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Tuesday, December 13 Post-Conflict Liberia: Challenges and Opportunities Despite the progress Liberia has made in recent years, this small West African country of 3.5 million people continues to struggle in the wake of a 14-year civil war that ravaged its people and its infrastructure. Since fighting ended in 2003, the country has held a successful presidential election and is in the midst of completing a second one that observers call a test of stability and an important step towards lasting democracy. Liberia has begun to rebuild its society and is working to mend the physical and emotional scars Liberians still bear today. Two U.S. journalists, Kira Kay and Jason Maloney, will discuss their reporting from Liberia about this year’s presidential election. They produced a series of reports for PBS NewsHour that gauged present-day Liberia in terms of peace and stability, mental health and the future promise of natural resource wealth. Dr. Wilhelmina Holder, a public health physician in Minneapolis and daughter of former Liberian President William R. Tolbert, will also give her perspective on the challenges facing Liberia today, the positive role the Diaspora can play and the need for unity of purpose in helping the country build sustained peace and prosperity. The discussion will be moderated by Denise Johnson, Star Tribune editorial writer.

When: Tuesday, December 13; 5:30 – 7:30 P Where: Cowles Auditorium, Humphrey School of Public Affairs 301 19th Avenue S., MinneapolisCost: MIC members/members of cosponsoring organizations/students Free; Non-members $10Advance registration REQUIRED

Wednesday, February 1 The U.S. Foreign Policy Outlook for 2012 A public forum with foreign policy expert Tom Hanson Join MIC on Wednesday, February 1, for its popular tradition as former Career Foreign Service Officer Tom Hanson gives his annual “State of U.S. Foreign Policy” address. He will explore and explain current foreign policy development, trends and challenges faced by the United States in the upcoming year and the run-up to the 2012 elections. This timely and thought-provoking presentation is recommended for anyone interested in international relations, and participants in MIC’s Great Decisions program are especially encouraged to attend as Mr. Hanson

often gives illuminating insights into the eight yearly topics outlined by the Foreign Policy Association.

Sponsors: The Stanley Foundation

The Minnesota International Center

Cosponsors: The Advocates for Human Rights

American Refugee Committee The International Leadership Institute

When: Wednesday, February 1; 5:30 – 7:30 P followed by a reception Where: Cowles Auditorium, Humphrey School of Public Affairs 301 19th Avenue S, Minneapolis Cost: MIC members and students $5 (World Affairs Vouchers accepted; to redeem email waffairs@umn.edu or call 612.625.4644) Non-members $15Advance registration requested

uéwww.micglobe.org | 612.625.4421 WINTER EDITION 2011 | Bringing the Wor ld to Minnesota and Minnesota to the Wor ld

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MINNESOTA INTERNAT IONAL CENTER J O I N T H E C O N V E R S AT I O N | 2

Great Decisions – THE CONFERENCE

On October 29, the Minnesota International Center hosted its 4th Annual Great Decisions Conference with attendees from South Dakota, Duluth, International Falls, Mankato, Minneapolis, Northfield, St. Paul and the Twin Cities suburbs. Many were current leaders, speakers or participants in Great Decisions discussion groups around the state, while others

who are not involved in these groups came out of a personal interest. This conference also included - for the first time - high school students, including some from Wayzata High School. This group, initiated and led by high school senior Alex Aronovich, began meeting in December 2010, demonstrating that Great Decisions discussions are an opportunity for participants of all ages. The conference marked the beginning of a new partnership between the Minnesota International Center and the Star Tribune. As part of the collaboration, Star Tribune readers will see an article about a Great Decisions topic once a month on the Opinion Exchange page, as part of the newspaper’s fulfilling its “…commitment to provide commentary on world events that are defining our times.”

Winter Edition 2011 | Communiqué

YOUNG AND WISE (excerpt) John Rash, Star Tribune columnist and conference keynote There was a lot of collective wisdom at the Minnesota

International Center’s Great Decisions conference on foreign policy and the media. The more than 130 participants included former foreign service officers, globetrotting

businesspeople, educators ands other world-wise Minnesotans. But the international insights didn’t only come from those with frequently stamped passports. Students – including some from the 18-member Wayzata High School Great Decisions group - had plenty to say as well. “Globalization affects students more personally because of their potential careers – everywhere they go they see it,” said Alexander Aronovich, who started the group after contacting the Foreign Policy Association. “The economic rise of China was also a motivating factor,” said Kevin Hansen. “Some students are ‘kind of nervous’ about China,” he said, “but it’s led to more understanding and critical thinking.” Samantha Schmidt, editor-in-chief of her school newspaper, said, “Great Decisions has helped us realize the events that are occurring, and how relative and exciting they are.” The Wayzata students are coming of age in an era of increased immigration and rising cultural and demographic diversity. And, at least in their cases, more interest in internationalism, which should result in these students going places academically, professionally and, yes, where a passport comes in handy, too. (reprinted with permission)

