Entering the Holiday Season while Looking to the Future

Hello Friends and Supporters,

Last month, we were proud to celebrate a grant from the Community Foundation of Johnson County, which will help support our operational needs. At the same time, we enjoyed several exciting events bringing diverse perspectives to local communities, many through campus and community partnerships.

As we enter the holiday season this month and prepare for the final month of programming for the Fall, now is the time of year that we begin to talk about support. Later this month, a circle of friends will celebrate our 40-year history while conversing about our future and the steps necessary to continue bringing international programming and perspectives to Iowa City and beyond.

While grants are a cause for celebration, ICFRC is and always has been continued primarily through the financial contributions of our supporters. As you join us this month to hear from speakers from all over the world on topics including indigenous peoples, digital democracy, Latino voices in Iowa, and more, we ask that you consider contributing to help continue to bring diverse voices while providing a platform for those in our global and local community to be heard.

Sincerely,

James Dykeman

Director of Communications

We celebrate decades of ICFRC's impact in the community this year while honoring our longtime supporters, students, families, community partners, business leaders, and young professionals. Celebrate the past with us and let’s look forward together to the future.

Border Imperialism: Control of Land and Bodies Through Colonial Violence

Thursday, November 2, 2023 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM CDT

Iowa City Public Library

Surviving a Dictator, A Dictator Surviving

Wednesday, November 8, 2023 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM CST

Iowa City Public Library

Climate Security as National Security: Climate Change and the Hawkeye StateTuesday, November 14, 2023 from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM CST

Old Capitol Museum

Latinos in Iowa: Planting Seeds of Prosperity, Power and Progress

Wednesday, November 15, 2023 from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM CST

Iowa City Public Library

Digital Democracy and Youth Empowerment

Thursday, November 30, 2023 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM CST

Iowa City Public Library

KATHARINE LASANSKY

Development Committee Member

Katharine has spent her career working in nonprofits, and currently serves as Director of Development for the University of Iowa. In this role she works closely with International Programs and University of Iowa alumni living abroad. Having graduated from the University of Iowa with undergraduate degrees in international studies and nonprofit management, and a master’s in business administration, she has always been passionate about bringing global perspective and dialogue to local issues. Katharine is also a member of the Iowa City Noon Rotary Club and is deeply committed to the visual arts in Iowa.

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"I am deeply committed to the idea of peace through understanding and the importance of exchange of ideas in a diverse space. The Iowa City Foreign Relations Council has done such good work to create a safe environment for this critical dialogue."

Speaking from the student perspective, co-hosts Kennedy Lein and Thom Blair welcome you to the Glocal Voices Podcast. In this second episode, Thom and Kennedy share clips from a few of their favorite programs from this season and perspectives on what topics mean for them and what other students can do to make an impact on urgent issues.

Border Imperialism: Control of Land and Bodies Through Colonial Violence

Thursday, November 02, 2023

12:00 PM to 1:00 PM CDT

Iowa City Public Library

Speaker Sikowis Nobiss, Founder/ED of the Great Plains Action Society, talks about how Colonial border policy enforcement, coupled with settler-state immigration laws, are critical factors in eroding Indigenous Peoples's customs, traditions, and national identities through displacement, restriction of movement and ongoing encroachment.

We note that the colonization of lands and Indigenous Peoples worldwide has resulted in the placement of foreign borders upon territories Indigenous peoples have inhabited since time immemorial. The results of these impositions adversely affect the nationhood and identity of Indigenous peoples everywhere. Colonial border-policy enforcement, coupled with settler-state immigration laws, are some critical factors in eroding Indigenous Peoples's customs, traditions, and national identities through displacement, restriction of traditional movement, and ongoing encroachment on Indigenous territories.

Sikowis Nobiss is Plains Cree/Saulteaux of the George Gordon First Nation in Saskatchewan, Canada, and grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, and is the founder and Executive Director of Great Plains Action Society. She has a Master’s Degree in Religious Studies and Graduate Minor in Native Studies from the University of Iowa.

Wednesday, November 08, 2023

6:00 PM to 7:00 PM CDT

Iowa City Public Library

Surviving a Dictator,

A Dictator Surviving

What happened in Syria since it stopped being a "Breaking News" hot topic? How are the Syrian people surviving post civil war living conditions? Is Assad still at large? And why does it matter? During the 2016 elections, refugees coming from Syria to the States were a topic that brought Syria back to the front page. But after that, it slowly faded into the background.

Climate Security as National Security: Climate Change and the Hawkeye State



Featuring Vice Admiral Mike Franken, former Iowa State Senator Rob Hogg, and UI professor Sara Mitchell. Climate change is at the forefront of both foreign and domestic policy. Often discussed as an environmental issue, there are profound consequences for our national security, military, and international relations. From an increase in severe weather events to food security and migration – the complexities of climate have far-reaching implications.

Tuesday, November 14, 2023

5:30 PM to 6:30 PM CDT

Old Capitol Museum

Latinos in Iowa: Planting Seeds of Prosperity, Power and Progress

Speakers Elizabeth Bernal, Marcela Hurtado, and Paola Jaramillo will come together to present in honor of this year's Hispanic Heritage Month theme, Latinos Driving Prosperity, Power and Progress.

Wednesday, November 15, 2023

6:00 PM to 7:30 PM CDT

Iowa City Public Library

Digital Democracy and Youth Empowerment

Jean-Desire Kouassi, a digital communications professional from the Ivory Coast, will speak about how young people are increasingly using digital technologies to participate in democracy. This event will explore how digital technologies can be used to empower young people and encourage them to participate in civic life.

Thursday, November 30, 2023

12:00 PM to 1:00 PM CDT

Streaming Online

Discover initiatives in the University of Iowa College of Education led by Dr. Will Coghill-Behrends, shaping future educators into global citizens. Dr. Coghill-Behrends shares recent experiences, including a visit to eSwatini, emphasizing the importance of global perspectives in education and the workplace. Gain insights from an expert with international teaching and presentation experience.

Will Coghill-Berhrends has presented on teacher education and professional development internationally and nationally.

The University of Iowa Center for Human Rights is looking for volunteers to help take Afghan refugees to appointments in support of asylum so that they can legally remain in the United States. Please click the LEARN MORE link below to sign up to help.

Our programming is made possible by our supporters just like you who have helped us reach communities across Iowa for nearly 40 years. Learn more about how your support is helping uplift communities and raising awareness about issues affecting our world.

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