitely a social event! A wonderful opportunity to meet and greet outstanding individuals from around the world in a relaxed atmosphere. Behind-the-scenes, MIC’s Classroom Connection is preparing for another year of connecting international speakers with classrooms – a one-of-a-kind opportunity for students to learn about other countries and cultures not out of a book but from the people themselves. I am confident that it is going to be an exciting year ahead and I look forward to seeing you at the MIC events above and at those which are in the planning stages right now.
Premier ($50,000+) Carlson & The Carlson Family Foundation Medtronic, Inc.
Platinum ($40,000+) Wells Fargo International Group Millennium ($30,000+) Delta Air Lines General Mills, Inc.
Senior Global ($20,000+) 3M Cargill Ecolab Inc. Horton Holding, Inc.
Global ($15,000+) Sit Investment Associates, Inc. Executive ($10,000+) Donaldson Company, Inc. Target Corporation The Mosaic Company
Leadership Patron ($5,000+) Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America Colwell Industries, Inc. DLA Piper Dorsey & Whitney LLP Faegre Baker Daniels LLP Fredrikson & Byron, P.A. J.P. Morgan KPMG LLP Land O’Lakes, Inc. Propel Event Transportation Management The Lakeland Companies U.S. Bank Contributing Patron ($2,500+) RBC Wealth Management Wanner Engineering
Meet Peter Hawthorne, Incoming MIC Board Chair
Peter Hawthorne, new MIC Board Chair, first joined the board for a full term rotation in 2004. Over the years, he has continued to stay engaged with MIC and returned as a board member in 2013. Peter is excited to take on this new role and comments: “I’m delighted to have been asked to chair an organization that plays such an important role in informing, connecting, and engaging Minnesotans in global issues and opportunities, and look forward to working closely with the board, staff, and members in the year ahead.”
A Special “Thank You” to Leni!
Leni Moore served as MIC Board Chair from 2013 to 2015 and saw MIC through two successful galas, a move to our new facility, implementation of a strategic plan, and celebration of 60 years. We are grateful for Leni’s thoughtful direction during these significant transitions and look forward to her continued work with MIC. Thank you, Leni, for your generosity, commitment, and leadership. REGISTER TODAY AT MICGLOBE.ORG OR CALL 612.625.1662
Associate Patron ($1,000+) Bepex International, LLC Eide Bailly LLP Global Tax Network (GTN) Gray Plant Mooty HGA Architects and Engineers Minneapolis Area Association of REALTORS Polaris Industries Inc. Shaw-Lundquist Associates Inc. WTP Advisors
Associate Corporate ($500+) Carlson Global Institute Global Language Institute Hamre, Schumann, Mueller & Larson, P.C. TripleInk Sponsoring Hotel Radisson Blu Minneapolis Downtown M I N N E S OTA I N T E R N AT I O N A L C E N T E R
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September / October 2015 Edition
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Wednesday, September 16
The U.S. and Morocco: Important Allies For more than 100 years, the U.S. and Morocco have shared a close and abiding relationship across the Atlantic Ocean, characterized by mutual respect and friendship. A testament to the special nature of U.S.-Morocco relations, the Moroccan-American Treaty of Friendship first signed in 1786 is still intact and constitutes the longest unbroken treaty in U.S. history. Today, our shared interests include the economic prosperity of both countries, pursuit of a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, promotion of regional security and cooperation, and sustainable development. Join MIC for a public luncheon on Wednesday, September 16, to hear Rachad Bouhlal, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco, discuss current cultural and diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Morocco. Rachad Bouhlal became ambassador to the U.S. in December 2011 and was named Ambassador of the Year in 2014 by the National U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C. Prior to his current post, Ambassador Bouhlal served as ambassador to Germany and the EU, Belgium, and Luxembourg.
When: Wednesday, September 16; 11:30 am – 1:30 pm Where: Windows on Minnesota, IDS Center, 80 S 8th Street, Minneapolis Cost: MIC members $45; Nonmembers $60; Corporate tables available $450; Advanced registration required
Wednesday, September 9
Global Conversations: Sectarianism in the Middle East As instability continues to plague the Middle East, many of the current conflicts in the region have been attributed to sectarianism, a politicization of ethnic and religious identity. From the crisis in Iraq and Syria to the tension between Iran and Saudi Arabia, the struggle between Sunni and Shi‘i groups for dominance is tearing apart the region and shows no signs of abating. But for all the religious discourse permeating the conflict, much of its roots are political, not religious. How does sectarianism fit into a larger narrative of the Middle East? How have governments manipulated sectarian differences? And finally, what is the U.S. doing about it? On September 9, former U.S. Foreign Service Officer and Great Decisions speaker Mary T. Curtin will lead a conversation on sectarianism in the Middle East. Mary T. Curtin is Diplomat in Residence at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. She worked as a U.S. Department of State Foreign Service Officer from 1986 to 2011, serving in five overseas assignments including Poland, Tunisia, Mali, Chile, and Washington, D.C. Throughout her career she kept a focus on how the U.S. could help promote democracy and human rights through bilateral and multilateral efforts. She was political counselor at the U.S. Mission to the European Union and oversaw mission engagement efforts regarding NATO and Afghanistan.
