Spring Conversations & Community Connections

Dear Members, Supporters, and Community Partners,

Spring is always a time of renewal—and at ICFRC, it’s also a season of deep conversations and new connections. This month, we’re excited to offer a powerful lineup of programs that shine a light on timely global and local issues, from climate resilience and sustainable business to the protection of archives under authoritarian regimes. Whether you’re joining us for a lunchtime discussion, an evening dinner event, or online from anywhere, we hope you’ll find these programs both thought-provoking and inspiring.

We’re also reflecting with gratitude this month on the life and legacy of Dick Summerwill, one of ICFRC’s founders and an unwavering champion of community connection and global understanding. His impact on our organization and on so many people in our community is immeasurable.

Finally, thanks to your generous support, we’re just 17% away from fully funding our programming this fiscal year. Every contribution helps us continue to offer free, accessible programs that spark curiosity and dialogue. We invite you to join us in closing that gap.

Take a look at what’s coming up this month—we’d love to see you there.

In partnership,

Peter Gerlach

Executive Director

Iowa City Foreign Relations Council

Fri. 4/4 @12PM - Fostering Climate Resilience Together @ ICPL w/LUNCH

Fri. 4/11 @12PM - When Archives Meet Authoritarianism @ICPL w/LUNCH

Wed. 4/16 @ 6PM - Well Earth: Spices and Sustainability w/DINNER 

Thu. 5/1 @ 6:30PM - Reclaiming Heritage: Leadership in Restitution and Repatriation in Iowa @Shambaugh

​PRESENTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NOAA CLIMATE ADAPTATIONS PROGRAM, UI COLLEGE OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND ANTHROPOLOGY DEPARTMENT, AND THE IOWA CITY HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

Researchers, sovereign tribal communities, and women farmland-owners will discuss how they are collaborating to foster climate resilience through the newly established Central Midwest Climate Opportunities and Learning Team (CM CO-Learn), funded by the NOAA Climate Adaptation Partnerships program, that supports Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri. This panel brings together a tribal community member, a woman farmland owner, and several project researchers to share what they are learning from each other, what tangible climate-wise action is underway, and how these strategies participate in global efforts to adapt to a changing climate.

Fostering Climate Resilience Together w/LUNCH

Friday, April 4th, 2025

12:00PM - 1:30PM

Iowa City Public Library

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​Also Streaming Online

​PRESENTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH UNIVERSITY OF IOWA LIBRARIES

Despite all the caveats about how much we do not know about the records practices of authoritarian governments, it is clear that they directly affect archives in a number of distinct ways: greatly increasing the production of some documentation; creating political climates that lead to self-censorship and, therefore, lack of records creation, withholding the release of current records, and tightly controlled access to archives. The continued public unmasking of authoritarian practices by journalists and researchers create important resources for those committed to a freer, more open view of the past.

When Archives Meet Authoritarianism w/LUNCH

FRIDAY, APRIL 11, 2025

NOON­–1 P.M.

Iowa City Public Library

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Also Streaming Online

PRESENTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH FRONTIER CO-OP AND 100 GRANNIES

Since 2007, Frontier Co-op’s Well Earth program has been the foundation of the co-op’s responsible sourcing efforts, fostering long-term relationships with suppliers around the world. In this program, speakers share how the Norway, Iowa-based company ensures the long-term sustainability of its supply chain by investing in their partners and communities at origin to improve their social and environmental impact. Frontier Co-op empowers its suppliers, helping them increase their market share through investment in value-added processing, and in doing so, retain more of that value to support their businesses and communities. More information about the Well Earth program here.

Well Earth: Spices and Sustainability in Business and Agriculture w/DINNER

Wednesday, April 16th, 2025

6:00 PM - 8:00PM

Iowa City Public Library

Also Streaming Online

ICFRC is proud to announce our Spring 2025 Climate Change Series, bringing together experts, community leaders, and researchers to explore innovative strategies for addressing climate challenges locally and globally. Through engaging discussions, this series will highlight practical solutions and collaborative efforts to build a more sustainable future.

All of us at ICFRC are deeply saddened by the passing of Dick Summerwill—an early supporter and one of the founders who helped launch our organization more than 40 years ago. Alongside his wife, Joyce, Dick was a valued partner and friend whose generosity and encouragement helped shape ICFRC in its early years and beyond.

Dick’s commitment to fostering global understanding was part of a broader dedication to strengthening the Iowa City community. His leadership at MidWestOne Bank and in many civic efforts reflected his belief in the power of community, connection, and lifelong learning. Over the years, Dick and Joyce lent their support to ICFRC at key moments, showing up with kindness and a genuine interest in the people behind the programs.

We are grateful for Dick’s role in helping lay the foundation for ICFRC and for the many ways he enriched our community. His legacy lives on in the organizations he supported and the countless individuals he encouraged along the way. Our hearts are with Joyce and the entire Summerwill family.

The International Order Under Fire: Old Problems and New Threats

When: April 36, 2017

Speaker: Keith Porter

Help Us Close the Gap—Only 17% to Go!

We are community-supported! Thanks to our incredible network of supporters and community partners, we’re just $12,904 away from fully funding this year’s programming budget. Your contribution today will ensure we continue bringing thought leaders and experts from around the world to engage our community on the most pressing global issues through the end of 2025.

Your support makes an immediate impact—helping us provide honoraria for speakers and interns, food for luncheons, and materials for community outreach. Every gift, no matter the size, helps us reach the finish line.

Join us in making this final push—donate today!

Are there topics and speakers you would like to see brought to our community? Are you interested in being one of our speakers?