BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//San Diego Diplomacy Council - ECPv6.15.18//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:San Diego Diplomacy Council X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://sandiegodiplomacy.org X-WR-CALDESC:Events for San Diego Diplomacy Council REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Los_Angeles BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0800 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:PDT DTSTART:20190310T100000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0800 TZNAME:PST DTSTART:20191103T090000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0800 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:PDT DTSTART:20200308T100000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0800 TZNAME:PST DTSTART:20201101T090000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0800 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:PDT DTSTART:20210314T100000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0800 TZNAME:PST DTSTART:20211107T090000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0800 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:PDT DTSTART:20220313T100000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0800 TZNAME:PST DTSTART:20221106T090000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20210203T080000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20210203T090000 DTSTAMP:20260407T033423 CREATED:20210114T081544Z LAST-MODIFIED:20210114T211647Z UID:3427-1612339200-1612342800@sandiegodiplomacy.org SUMMARY:Build your creative negotiation skills! DESCRIPTION:Calling all high school students interested in cross-cultural exchanges and international negotiations! The San Diego Diplomacy Council is pleased to announce a new cross-Atlantic partnership with PATHWAYS Institute for Negotiation Education. Together we are excited to offer a unique series of virtual joint learning and exchange workshops for high school students in San Diego (USA) and Sha’ar Hanegev (Israel)\, as part of the cities’ sister-city relationship. The workshop series will take place on February 3\,10 & 17 from 8 – 9:30 am PT. \nIn total\, 12 motivated students engaged or interested in Model United Nations programs in San Diego will be selected to meet virtually with 12 peers from Sha’ar Hanegev for a dynamic series of 3 interactive 90-minute virtual workshops facilitated by PATHWAYS. \nThrough a variety of role plays\, simulations\, and learning games\, students will discover a problem-solving model for negotiation based on methodology developed at the Harvard Negotiation Project\, while exchanging and developing relationships with their international counterparts. Together\, students will explore how a structured\, creative approach to negotiation can serve them in their roles as MUN delegates\, and in their personal and professional lives beyond. \nParticipants selected for this program will also be invited to take part in the 2nd annual hybrid in-person / virtual T&T MUN\, to be held April 17\, where they can reconnect and apply their new skills. \nRegister Here  URL:https://sandiegodiplomacy.org/event/build-your-creative-negotiation-skills/ CATEGORIES:Events,Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=application/pdf:https://sandiegodiplomacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/PATHWAYS-SD-MUN-FEB-2021-V5-1.pdf END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20210120 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20210425 DTSTAMP:20260407T033423 CREATED:20200924T221626Z LAST-MODIFIED:20210119T033932Z UID:3293-1611100800-1619308799@sandiegodiplomacy.org SUMMARY:Global Leadership Youth Program: An Online Enrichment Series for High School Students DESCRIPTION:Join the San Diego Diplomacy Council and La Jolla Country Day School for our Global Leadership Youth Program! \nAbout this Event\nThe Global Leadership Youth Program is a unique opportunity\, giving high school students the chance to engage with questions plaguing the world’s most critical thinkers. From global health to justice and equality\, this enrichment program has been curated with future leaders in mind.  \nRegister for the Global Leadership Youth Program HERE.\n\nProgram Details\n\n\nOpen to all students aged 14 – 18 \n\n\nParticipate in all five modules\, or select topics to suits your interests \n\n\nSessions run on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4pm – 6pm PST \n\n\nEach module will include a diplomacy simulation\, guest speakers\, interactive components\, and supporting cultural enrichment \n\n\nLearning Objectives\nAt the conclusion of each module\, students will realize the following achievements: \n\n\nA nuanced understanding of an important global issue \n\n\nInformation about career paths in international affairs and diplomacy \n\n\nIncreased cultural competency\, leadership\, and civic engagement skills \n\n\nConnections with students\, change-makers\, and world-renowned speakers from San Diego and around the world \n\n\nExposure to the cultures of participating countries through small group discussions\, cooking classes\, sharing of hobbies and interests\, and more! \n\n\nUpon completion of each module\, students will earn a Certificate of Excellence in Global Leadership to commemorate their newfound skills. \n\n\nSponsorships\nWe would like to express our sincere appreciation to Chinyeh Hostler for leading the sponsorship effort for the Global Leadership Youth Program. Thanks to Chinyeh’s generosity\, we have 10 sponsorships available for students unable to participate in GLYP without financial help. Please email lulu@sandiegodiplomacy.org if you would like to be considered for a fully-funded position. \nModule Descriptions\n  \nIn Sickness and Health: Women’s Access to Healthcare Across the Globe\nOctober 27 & 29\, November 3 & 5\nWomen and girls worldwide are confronted by sociocultural factors that can hinder their access to quality healthcare including unequal gender power relationships\, social norms that limit quality education and paid employment opportunities\, and a higher victimization rate of gender-based violence. Meanwhile\, climate change brings new threats that disproportionately affect women’s health. In this session\, we will examine the global outcomes of United States foreign policy with a focus on the Mexico City Policy\, access to education and reproductive health services\, and the role of non-governmental organizations. \nOcean Conservation: Every Drop Counts\nNovember 10\, 12\, 17 & 19\nAs Han Solo in Star Wars he traversed the galaxy\, but as an ocean conservationist\, Harrison Ford knows there is only one planet that we can call home. “If we don’t stop the destruction of our natural world\,” he says\, “nothing else will matter.” Oceans generate an estimated 50-80% of the oxygen we breathe\, regulate global climate patterns\, and support many diverse life forms. As such\, ocean conservation must be at the forefront of the climate action movement if we are to keep our planet blue. This session will dive into the feasibility of reversing ocean damage\, protecting our rich San Diego coastal environment\, and supporting global conservation efforts. \nWith Liberty and Justice for All?: Confronting Racism and Systemic Inequality Worldwide\nDecember 1\, 3\, 8 & 10\nThis year marks the 60th anniversary of four African-American college students who sat in protest at a segregated lunch counter\, which in turn inspired Freedom Riders of all races to put their lives at risk registering voters of color. As such\, the prominence of the United States’ global leadership placed the triumphs and tragedies of the Civil Rights Movement on the world stage. Today\, how can American actions in cooperation with the international community challenge the racial injustice pandemic that grips the globe? This session will examine how both government and citizen-diplomacy can chip away at systemic inequality abroad while also taking a hard look at pervasive racism at home in the United States. \nNot For Sale: The Miscreance of Human Trafficking\nJanuary 5\, 7\, 12 & 14\nAccording to the California Department of Justice\, human trafficking is the largest criminal enterprise in the Golden State\, with estimated annual profits of $9.5 billion nationally and $150 billion globally. From products in our homes produced by enslaved laborers to a growing underworld sex trade\, human trafficking infects our lives on a daily basis. Here in the border city of San Diego\, we live in a regional hotspot with approximately 10\,000 people having experienced human trafficking. This session will expose the scourge of human trafficking at home and abroad as well as discuss strategies to combat this lucrative illicit industry. \nOf Poaching\, Profits and Tiger Kings: International Wildlife Trafficking\nJanuary 19\, 21\, 26 & 28\nThe world currently faces an unprecedented surge in the trafficking of wildlife\, threatening both global security and decades of conservation gains. Much like with illegal drugs and arms\, dangerous international networks smuggle wildlife and animal parts and products across borders\, a trade valued at billions of dollars according to some estimates. While poaching threatens the last of the world’s wild tigers (numbering around 3\,890)\, U.S. audiences are captivated by the bizarre underworld of big cat breeding in the Netflix docuseries Tiger King\, which in turn perpetuates the exploitation and suffering of animals for profit. \nFOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO EXPRESS INTERESTED IN THE GLOBAL LEADERSHIP YOUTH PROGRAM\, PLEASE EMAIL LULU@SANDIEGODIPLOMACY.ORG. \nTO REGISTER FOR THIS PROGRAM\, VISIT OUR EVENTBRITE PAGE. URL:https://sandiegodiplomacy.org/event/global-leadership-youth-program/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:Events,Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=application/pdf:https://sandiegodiplomacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/GLYP-Poster-2-2.pdf END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20201113T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20201113T183000 DTSTAMP:20260407T033423 CREATED:20201022T002649Z LAST-MODIFIED:20201105T230638Z UID:3363-1605286800-1605292200@sandiegodiplomacy.org SUMMARY:2020 Signature Event DESCRIPTION:Join the San Diego Diplomacy Council and our cohost\, the San Diego Chapter of International Game Development Association for an unforgettable online fundraising evening exploring how video games can promote world peace and diplomacy. The event will be held online on Friday\, November 13th at 5 PM Pacific Time.  \nThe evening will feature distinguished speakers\, a video game demonstration\, virtual door prizes\, an optional dinner for local guests\, and a private cocktail party.  \nYour ticket and donation directly support the San Diego Diplomacy Council’s efforts to build trust\, dialogue\, and collaboration between the United States and other nations through in-person and online professional\, educational\, and cultural exchanges.  \n \n RSVP Now\n \n\n Welcoming Remarks\n \n\n Assistant Secretary of State Mary Royce\n \n Marie Royce was confirmed by the United States Senate and sworn in as Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs on March 30\, 2018. In this capacity\, she oversees a wide range of programs to advance U.S. foreign policy objectives through educational\, professional\, cultural\, and sports exchanges that promote mutual understanding between the people of the United States and people of other nations. The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) programs create networks and partnerships to advance U.S. foreign policy goals and address the world’s greatest challenges and opportunities. Click here to read more. \n \n\n Panel Speakers\n \n\n Lual Mayen\n \n \n Lual Mayen is a South Sudanese video game developer and founder of Junub games. His parents had to flee South Sudan to Northern Uganda to find a place of refuge. Born in South Sudan and raised in a Refugee camp\, Northern Uganda. Passionate about creating games to help promote peace. Currently a Visiting Scholar In-Residence at American University. \nRecognized at the Game Awards as the Global Gaming Citizen by Facebook Gaming and The Game Awards for using games to bring about a positive impact. The awards bring together a diverse group of game players\, game developers\, and notable names from the popular culture to celebrate and advance gaming’s positions as the most immersive\, challenging\, and inspiring form of entertainment. The Game Awards viewership more than doubled in 2018 with over 27.5 million live streams.  \n\n Dr. Constance Steinkuehler\n \n Dr. Constance Steinkuehler is an American professor of informatics at the University of California–Irvine. She previously taught at the University of Wisconsin-Madison before taking public service leave\, from 2011-2012\, to work as a Senior Policy Analyst in the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) at the White House Executive Office\, where she advised on policy matters about video games and learning. She currently researches the cognitive and social aspects of video games and gaming at the University of California\, Irvine. Her current projects include mixed methods research on the North American Scholastic Esports Federation (NASEF) high school esports league\, quantitative study of esports in higher education\, and advice on parenting gamers. She is currently a co-chair of the Connected Learning Summit (CLL)\, and chair for the annual Esports Conference (ESC) at UCI as well as the UCI Esports Program Task Force for Diversity and Inclusion. She has published over ninety articles and book chapters including three special journal issues and two books. \n \n\n Kate Edwards\n \n \n Kate Edwards is a 27+ year veteran and an outspoken\, multiple award-winning advocate of the game industry and the Executive Director of the Global Game Jam\, as well as the former Executive Director of the International Game Developers Association (IGDA). She is also a professional geographer and corporate strategist who pioneered and specializes in content culturalization. Following 13 years at Microsoft\, she has consulted on many game and non-game projects for BioWare\, Ubisoft\, LEGO\, Google\, Amazon\, Facebook\, and many other companies. She was also profiled in the December 2018 publication Women in Gaming: 100 Professionals of Play. \n\n Joshua Shen\n \n\n Moderator\n \n Joshua Shen is currently the Strategic Designer for Interactive Media and Games for the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). His portfolio is to explore ways to integrate gaming\, gamification\, and new communication technologies with existing State Department policy needs\, key audiences\, and programs.  He serves as ECA’s liaison in this space with other U.S. government agencies\, the private sector\, and academia.  Prior to this assignment\, Joshua worked in ECA’s Sports Diplomacy division\, as well as Consular and Public Affairs Sections in three overseas assignments – Malaysia\, Vietnam\, and Sri Lanka/Maldives. \n \n\n Video Game Demonstration\n \n \n In partnership with the North America Scholastic Esports Federation\, attendees will witness the video games for diplomacy concept in action\, as high school students in San Diego and Mexico participate in the video game “Among Us\,” to promote global dialogue and collaboration. A Q&A with some of the students will follow. \n \n The Q&A will be moderated by Laylah Bulman\, Senior Program Officer at the Samueli Foundation\, who supports programmatic efforts nationally and internationally\, focusing on partnerships\, STEM education\, youth engagement\, diversity and inclusion initiatives. Ms. Bulman also serves as one of the Foundation’s leaders for its scholastic esports program known as NASEF\, the North America Scholastic Esports Federation\, and serves as the Executive Director/Founder of its first state-wide affiliate. She is a Woodrow Wilson Fellow and graduate of the University of Virginia. \n\n Eat and Do Good\n \n Local guests will have the option to purchase dinner from IRC MAKE. The Project is a social enterprise catering and food company. It was created to provide low–literacy refugee women the opportunity to learn critical job skills and vocational English in a real\, on-the-job setting. \n \n\n SPONSORS\n \n Our evening would not have been possible without the in-kind support of many individuals\, organizations and businesses including: \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n Sponsors\n \n Become a sponsor and support the critical intersection between video games\, diplomacy\, and youth global education. For companies and individuals interested to sponsor the 2020 signature event\, please contact Executive Director Fabienne Perlov at Fabienne@sandiegodiplomacy.org \n\n $5\,000 – Final Boss\n \n Featured as a presenting sponsor of the 2020 signature event\, invitation to the VIP cocktail\, complimentary tickets for eight (4) guests\, one-year SDDC Ambassador-Level corporate membership\, promotional acknowledgment on all social media and all other event publicity. \n\n $2\,500 – Meta\n \n Invitation to the VIP cocktail\, complimentary tickets for eight (4) guests\, one-year SDDC Corporate Diplomat-Level membership\, promotional acknowledgment on all social media\, and all other event publicity. \n\n $1\,000 – Developer\n \n Invitation to the VIP cocktail\, complimentary tickets for four (4) guests\, and promotional acknowledgment on all social media and all other event publicity. \n\n $500 – Mini-Boss\n \n Tickets for two (2) guests and promotional acknowledgment on all social media and all other event publicity. \n We look forward to celebrating with you! \n \n RSVP Now URL:https://sandiegodiplomacy.org/event/2020-signature-event/ CATEGORIES:Events,Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sandiegodiplomacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Flyer-General-Global-Game-2020-Signature-Event-e1603385481512.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20201030T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20201030T183000 DTSTAMP:20260407T033423 CREATED:20201014T214351Z LAST-MODIFIED:20201024T005340Z UID:3337-1604077200-1604082600@sandiegodiplomacy.org SUMMARY:Flavors of the Philippines: A Virtual Cooking Class DESCRIPTION:REGISTER HERE \nAs part of our E-Culinary Diplomacy Series\, the San Diego Diplomacy Council is delighted to offer a virtual cooking class on Friday\, October 30 from 5:00-6:30 PM\, in celebration of Filipino American History Month. Filipino chef and business owner Tress Balch will lead you in preparing two easy-to-make\, yet delicious dishes that are the hallmarks of Filipino cuisine: Chicken Adobo and Lumpia Shanghai. \nOpening remarks will be given by San Diego-based Honorary Consul of the Philippines\, Audie de Castro. He will share his insight into the richness and diversity of Filipino food and culture. \nTress Balch is the owner of Pyramid Bistro\, a restaurant and commercial kitchen located inside of the Landmark Pyramid on Miramar Road. He also manages Entourage Events which specializes in catering and events in Southern California. Types of cuisine offered includes: Asian\, American\, Italian\, and Mexican food. For info\, visit: https://pyramidbistrosd.com/. \nAfter registering on Eventbrite\, you will receive a full ingredients list. URL:https://sandiegodiplomacy.org/event/flavors-of-the-philippines-a-virtual-cooking-class/ CATEGORIES:Events,Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sandiegodiplomacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/E-Culinary-Diplomacy-Event-Flyer.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20201006T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20201006T200000 DTSTAMP:20260407T033423 CREATED:20200926T021617Z LAST-MODIFIED:20200929T164114Z UID:3298-1602010800-1602014400@sandiegodiplomacy.org SUMMARY:E-Cultural Diplomacy Event: Book Discussion with George Takei! ( By invitation only) DESCRIPTION:Join us for a book discussion and exclusive question and answer session with author\, activist\, and actor\, George Takei\, author of the KPBS One Book\, One San Diego 2020 selection\, They Called Us Enemy\, a graphic memoir in which Takei revisits his haunting childhood in American concentration camps\, as one of 120\,000 Japanese Americans imprisoned by the U.S. government during World War II. \nThis event is for SDDC members and by invitation only. For more information\, please contact jim@sandiegodiplomacy.org URL:https://sandiegodiplomacy.org/event/e-cultural-diplomacy-event-book-discussion-with-george-takei/ CATEGORIES:Events,Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://sandiegodiplomacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Flyer-George-Takei-2-e1601057619748.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20200929T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20200929T110000 DTSTAMP:20260407T033423 CREATED:20200916T210444Z LAST-MODIFIED:20200917T193732Z UID:3275-1601373600-1601377200@sandiegodiplomacy.org SUMMARY:Vote\, Run\, Lead: A Virtual Dialogue on Women's Political Participation DESCRIPTION:REGISTER HERE \nHere in the US\, 2020 marks the centennial of the ratification of the 19th Amendment\, granting women the right to vote in 1920. It was the first legislation for women’s voting rights. In recognition and celebration of this momentous occasion\, the San Diego Diplomacy Council is spotlighting the importance of women’s full and equal participation in the political process for our next event in the Global Leaders Online Forum series. \nOn Tuesday\, September 29 at 10:00 AM Pacific Time\, join us in this virtual dialogue where we will convene women from Cyprus\, Montenegro\, Suriname and the US to discuss advancements\, barriers\, and the future that lies ahead for women in politics. Featured speakers include local subject matter experts\, and members of parliament and senior political advisers who have visited San Diego as part of the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) sponsored by the US Department of State. The event will be moderated by Carl Luna\, Director of the Institute for Civil Civic Engagement at the University of San Diego. \nFeatured Speakers: \nXenia Konstantinou \nXenia Konstantinou is a Member of the House of Representatives of Cyprus under the Democratic Rally Party. She has been involved in party politics for more than 20 years. Her past experience includes working as coordinator\, trainer and facilitator on topics such as conflict resolution and empowerment of young people. From 2014 to 2018\, Xenia served as President of the Women’s Organization of the Democratic Rally Party. She is an advocate for women’s political participation and seeks to improve the gender balance in government. \nValentina Minic \nValentina Minic is a Member of Parliament representing the Montenegro Democratic Party. She started her career as a doctor of medical