When: Wednesday, September 9; 5:30 – 7:30 pm Where: Minneapolis Central Library, 2nd floor, 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis Cost: FREE and open to the public; Advance registration requested
The Minnesota International Center’s Global Conversations is a monthly program series on issues significant to the United States’ role in the global community. Global Conversations is based on Great Decisions, a citizen education and discussion program sponsored nationally by the Foreign Policy Association. And, Global Conversations is sponsored by the Friends of the Minneapolis Central Library. M I N N E S OTA I N T E R N AT I O N A L C E N T E R
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Bringing the World to Minnesota and Minnesota to the World
DINNER HOSTING
Bringing Cultures from Around the World to Your Doorstep Did you know? MIC offers members the unique opportunity to meet international visitors through our dinner hosting program. Enjoy an evening of cultural exchange and engaging conversation with emerging foreign leaders…in the comfort of your own home! Chosen by U.S. embassies around the world for the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), mid-career professionals visit Minnesota to engage in cultural and professional exchange opportunities and develop lasting relationships with their U.S. counterparts. MIC serves as Minnesota’s coordinator of the IVLP and is one of the top five member-based communities to host program participants. Dinner in an American home is a key component of the exchange experience and provides visitors a chance to immerse themselves in local culture. And across the table, hosting allows MIC members to meet the world on a personal level and serve as ambassadors for Minnesota. Best of all, hosting is easy with only a few expectations:
“Meeting interesting people from around the world through MIC’s International Visitor Leadership Program, sharing food, and gaining knowledge about other countries and cultures is a great way to spend an evening.” Joel and Marta Gisselquist
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Open up your home to two or three international visitors
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Serve dinner – a potluck, backyard BBQ, or pizza party are all great options.
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Relax and enjoy the evening!
You don’t have to be a world traveler, multilingual, or expert on visitors’ home countries. Hosting is about cross-cultural exchange, providing your guests with a glimpse into the private sphere of Minnesota culture, and developing connections that grow into lasting friendships. A sincere interest in your guests is all you need! Become an MIC member to take part in this one-of-a-kind experience.
Monday, September 14
Join Us for Our Next GlobalSocial with International Visitors
When: Monday, September 14; 5:30 – 7:30 pm Where: Lindahl Founders Room, Northrop, 84 Church Street SE, Minneapolis Cost: MIC members and their guests only; FREE; Advanced registration required
On Monday, September 14, MIC welcomes a group of emerging international leaders from 20 different countries who will visit the Twin Cities on a U.S. Department of State-sponsored project focused on engaging youth leaders in strengthening communities. Countries represented by this dynamic group of visitors include Austria, Bahrain, Egypt, Lebanon, Spain, and Tunisia. Be part of this exclusive event for MIC members and their guests to meet international professionals and learn more about their cultures and countries – in an informal social setting. There will be complimentary hors d’oeuvres and non-alcoholic beverages, and a cash bar. GlobalSocials are presented by the Minnesota International Center in an effort to connect international visitors with the community members and facilitate global understanding and awareness in an informal setting. GlobalSocials are made possible by the generous gift in honor of Katherine W. Merriam. M I N N E S OTA I N T E R N AT I O N A L C E N T E R
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September / October 2015 Edition
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VIELEN DANK! Many thanks to all who helped make our Celebration of Germany gala a great success!
Tuesday, October 27
Celebrating the Republic of Korea This year, MIC will travel east to celebrate the culture, innovation, and global role of the Republic of Korea (South Korea) as our 2015-16 focus country. We will kick off our yearlong celebration with a members-only event on Tuesday, October 27 at the Weisman Art Museum on the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus. Join us for an opportunity to view one of the largest collections of traditional Korean furniture outside of Korea. In addition, representatives from the Korean community, the Weisman Art Museum, and MIC will speak about Minnesota’s unique ties to South Korea. Watch MIC’s website for event details and registration, as well as additional programs highlighting this dynamic country. MMIINNNNEESSOTA OTA IINNTTEERRNNAT ATIIOONNAALL CCEENNTTEERR ||
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