IT MEANS THE WORLD, LITERALLY (excerpt) Alex Aronovich, Wayzata High School Newspaper Students are not interested enough in international politics. I discovered this when the Minnesota International Cen-ter (MIC) asked me to research student opinions. Surveyed students informed me that few really care about the subject – they admitted that almost no one takes the initiative to inform themselves or discuss with peers. The lack of young interest in international affairs constitutes a major problem to American society because our age group underestimates the importance of it to our lives and the influence we can have on it. But we should care and we do matter… But what can we do about it, how can we get involved? Personally, I have gotten involved in the Great Decisions program by starting a regularly-meeting discussion group of Wayzata students. MIC regularly holds events that allow students to attend and participate… Students with any level of interest can join the Great Decisions pro-gram … My favorite way to get involved in just to meet with friends and have a good discussion. The most important thing you can do is to get your opinion heard, because there is always someone who will benefit from listening. (reprinted with permission)

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Winter Edition 2011 | Communiqué

In the area of civic engagement, there is little to rival Great Decisions discussion groups. MIC is the official sponsor of the Great Decisions in Minnesota and has

the most active and engaged program in the country with close to 60 groups meeting throughout the state in private homes, libraries, places of worship, businesses and educational institutions from International Falls to Moorhead to Mankato. In the words of Noel Lateef, president of the Foreign Policy Association, “A creative and well-crafted foreign policy rests on a bedrock of public support. Such support can only come about with a public that is conversant in international affairs”; a statement which precisely describes the

Great Decisions program and its

participants. MIC is proud to be partnering with the Star Tribune in the year ahead to broaden Great Decisions’ reach by tackling a different foreign policy topic every third Saturday of the month on the newspaper’s Opinion Exchange page. In November and December, we will be addressing the Great Decisions topics - the Horn of Africa and U.S. National Security. MIC has selected Turkey as our focus country in 2012. Ertugrul Tuzcu, MIC board member, and I met with many officials – including Ambassador Namik Tan, Turkish ambassador to the U.S.; Ross Wilson, former U.S. ambassador to Turkey (originally from Minnesota!); and Dr. Sinan Ciddi, director of the Institute for Turkish Studies at Georgetown – to begin planning for a fabulous Celebration of Türkiye. Please join us on December 13 to learn more about the current situation

in Liberia. More than 20,00 Liberians call Minnesota home and it is in our best interests to learn more about this country and our neighbors. As the holidays are upon us, we hope you will consider investing in our ongoing efforts with an additional contribution above and beyond your membership. Your year-end gift of any amount is greatly appreciated - and it is 100% tax-deductible! You may donate safely and securely at any time through micglobe.org We couldn’t do what we do at MIC without the wonderful support of our MIC volunteers and members and we thank you. On behalf of all of us at MIC, we wish you a joyful holiday season.

Letter from the President

Carol Engebretson Byrne, President

Bringing the World to Minnesota and Minnesota to the World

“…every day there are stories that display Minnesota’s increasing internationalism. This makes the Star Tribune’s partnership with MIC and “Great Decisions” a great decision in its own right.” ~ John Rash, Editorial Writer, Star Tribune

enRoute with MIC

Are you on the road to a professional interest in international business? Curious about what it’s like to work in foreign policy? Are you interested in the nonprofit sector that provides services on an international scale? Want to hang out with people interested in global issues? We have the program for you! enRoute brings professionals together from across the Twin Cities to find out more about international careers and foreign policy issues, while providing social and professional networking time, all in one evening! The series offers a variety of formats: Mounties, Margaritas, and Minnesota at the Uptown Cafeteria this past July featured Consul General Martin Loken of Canada

and Consul Ana Louisa Fajer of Mexico speaking about their careers in foreign diplomacy and the issues that result from being a neighbor of the U.S. October’s event at Hell’s Kitchen presented a panel of international business professionals talking about the interesting scenarios that arise while doing business in China, Japan and other eastern cultures. There’s ample time for questions, and

for mingling with the special guests and each other to exchange ideas and interests. Our next enRoute event will be February 13 at Hell’s Kitchen from 5:30 – 7:30 P, in the Fireside Room. Look for details at micglobe.org or in our bi-weekly eNewsletter. For questions and suggestions about enRoute events, please contact Tricia Rhodes at 612.625.0620 or trhodes@umn.edu.