dentistry. In 2016\, she was appointed Vice President of the Local Committee of Democrats of Bar\, which is a coastal town and seaport in southern Montenegro. She then served as President from 2017 to 2019. In May 2019\, she was appointed International Secretary of the Democratic Montenegro. She is active in the party’s Bar chapter and in party decision-making bodies. Her work focuses on strengthening the legal framework of gender equality in elections and other aspects of the political process. \nAngelic Del Castilho \nAngelic Del Castilho is a Senior Policy Adviser at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Suriname. From 2007 to 2011\, she represented the Republic of Suriname at the highest level in Indonesia. In 2015\, she became chairperson of Democratic Alternative ’91\, a political party in her country. She works to unite the culturally\, ethnically\, and religiously diverse society of Suriname and supports efforts to bring more stability and security to the citizens of Suriname\, who face economic and political challenges. \nSara Jacobs \nSara Jacobs is the Founder and Chair of San Diego for Every Child: The Coalition to End Child Poverty. She previously worked as a Scholar in Residence at the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies at the University of San Diego and in policy positions at the U.S. State Department during the Obama Administration\, UNICEF\, the United Nations\, and on Secretary Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign. Sara Jacobs is currently a Democratic Candidate for California’s 53rd Congressional District. \nLindsey Nitta \nLindsey Nitta is the executive director of California Women Lead\, the state’s largest nonpartisan association of women leaders. California Women Lead has encouraged thousands of women to successfully run for office or apply for an appointment at the state or local level through education\, training and network development. URL:https://sandiegodiplomacy.org/event/global-leaders-online-forum-womens-political-participation/ CATEGORIES:Events,Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sandiegodiplomacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Global-Leaders-Online-Forum-Sept-Flyer.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20200915T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20200915T180000 DTSTAMP:20260407T033423 CREATED:20200903T180346Z LAST-MODIFIED:20200909T173204Z UID:3267-1600189200-1600192800@sandiegodiplomacy.org SUMMARY:Crossing Boundaries: A Traveler's Guide to World Peace DESCRIPTION:Get your tickets now!\nJoin our E-Cultural Diplomacy Event on Tuesday\, September 15th at 5 PM PST as Aziz Abu Sarah\, author of Crossing Boundaries: A Traveler’s Guide to World Peace\, expands on his novel to discuss the transformational power that travel has to heal divides\, increase tolerance and make the world a more peaceful place. Aziz will provide insight and guidance on building peace and diplomacy through transformative travel. \nAziz Abu Sarah is a peace builder\, cultural educator\, entrepreneur\, author\, and international speaker. A Palestinian raised in Jerusalem\, his journey from a radical seeking revenge to peacemaker seeking reconciliation led to an innovative method of peacemaking. He co-founded MEJDI Tours in 2009 and has written opinion pieces for The New York Times\, The Washington Post\, AlQuds\, Haaretz\, and has been published by National Geographic\, CNN\, TED\, and Alarabiya. In 2018\, he announced his candidacy for Mayor of Jerusalem. Aziz has worked in 60 countries\, including Afghanistan\, Colombia\, Syria\, and the Balkans. He has served as Executive Director at the Center for World Religions\, Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution\, George Mason University and as the Chairman for the Parents Circle Family Forum. Aziz is the Co-Director of I am Your Protector Campaign and the Co-Founder of InterAct International. He was named one of the 500 most influential Muslims in the World by the Royal Strategic Centre in Jordan and won the Intercultural innovation award from the UN Alliance of Civilizations and the BMW Group. \nTo find out more about Aziz\, visit his website at www.azizabusarah.com/ \nRegister for this free event here. URL:https://sandiegodiplomacy.org/event/crossing-boundaries-a-travelers-guide-to-world-peace/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:Events,Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sandiegodiplomacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Final-Flyer-Aziz-Abu-Sarah3-e1599602091647.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20200825T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20200825T110000 DTSTAMP:20260407T033423 CREATED:20200814T145727Z LAST-MODIFIED:20200814T145904Z UID:3243-1598349600-1598353200@sandiegodiplomacy.org SUMMARY:Global Leaders Online Forum: Perspectives From Global Experts on Climate Change and Sustainable Energy DESCRIPTION:REGISTER HERE \nSponsored by Sempra Energy\, the San Diego Diplomacy Council invites you to our upcoming Global Leaders Online Forum\, taking place on Tuesday\, August 25 from 10-11 am PST. We will convene global experts to discuss climate action and the latest developments on sustainable energy. The event will be moderated by Erin Koch\, Corporate Sustainability Manager at Sempra Energy. Featured speakers include alumni of the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) and local subject matters experts. \nFeatured Speakers: \nDouty Chibamba is an accomplished environmental scientist from Zambia. He teaches climate change and sustainable development at the University of Zambia\, in addition to several other geography courses. In his role\, Douty has led a team of scientists to explore the possibilities of using alternative renewable sources of energy\, such as solar\, geothermal and wind in Zambia. He has also negotiated for Zambia at several conference of parties (COPs)\, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Douty visited the U.S. in October of 2018 as part of the IVLP delegation focused on “Renewable Energy and Sustainable Growth”. \nMuhammad Leroy A. Gomez is a climate scientist and a specialist on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Human Security from The Gambia. He has over seven years’ experience in the National Environment Agency\, and has led several education and communication programs to inform the public on environmental protection and conservation. Muhammad is an Adjunct Lecturer on Disaster Management and Natural Resource Policies\, Laws and Conventions at the University of The Gambia. He is currently a PhD. Candidate at Université de Lomé in Togo focused on Climate Change and Disaster Risks Management. Muhammad visited the U.S. in October of 2018 as part of the IVLP delegation focused on “Renewable Energy and Sustainable Growth”. \nJeremy M. Martin is Vice President of Energy & Sustainability at the Institute of the Americas\, an inter-American public policy think-tank located at the University of California San Diego (UCSD). The Institute of the Americas Energy & Sustainability Program works to foster a deeper understanding of the most critical energy issues facing the Western Hemisphere. Jeremy has testified before the US Congress on energy issues in Latin America\, teaches a graduate course in Latin American Energy Policy at UCSD and the University of San Diego (USD) and serves on the Board of Directors of the San Diego Diplomacy Council. \nNilmini Silva-Send is the assistant director and the C. Hugh Friedman Fellow in Energy Law and Policy at the Energy Policy Initiatives Center (EPIC) at USD School of Law. As Adjunct Professor at USD\, she has developed and teaches a class in international energy law with a focus on international energy investment treaties\, contracts and dispute resolution\, World Trade Organization law related to national energy policies\, and linkages with climate change law. Her latest research include energy requirements and greenhouse gas implications of water use in San Diego and California. URL:https://sandiegodiplomacy.org/event/global-leaders-online-forum-perspectives-from-global-experts-on-climate-change-and-sustainable-energy/ CATEGORIES:Events,Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sandiegodiplomacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GLOF-Aug-25-Flyer-.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20200811T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20200811T170000 DTSTAMP:20260407T033423 CREATED:20200731T014302Z LAST-MODIFIED:20200805T182544Z UID:3223-1597165200-1597165200@sandiegodiplomacy.org SUMMARY:E-Talk About Series: Saving Face - How Diplomats and Global Leaders Preserve Dignity and Build Trust DESCRIPTION:Click Here to Register! \n“Saving face” is a universal concept that enables you to connect with people\, break down barriers\, and build trust and long-term relationships. When the phrase “it’s not about the money” is used\, the real issue is often about face. Face is the new social currency of our time. Face represents one’s self-esteem\, self-worth\, identity\, reputation\, status\, pride\, and dignity. The more face you have\, the easier and faster you can get things done. \nJoin our E-Talk-About on Tuesday\, August 11th at 5PM Pacific Time as Maya Hu-Chan\, author of Saving Face: How to Preserve Dignity and Build Trust\, explains how we as diplomats and global leaders can honor face to build trust\, avoid causing others to lose face\, and most importantly\, build authentic\, lasting relationships inside and outside the workplace. She will also discuss “saving face” in the context of COVID-19 when these relationships are more complicated to navigate online. \n\n\nMaya Hu-Chan is a globally recognized speaker\, author\, leadership consultant\, and ICF Master Certified Coach. She is the founder of Global Leadership Associates\, and has served as its president since 1992. Maya specializes in global leadership\, cross-cultural management\, and diversity and inclusion. Born and raised in Taiwan\, Maya is fluent in Chinese and English. She earned her M.A. from University of Pennsylvania\, and B.A. from National Chengchi University in Taiwan. \nThis event is hosted in partnership with the Asian Business Association San Diego and the National Association of Asian American Professionals San Diego. URL:https://sandiegodiplomacy.org/event/e-talk-about-series-maya-hu-chan/ CATEGORIES:Events,Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sandiegodiplomacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Updated-E-Talk-About-Speaker-Series-Flyer.