We had about 70 individuals attend our Thanksgiving Dinner last Sunday. It was a wonderful evening of food, fun, and fellowship between our International Visitor Leadership Program guests, international students from local universities, our Board of Directors/Staff, many of our Community Resource Partners, and community members.

Welcome by Dr. Evelyn Williams, Executive Director and Juan Eduardo Contreras Barberena, Immediate Past President

Blessing provided by Kathryn Ress, Akron Area Interfaith Council (not pictured)

Followed by the Holiday History Tribute to Rosemary Reymann, read by Litsa Varonis, Board of Directors, Secretary (not pictured)

Expressions of Gratitude

A special welcome was given to our Global Ties US International Visitor Leadership Program guests and to all who came out to spend the evening with us. The focus of the welcome was to remind us that no matter which side of the political fence we stand on, there is no better time than now to remind us that as we seek to embrace diversity, unity, and vision through citizen diplomacy we must remain hopeful. 

Citizen diplomacy is about the person-to-person interactions that we engage in with people from other countries and cultures. In the US, we often think of this from only our perspective, but let’s remember that when internationals (whether exchange, immigrant, or refugee) come to us, they are also engaging in citizen diplomacy. It is a mutual exchange of sharing and learning that increases feelings of safety and security through openness with those different than us. And it is through these interactions that unity is promoted- a unity that transcends borders. 

Lastly, no matter who is in office, we, the people, must keep a focused vision towards peace and prosperity to continue to grow as a nation…and as a larger world community. Please contact us if you’d like to learn more or become involved in our organization.