PARTNERSHIP IS AT THE HEART OF COMMUNITY IMPACT AND ENGAGEMENT

As we look to the upcoming academic year and the celebration of 40 years of impact in Iowa City and beyond, it is striking to think about the multitude of partnerships that have helped ICFRC bring the most critical global issues - and experts to share them - to our community to open minds and hearts, spur action and foster inclusivity and empathy, since the early 1980s.

From our board of directors to our interns, campus and community partners, to generations of supporters who have attended our programs, we wish to extend a heartfelt thank you to the tireless dedication, enduring optimism, and creative energy that you bring to each event so that we may continue to illuminate our community through inspiring and educational programming.

Join us in welcoming new additions to our ever-widening circles of support as we announce co-hosts for our new Glocal Voices Podcast and the '23-'24 interns helping to advance communications, outreach, and programming. We look forward to another exciting and engaging program season and are honored by your continued interest and enduring support.

Sincerely,

James Dykeman

Director of Communications

GLOCAL VOICES PODCAST

CO-HOSTS ANNOUNCED

University of Iowa students are launching the GLOCAL VOICES podcast (global and local) to provide commentary and analysis about what these topics mean from the perspective of their generation and how to make an impact within the context of fellow students' daily lives. 

Hawkeyes Kennedy Lein and Thom Blair will be joining the first season of the podcast as co-hosts beginning in the Fall '23 semester.

Raajvi Singh, COMMUNICATIONS

Raajvi is a rising sophomore at Baruch College in New York City, pursuing a major in International Business with double minors in French and Marketing. Her drive to create meaningful change has led her to contribute her time and efforts to several non-profit organizations actively. Amid the pandemic, she worked to provide underprivileged children with access to basic education and supported over a thousand disadvantaged menstruators in rural India to obtain proper menstrual hygiene products.

Sofia Sabogal, OUTREACH

Sofia Sabogal is a student at the University of Iowa, studying Ethics and Public Policy as well as English and Creative Writing. As a Colombian American, Sofia is excited to involve herself in a diverse community within the ICFRC. She lives in Mexico City, and has experience in developing projects focused on activism through art. 

Her love for theatre and passion for community building have guided her efforts when collaborating with others and planning events. She looks forward to working with the Iowa City Foreign Relations Council to encourage interconnectedness and global perspectives. 

Lexi Passano, PROGRAMS - Fall '23

Lexi is a junior at the University of Iowa double majoring in Ethics and Public Policy and Political Science with a minor in Criminology, Law, and Justice.

Sahithi Shankaiahgari, PROGRAMS - Spring '23

Sahithi is a junior and pre-law student at the University of Iowa pursuing degrees in Journalism and Mass Communication, and International Relations, as well as a Minor in Political Science and a Certificate in Non-profit Leadership and Philanthropy. In the future, she plans to work in the international non-profit world to further her diplomacy and humanitarian aid career.

She is passionate about creating change around the world through the work she does in academics, research and travel, foreign relations, and being an active community participant. Through her passion, she hopes to create a more peaceful and stronger world.

SANDRA MORROW

​SECRETARY

Sandra was born in the Dominican Republic and moved to the United States with her family when she was ten years old. After completing her undergraduate degree, she attended the University of Iowa College of Law and obtained a Juris Doctorate in 2005. After a number of years in private practice, Sandra joined the Trust Department at MidWestOne Bank in Iowa City in 2013. She became a member of ICFRC in 2013 and over time expanded her involvement and support of the organization first as a member of the program committee and then later as a board member. In addition to the ICFRC, Sandra has also been a long time supporter of the Iowa Women’s Foundation.

"Being Hispanic and having moved to the United States at a young enough age that was able to easily adapt, but yet not so young that I do not remember a life in my native country, the ICFRC provided me with a wonderful forum for keeping connected with issues and happenings from the wider world."

Living in Ukraine: My Story of an Unbreakable Nation

With Speaker Oksana Hirchak

Thursday, August 24 at 7:00PM

Streaming Online

While watching the news, you often hear about Ukraine, a country invaded by Russia on February 24, 2022. Despite being located in the eastern part of Europe, a thousand miles away from the United States, this country is fighting for the values we all share: democracy and freedom.

Have you ever wondered what it is like to be Ukrainian? Have you ever been interested in learning about Ukraine's history and culture? 'Living in Ukraine: My Story of an Unbreakable Nation' is an invitation to join a conversation about the country and its people with a citizen and fellow Hawkeye.

“Now, I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.” ― J. Robert Oppenheimer, 'father of the atomic bomb.'



Dr. McCue works to halt the gravest threats to human health and survival, specifically the threat of climate disruption and nuclear proliferation. She has traveled, consulted, and worked extensively around the world as a physician, researcher, and peace maker.

Watch her talk about how humanitarian groups around the world have been working together to abolish weapons capable of destroying all life on earth.

The Iowa International Center connects international visitors and Iowans to educational and cultural resources, making Iowa a more inclusive and welcoming place to live, work, and raise a family. 

The Iowa International Center was formed by a group of volunteers to assist immigrants fleeing the war in Europe. In 1941, the Center partnered with a group of community organizations to sponsor a Panamanian student’s trip to Iowa — a venture that led to the formation of the Pan American Board of Education.

In 1976, the Council joined the National Council for International visitors (now called Global Ties), placing it, for the first time, in a national network of agencies to receive and schedule international visitors form the United States information agency. Thousands of emerging international leaders and industry professionals have visited Iowa through this program.

Our programming is made possible by support from our members, 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 during ICFRC speaking events? Share your ideas with us by completing this short survey!