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20200730T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20200730T183000 DTSTAMP:20260407T033423 CREATED:20200707T153523Z LAST-MODIFIED:20200707T170736Z UID:3146-1596128400-1596133800@sandiegodiplomacy.org SUMMARY:In Honor of International Day of Friendship\, Annual Appreciation Event! DESCRIPTION:Join us to celebrate the International Day of Friendship on Thursday\, July 30th at 5pm PST to honor our members\, volunteers\, and partners who help us nurture global friendships and advance solutions to global challenges. The International Day of Friendship appreciates the significant bonds that encourage the fundamental shifts that are urgently needed to achieve lasting global stability and generate passion for a better world where all are united for the greater good. We are proud to welcome Susan Crystal\, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Professional and Cultural Exchanges in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S Department of State\, to discuss the critical importance of citizen diplomacy and its future. We will award Dennis and Verena Seisun the member of the year and Sureride Inc. our partner organization of the year for their outstanding support\, and feature a Citizen Diplomacy Map with alumni stories. \nSusan Crystal has served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Professional and Cultural Exchanges in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs since August 2018. She is responsible for overseeing a broad array of professional\, youth\, cultural and sports exchange programs for U.S. and foreign audiences\, supported by the Office of International Visitors and the Office of Citizen Exchanges. Previous assignments include several positions in Human Resources\, most recently as director of the Office of Career Development Assignments.  A public diplomacy officer\, Susan held public diplomacy positions in Canada\, Australia\, Ecuador\, Haiti\, Mauritius and South Africa. Other Washington assignments include the Bureaus of Western Hemisphere Affairs and European Affairs\, as well as other assignments in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Prior to joining the Foreign Service\, she worked in constituent services for a Member of the United States Congress.  Originally from Pittsburgh\, she is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University and holds a professional certificate in Leadership Coaching from George Mason University. \nREGISTER FOR THE EVENT! URL:https://sandiegodiplomacy.org/event/in-honor-of-international-day-of-friendship-annual-appreciation-event/ CATEGORIES:Events,Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sandiegodiplomacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/REVISED_-Annual-Appreciation-Event-2020-1-e1594066969562.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20200727T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20200731T113000 DTSTAMP:20260407T033423 CREATED:20200608T165004Z LAST-MODIFIED:20200721T231144Z UID:3084-1595840400-1596195000@sandiegodiplomacy.org SUMMARY:Global Leaders Online Program: Summer 2020 - Registration Open! DESCRIPTION:Join the San Diego Diplomacy Council and La Jolla Country Day School for our groundbreaking Virtual Summer Global Leaders Program for students aged 14-18 years old! This unique opportunity will enable participants in San Diego and around the world to engage with questions plaguing the world’s most critical thinkers. From nuclear proliferation to sustainability negotiations\, our program has been curated with future leaders in mind. \nProgram Details: \n\nOpen to students aged 14-18 from around the world\nEnjoy as a four-week package\, or select weeks to suit your interests\nSessions run Monday – Friday\, 9.00 am – 11.30 am PDT\n10.00 am  – 10.30 am will serve as a break\, with optional cultural offerings\n\nLearning Objectives: \nAt the conclusion of each week’s programming\, students will come away with: \n\nA nuanced understanding of a timely\, global issue\nInformation about career paths in the field of international affairs and diplomacy\nIncreased cultural competency and understanding through strengthened leadership and civic engagement skills\nConnections with students and change-makers from San Diego and across the globe\nExposure to the cultures of participating countries through small-group led discussion\, cooking classes\, sharing of hobbies and favorite music\, and more\nA Certificate of Excellence in Global Citizenship on the topic of the week\n\nThese four one-week programs will be focused on global issues\, leadership development\, and diplomacy. Sessions will include dynamic international speakers\, small group discussions\, group projects\, a diplomacy simulation\, student-led sessions\, and cultural offerings including cooking classes and musical performances. \nThese Are the Stakes: Peacemaking in a Nuclear World\nWeek 1 (July 6-10): In the controversial 1964 presidential election ad\, a young girl counting daisy petals is engulfed in a mushroom cloud as President Johnson somberly warns us: “These are the stakes… We must either love each other\, or we must die.” More than a half century later\, the Cold War nuclear brinkmanship between the US and USSR is a topic of history books\, but the dangers of weapons of mass destruction—and of mass distraction—remain an ever-present and all-too-real threat. In this session\, students will examine peacemaking actions around the world and international efforts to limit the proliferation of nuclear weapons. \nBridge Over Troubled Water: Resource Sustainability\nWeek 2 (July 13-17): Approximately 780 million people worldwide do not have access to safe drinking water. Meanwhile\, ninety percent of San Diego’s water is imported from Northern California and the Colorado River via an aqueduct over 200 miles long\, a fact that exposes the tenuous connection to sustainability underlying the prosperous society of America’s Finest City. In this session\, students will consider the critical challenges involved in ensuring access to water worldwide as well as the geopolitical consequences of water scarcity. \nGoing Viral: Pandemic Diplomacy\nWeek 3 (July 20-24): Until recently\, many of us associated the word “pandemic” with science-fiction stories\, popular movies\, or a zombie apocalypse television show; the year 2020 has brought home to us all the true meaning of the costs\, risks and challenges of a global epidemic. This session will focus on how engaged citizens around the world are responding to the new realities of COVID-19\, along with examining how the international community has acted in the face of other global epidemics in the past century with a particular emphasis on the HIV-AIDS crisis from the 1980s to today. \nTempest-Tossed: Borders and Immigration\nWeek 4 (July 27-31): The devastation of the Second World War left seven to eleven million people searching for a new home; today there are over 70 million refugees or displaced people worldwide. Despite being signatories to the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights and its promise of freedom of movement\, today’s economic powers nonetheless vacillate between open\, semi-open\, and closed borders in their approaches to immigration from developing nations. Meanwhile\, San Diego lies a stone’s throw from the world’s second-busiest land-border crossing. In this session\, students will reflect on the challenges and opportunities posed by ever-increasing global migration and the ways in which state\, international\, and non-governmental organizations respond. \nFor the program and more information\, please email lulu@sandiegodiplomacy.org. \nClick Here To Register URL:https://sandiegodiplomacy.org/event/summerprogram/ CATEGORIES:Events,Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sandiegodiplomacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Global-Leaders-Online-Program-final-3.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20200721T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20200721T110000 DTSTAMP:20260407T033423 CREATED:20200708T192223Z LAST-MODIFIED:20200717T140114Z UID:3160-1595325600-1595329200@sandiegodiplomacy.org SUMMARY:Entrepreneurship in the Time of COVID-19 in Russia and Moldova DESCRIPTION:Click Here to Register in Advance! \nOur next Global Leaders Online Forum will take place on Tuesday\, July 21 from 10-11 am PST. We will convene international business fellows from the Professional Fellows Program (PFP) and Russian Business Leaders Program (RBL) to discuss adaptability in the time of COVID-19. Panelists include: \nZamir Shukhov (Russia)\nCEO & Partner\, Global Venture Alliance\n2017 PFP Fellow \nZamir Shukhov is the CEO of Global Venture Alliance\, a startup accelerator that works in entrepreneurship ecosystem development. His responsibilities include managing his team\, working with international partners\, and supervising various accelerator programs. Over the years of work at Global Venture Alliance\, Zamir together with his team organized more than 500 events attended by 40\,000+ people\, managed accelerators and sites\, invested in start-ups\, established international partnerships and launched branches in other countries. Zamir speaks fluent English\, Russian and Circassian\, has a Master’s degree in Management\, and numerous awards and certificates. Zamir Shukhov was a 2017 PFP Fellow placed at Downtown San Diego Partnership. \nEkaterina “Katya” Shchegoleva (Russia)\nCo-founder & PR Director\, Stardust LLC\n2019 RBL Fellow \nKatya Shchegoleva is the Co-founder and Public Relations Director of Stardust where she leads the work on developing\, manufacturing and launching functional products for people’s safety: Moonspray (retro-reflective spray for increasing visibility on the road for pedestrians and cyclists)\, Antibacterium (hand sanitizers) and etc. In Moscow\, she received her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Higher School of Economics and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Russian Presidential Academy. Katya Shchegoleva was a 2019 RBL Fellow placed at UC San Diego’s Center for Innovation and Commercialization. \nNicolai Loghin (Moldova)\nOrganizational Management Consultant\n2018 PFP Fellow \nNicolai Loghin is a specialist in organizational management. During the last five years\, Nicolai had leading positions in several organizations such as Center for Organizational Consultancy and Training (CICO) – a non-profit organization that aims to strengthen organizational capacities of non-profit organizations and Studio of Agricultural Systems – a company that offers IT solutions for farmers. Nicolai has a Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Management at Free International University of Moldova and a Master’s degree in Finance at State Agrarian University of Moldova. Nicolai Loghin was a 2018 PFP Fellow placed at Impact Without Borders. \nThe Professional Fellows Program (PFP) and Russian Business Leaders Program (RBL) are two-way exchange programs designed to build lasting\, sustainable partnerships between mid-level emerging leaders from abroad and the United States. Participants are placed in short-term fellowships in nonprofit organizations\, private sector businesses\, and government offices across the United States for an individually tailored professional development experience. American participants who have hosted these fellows later have the opportunity to travel overseas for participant-driven reciprocal programs. PFP and RBL are sponsored by the US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs\, Professional Fellows Division\, administered by American Councils for International Education\, and implemented locally by the San Diego Diplomacy Council. URL:https://sandiegodiplomacy.org/event/entrepreneurship-in-the-time-of-covid-19-a-discussion-with-international-business-fellows/ CATEGORIES:Events,Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sandiegodiplomacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Entrepreneurship-in-the-Time-of-Covid-19-Flyer-Final-2-e1594403349914.