This Earth Day, we reflect on our impactful strides in environmental stewardship with three remarkable climate initiatives from last year. Read on to learn about the journey visitors from El Salvador took to San Luis National Wildlife Refuge, South Korean visitors met with the CA Air Resources Board to discuss bridging nations for a greener future and a group from Chile met with the Yurok Tribe in Eureka, CA to learn about indigenous leadership and management of protected areas.

In collaboration with Meridian International Center and the Office of International Visitors at the U.S. Department of State, Global Ties Sacramento implemented the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) project for Türkiye entitled, Educational Resilience Following Natural Disasters. In February 2023, Türkiye was rocked by a 7.8 magnitude earthquake, leaving a profound impact on its communities, which is why six professionals from Türkiye embarked on a transformative journey to delve into the realm of Educational Resilience Following Natural Disasters during their professional exchange program in the U.S. This IVLP from Türkiye, comprising professionals from diverse backgrounds including education, public health, and project management, sought to understand how communities in the United States navigate the complexities of post-disaster educational recovery.

It’s international Women’s History Month and we’ve seen a lot of beautiful stories reflecting on the global impact of female voices and actions. In 2019, through an IVLP exchange, Global Ties Sacramento was honored to connect a group of female writers and artists from Uganda and the United States. The meeting inspired an impressive collaboration over the next several years and resulted in a book.

Valentina Suarez, an International Relations major with a minor in Political Science currently attending Sacramento State, is the newest Diplomacy and Communications Intern to join the Global Ties Sacramento team in 2024.

Andrea Guillen, a Political Science – Public Service major attending University of California, Davis, is one of the newest Diplomacy & International Exchange Interns to join the Global Ties Sacramento team in 2024.

Global Ties Sacramento recently had the opportunity to interview local Home Hospitality host, Brian Green. Incredibly aware of the benefits in reciprocal storytelling and the exchange of cultural perspectives, Brian values his role as host to visiting leaders during their time in California’s capitol.

Watch Brian’s interview about his recent experience hosting an Open World delegation from Vietnam and why he continues to host delegates from around the world.

In December 2023, Global Ties Sacramento hosted five delegates from Vietnam through the Congressional Office of International Leadership’s Open World Program. This delegation aimed to engage in meaningful dialogue with Congressional staff in California whose committee memberships align with current and potential areas of cooperation between the United States and Vietnam.

Aedhan Lanta, a Political Science major currently attending Sacramento State, is the newest Diplomacy & International Exchange Intern to join the Global Ties Sacramento team in 2024.

In the fall, we welcomed a delegation of Indian agricultural economists and research scientists for a project on “Agricultural Marketing Information Systems.” While they engaged in policy discussions with key stakeholders, an extraordinary experience awaited them outside the conference room.

Notably, our guests had missed visiting a farm during their national tour, an itinerary item that would usually be standard for agricultural exchanges. California, renowned as the world’s largest almond producer, ultimately provided a fitting backdrop for the unique experience.

Global Ties Sacramento is currently accepting applications for Spring 2024 internships. Embrace this opportunity to cultivate cross-cultural communication and diplomacy skills, while refining written and oral communication, research, and analytical abilities.