2012 Great Decisions Topics: » Middle East Realignment » Promoting Democracy » Mexico » Cybersecurity

» Exit from Afghanistan and Iraq

» State of the Oceans » Indonesia » Energy Geopolitics

The 2012 Briefing Books may be ordered now and will be available mid-January 2012. For all questions about Great Deci-sions, please contact Carol Steinberg at csteinbe@umn.edu or 612.625.9618.

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Bringing the World to Minnesota and Minnesota to the World

In October, MIC had the unique opportunity to host a large delegation of international medical specialists and health activists participating in a special U.S. State Dept.-sponsored International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) project on “Breast Cancer Awareness and Outreach”. The visiting leaders, from 43 countries on five continents, were breast cancer advocates, non-profit leaders, physicians, surgeons, researchers and public health authorities. Their 3-week national program addressed advances and future technologies in breast imaging and early detection, global risk factors, advancing care in developing populations through participation in global clinical trials, and global cancer control and education programs In Minnesota, the group discussed innovative clinical trials with researchers at the University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center, and learned about breast cancer education and outreach through a visit to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. The visitors were impressed with the initiatives and programs related to breast cancer in Minnesota, and also enjoyed brief visits to the Midtown Global Market and Mall of America Prior to arriving in Minnesota the visitors attended the 2011 Breast Cancer Global Congress in Washington, D.C., and participated in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in New York City. In New York, the participants also attended a luncheon with Avon Foundation Honorary Chairman Reese Witherspoon and New York-area breast cancer medical organizations. Additionally, the participants divided into smaller groups for programs in Corpus Christi, TX; Pensacola, FL; Louisville, KY; Huntsville, AL; and Greensboro, NC. Following Minnesota, the program finished their

national program in Seattle, WA. MIC was honored to host this distinguished group of emerging leaders, and we hope the insights they gained in Minnesota and throughout the U.S. will advance their work in

the global campaign against breast cancer.

The International Visitor Leadership Program is sponsored and funded by the Office of International Visitors, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, United States Department of State, and administered by the National Council for International Visitors.

IVs here to discuss Breast Cancer Awareness

The Minnesota International Center hosted a 2nd annual trivial competition for Ecolab’s EcoMondo group in September at the Ecolab Schuman Campus. There was great participation from seven local teams and it was especially exciting to have Team UK (Amazballz) join the competition electronically adding a truly global perspective to this event. The top three teams (“Trivia Misfits”, “F&B Shameless Trivia Nerds” and “Even A Stopped Clock Is Right Twice A Day”) will be representing Ecolab at the MIC community competition in December.

WorldQuest at Ecolab

World Cultures Day at Evergreen Park World Studies Community School

WATCH @ micglobe.org/evergreen

Sun Newspapers, November 16 Evergreen Park and the Minnesota International Center joined to put on a World Cultures Day Nov. 11 at the school in Brooklyn Center. Throughout the day, students learned about cultures around the world. Students from many countries who are studying at the University of Minnesota came to the school to talk to children about what life in other cultures is like. Debbie Hagberg, one of the program’s organizers, said the goal is to go deeper than simply learning geography and seeing native dress. Throughout the day, children participated in various learning activities.

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Winter Edition 2011 | Communiqué

Why A Celebration of Türkiye? By Ertugrul Tuzcu Once the center of the Ottoman Empire, the modern secular republic was established in 1923 by nationalist leader Kemal Ataturk. Straddling two continents, Europe and Asia, Turkey’s strategically important location has given it major influence in the region. Its progress towards democracy and market economy was halting in the decades following the death of President Ataturk in 1938. After years of mounting difficulties, which brought the country close to economic collapse, a tough recovery program was agreed upon with the International Monetary Fund in 2002. The austerity measures imposed then meant that by the time the global financial crisis came in 2008, Turkey was in a better position to weather the storm than many other countries. Turkey now has the 17th highest Gross Domestic Productivity in the world with consistent high single digit growth rate that is the envy of many countries today. With this enviable growth rate, Turkey is an emerging market and has such great potential for U.S. exports that is ranked 37th out of Minnesota’s 205 tracked international partners for manufactured exports in 2010. Turkey’s European Union (EU) accession negotiations have been in the works since October 2005. In line with EU requirements, Turkey introduced substantial human rights and economic reforms. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who

began his 3rd term of office in June 2011, is credited with bringing economic and political stability to Turkey. He has also taken a leadership role in the