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20200714T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20200714T180000 DTSTAMP:20260407T033423 CREATED:20200707T153636Z LAST-MODIFIED:20200707T153636Z UID:3148-1594746000-1594749600@sandiegodiplomacy.org SUMMARY:E-Cultural Diplomacy: Celebrating France's Bastille Day! DESCRIPTION:Join us next week for a celebration of France’s Bastille Day with food\, music\, and diplomacy! Part of our E-Cultural Diplomacy series\, the event will be held live on Tuesday\, July 14th at 5 PM Pacific Time and co-hosted with the House of France and the Alliance Francaise of San Diego. \nMs. Marion Lanier\, Honorary Consul of France will discuss the relations between the United States and France and share a few words about the importance of Bastille Day in French culture. The event will also present a live cooking class from Chef Julia Shelley and music composed by French artist\, Ms. Véronique Forget. \nMs. Marion Lanier was born and raised in Nice\, France. After receiving a Doctorate in Organic Chemistry at the University of Nice Sophia-Antipolis\, she moved to Lehigh University in Pennsylvania for a one year research appointment and ended up staying three years. She then moved to San Diego where she has lived ever since. She works in the pharmaceutical industry. Marion has been a member\, board member and president of the House of France in Balboa Park for more than ten years as well as a member of the Alliance Francaise. In May 2019\, Marion was appointed Honorary Consul for France in San Diego; a liaison between the French Consulate in Los Angeles and the San Diego community. She is married and has two children.” \nJulia Shelley is a French woman who grew up in Lyon\, the Gastronomical Capital of  France\, some say\, of the world. Her parents Pierre and Veronique\, both restaurant owners and chefs\, gave her an enduring love of fine cooking. Trained by some of the best chefs in France and America\, most notably the Dardilly Francois Rabelais Culinary School in Lyon\, France\, Julia\, a world traveler\,  enjoys sharing her passion for people and delicious cooking. Since 2006\, Julia has lived in California\, first in San Francisco\, now in San Diego\, where she has expanded her knowledge of restaurant management\, while she learned practiced her skills as a first-rate chef and wine expert. \nThrough her company\, French chef at Home\, Julia will come into your home to make cook a meal to your specifications for special occasions like birthday parties\, wedding anniversaries\, graduations\, Valentine’s Day\, New Years\, and\, of course\, Bastille Day\, the French national holiday. For more details check her website at https://www.personalfrenchchefathome.com/#about \nMs. Véronique Forget is a talented singer/entertainment based in San Diego. Captivating and sensual\, the crystal-clear voice of Véronique Forget carries with it the colorful nature and dynamic soul of her native Mauritius Island and French culture. Her repertoire – influenced by jazz\, bossanova\, soul\, and R&B – encompasses a passion of French songs where she excels in her interpretation of Edith Piaf. Véronique is an international freelance and contract performer\, who can sing in 10 different languages. With her broad experience she sings for corporate\, private events and featured engagements. Check her Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/veronique.voice \nREGISTER HERE! After registering\, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. URL:https://sandiegodiplomacy.org/event/e-cultural-diplomacy-celebrating-frances-bastille-day/ CATEGORIES:Events,Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sandiegodiplomacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/E-Cultural-Diplomacy-Event_-Bastille-Day-1-e1594073686218.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20200707T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20200707T180000 DTSTAMP:20260407T033423 CREATED:20200625T172535Z LAST-MODIFIED:20200625T172535Z UID:3130-1594141200-1594144800@sandiegodiplomacy.org SUMMARY:E-Talk About Series: Diplomacy in the Next Era - Creating Gender Balance DESCRIPTION:Many countries face challenges of migration\, terrorism\, climate change\, and the spread of fast-paced technology. Those who are sitting around the table will redefine how we solve critical problems. How will gender balance change diplomacy? Join us on Tuesday\, July 7th at 5PM Pacific Time with author Susan Sloan as she discusses her book (Amazon #1 New Release)\, A Seat at the Table: Women\, Diplomacy\, and Lessons for the World. \nShe will share stories and research from women Ambassadors and government officials spanning Afghanistan\, Albania\, Australia\, Croatia\, Denmark\, Finland\, Hungary\, Iceland\, Kosovo\, Mexico\, Namibia\, Singapore\, and the U.S. Join us to hear about the impact of gender-diversified leadership\, and why varied voices lead to stronger resolutions and enhanced team dynamics.  \n\n\nSusan Sloan is the author of A Seat at the Table: Women\, Diplomacy\, and Lessons for the World. She works for a global advocacy organization engaging with diplomats\, government officials\, community organizers\, and international leaders. She has met with more than 60 countries through diplomacy\, advocacy\, and experiential education.  At the age of 30\, she completed a life goal of visiting all seven continents. Susan holds a master’s degree in Global Strategic Communications from Georgetown University and graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism with a major in Public Relations and a minor in Spanish from the University of Georgia. www.susansloan.com | Follow on Twitter @realSusanSloan \nClick Here to Register URL:https://sandiegodiplomacy.org/event/e-talk-about-series-diplomacy-in-the-next-era-creating-gender-balance/ CATEGORIES:Events,Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sandiegodiplomacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/REVISED-Susan-Sloan-Flyer-1-e1593042901838.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20200630T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20200630T120000 DTSTAMP:20260407T033423 CREATED:20200617T234131Z LAST-MODIFIED:20200627T151401Z UID:3126-1593514800-1593518400@sandiegodiplomacy.org SUMMARY:E-Cultural Diplomacy: Photojournalism For Social Change in Slovenia DESCRIPTION:As part of our Cultural Diplomacy series\, the San Diego Diplomacy Council is excited to share the creative work of the U.S State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) alum and documentary photographer Luka Dakskobler from Slovenia. We invite you to: \n1) View his video “Views on a Changing World” HERE\, in which Mr. Dakskobler shares his stunning photography and the meaningful stories behind them on climate change\, species preservation\, anti-government protests and the Covid-19 lockdown in Slovenia; and \n2) Join our live event on Tuesday\, June 30th at 11am Pacific Time\, where Mr. Dakskobler will be speaking about the stories in the video and the impact of his IVLP experience\, and answering questions from the audience. \nMr. Luka Dakskobler is a well-known and respected photographer and journalist in Slovenia. He has been a regular contributor to National Geographic Slovenia for 16 years\, and has also been published in many leading international publications\, most notably The Guardian and Time Magazine.  In addition\, he has ongoing partnerships with several socially-focused organizations throughout the country such as Zavod Apis and the Ana Monro Street Theatre Society.  He is a recipient of seven Slovenia Press Photo awards\, three Nature Images Awards\, a “Slovenia: Through the Lens of Human Rights” award\, and has been shortlisted at the Lumix Festival for Young Journalism festival in Hannover\, Germany. \nMr. Dakskobler also leads documentary photography workshops for middle and high school students\, and teaches NGO youth workers from all over Europe\, as well as vulnerable groups\, how to produce socially-engaged\, documentary photography stories of vulnerable groups and marginalized individuals. He has continued to be on the forefront of promoting social change through his photojournalism\, working on pieces that address wide-ranging topics from climate change\, ecology\, species conservation\, human rights and social issues\, from poverty in Slovenia to fishermen in Istanbul\, Italy’s Venice lagoon\, and land-grabbing in Senegal. \nMr. Dakskobler visited San Diego and several other U.S. cities in February of 2018 under the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) as part of a multi-regional delegation focused on promoting social change through the arts. During his time in San Diego\, Mr. Dakskobler and the other delegates met with art-focused community leaders\, visited Chicano Park and other prominent sites in the Logan Heights community\, and collaborated with each other and several local artists for a memorable Art Soup exhibition at Bread & Salt. \nClick Here to Register for the Live Event  URL:https://sandiegodiplomacy.org/event/e-cultural-diplomacy-photojournalism-for-social-change-in-slovenia/ CATEGORIES:Events,Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sandiegodiplomacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Encouraging-Social-Change-Through-Photojournalism-e1593104939288.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20200623T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20200623T100000 DTSTAMP:20260407T033423 CREATED:20200612T203410Z LAST-MODIFIED:20200625T181047Z UID:3113-1592902800-1592906400@sandiegodiplomacy.org SUMMARY:Global Leaders Online Forum on LGBTQ Issues DESCRIPTION:In partnership with Sempra Energy and San Diego Pride\, the San Diego Diplomacy Council will convene LGBTQ world leaders for a special online event to close out Pride Month here in the U.S. The international speakers are past participants of the U.S State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program that we hosted in San Diego. The online event will be held on Tuesday\, June 23 at 9AM PST.  \nPanelists include: \nFernando López (US)\nExecutive Director\, San Diego Pride\nFernando López has expanded San Diego Pride’s LGBTQ year-round education and advocacy programs\, voter outreach\, international relations\, and works with local\, state\, and federal government agencies to increase LGBTQ competency and compassion. López’s 20 years of LGBTQ advocacy\, nonprofit management\, and community organizing have made them a powerful champion for the LGBTQ community and our region.\n\nNisha Ayub (Malaysia)\n\n2016 International Woman of Courage Awardee\nProject Director\, SEED Foundation\nNisha Ayub is a leading advocate for transgender rights in Malaysia. She is a co-founder of two NGOs -the SEED Foundation\, which provides support to transgender individuals and other marginalized communities\, and Justice for Sisters\, which provides legal aid to transgender individuals and seeks to end persecution of LGBTI people.\n\nNikoleta Stanimirova Gabrovska (Bulgaria)\nExecutive Director\, Single Step Foundation\nNikoleta Gabrovska is Executive Director of the Single Step Foundation\, which helps LGBTI youth\, their families\, friends\, and allies in Bulgaria in the process of recognizing\, coming out\, and affirming their sexual orientation and gender identity.\n\nJune Ruo Si Chua (Singapore)\nCo-Founder and Chairperson\, The T Project\nJune Chua is the co-founder and chair of The T Project\, the only shelter specifically serving the transgender community in Singapore. A transgender woman\, she is particularly concerned about the many forms of exclusion and marginalization facing transgender individuals\, many of whom end up in sex work.