Letter from the Director 

Welcome to 2024! It’s looking to be a tough one with (too) many world conflicts, disasters and political turmoil… even more reason why advancing peace through citizen diplomacy is so vital!! Thank you all for supporting our efforts in doing so!

2024 will be a busy year for the GTABQ team, were committed to hosting over 300 visitors from our flagship program, the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) and will also have 6 fellows from the Young Transatlantic Innovation Leaders Initiative (YTILI) in May. So, we’ll have several opportunities for members to host dinners, accompany them on cultural events and, well, just be a citizen diplomat!

We also have our Annual General Meeting which will be on Thursday, Feb 8 at the way-cool, way-new Fusion performance space off of 1st downtown. Be sure to Save the Date and join us for this annual event to learn about what we’ve done, we’re doing and what’s to come!

Members and all followers are encouraged to join us and learn about what we’ve done in 2023 and what we’ll do in 2024!!

This year our Keynote speaker will be Katherine Brown, the CEO & President of Global Ties US. Since 2018, Katherine has led the Global Ties Network’s 90+ member organizations and partners, resulting in deeper civic engagement in international affairs. Katherine also served in various government roles focused on media and public diplomacy. She began her career at the National Security Council at the White House and went on to serve as a Public Diplomacy Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan; Professional Staff Member at the Committee on Foreign Affairs at the U.S. House of Representatives; and Executive Director of the U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy at the U.S. Department of State. She also worked at The Asia Foundation, Bloomberg Opinion, and Meta, where she was in residence as a Council on Foreign Relations International Affairs Fellow.

Thanks to our new Client Relations Management (CRM) system, we're now connecting with all our visitors over time! And, we've already gotten some great feedback, here's an example!

“Dear GTABQ, Well received your newsletter with thanks.

We, the IVLP members from Burma had the wonderful time and meaning conversation in ABQ. Thank you so much for your hospitality during our trip.”

- 2023 IVLP Burma Delegate

We've also hear back from some past visitors reminding us why we do what we do!

Dear Anna & Constantine,

"Remembering the wonderful dinner pictures below and building the “Herrnhut-Star” below last year before Christmas during our IVLP host family Gala dinner – I send out happy wishes for the upcoming holiday-season and hope you a had a good year 2023!"

- 2022 IVLP German Delegate 

Gender-Based Violence Interventions - A Project for India

Eight remarkable women from India - all involved at the Ministry or Indian State level - recently participated in an eye-opening exchange program with us on gender-based violence.

During their visit, they engaged with key figures like Seth Grant, Managing Attorney for Albuquerque 2nd Judicial District Court Family Court, delving into discussions with experts such as Domestic Violence Judge Degra Ramirez and DV Program Manager Steven Sierra.

They explored critical topics like Orders of Protection, domestic violence prevention, and victim support services at organizations like Enlace Comunitario and the Domestic Violence Resource Center. Alongside these insightful sessions, they immersed themselves in the vibrant culture of the Santa Fe square and experienced warm hospitality at dinners hosted by our members, showcasing the power of international connections and cultural exchange in fostering safer communities worldwide.

Expanding Tourism to Grow Tunisia’s Economy

Embarking on an illuminating expedition, our Tunisia group, part of the Global Ties ABQ program, explored Albuquerque's tourism landscape.

Kicking off the journey, our group was warmly greeted by Marie Trigg, a Global Ties ABQ member, for a delightful exploration of Albuquerque's unique architecture, art styles, and flavors at Old Town Plaza. They experienced the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, diving into its indigenous-rich offerings.

Concluding their visit with MeowWolf's Elisa Montoya (VP of Planning), they delved into the world of immersive art and social impact initiatives, gathering insights to boost Tunisia's tourism sector and economic growth.

We’re still working on lining up other programs but will have MANY opportunities to host and accompany these delegations, we’ll keep you posted!!!

Members! We also need two more home hosts for our YTILI fellows May 4-11! This means providing them a room and sharing meals, please let us know if you’re interested, info@globaltiesabq.org.

Button below will take you to information on home hosting

We're Having an (inside) Yard Sale! 

We’re moving our offices, and we don’t want to take it all with us. Need desk chairs, lounge seating, worktables, office supplies? We’ve got it and more!

Button below will link images of items for sale

Come check out what’s good to go and give us your best offer

We will also be hosting a

sale Saturday for whatever is still left:

January 13 from 9am-3pm

625 Silver Ave SW, STE 185 (park and use the westside entry)

Please email us at info@globaltiesabq.org or

text to (505) 948 9746 and let us know you’re coming.

We’re thrilled to announce that we have signed a collaborative relationship with AMP Concerts! AMP Concerts offer innovative and inspiring arts programming throughout New Mexico to include numerous inspiring and intriguing international performers. In fact, we’re sure many of you have been to some of their way-cool concerts already!

Global Ties ABQ is proud to become a sponsor of some of these international performances which will include recognition at the performances and discounted tickets to GTABQ members!! We’ll keep you informed as things progress but, in the meantime, check out what they’ve got coming up: https://www.ampconcerts.org

The WAC has two dinner/lectures planned for January 18 and February 22:

• Thursday, January 18, 2024, 6:00 PM The Year of Living Dangerously? Asia in 2024 Presenter: Ambassador William H. Itoh
• Thursday, February 22, 2024, 6:00 PM A Perspective on the Global Race to Space Presenter: Dr. Wellesley Pereira

For tickets, please go to: https://wacabq.org . $60/pp

GTABQ Members pay the WAC Member rate of $40/pp

MEMBERSHIP

Being a GTABQ member means being a Citizen Diplomat,

join us and meet the world!!

We Offer Four Membership Levels:

Member - $60 / Supporter - $120 / Benefactor - $120+ / Student free

THANK YOU to our latest Benefactor: Chris Ferrara!

Members will have the opportunity to spend time with our emerging world leaders, accompanying them to professional meetings and cultural activities, and hosting them for lunches and dinners. These acts of citizen diplomacy help build economic and cultural bridges and promote peace in the world. Members and our community partners often develop business relationships with our world leaders, growing New Mexico’s economy and promoting Albuquerque as a thriving international city.