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March 2024, Newsletter
Letter From the Director
First off, thank you to all who attended our AGM last month, it truly was a great experience to see and interact with so many like-minded people who share a passion for international exchange!But, I realized that although many of you know our name, and maybe kinda-sorta know what we do, there’s still a lot of unknowns about us.So, here’s my brief but spectacular overview of Global Ties ABQ.
Who are we?
Global Ties ABQ started as an all-volunteer organization in 1963, yup, that long ago, as the Albuquerque Committee for Foreign Visitors.This committee was at times consisting of only one person who called upon friends in the community to help with visitors sent here by the U.S. Department of State through the United States Information Agency (USIA). The USIA was founded by President Roosevelt as an agency “devoted to the practice of public diplomacy” and operated from 1953 to 1999.
Over time, the agency’s relationship with the Committee grew with them sending more visitors to Albuquerque….so a larger organization was needed, more volunteers were enlisted, an office space located, and job descriptions written.The work was formalized through a grant awarded by the National Council for International Visitors (NCIV) and the Committee changed its name to the Albuquerque Council for International Visitors (ACIV) in 1983.
What do we do?
We’ve been at it ever since hosting theU.S. Department of State’s Office of International Visitors (OIV) key professional exchange program, the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP).IVLP creates “short-term visits to the United States for current and emerging foreign leaders in a variety of fields to experience this country firsthand and cultivate lasting relationships with their American counterparts. Professional meetings reflect the participants’ professional interests and support the foreign policy goals of the United States”. The program is designed to build trust and collaboration between U.S. and international counterparts and support U.S. foreign policy goals.
Since 1940, the IVLP has introduced more than 225,000 global participants, including over 600 current or former heads of state or government, and thousands of leaders in their respective fields, to counterparts in communities in all 50 U.S. states.
In 2014, NCIV changed its name to Global Ties U.S., and in 2015 we followed suit and rebranded to Global Ties ABQ. Today, the network ofCommunity Based Members (CBMs) that implement IVLP across the U.S. is 80+ strong. To date, Global Ties ABQ has hosted over 7,000 visitors from over 120 countries into the Enchanted State.
The IVLP programs are all developed in a joint process that includes the Department of State’s staff in Washington, DC, andembassies around the world. Programs arebased on the current administration’s foreign policy objectives in addition to values and themes that carry through administrations. Subjects are diverse from Human & Civil Rights, Cultural Preservation, Diplomacy and Democracy, to Promoting Social Change through Music and Enhancing Educational Systems. Once a program is developed, our Embassies identify potential program participants who go through an intensive vetting and review process.All International Visitors are current and emerging leaders who travel to the U.S. for programs that reflect their professional interests and U.S. foreign policy goals.
What impact does IVLP have?
A recent Global Ties U.S. Community Impact Study found that participating in international exchanges increases global knowledge and cultural competence, encourages civic engagement, deepens community inclusion, strengthens international connectivity, and generates economic impact and workforce development in U.S. communities. Specifically, the study showed that:
International exchange programs humanize global affairs for U.S. citizens and inspire curiosity about the world, with more than 80% of survey respondents reporting increases in global knowledge and cultural competence.
U.S. participation in international exchange programs encourages local civic engagement and deepens community inclusion, with 77% of respondents reporting greater interest in participating in local events or activities sponsored by groups representing a national heritage different from their own.
Engaging with international visitors provides U.S. communities with opportunities for economic growth and workforce development, with 80% of respondents agreeing that exchange programs enhanced the image of their community, and 77% reporting gains to their organization or personal reputation.
U.S. participation in exchange programs provides greater international connectivity, with almost one in three respondents (32%) reporting that they have stayed in touch with international contacts they made through participating in international exchanges.
But Global Ties ABQ doesn’t just host IVLP! We also host other U.S. State Department exchange programs such as Young Transatlantic Innovation Leaders Initiative (YTILI), Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) the and the U.S. Congress – Republic of Korea National Assembly Exchange Program.
What do we do as a host of these programs?
Global Ties ABQ as a hosting organization creates exchanges for these various visitors, meaning we set-up meetings with counterparts that can share best practices, ideas and insight into the particular subject the group is hoping to learn about. The whole idea is, when we show our partners around the world how we approach common problems and solutions, we create bridges to cooperation and prosperity. Thanks to our members, Global Ties ABQ also organizes cultural and social exchanges: sharing a meal, riding along with the delegates, or visiting an ABQ historic site together - all to build peace and understanding between peoples and well, just having some fun and interesting insight into other ways of living in the world!
Whew, are you acronymed out?? There will be a quiz in another newsletter!
Thank you to all our members, partners and resources for making all this possible. We are a small, but mighty team, thanks in part to all of you!
We would like to welcome our new Program Officer Christian Finke!
Born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Christian graduated summa cum laude from the University of New Mexico with a double major in International Studies and Political Science. Christian lived abroad as an exchange student in Estonia and Spain and as a Fulbright Scholar in Malaysian Borneo. He worked in Washington, D.C. as an intern for U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich and for the State Department’s Bureau of Human Rights. In Washington, Christian also worked as a Program Associate for the global nonprofit the International Research and Exchange Board (IREX). Christian is an alumni of the State Department's Critical Language Scholarship for Indonesian, and enjoys learning new languages. In his free time, Christian also enjoys fly fishing, disc golf, and making new friends and connections from around the world!
We're thrilled to share the excitement of our recent Annual General Meeting held last month! It was a resounding success, thanks to the wonderful participation and enthusiasm of all who attended. Our AGM wasn't just a gathering; it was a celebration of global ties and citizen diplomacy. Together, we commemorated the power of collaboration, understanding, and mutual respect across borders.
We would like to give a special thanks to Katherine Brown, CEO and President of Global Ties U.S. for being our guest speaker and sharing her diverse perspectives.
Our Executive Director was recognized last month at the 20th Annual Women of Influence Awards ceremony. The event celebrated influential women across the Rio Grande region who impact their communities, take a moment and celebrate all the outstanding women in your lives!
Our Partners at SFWAF are having their Annual Symposium and we are looking forward the amazing discussion that will come from the two day event.
This year’s title is America’s Place in the World – Still Indispensable? They will take a deep dive into the questions of American international influence as the global order rests on increasingly shaky pillars, brought to you by amazing speakers working around the world.
GTABQ members will be eligible to attend the Symposium at the $95 two-day SFWAF member discounted fee.
Space is limited so reserve your spot! Use the link below to find out how to register.