\n\nJennifer Henshaw (Liberia)\n\nFounder and Executive Director\, LEGAL (the Lesbian and Gay Alliance of Liberia)\nJennifer Henshaw is the founder and executive director of LEGAL\, the Lesbian and Gay Alliance of Liberia. LEGAL operates in a context where LGBTQ individuals often encounter personal and social discrimination and have difficulty securing access to basic services such as housing\, health care\, and documentation. Jennifer’s interests include leadership development and gaining insights to and skills in conducting advocacy and building bridges to allies.\n\nMassam Hussain Ansari (Pakistan)\nAdministrative and Finance Manager\, Dostana Male Health Society\, Lahore\nMassam Hussain Ansari is the administrative and financial manager of the Dostana Male Health Society\, which provides free HIV testing\, counseling\, and treatment for sexually transmitted infections. An activist and community organizer\, he has played a central role in awareness-raising events surrounding World AIDS Day and the International Day against Homophobia\, Transphobia\, and Biphobia.\n\nClick Here to Register URL:https://sandiegodiplomacy.org/event/global-leaders-online-forum-on-lgbtqi-issues/ CATEGORIES:Events,Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sandiegodiplomacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/GLOF-Pride-World-Forum-3-e1593108634234.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20200616T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20200616T110000 DTSTAMP:20260407T033423 CREATED:20200608T184038Z LAST-MODIFIED:20200615T163103Z UID:3083-1592301600-1592305200@sandiegodiplomacy.org SUMMARY:A Crisis Within A Crisis: Refugees in Times of COVID-19 DESCRIPTION:The San Diego Diplomacy Council is delighted to present our next event in the Global Leaders Online Forum series\, “A Crisis Within A Crisis: Refugees in Times of COVID-19\,” on Tuesday\, June 16 at 10 AM Pacific Time. This event will feature the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) Alumna\, Ms. Nesrine Metry\, Health Manager of the Refugee Program at Caritas Egypt. Ms. Metry will discuss the current situation for refugees in Egypt\, how the pandemic is impacting them\, and the ways in which her IVLP professional exchange has impacted her life and work. She will be joined by Ms. Carmen Kcomt\, Refugee Congress Delegate for California and Director of Legal Advocacy and Social Services at La Maestra Community Health Centers\, who will offer her insight into how refugees and immigrants are being affected by the pandemic in the San Diego community. \nA Pharmacist by training\, Ms. Metry is currently a Health Manager at Caritas Egypt\, where she heads a UNHCR-funded project that serves more than 100\,000 refugees and asylum seekers in Egypt. She oversees a comprehensive operation of health care provision\, leading a team of over 40 people\, and managing a budget of over $2 million. \nMs. Metry’s passion for community development and empowerment began at an early age when she attended a French\, Catholic missionary school in Alexandria. For over two decades\, in professional and volunteer capacities\, she has coached\, supervised and trained a new generation of Egyptian Youth to adopt the culture of coexistence and overcome gender\, faith\, and ethnic differences. She has also been active in a wide array of volunteer activities\, including fighting female circumcision and early marriage\, raising health awareness and unleashing the potential within marginalized communities. Ms. Metry is a founding member of the MENA Civil Society Network for Displacement (MENA CSND)\, and a former consultant for the Egyptian National Council for Women. \nMs. Metry visited the U.S. in September of 2019 under the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) as part of a delegation from Egypt focused on “Responses to Refugee Issues.” During their time in San Diego\, the delegation met with community members and representatives from the San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium\, San Diego County Office of  Refugee Coordination\, Allies to End Detention\, the Multi-Cultural Community Relations Office of the San Diego Police Department\, La Maestra Community Health Centers\,  SAY San Diego Crawford Community Connection\, San Diego Unified School District\, and Casa Cornelia Law Center. \nClick here to register in advance. \nAfter registering\, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. URL:https://sandiegodiplomacy.org/event/global-leaders-online-forum-2/ CATEGORIES:Events,Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sandiegodiplomacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Crisis-Within-a-Crisis_-Refugees-in-Times-of-COVID-19-2-e1591641705518.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20200611T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20200611T180000 DTSTAMP:20260407T033423 CREATED:20200608T184335Z LAST-MODIFIED:20200608T184710Z UID:3081-1591894800-1591898400@sandiegodiplomacy.org SUMMARY:Online Global Trivia - Round 2 DESCRIPTION:The second round of Online Global Trivia is coming up! Join us on Thursday\, June 11th at 5pm Pacific Time for a fun night of testing your knowledge on all things global – geography\, culture\, international relations\, and many other sorts of random world facts. The highest scorer will win a one year SDDC membership\, and the person who cumulates the highest score over the two rounds will go to the national competition\, being held the week of June 15th. The prize for the national competition is a ticket to the World Affairs Council Conference in Washington\, DC! \n\nIndividual and Academic Members: Free\nNon-members: $5 per session\n\nClick here to register in advance. URL:https://sandiegodiplomacy.org/event/online-global-trivia-round-2/ CATEGORIES:Events,Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sandiegodiplomacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Copy-of-Online-Global-Trivia-Round-2-e1591288292505.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20200602T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20200602T180000 DTSTAMP:20260407T033423 CREATED:20200527T224947Z LAST-MODIFIED:20200529T173649Z UID:3067-1591117200-1591120800@sandiegodiplomacy.org SUMMARY:A Briefing on Afghanistan DESCRIPTION:The San Diego Diplomacy Council is pleased to partner with San Diego State University’s Center for Advancing Global Business to present Congresswoman Susan Davis and Ms. Annie Pforzheimer\, former Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Afghanistan. The E-Talk-About Event will take place over Zoom next Tuesday\, June 2 at 5 PM Pacific Time. Congresswoman Susan Davis will give a welcoming remark and Ms. Pforzheimer will give “A Briefing on Afghanistan: How We Got Where We Are Today”. She will discuss the trajectory of US engagement in Afghanistan\, the international civilian and military efforts and the Afghan government’s role\, and where the situation stands as the parties’ approach peace negotiations. \nMs. Pforzheimer is a retired career diplomat with the rank of Minister Counselor from the U.S. Department of State\, a Senior Non-Resident Associate at CSIS\, a member of the Council on Foreign Relations\, and a public commentator on Afghanistan and rule of law issues. She was the Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Afghanistan until March 2019 and from 2017-2018 was the Deputy Chief of Mission in Kabul\, one of the largest U.S. embassies in the world\, during a period of both intensified violence and the beginnings of the ongoing peace process.   Her thirty-year diplomatic career focused on security\, rule of law\, and human rights policy. She managed the implementation of the Obama Administration’s Central America strategy\, overseeing a government-wide effort to resolve the drivers of uncontrolled migration to the United States from that region. \nSince 2001\, Congresswoman Susan A. Davis has proudly represented California’s 53rd Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives. Susan is a senior member of the House Committee on Education and Labor\, serving as Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Investment. She is also a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee and the Committee on House Administration. Susan’s signature issues include education\, health care\, defense\, veterans’ affairs\, and election reform. Prior to Congress\, Susan served six years in the California State Assembly and nine years on the San Diego Unified School District Board of Education. After growing up in northern California and graduating from the University of California at Berkeley\, Susan earned a master’s degree in Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. A Mid-City resident\, Susan has been active in the San Diego community for four decades. She is married to Dr. Steven Davis and they have two sons and three grandchildren. \nClick here to register URL:https://sandiegodiplomacy.org/event/3067/ CATEGORIES:Events,Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sandiegodiplomacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/A-briefing-on-Afghanistan-Flyer-1-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20200528T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20200528T180000 DTSTAMP:20260407T033423 CREATED:20200515T184255Z LAST-MODIFIED:20200515T184255Z UID:3051-1590685200-1590688800@sandiegodiplomacy.org SUMMARY:International Career Event DESCRIPTION:Are you a recent graduate in international affairs or current student curious about a global career? At the San Diego Diplomacy Council\, we are committed to making an impact locally and globally. Join our upcoming virtual event to hear from a former U.S. Foreign Service Officer\, and former SDDC staff and interns about their respective international careers. \nOur panelists include: \nDean J. Haas\, SDDC Board Director and former Foreign Service Officer. Dean is currently the principal/owner of DJH Coaching. He also serves as a part-time Senior Advisor and Leadership Coach for the U.S. State Department. From 1987 to 2011\, Dean served as an officer in the U.S. Foreign Service\, retiring with the rank of Minister-Counselor. His 25 years of diplomatic service saw him assigned to Slovenia\, Canada\, Turkey\, and Colombia. \nSarah Nugent\, IVLP Program Officer with the Office of International Visitors in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State. Sarah has worked on the State Department’s flagship professional exchange program\, the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP)\, for 10 years. She began her career as an intern at the San Diego Diplomacy Council and was hired as a Program Manager shortly after graduation. \nJawad Al Baghdadi\, Community Representative at the Office of Congresswoman Susan Davis. Jawad specializes in healthcare issues\, and works directly with constituents on Department of State casework\, among other responsibilities. He has previously interned at the San Diego Diplomacy Council and UC San Diego’s Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation. \nEddy Holman\, Peace Corps Volunteer. After graduating from San Diego State University last year\, Eddy joined the Peace Corps which has taken him to Ethiopia to work on public health projects. Along with all 7\,000+ of his fellow Peace Corps Volunteers serving across the globe\, he has returned back to the United States due to the Covid-19 pandemic. \nClick here to register in advance.  URL:https://sandiegodiplomacy.org/event/international-career-event/ CATEGORIES:Events,Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sandiegodiplomacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/2-e1589566501256.