Announcing Our Regional Summit Speakers!

We’re are thrilled to announce our speakers at the upcoming  Diplomacy Begins Here Regional Summit in San Diego, California on September 20. Participants will learn from experts and exchange program alumni about the role of international exchanges and collaboration in spurring prosperity in the Cali Baja region and beyond. The day’s programming includes a presentation on binational collaboration at the government level with speakers Mexican Ambassador Carlos Gonzalez-Gutierrez; Consul General of Mexico in San Diego Sue Saarnio; U.S. Consul General in Tijuana, City of Chula Vista Mayor Mary Salas, and Denise Garcia, Director of international affairs for the City of San Diego.

Also on the agenda is a panel discussion on the role of innovation and collaboration across the business, philanthropy and academic sectors in the Cali Baja region and a session on advocating for LGBTQ+ rights in Mexico and the U.S., featuring Ivan Enrique Gomez Durand, director of YAAY Mexico, an alumnus of the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program, and Fernando Z. Lopez, executive director of San Diego LGBT Pride.

In addition, participants can tour the world’s busiest land border crossing and visit the innovative Cross Border Xpress for a close-up look at the challenges and opportunities that the border provides from a security, human rights and commerce perspective.

The activities wrap up on Saturday, Sept. 21 with a gastro diplomacy tour through Tijuana’s vibrant culinary scene led by Turista Libre.

San Diego area university and high school students are also invited to participate in the Diplomacy Begins Here Summit by attending a special youth track that includes an interactive border security simulation and a discussion on careers in public diplomacy and foreign affairs.

In addition, members of the Global Ties Network can take part in an exclusive Learning Lab on September 19 with tailored workshops on International Visitor Leadership Program best practices, fundraising, and other relevant topics to nonprofit management.

More information and registration at https://gties.us/DBH_SD