Middle East and northern Africa as the Arab Spring creates opportunities for secular democracies in the affected Muslim countries. Thinking of the old Silk Road starting in China and ending in Turkey, these two countries are emerging in prominence as the two bookends of a region that is globally volatile and of key importance to the United States. This is a great opportunity for MIC in partnership with the Minnesota Turkish community, Turkish Consul General in Chicago, Turkish Embassy in D.C. and other partner organizations to educate Minnesotans about Turkey (population 75.8 million) as it is emerging on the international scene as a major player. About Ertugrul Tuzcu: He is a member of the Minnesota International Center’s Board of Directors and, with his wife Karen, is honorary co-chair of the Celebration of Türkiye Gala. Ertugrul arrived in Minneapolis on September 18, 1976, from Istanbul, Turkey to begin his graduate studies at the University of Minnesota. He has been involved with the University of Minnesota in many ways over the years, most recently as the chair of the Board of Directors for the University of Minnesota Alumni Association (2010 – 2011).

EVENT DETAILS AVAILABLE AT WWW.MICGLOBE.ORG

Doing Business in Africa: Education and Workforce Development Wednesday, December 7; 11:30 A – 1:00 P Sponsor: Books for Africa Where: Carlson School of Management 321 19th Avenue S, Minneapolis Free, no registration necessary

Rose Ensemble Concerts Slavic Wonders - Feasts and Saints in Early Russia, Ukraine, Poland & Bohemia Friday, December 16 - Wednesday, December 21

You can make a big impact on the Minnesota community and earn a tax deduction too! As you look through this issue of the Communiqué and see the experiences MIC is continuing to provide the community, you can take pride in what your contribu-tions to MIC have accomplished. Your additional gift to MIC will underscore your belief in our work to create a more civil, globally-aware community. And it’s completely tax-deductible for you! As you consider the many worthy uses of your donor dollars, we hope that MIC’s mission for greater shared understanding is important to you too. You may contribute online at micglobe.org, by mail, or by calling Tricia Rhodes at 612.625.0620.

COSPONSORED PROGRAMS

Cultural Proficiency Workshops MIC members continue to save 10% on workshops exploring American Indian, Somali, Latino, Hmong and Ethiopian cultures.

MEMBER DISCOUNTThe Price of Peace – 2012 Nobel Peace Prize Forum Thursday, March 1 – Saturday, March 3, 2012 Where: Augsburg College and the University of Minnesota

SAVE THE DATE

For Members Only Friday, January 27 or Saturday, January 28 Host educational administrators from Russia for dinner. Here as guests of the U.S. State Department to attend a short-term leadership program at the University of Minnesota, they would like to experience dinner in an American home.

To find out more: Contact Carol Steinberg at csteinbe@umn.edu or 612.625.9618

DINNER HOSTING

MAKE YEAR-END GIFT TO MIC!

World Cultures Day at Evergreen Park World Studies Community School

Nonprofit Organization

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Communiqué WINTER EDITION 2011

MIC Contributors & Corporate MembersPremier ($50,000+)Delta Air Lines, Inc.Medtronic, Inc.

Millennium ($30,000+)3M/3M FoundationBest Buy Co., Inc.General Mills, Inc.

Senior Global ($20,000+)CargillCarlson

Global ($15,000+) Sit Investment Associates, Inc.Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

Executive ($10,000+) The Mosaic Company

Leadership Patron ($5,000+) Colwell Industries, Inc.Donaldson Company, Inc.Dorsey & Whitney LLP/Dorsey & Whitney Foundation

Ecolab Inc.Faegre & Benson LLPFredrikson & Byron, P.A.George Family FoundationHorton Holding, Inc.Propel Event Transportation ManagementTarget CorporationThomson ReutersToro United Health GroupU.S. Bank

Contributing Patron ($2,500+) KPMG LLPRBC Wealth ManagementWanner Engineering

Associate Patron ($1,000+)Bepex International, LLC Gray Plant MootyMedicaMinneapolis Area Association of REALTORSPolaris IndustriesSt. Jude Medical

Associate ($500+)Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER)

Global Language InstituteHamre, Schumann, Mueller & Larson, P.C. Julia Knight Inc. QRDC, Inc. Sheer Wind Smart Skin, Inc. TripleInk

Sponsoring Hotels The Marquette HotelRadisson Plaza Hotel

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