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20200526T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20200526T183000 DTSTAMP:20260407T033423 CREATED:20200515T184432Z LAST-MODIFIED:20200515T184432Z UID:3049-1590512400-1590517800@sandiegodiplomacy.org SUMMARY:Online Global Trivia DESCRIPTION:Calling all trivia lovers! Join San Diego Diplomacy Council for a lively evening or two of Online Global Trivia. Test your knowledge of all things global – geography\, culture\, international relations\, and many other sorts of random world facts. There will be two opportunities to participate: on May 26th and June 11th at 5pm. Attend one or both! In addition to bragging rights\, the highest scorer from each game will win a one-year SDDC membershipand will advance on to a National Online Competition\, to be held the week of June 15th.  \nIndividual and Academic Members: Free\nNon-members: $5 per session \nClick here to register in advance.  URL:https://sandiegodiplomacy.org/event/online-global-trivia/ CATEGORIES:Events,Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sandiegodiplomacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Copy-of-Online-Global-Trivia-e1589566539914.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20200522T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20200522T173000 DTSTAMP:20260407T033423 CREATED:20200509T154652Z LAST-MODIFIED:20200509T154902Z UID:3026-1590163200-1590168600@sandiegodiplomacy.org SUMMARY:E-Culinary Diplomacy: The Japanese Art of Sushi Making DESCRIPTION:Join San Diego Diplomacy Council and renowned Sushi Chef\, Jeff Roberto\, for an introduction into the Japanese culinary art of Sushi-making. In this virtual class\, you will learn the fundamentals of making traditional and non-traditional rolls (Maki)\, handrolls (Temaki)\, Sushi style Nigiri\, and Sashimi\, as well as presentation techniques and sushi etiquette. \nOpening remarks will be given by Japanese cultural and protocol expert Diana K. Rowland\, Founder and President of cross-cultural consulting firm IntXel. Ms. Rowland will share her insight into the significance of sushi-making in Japanese culture. \nJeff Roberto is a formally trained Sushi Chef\, who has been working in the Sushi industry for over 30 years. His Company\, Sushi On A Roll (SOAR)\, has been on the forefront of the sushi industry in San Diego. Currently celebrating its 27th year in business\, SOAR is the only Sushi catering company of its kind\, providing Sushi for a wide array of hotels\, catering\, Country Clubs and concerts. SOAR can do small intimate parties or events for thousands. Jeff consults with several restaurants and hotels in San Diego\, setting up and designing their sushi programs. \nThis event is for members only. Click here to register in advance. URL:https://sandiegodiplomacy.org/event/e-culinary-diplomacy-the-japanese-art-of-sushi-making/ CATEGORIES:Events,Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sandiegodiplomacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Japanese-Culinary-Diplomacy-Flyer-FINAL-e1589039158400.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20200519T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20200519T134500 DTSTAMP:20260407T033423 CREATED:20200515T181212Z LAST-MODIFIED:20200515T181212Z UID:3053-1589893200-1589895900@sandiegodiplomacy.org SUMMARY:Innovative Collective Action DESCRIPTION:In partnership with the Kroc School of Peace Studies\, the San Diego Diplomacy Council invites you to join “Innovative Collective Action: How people respond with courage and creativity in trying times. \nNovel forms of collective action and protest emerge during crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic is no different. Kroc School Professor Austin Choi-Fitzpatrick worked with colleagues across the globe to document 100+ methods of non-violent action. During this webinar\, Professor Choi-Fitzpatrick will offer an insider’s view into current movements around the world. Joining Professor Choi-Fitzpatrick will be one of his co-authors\, Felipe G. Santos from the University of Manchester. Dr. Santos’ unique perspective will bring together research from his current residence in the UK and his home country of Spain. \nClick here to register in advance.  URL:https://sandiegodiplomacy.org/event/innovative-collective-action/ CATEGORIES:Events,Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://sandiegodiplomacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/cc53a4e1-c376-49c6-b8da-5052ea0c231b.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20200505T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20200505T180000 DTSTAMP:20260407T033423 CREATED:20200430T190818Z LAST-MODIFIED:20200430T191513Z UID:3016-1588698000-1588701600@sandiegodiplomacy.org SUMMARY:E-Talk-About Series: The European Response to Covid-19 and Implications for Transatlantic Relations DESCRIPTION:In our next E-Talk-About event\, Former White House Special Advisor and Senior Foreign Service Officer. Molly Montgomery joins the San Diego Diplomacy Council for a discussion of how Covid-19 is affecting Europe. She will discuss the European response to the current crisis and the impact it will have on transatlantic relations\, trade negotiations\, Brexit\, and other issues. This event will take place over Zoom on May 5th from 5-6pm PDT. \nMs. Molly Montgomery is currently a Vice President with Albright Stonebridge Group’s Europe practice. Prior to this position\, she served as Special Advisor to the Vice President for Europe and Eurasia\, where she advised Vice President Mike Pence on strategy\, policy development\, and engagement toward Europe. Ms. Montgomery also served as Deputy Director of the Office of Eastern European Affairs at the U.S. Department of State\, where she helped to lead the U.S. response to the crisis in Ukraine and developed strategies to fight corruption\, spur democratic and market-oriented reforms\, and increase energy security throughout the region. Her career in the U.S. Foreign Service spanned 14 years. \nMs. Montgomery holds an M.P.A. in International Relations from the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University and a B.A. in Political Science and History from Stanford University. She is a recipient of the Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship\, a graduate of MIT’s Seminar XXI program\, and a term member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Ms. Montgomery is a non-resident fellow in the foreign policy program at the Brookings Institution\, where her work focuses on Central and Eastern Europe and the Western Balkans. \nClick here to register in advance.  URL:https://sandiegodiplomacy.org/event/e-talk-about-series-the-european-response-to-covid-19-and-implications-for-transatlantic-relations/ CATEGORIES:Events,Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sandiegodiplomacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_5078-e1588273646634.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20200427T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20200427T110000 DTSTAMP:20260407T033423 CREATED:20200421T170442Z LAST-MODIFIED:20200421T170442Z UID:2981-1587981600-1587985200@sandiegodiplomacy.org SUMMARY:Armed Conflict and Pandemic in Ukraine: Insight from an IVLP Alum DESCRIPTION:The San Diego Diplomacy Council is pleased to announce our next event in the Global Leaders Online Forum series: “Armed Conflict and Pandemic in Ukraine: Insight from an IVLP Alum”\, to be held on Monday\, April 27th from 10:00 – 11:00am Pacific Time. This live webinar will feature International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) alum and Ukrainian journalist\, Mr. Andrii Dikhtiarenko. Mr. Dikhtiarenko will share his experience on how COVID-19 is affecting Ukraine\, particularly in Kyiv and the armed conflict zone in Eastern Ukraine. He will also share how his IVLP visit to the United States has impacted his life and work. \nMr. Andrii Dikhtiarenko is Director of Realnaya Gazeta and a journalist with Radio Svoboda\, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Russian news service. He works on the “Donbas Realities” radio program\, a program that provides news and information about the current state of affairs in the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine. \nIn June 2019\, Mr. Dikhtiarenko visited the United States as part of an IVLP delegation from Ukraine focused on the topic “Promoting National Dialog Through Civic Engagement.” During their time in San Diego\, the delegation met with community representatives from the National Conflict Resolution Center\, San Diego State University Office of Diversity and Inclusion\, and AjA Project. They also visited the Preuss School and had conversations with students from the Preuss School and La Jolla Country Day School. \nClick here to register in advance. URL:https://sandiegodiplomacy.org/event/armed-conflict-and-pandemic-in-ukraine-insight-from-an-ivlp-alum/ CATEGORIES:Events,Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sandiegodiplomacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Armed-Conflict-and-Pandemic-in-Ukraine-e1587488647386.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20200424T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20200424T113000 DTSTAMP:20260407T033423 CREATED:20200410T171916Z LAST-MODIFIED:20200410T171916Z UID:2960-1587722400-1587727800@sandiegodiplomacy.org SUMMARY:Virtual Culinary Diplomacy DESCRIPTION:As part of our Culinary Diplomacy Series\, San Diego Diplomacy Council is delighted to offer our first-ever virtual cooking class for members. Please join Israeli Chef Gal Sandler for a delicious online cooking class where you will discover Israeli cuisine\, one of the healthiest in the world. Gal will lead you in preparing 4 easy to make\, yet delicious and colorful traditional dishes. This taste of healthy Mediterranean cuisine is a great way to widen cultural connections during this time of isolation and experience the diversity found in Israeli culture represented through their food. \nGal Sandler is a Naturopathic and healthy chef. Sandler specializes in natural health\, nutrition and emotional therapy. She is also the creator of online health and weight loss workshops\, using a method that combines easy and quick kitchen practice and knowledge to help people bring health into their lives in a fun\, accessible and long-term way. \nOur Cultural Diplomacy Series offer international cultural and art educational events to raise our community’s global awareness in a fun and socializing environment. The concept is to offer you a unique understanding of a country’s language\, customs\, religion and art through culinary class\, art exhibits\, theater plays\, and live music. We are excited to take advantage of the unique opportunity that going virtual has given to us. \nThe registration deadline is April\, 16 to allow time for you to order ingredients online and have them delivered. After registering you will receive a full ingredients list\, as well as a recommended store to order them! \nThis event is for members only. Click here to register. URL:https://sandiegodiplomacy.org/event/virtual-culinary-diplomacy/ CATEGORIES:Events,Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sandiegodiplomacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Virtual-Culinary-Diplomacy-Council-with-Gal-Sandler-Flyer-2-e1586538769922.