From June 28-29, 2018, the Cleveland Council on World Affairs—a Global Ties U.S. Community-Based Member—hosted the first Diplomacy Begins Here Regional Summit and Learning Lab of the year. The summit explored the theme of “Women Who Rock the World” by looking at the power of women’s leadership in business, education, and government through sessions, keynotes, and workshops.
The summit also highlighted the importance of public diplomacy and international exchanges in forging Cleveland’s connection to the world. Panel and keynote topics included women in STEM, global education, diplomacy, social enterprise, and the media.
Check out the highlights below. You can view the entire photo album on Flickr.
Welcome to Cleveland!
Photo by David Honeycutt
A full house appears at the Drury Plaza hotel as attendees hear opening remarks from Ambassador Jennifer Zimdahl Galt, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State:
Photo by David Honeycutt
The #DiplomacyBeginsHere Summit explores the critical role that public and citizen diplomacy programs, such as the @statedept‘s @StateIVLP exchange program, play in building a more peaceful, prosperous world. pic.twitter.com/1DpR657VQa
— Exchange Programs (@ECAatState) June 28, 2018
Next stop: NASA! Marla E. Perez-Davis, Ph.D., Deputy Director of the John H. Glenn Research Center, presented the opening keynote on “Women in STEM”:
“You can be what you can see” — Inspiring words from Dr. Marla Pérez-Davis @NASAglenn. #WomeninSTEM #DiplomacyBeginsHere
— CCWA (@CleWorldAffairs) June 28, 2018
What would a Diplomacy Begins Here Summit be without the participation of IVLP alumni? Meet Rosana Schaack, Executive Director of Touching Humanity In Need of Kindness (THINK), an IVLP Gold Star Alumna. Fun fact: Since 2017, she has served as a member of the Liberian House of Representatives:
Photo by David Honeycutt
Meeting the glass ceiling head on: Ambassadors Heather Hodges and Jennifer Zimdahl Galt chat on a panel moderated by Katherine Brown, President and CEO of Global Ties U.S., on pushing forth as female diplomats in a predominantly male field:
Photo by David Honeycutt
RT @ECAatState: RT @StateIVLP: “Be confident in your skills and confident in yourself,” says PDAS Jennifer Zimdahl Galt, speaking about the #IVLP, women in the Foreign Service, and the importance of women’s mentorship at the #DiplomacyBeginsHere Summit.
— Pedro J Martin (@PedroAtState) June 28, 2018
Students rock the world! The Summit featured a Student Track to grow the next generation of diplomats and public diplomacy leaders:
Photo by David Honeycutt
The Peace Corps is another way budding diplomats of all ages can play a role in creating a more peaceful, prosperous world:
This evening the Cleveland Council on World Affairs gave me the opportunity to discuss how Peace Corps prepares Americans for the important work we can do for women and girls here at home. #diplomacybeginshere #womenwhorock
— Jody Olsen (@PeaceCorpsJody) June 29, 2018
It wasn’t all about sessions and keynotes — the exhibitors gave attendees more opportunity to network and see what resources are out there for their work:
Our exhibitors were such an important part of making sure our Diplomacy Begins Here summit ROCKED! Thank you @StateDept @LWVGrCleveland @cwru @PeaceCorps for engaging our community and attendees #DiplomacyBeginsHere @GlobalTiesUS
— CCWA (@CleWorldAffairs) June 29, 2018
From tips on running board meetings to peer-to-peer workshops, the Learning Lab component of the Summit offered a small group component to members of the Global Ties Network in attendance:
Board meetings don’t have to be boring. Break out of the boardroom box with @GlobalTiesAZ @CleWorldAffairs & @ECAatState who shares ideas on cultivating innovative & engaging experiences – while meeting your agenda – now at the #DiplomacyBeginsHere: Learning Lab #IAmDiplomacy
— Global Ties U.S. (@GlobalTiesUS) June 29, 2018
When you can’t attend the Town Hall in person, you Skype in:
We are LIVE at the #DiplomacyBeginsHere: @CleWorldAffairs Town Hall with @_KatherineBrown (via Skype), @franzirook (tech support) & @ECAatState discussing the power of @StateIVLP #exchanges, programming priorities & how we can grow as #CitizenDiplomacy advocates #IAmDiplomacy
— Global Ties U.S. (@GlobalTiesUS) June 29, 2018
A Note Regarding CCWA
It is with sadness that we reflect on the passing of Maura O’Donnell-McCarthy, Chief Executive Officer of the Cleveland Council on World Affairs, just two weeks after hosting these successful events.
Maura was deeply committed to the International Visitor Leadership Program and exchanges. Even before her tenure at CCWA, Maura hosted countless IVLP participants in her home over the years. She will be remembered for her dedication to citizen diplomacy among her colleagues, friends, and family.