GTAZ News
GTAZ Hosts Leaders from Around the World!
June 21, 2021
In June, Global Ties Arizona connected local leaders with counterparts from the Kyrgyz Republic and throughout Africa, through two International Visitor Leadership Programs (IVLP), which are hosted by the U.S. Department of State.
Two projects that GTAZ hosted this month were titled "Women and Entrepreneurship". On June 2, GTAZ hosted 7 women from the Kyrgyz Republic. These women participated in a panel with representatives from Local First AZ, the Arizona Commerce Authority, and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. They also met with the owner of Metta Yoga Studio, a local business here in Phoenix. During their appointments, these women were able to discuss how to grow their business, locate resources, and challenges unique to women entrepreneurs.
GTAZ also hosted a delegation of women entrepreneurs from throughout Africa on June 8. These women participated in a similar panel with Local First AZ and the Arizona Small Business Association. They also met with Cindy Yeager, of the ASU Thunderbird School for Good.
Finally, on June 18, GTAZ hosted a group of journalists from Brazil for the "Murrow Program for Journalists" for a project titled "Media Responsibility in an Age of Disinformation". These Brazilian journalists met with KJZZ and the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism to discuss the role of media in a democracy and the power of investigative journalism.
Thank you to all our community partners who made these programs possible!
GTAZ hosted a Virtual Conversation with Her Royal Highness Ambassador Reema Bandar Al-Saud, Ambassador for Saudi Arabia to the U.S.
June 15, 2021
On Monday, June 14, Global Ties Arizona hosted an inspiring discussion with Her Royal Highness Ambassador Reema Bandar Al-Saud, Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to the United States. The event was sponsored by Northern Arizona University, with welcome remarks provided by Kevin O’Shea, Vice President of International Trade for the Arizona Commerce Authority, and Christy Farley, Vice President of External Affairs at Northern Arizona University. The discussion was moderated by Kristin Allen, Executive Director of Global Ties Arizona.
In her opening remarks, the Ambassador discussed the importance of participating in these discussion events as they promote cultural exchange and understanding and break stereotypes and cultural misconceptions. She also mentioned the special relationship between Arizona and Saudi Arabia, highlighting the thousands of Saudi students who study at Arizona’s state universities and the Kingdom’s more recent investments in private industries like Lucid Motors.
During the Q and A session, the Ambassador shared information on the transformational advancement of women’s rights in Saudi Arabia, the investments Saudi Arabia is making in renewable energies, and Vision 2030 - the kingdom’s ambitious economic development plan to diversify Saudi Arabia’s economy, promote tourism, and develop public services. Given the similarities between the climate in Arizona and Saudi Arabia, she emphasized water as a potential area of collaboration between the Kingdom and Arizona’s public and private sectors.
She encouraged individuals interested in learning more or traveling to the Kingdom to reach out. At Global Ties Arizona we are looking forward to promoting cultural understanding by hosting more events on Saudi Arabia and facilitating collaboration between Arizonans and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Once again, a special thank you to Her Royal Highness Ambassador Reema for her virtual visit to Arizona, and we look forward to an occasion to host her in person in the near future.
GTAZ’s Relaunch Event: Press Release
June 4, 2021
Global Ties Arizona (GTAZ), a nonprofit dedicated to international exchange and citizen diplomacy, officially re-launched this month under new executive leadership and an expanded board of directors. The virtual re-launch event, available for viewing here, introduced the organization’s leadership and future plans to the local community.
Over its seventy-year history, GTAZ has fostered engagement between Arizonans and thousands of visitors from nearly every continent through the U.S. State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). These engagements enable participants to share ideas and best practices across a wide range of topics, building connective tissue between communities and countries that often develops into long-lasting partnerships, understanding, and empathy.
Carrying this legacy forward, GTAZ collaborated with a dozen organizations in May and June alone – including the Arizona Commerce Authority, Chicanos Por La Causa, and KJZZ – to foster discussions on women and entrepreneurship with citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic, minority participation in democratic processes with Venezuelans, and media and digital technologies with Indian journalists.
The re-launch featured remarks from GTAZ staff, including new Executive Director Kristin Allen, the nonprofit’s board of directors, a Vietnamese IVLP alum, and Dr. Katherine Brown, President and CEO of Global Ties U.S., the nonprofit’s national affiliate.
America’s “citizens have the right and the responsibility to be part of foreign affairs,” Dr. Brown stated at the event. Exchange programs like those hosted by GTAZ “help international visitors see and understand the United States, its complexity, and the strength and diversity of our cities, institutions, and our civil society.”
As GTAZ looks to its future – including upcoming programs that will tackle topics as varied as sustainability in the extractive industry, internationalizing classrooms, and countering religious-based violence – the nonprofit and its community partners remain ready to show the world the best Arizona has to offer.
GTAZ hosted the U.S. Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Michael Hammer.
May 19, 2021
Global Ties Arizona and the Thunderbird School of Global Management were proud to host Ambassador Michael Hammer, the U.S. Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), for a virtual discussion on U.S. Foreign Policy in Africa. The event was moderated by Melissa Sanderson, Global Ties Board Member, and Dr. Landry Signé. Welcome remarks were provided by Sanjeev Khangram, Dean of Thunderbird School of Global Management.
Ambassador Hammer discussed the importance of U.S. diplomacy efforts within the DRC (and other developing African countries) to fight corruption, advance human rights, and to promote democratic values. Additionally, he highlighted different opportunities for growth presented by the African continent, especially in the areas of energy, agriculture, and natural resources. Ambassador Hammer believes that the United States government and private sectors can increase engagement with their African counterparts to encourage sustainable partnerships and mutual growth.
To conclude, Amb. Hammer and Dr. Singre emphasized the importance of real people to people engagement for diplomacy efforts and strong government relationships. Here At Global Ties Arizona, we agree with these leaders and continue to support them in their efforts to connect our countries and our world through international efforts!
A special thank you, once again, to U.S. Ambassador Michael Hammer, Dean Sanjeev Khangram, Mel Sanderson, Dr. Larry Singre, and Katherine Brown of Global Ties U.S.
GTAZ’s Hosted Latin American Women Entrepreneurs for Its April IVLP Program.
May 3, 2021
In April, Global Ties Arizona virtually hosted 20 women entrepreneurs from across Latin America as part of the U.S. State Department's WEAmericas Program for Women Entrepreneurs, a regional project for the Western Hemisphere.
As part of their visit, the group met with Thunderbird School of Global Management, where Cindy Yeager, Senior Director of Thunderbird for Good, shared a presentation about the DreamBuilder program. DreamBuilder provides courses and resources to women small business owners in emerging markets to develop the skills necessary to start and grow their businesses. The group also heard from two DreamBuilder program graduates: Rubi Ccapa Huareccallo, owner of Paradar in Perú (specializing in Artisan doll-making), and Lorena Lanzarini Espíndola, co-founder of Mi Bendición in Chile (specializing in pet art and decor). Additionally, the group engaged in a virtual home hospitality with Global Ties Arizona staff and young women business leaders of Phoenix where they shared stories, experiences, and smiles!
Said Joanna Prieto, Colombia, of her experience in the program: "It is an honor to represent my country and to connect with other leaders across the Americas. I am thankful to the U.S. State Department for their confidence in and support of Latin American women. It has been an incredible opportunity for growth and will continue opening doors for the empowerment of women in our region."