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20200416T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20200416T113000 DTSTAMP:20260407T033423 CREATED:20200410T201526Z LAST-MODIFIED:20200413T220902Z UID:2962-1587031200-1587036600@sandiegodiplomacy.org SUMMARY:Global Leaders Online Forum DESCRIPTION:The San Diego Diplomacy Council is proud to announce our Global Leaders Online Forum\, a series of virtual events that will offer our online community the opportunity to hear from and re-connect with current and emerging international leaders who have previously visited San Diego as part of an SDDC-hosted exchange program (our alumni!). Each event will highlight the unique experience and expertise of our international alumni on specific global issues and the impact of international exchange. \nOur first Global Leaders Online Forum event\, “Covid-19 in Africa: Select Stories from IVLP Alumni\,” will be held on Thursday\, April 16th from 10:00 – 11:30 am Pacific Time. This live webinar will feature a panel of alumni from various African countries\, who will share how the coronavirus pandemic is impacting them and their respective communities. Panelists will also share how their international exchange experience in the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) has impacted their lives and professions\, highlighting their various areas of expertise. \n\nWe are proud to announce our panelists for this event: Ms. Franciose Mukuku and Dr. Dickens Howard Akena. \n\n\nMs. Francoise Mukuku is a prominent women’s rights and LGBTQ+ activist in Kinshasa\, Democratic Republic of Congo. Ms. Mukuku runs a social enterprise named Amazone advisors\, an organization that works across Africa to solve social\, humanitarian as well as environmental issues. Previously\, Ms.  Mukuku ran the feminist organization\, Si Jeunesse Savait (“If Young Women Knew” in French)\, which built the leadership skills of young women in sexual and reproductive rights\, information and communication technologies\, and entrepreneurship. Ms. Mukuku also previously worked as a journalist at RadioOkapi and as a communication specialist for Oxfam. She has consulted international development agencies and other bodies on sexual minority issues. \n\nMs. Mukuku visited San Diego in June 2016 as part of an IVLP delegation focused on political and civil rights for LGBT activists. She was impressed and inspired by the programs public representatives and citizens had in place\, and that they were inclusive of LGBT issues. \n\nDr. Dickens Howard Akena is a Psychiatrist and Senior Lecturer in the Department of Psychiatry at Makerere University. He teaches both undergraduate and post-graduate students\, and conducts clinical duties at the Butabika National Mental Health Hospital. Dr. Akena is a recipient of funding from a number of prestigious institutions including the Medical Research Council in the United Kingdom and is co-investigator on a number of the National Institutes of Health projects. \n\nDr. Akena visited San Diego in July 2019 as part of a multi-regional IVLP delegation focused on the topic “Recovering from Conflict and Trauma”\, where he and other delegates met with various community members and organizations\, such as San Diego Family Justice Center\, Survivors of Torture International\, and Center of Excellence for Stress & Mental Health (CESAMH). \n\nRegister in advance here.  URL:https://sandiegodiplomacy.org/event/global-leaders-online-forum/ CATEGORIES:Events,Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sandiegodiplomacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Global-Leaders-Online-Forum-COVID-19-in-Africa-FINAL-DRAFT-e1586549690295.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20200415T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20200415T134500 DTSTAMP:20260407T033423 CREATED:20200410T202642Z LAST-MODIFIED:20200410T203159Z UID:2965-1586955600-1586958300@sandiegodiplomacy.org SUMMARY:A Pandemic's Impact on Peace DESCRIPTION:In partnership with the Kroc School of Peace Studies\, the San Diego Diplomacy Council invites you to join “A Pandemic’s Impact on Peace\,” featuring Rachel Locke\, Kroc IPC Director of Impact:Peace.  \nThe curve of COVID-19 cases isn’t the only one that needs to be flattened. The coronavirus pandemic is already producing knock-on effects for safety at the individual level\, the community level\, and – potentially – at the international level. \nIn this webinar\, we will discuss three of the greatest risk areas from a conflict and violence perspective\, followed by a roadmap to help us chart a pathway forward.  \nThe insights that will be presented were developed through rigorous research. The analysis has made its way into several government agencies thinking about how to best plan to support peace in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic\, including USAID and the UK’s Department for International Development. \nSpeaker Rachel Locke joined the Kroc IPJ as Director of Impact:Peace in July 2019. Rachel has extensive experience delivering evidence-based violence prevention solutions to some of the most difficult international contexts while simultaneously advancing policy for peace. Prior to joining IPJ\, Rachel was Head of Research for violence prevention with the Pathfinders for Peaceful\, Just and Inclusive Societies at New York University’s Center on International Cooperation. In this capacity\, Rachel led coalition building and evidence curation with the UN\, bilateral governments\, the African Union\, civil society and others to explore the challenge of delivering the 2030 Agenda targets for peaceful societies (SDG 16.1). \nEarlier in her career\, Rachel served as Senior Policy Advisor with the US Agency for International Development where she developed and represented agency-wide policy on issues concerning conflict\, violence and fragility. She also led USAID research and policy on crime\, conflict\, and fragility and worked extensively on program design\, implementational and evaluation primarily in Africa. After leaving USAID\, Rachel launched a new area of work for the National Network for Safe Communities at John Jay College of Criminal Justice\, bridging effective violence reduction approaches from the U.S. to municipalities globally. This work involved direct collaboration with law enforcement\, national and city-level government and civil society actors. Among other initiatives\, Rachel launched a three-year effort across two states and five municipalities in Mexico at a time of exceptionally high violence. \nRachel’s experience bridges the humanitarian\, development\, peacebuilding and urban violence realms. She holds a Master’s in International Affairs from Columbia University\, Graduate School of International and Public Affairs. She has also published a variety of articles and other works focusing on violence prevention\, humanitarian aid\, conflict and transnational organized crime. \nClick here to register. URL:https://sandiegodiplomacy.org/event/a-pandemics-impact-on-peace/ CATEGORIES:Events,Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sandiegodiplomacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/A-Pandemics-Impact-on-Peace-2-e1586550382157.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20200414T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20200414T110000 DTSTAMP:20260407T033423 CREATED:20200406T233655Z LAST-MODIFIED:20200406T233655Z UID:2936-1586858400-1586862000@sandiegodiplomacy.org SUMMARY:Mask Diplomacy: Northeast Asia Information & Image Wars DESCRIPTION:Our next Virtual Talk-About Series will feature public diplomacy expert Nancy Snow and will take place over Zoom on Tuesday\, April 14 at 10:00 – 11:00 AM Pacific Time. \nNancy Snow will explain how COVID-19 has spurred both promising and concerning dynamics in Northeast Asia. Japan and China\, while being antagonist countries\, are collaborating and generating goodwill in surprising ways to address the pandemic. Meanwhile\, comparative information and image war has been set into motion among Japan\, China\, and South Korea\, three countries with distinct approaches to responding to the coronavirus. Who’s winning the image war? Does it even matter in a global pandemic? Snow will argue that how China\, South Korea\, and Japan handle the virus in 2020 will shape their national image and reputation for years to come. \nCal State Fullerton professor emeritus\, Nancy Snow\, is among the most recognized scholars in propaganda and public diplomacy with a special focus on East Asia. A resident of Tokyo\, Japan who consults on public diplomacy and nation branding in China\, South Korea and Japan\, Snow is the Walt Disney Faculty Chair in Global Media and Communications at Schwarzman College\, Tsinghua University\, on leave from her special appointment as Pax Mundi Professor of Public Diplomacy\, Kyoto University of Foreign Studies. \nAfter registering\, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Click Here to register. URL:https://sandiegodiplomacy.org/event/mask-diplomacy-northeast-asia-information-image-wars/ CATEGORIES:Events,Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sandiegodiplomacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Image-Dr-Snow-Talk.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20200407T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20200407T110000 DTSTAMP:20260407T033423 CREATED:20200331T194957Z LAST-MODIFIED:20200331T201108Z UID:2928-1586253600-1586257200@sandiegodiplomacy.org SUMMARY:Virtual Talk-About Series DESCRIPTION:The San Diego Diplomacy Council is excited to announce it’s next E-Talk-About Series featuring retired U.S. diplomat and resilience expert Beth Payne. This lecture will take place over Zoom on Tuesday\, April 7 from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM Pacific Time. \nDuring this global health crisis\, many of us are discovering that life doesn’t always go as planned. U.S. diplomats regularly manage change\, are ready for the unexpected\, and perform effectively in a crisis. How do they thrive in adversity? \nResilience helps U.S. diplomats thrive despite surprises\, stress\, and crises. Resilience is the key to facing a vast array of challenges with innovation\, creativity\, and collaboration \nBeth Payne will speak about her experience opening the Office of the U.S. Consul in Baghdad\, Iraq\, and how her struggles with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder led to the creation of the State Department’s resilience training program in 2016. She will introduce you to the Department’s resilience model\, highlighting some of the skills and tools taught at the Foreign Service Institute. \nMs. Payne served as a Foreign Service officer from 1993 until 2016 with assignments at the U.S. Embassies in Senegal\, Rwanda\, Israel\, and Kuwait and as the U.S. Consul General in Kolkata\, India. In 2003\, she opened the Office of the U.S. Consul in Baghdad\, Iraq\, where she received the State Department’s award for heroism. \nIn addition to providing resilience training services\, Ms. Payne hosts a weekly blog that offers practical tips on how to build and maintain individual and team resilience and how to be a Resilience Leader. Check out her blog at payneresilience.com/blog. \nRegister in advance HERE. URL:https://sandiegodiplomacy.org/event/virtual-talk-about-series-2/ CATEGORIES:Events,Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sandiegodiplomacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Beth-Payne-E-Talk-about-series-e1585683808449.jpg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR