Podcasts about citizen diplomacy

On this episode, attorney and business consultant Daniel Satinsky shares about his new book, which tells the story of American participation in the dismantling of the Soviet economy and the creation of the Russian market economy in the 1990s. Creating the Post-Soviet Russian Market Economy: Through American Eyes is based on more than 100 interviews with citizen diplomats, entrepreneurs, bankers, consultants, and aid program administrators active in Russia in those years. The book chronicles the real-life experiences of these Americans as they participated in building new sectors of the post-Soviet Russian economy in finance, investment, stock trading, real estate, restaurants, public relations, law, and media (television, radio, newspapers, and movies) at a time of historically unprecedented collaboration and interaction between Russians and Americans. ABOUT THE GUEST Daniel Satinsky is an attorney, business consultant, and independent scholar. He first visited the USSR in 1984 and was active in business there and in Russia from 1990 to 2014. He is the co-author of "Hammer and Silicon: The Soviet Diaspora in the U.S. Innovation Economy" (2018). He is also former president of the board of the U.S.-Russia Chamber of Commerce of New England (1998-2014) and a Davis Center associate. He holds a master's degree from the Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy and a JD from Northeastern University Law School. PRODUCER'S NOTE: This episode was recorded on February 16, 2024 via Zoom. If you have questions, comments, or would like to be a guest on the show, please email slavxradio@utexas.edu and we will be in touch! PRODUCTION CREDITS Host/Assistant EP: Misha Simanovskyy (@MSimanovskyy) Host/Supervising Producer: Nicholas Pierce Assistant Producer: Basil Fedun Associate Producer: Cullan Bendig (@cullanwithana) Associate Producer: Sergio Glajar Assistant Producer: Taylor Helmcamp Assistant Producer: Eliza Fisher Assistant Producer: Katherine Birch Social Media Manager: Faith VanVleet SlavX Editorial Director: Sam Parrish Main Theme by Charlie Harper and additional background music by kaleidoplasm, Holizna, Crowander, Blue Dot Sessions, Ketsa, Eazy) Executive Producer & Creator: Michelle Daniel (@MSDaniel) www.msdaniel.com DISCLAIMER: Texas Podcast Network is brought to you by The University of Texas at Austin. Podcasts are produced by faculty members and staffers at UT Austin who work with University Communications to craft content that adheres to journalistic best practices. The University of Texas at Austin offers these podcasts at no charge. Podcasts appearing on the network and this webpage represent the views of the hosts, not of The University of Texas at Austin. https://files.fireside.fm/file/fireside-uploads/images/9/9a59b135-7876-4254-b600-3839b3aa3ab1/P1EKcswq.png Special Guest: Daniel Satinsky.

Alex Khomenko is the organizer of Taiwan Stands with Ukraine 台灣烏克蘭陣線. We talk about conducting citizen diplomacy at a time of war, Taiwan's humanitarian aid to Ukraine and public donations that amounted to the sending of power generators and ambulances, Taiwan and Ukraine relations, and the internal politics the Ukrainian government may be facing at home. Ukraine has no representatives based in Taiwan. When the war broke out on February 24, 2022, there were around 250 Ukrainians living in Taiwan. Many have had to do the difficult job of citizen diplomacy at a time of war. They have formed groups to rally support from the Taiwanese public, the Taiwanese government, and foreign offices based in Taiwan. They have held fundraiser events, cultural days, demonstrations near the Moscow office, exhibitions at the National Human Rights Museum, and the two-year anniversary march.They are the best example of citizen diplomacy, but at the worst of times. Ukrainian Food day in Taipei (More info)1-7pm on Sunday, March 10Location: Bar FEST 台北市汀州路三段149號 - (Google Map)For our previous interviews on Ukraine -Olek Shyn on Game Changers with Emily Y. Wu - Watch VideoDmytro Burtsev on Five Star Nation (Mandarin) - ListenFollow and tag us on social media:Ghost Island Media | Instagram | Facebook | TwitterEmily Y. Wu | Twitter @emilyywuSupport us by donating on Patreon http://patreon.com/taiwan A Ghost Island Media production: www.ghostisland.mediaSupport the show: https://patreon.com/TaiwanSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The MSU Visiting International Professional Program has 315 international participants from 58 countries and five continents and offers programs in more than 10 different U.S. cities.Listen to Xinyu Wu, Director of Visiting International Professional Program; Director of the Office of China Program; and Executive Director of Michigan Council of Citizen Diplomacy, as she discusses with Ed this unique program. The Visiting International Professional Program provides cutting-edge professional training and exchange programs for international organizations, professionals, and emerging leaders in a variety of fields for the purpose of enhancing the institution and human capacity and forging long lasting relationships that could become a powerful tool for addressing some of the biggest global challenges. They achieve this by leveraging the academic excellence of Michigan State University as well as the expertise of local, regional, and national organizations in both public and private sectors.

Global Minnesota's Professional Exchanges program brings the world to Minnesota by connecting international visitors from all over the globe with their professional counterparts throughout the state. One of the most important organizations that helps facilitate this process is called Global Ties U.S. On this episode, hear from Katherine A. Brown, President & CEO of Global Ties U.S.  She joins to talk about the national Global Ties Network, their upcoming National Meeting and Advocacy Day in early March, Citizen Diplomacy Day on February 16, and how these professional exchange programs benefit communities throughout the United States and around the world. Links Global Minnesota Professional Exchanges Global Ties U.S. Global Ties Network Global Ties Community Impact Study Podcast Episode with Leorian Ricardo State Department Alumni Exchange Program Upcoming Event: Global Social with International Visitors

Who's not up for creating a little doubt when it comes to the preconceived notions of those we label as “other?” And, though we often hear about the work of major organizations with lots of resources and influence, it can also happen in more accessible ways … between common people who take the time to invest in relationships. Join host Robin Linkhart as she sits down with Chuck Montgomery to hear about his work in citizen diplomacy and some of the powerful stories that have resulted. You'll not only learn more about citizen diplomacy, you're sure to walk away inspired to join those who have been leading the way.   To see the documentary on Citizen Diplomacy about which Chuck shares, go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzyJDF3D5dY Download TranscriptThanks for listening to Project Zion Podcast!Follow us on Facebook and Instagram!Intro and Outro music used with permission: “For Everyone Born,” Community of Christ Sings #285. Music © 2006 Brian Mann, admin. General Board of Global Ministries t/a GBGMusik, 458 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30308. copyright@umcmission.org “The Trees of the Field,” Community of Christ Sings # 645, Music © 1975 Stuart Dauerman, Lillenas Publishing Company (admin. Music Services). All music for this episode was performed by Dr. Jan Kraybill, and produced by Chad Godfrey. NOTE: The series that make up the Project Zion Podcast explore the unique spiritual and theological gifts Community of Christ offers for today's world. Although Project Zion Podcast is a Ministry of Community of Christ. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those speaking and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Community of Christ.

DiploChatz welcomes you to our Second Season - Episode 2!Guest Co-Host: We are joined as a guest co-host on this second episode by Yulia Rajeh who is a Legal Case Assistant for NNIC's Refugee Resettlement Program.Episode 2 Description:We will begin every DiploChatz show with a warm welcome to you! We will take this opportunity to introduce you to our episode's guest co-host. On Episode 2 of DiploChatz, we are joined by Dr. Todd Felts, Associate Professor at the Reynolds School of Journalism at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR).Dr. Felts teaches media & society, crisis communications, and graduate classes in leadership, innovation, and engagement.  Before joining the faculty more than a decade ago, Dr. Felts directed public relations for international companies and causes, providing media relations counsel during crises and litigation. The University awarded him Outreach Faculty of the Year and he was the Human Services Network Board Member of the Year for his work for Northern Nevada HOPES, a federally qualified health facility in Northern Nevada.  This year, the Association of Fundraising Professionals named him Volunteer Fundraiser of the Year. Segment 1 & 2: During the first and second segments of Episode 2, The rules of crisis communications are often used to mitigate and manage public perceptions of issues that affect us all.  A key ingredient in this process is trust.  The way we communicate plus how we act equals the reputation of individuals, organizations, and multinational corporations.  By understanding the cycle of a crisis from detection to listening, we are better equipped to make the right decisions at the right time, reducing the likelihood of the crisis getting out of hand.Players in international markets are often faced with additional challenges.  From language to culture differences, before we speak and act, there is a lot to learn.This discussion will focus on proven leadership approaches to communicating during a difficult time.  It will feature stories of success and how we can all, regardless of our responsibilities, create more positive situations for ourselves and the people impacted by a crisis. DiploChatz featured an ongoing Segment:Every month DiploChatz proudly features a segment called Mindfulness Moment with Dr. Yvonne Stedham. This segment provides practical advice on how mindfulness can support you in your daily life.  Who is Dr. Yvonne?In addition to a three-decade-long career in academia as a professor in the College of Business at the University of Nevada, Reno, Dr. Yvonne Stedham is a Center for Mindfulness-trained mindfulness instructor. She has taught Mindful Leadership courses to MBA students, judges, and business executives and has a variety provided mindfulness programs to many organizations, including Microsoft, Hometown Health, and the Nevada Department of Transportation. Dr. Yvonne has been continuously affiliated with the Northern Nevada International Center for decades.Credits:  Manuel Mederos, DiploChatz Host, Producer, Audio Editor, Content Director, Sound Engineer, FX/Music Coordinator, and Guest Coordinator   Send any chatz ideas we should take into consideration on future shows:Email us:  diplochatz@nnic.org  Support the show

In this episode, Katherine speaks with Tatiana Kim, who grew up on the island of Sakhalin in Russia. Sakhalin, which is just north of Japan and east of mainland Russia, has been the subject of (and subjected to) several international conflicts. Tatiana describes the mix of Korean, Russian, and Japanese culture and language that makes it unique and results from a history of forced migration and government neglect. Listen to Hometown Village, the episode of 99% Invisible produced by Tatiana: https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/hometown-village/ Note: Katherine is an employee of Stitcher and SiriusXM, which also produces 99% Invisible. This interview was recorded prior to her hiring and her emphatic recommendation of Tatiana's episode is independent of her employment with the company. This episode was edited by Zo Bailly and produced with the Citizen Diplomacy and Action Fund project, "Stories of Family Separation: Oral Histories of the Cold War."

Linda J. Brown grew up in Winter Haven, Florida and graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in Journalism and Communications. She was active in campus leadership as an officer in Mortarboard, (national university women's leadership honorary); Women's Student Association, and the Blue Key Speaker's Bureau. She married a physician and raised two children, later becoming involved in the Citizen Diplomacy movement at the opening of the Soviet Union in 1990, leading a number of grassroots tours to encourage people-to-people friendship and to increase the prospects of world peace. She spent a total of eighteen months within Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, and Siberia. Brown was raised in the Episcopal Church, then spent thirty-three years as a member of The Baha'i Faith, resigning in 1997 to pursue her own inner spiritual life. Her first book is HEY BOOMERS, DUST OFF YOUR BACKPACKS: Travel The World On A Limited Budget (Amazon.com). It tells of her adventures on the around-the-world backpacking trail as she circled the globe for a year, alone, using only her social security income. She turned sixty-eight-years-old in Sarajevo, Bosnia. Brown targets the leading edge U.S. Baby Boomers, who become eligible for full-time Social Security in 2011, but really, it's a good read for anybody - traveler or not...old or not. Her extensive travels continue whenever she can find time to hoist a backpack; most recently in January, 2009, when at age seventy-two, she took four months to explore the unique spinal column formed by the Andean Mountain Chain - from Bogota, Colombia to Ushuaia, Argentian in Tierra del Fuego - from top to tip of South America. She likes to say that she performed chiropractic on the backbone of the world." To continue with stuff that's not in the book bio: Linda Brown took on the spiritual name of Linda Layli, Layli Linda when she began to communicate one-on-one with The Holy Spirit. This was before the days of making up names for internet presence and she was a tiny bit stumped when asked to create her own moniker. Then she remembered that she had been told of an earlier reincarnation where she was named Layli Gundrich... (Teh Holy Spirit:: "Oh My God....Layli? Is that YOU? Where have you been all this time?") It was all news to her, but she just pasted her present name of Linda onto Layli, and then couldn't decide which way she liked it best, so kept both.. So, that's what she's called by the Upstairs Gang. Though she wasn't at the time, Linda Brown is now pretty pleased that some dumb psychiatrist once slapped her with the Schizophrenic label. Ha! She showed him! But it underlines what she suspects is an all-too-common problem, though she has had no opportunity, whatsoever, to find out if this has happened to others. - www.heyboomers.com******************************************************************To listen to all our XZBN shows, with our compliments go to: https://www.spreaker.com/user/xzoneradiotv*** AND NOW ***The ‘X' Zone TV Channel on SimulTV - www.simultv.comThe ‘X' Chronicles Newspaper - www.xchroniclesnewspaper.com ******************************************************************

In Part 2 of this two-part episode, we continue our discussion around the protest movement currently underway in Iran by speaking with Iranian-born Leila Zand, who now lives in the US and focuses on Track 2 Diplomacy in Iran/U.S. relations, as well as Citizen Diplomacy with  CodePink. Having been raised in the throes of both the Islamic Revolution of 1979 and the Iran-Iraq War which followed shortly after, Leila uses her personal experience to illuminate the radical socio-economic, cultural, and religious shifts that the Iranian people have experienced in such a short time period, and how this impacts what is being expressed by women and young people on the streets today. Together, Stephanie and Leila discuss the possibilities in this context for creative, nonviolent solutions, when there are also active and destabilizing risks like widespread anger, devastating sanctions, and threats of armament. In spite of this, at Nonviolence Radio we know that one thing is for certain– wherever there is conflict and violence, we will find nonviolence in action, even if it's small. There's always something we can do.For more on nonviolence in Iran visit the Metta Center.

On Sept. 13, 22 year old Mahsa Amini was detained by the Iranian morality police and died in their custody three days later, allegedly at their hands. Protests have erupted across Iran and with solidarity actions taking place among the diasporic community across the world. A women- and youth-led movement has taken shape, and people are willingly facing brutality and even death in the streets, with slogans such as “We are all Mahsa” and “Life! Liberty! Freedom,” as women in particular cut their hair and burn their hijab (headscarves) to defy government regulation on their capacity for self-determination and unequal status before the law.At the root of these protests is the call for revolution, no less than the complete reversal of the Islamic Republic instituted in 1979 with the ousting of the Shah, while others simply hope that some aspects of the repressive regime will subside.In part one of this two-part Nonviolence Radio episode, we interview Mehdi Aminrazavi for his perspective on the protest movement and what he is hearing from his friends and family in Iran. Born in Mashhad, Iran, Dr. Aminrazavi participated in the protest movement to oust the Shah. Now a scholar of philosophy and mysticism, he is the Kurt Leidecker Chair in Asian Studies, director of the Center for Middle Eastern Studies Program, and professor of religion and philosophy at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia.In part two (which will come later in a separate post), we will speak with Leila Zand, who was born and raised in Tehran, and is now working on her dissertation about Track 2 Diplomacy for Iran/U.S. relations. She is a leader for Citizen Diplomacy with Code Pink.For more on nonviolence in Iran visit the Metta Center.“Because the internet generation, even though they lived in Tehran and Mashhad and Shiraz and Isfahan, but they really were a part of this global culture that was very different from their parents. Whereas I or my wife would listen to these morality police and their advice and say, ‘Oh, sorry. It won't happen again.' These kids, 15 and 16-year-olds, wouldn't listen. They would confront them. They would fight with them. They would get arrested. They would be imprisoned and tortured and so on.And so, as the younger generation came up, they not only looked down on my generation, as to, “Why did you do this to this country? You know, change is good, but for better, not worse. And you took the country back centuries. Why?” And so, they became more defiant and more defiant.” – Mehdi Aminrazavi

Sera Koulabdara is the Executive Director of Legacies of War. In this episode, Eugene sits down with Sera in the beginning of a three part series with Legacies of War to provide some background on the Laos bombings conducted during the American "Secret War" on Laos and how it resulted in family separation, both for Sera's family and others. Today, bombs remain in Laos in the form of unexploded ordnances (UXOs), which continues to pose a safety risk and makes much of the land in Laos unusable. For those interested in advocating for the removal of these bombs and providing victim assistance, here is a list of opportunities: 1. Write to Congress in support of UXO clearance, de-mining, mine risk education, and victim assistance in Southeast Asia. Legacies of War aims to send 6,000 letters to Congress from September 12-16! Together, let's raise our voices and make sure Congress knows where we stand on this important issue. Your actions will save lives. It takes 10 seconds or less to write to Congress by clicking this link: action.halousa.org/campaign/41982/ 2. Write to your representatives to join the UXO de-mining caucus -- you can receive a template letter to fill out by emailing Legacies of War at www.legaciesofwar.org/who-we-are or us at dividedfamiliespodcast@gmail.com 3. Legacies of War is currently seeking endorsements for a new bill (www.legaciesofwar.org/advocacy) that will guarantee funding for the next 5 years at the $100m mark for Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. This bill is co-sponsored by Senator Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin and Senator Jerry Moran of Kansas. To endorse the bill, follow this link: tinyurl.com/mrxd2jkf For more on Legacies of War: https://www.legaciesofwar.org/ This episode was produced with the Citizen Diplomacy and Action Fund project, "Stories of Family Separation: Oral Histories of the Cold War."

Sera Koulabdara is the Executive Director of Legacies of War. In this episode, Eugene sits down with Sera in the beginning of a three part series with Legacies of War to provide some background on the Laos bombings conducted during the American "Secret War" on Laos and how it resulted in family separation, both for Sera's family and others. Today, bombs remain in Laos in the form of unexploded ordnances (UXOs), which continues to pose a safety risk and makes much of the land in Laos unusable. For those interested in advocating for the removal of these bombs and providing victim assistance, here is a list of opportunities: 1. Write to Congress in support of UXO clearance, de-mining, mine risk education, and victim assistance in Southeast Asia. Legacies of War aims to send 6,000 letters to Congress from September 12-16! Together, let's raise our voices and make sure Congress knows where we stand on this important issue. Your actions will save lives. It takes 10 seconds or less to write to Congress by clicking this link: https://action.halousa.org/campaign/41982/ 2. Write to your representatives to join the UXO de-mining caucus -- you can receive a template letter to fill out by emailing Legacies of War at https://www.legaciesofwar.org/who-we-are or us at dividedfamiliespodcast@gmail.com 3. Legacies of War is currently seeking endorsements for a new bill (https://www.legaciesofwar.org/advocacy) that will guarantee funding for the next 5 years at the $100m mark for Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. This bill is co-sponsored by Senator Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin and Senator Jerry Moran of Kansas. To endorse the bill, follow this link: https://tinyurl.com/mrxd2jkf This episode was produced with the Citizen Diplomacy and Action Fund project, "Stories of Family Separation: Oral Histories of the Cold War."

On this episode, we talked about: Doing only what you love None of us are fools Following the original impulse of the spirit Borning into agony Every soul has its own journey The spirit is our divine masculine We are so closely intertwined Learn to be mindful Find your boundaries and be responsible Doing our best to who we are Dissociation: disconnecting body from the soul Maintaining connection with the source Finding a place where you can be content   "When people are done with dealing with trauma, what do they do? They dance and sing"   "When we are born into agony, the agony becomes our basic setting, that becomes the norm, that becomes the habit"   "The soul is our divine feminine and the body is their child, the essential product of the alignment and union"     About Elena: Elena Tonetti-Vladimirova is the founder and Director of the constantly expanding international organization, Birth Into Being, which is dedicated to Conscious Evolution and the creation of a thriving future social structure based on Love, Compassion and Common Sense.     Speaker, filmmaker and author, Elena artfully uses multi-media to share her message with the world. Since 1982, Elena's tireless commitment has earned her the status of "spiritual midwife" to thousands of people. Elena's curiosity and passion have been her guiding force in life, helping to gather experiences that eventually culminated in the Birth Into Being Method.  It began in Russia in 1982 when she joined the Conscious Birth Movement.  While studying under Igor Charkovsky, the Russian Waterbirth pioneer, Elena was exposed to alternative birth practices, including birth camps at the Black Sea where babies were born in the presence of wild dolphins.  Here, Elena witnessed firsthand that birth complications are preventable. ​ The 80's were a deeply formative period for Elena.  She was simultaneously leading business management seminars called, "The Games," which were extremely effective in bringing socioeconomic changes in, then, the USSR.  She was also involved in "Citizen Diplomacy," an underground organization dedicated to ending the Cold War and lifting the “Iron Curtain,” creating open lines of communication with the West.  ​ In 1986, Elena immersed herself in the Sustainable Community Movement, called MJK (a Russian abbreviation for ‘Living Space for the Young).  The first community in Siberia, by that time, had over 30 000 residents and was an oasis of safety, democracy, a healthy lifestyle, and progressive farming. Elena's first documentary, "How Dreams Come True" (1995, 58 minutes), is a detailed account of her experiences with this community. ​ The impact of Elena's work has been recognized at various conferences, and more recently in the U.N.-sponsored book, “A Force Such as the World Has Never Known”.  Published in 2013, the book features Elena's chapter, along with articles from 30 other woman leaders of grassroots movements around the world. Now, more than ever, Elena is focusing her work on conscious creation. She plans to retire from leading the workshops, and pass the torch onto her highly trained facilitators, so she can make space to birth new projects. In the meantime, she offers one 16-day training per year in Germany, every August. Elena's life took an unexpected turn in 1989 when she came to the U.S. for what was supposed to be a short visit.  Five days after her departure, the Eastern Block collapsed and she found herself completely cut off from the world she knew.  She was 3 months pregnant, did not speak English, had no money, no friends or a place to stay, and had a rapidly expiring visa. ​ From that place, Elena slowly built herself up; creating a new life and community that empowered her to continue her crusade for Conscious Evolution.  She has since created “Birth Into Being” (1999, 25 minutes) and “Birth As We Know It” (2006, 73 minutes), written articles for countless international magazine editorials, and led 20 Birth Into Being Method workshops and trainings internationally each year.  Now she has trained over 200 facilitators in 22 countries, who use the Method in all major languages. 

Sam Lanfranco is an economist now serving on the governance board of the Internet. Reiner Braun is the Secretary General of the International Peace Bureau. We talk about the vulnerabilities in using and becoming dependent on the Internet, but also on the opportunities still available to us too use it for staying in touch with Russians and carrying on citizen diplomacy. We agree that it may be desirable to make the Internet into a utility controlled by the public. We also agree to try to set up conversations with Russians using Zoom. For the video, audio podcast, transcript and public comments: https://tosavetheworld.ca/episode-474-lets-talk-to-russians .

Generations of black women and girls who took up the call to religious life in America found themselves subjected to racism, sexism and exclusion from within their own Roman Catholic communities. Edward Stourton explores this hidden history with Dr Shannon Dee Williams, from the University of Dayton in Ohio and author of ‘Subversive Habits: Black Catholic Nuns in the Long African American Freedom Struggle' and Dr Patricia Grey, a former nun and the Founding President of the National Black Sisters Conference. The war in Ukraine has prompted many countries to review their military strategies. But one religious group believes the way to bring peace is for individuals to build bridges. The Quakers in Britain are suggesting people contact individual Russians, emphasising our common humanity and shared values. They call it Citizen Diplomacy, and hundreds of Quakers have been using social media to reach people in Russia, or making cards to send. One Russian supporter of the Quakers, who now lives in the UK, has been reaching out to people in his homeland through his own initiative - a Russian language podcast called Human Rights in Russia. Sergei Nikitin talks of building bridges of peace through personal relationships. Earlier this week an outspoken supporter of democracy and former leader of the Catholic Church in Hong Kong, Cardinal Zen, was arrested and then released on bail. Edward Stourton asks Lord Chris Patten, the last Governor of Hong Kong for his reaction to the news and his fears for the future of religious freedom in Hong Kong. Producers: Jonathan Hallewell and Jill Collins Presenter: Edward Stourton

DiploChatz welcomes you to our First Season - Episode 9!   Episode 9 Description:DiploChatz Episode 9 is joined by Zeynep Evenson, Middle Years Program Coordinator from the Earl Wooster High School in Reno, Nevada, USA. During the first segment, Ms Evenson will chat with us about the International Baccalaureate Program (IB). During the second segment, NNIC's beloved intern Nicholas Bruk joins to us to chat about his experience at the Earl Wooster High School as a former IB program participant.What is The International Baccalaureate (IB) Program?The (IB) Program was designed and created in Switzerland in the 1960s, a world-renowned, and an academically challenging program to prepare students aged 16 to 19 for success at university and life beyond. IB program brings global context that fosters mutual respect of human being in order to develops lifelong learners who thrive and make a difference. DiploChatz Global Engagement Question:Send responses to:  diplochatz@nnic.org   Does your country have a similar program like the (IB) Program? If there is one, what is the name and how might it be the same and or different?   DiploChatz featured on-going Segment:Every month DiploChatz proudly features a segment called Mindfulness Moment with Dr. Yvonne Stedham. This segment provides practical advice on how mindfulness can support you in your daily life.  Who is Dr. Yvonne?In addition to a three-decade-long career in academia as a professor in the College of Business at the University of Nevada, Reno, Dr. Yvonne Stedham is a Center for Mindfulness trained mindfulness instructor. She has taught Mindful Leadership courses to MBA students, judges, and business executives and has a variety provided mindfulness programs to many organizations, including Microsoft, Hometown Health, and the Nevada Department of Transportation. Dr. Yvonne has been continuously affiliated with the Northern Nevada International Center for decades. Supported by:DiploChatz is supported by the City of Reno. Click HERE to learn more about the City of Reno. We thank the City of Reno for their support and for believing in DiploChatz! Learn more about NNIC:Visit our website to learn more about the Northern Nevada International Center Credits:  Manuel Mederos, DiploChatz Host, Producer, Audio Editor, Content Director, Sound Engineer, FX/Music Coordinator  Kevin Sung, DiploChatz Co-Host, Guest Coordinator, Social Media Content Creator  Interested in starting your own podcast?  Use the link below and get started, good luck!https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1819963 Support the show

Karla McCollum, the executive director of the Iowa Sister States is a firm believer in citizen diplomacy and understands the role citizen diplomacy has in developing Iowa's relationships with our Sister States: economically, culturally, socially, and relationally in the world.Iowa Sister States is a volunteer-driven non-profit organization based in Des Moines, Iowa. They strive to build sustainable international partnerships that connect Iowans to the world community. Iowa has a powerful history of citizen diplomacy, and their dedicated volunteers and staff are proud to continue this legacy.CONNECT WITH KARLA:LinkedinCONNECT WITH IOWA SISTER STATES:Linkedin InstagramFacebookwww.iowasisterstates.org Produced by: Northgate Marketing, Inc.Host: David Allen TracyCONNECT WITH DAVID:InstagramLinkedinFOLLOW NORTHGATE:LinkedinInstagramFacebookYouTubewww.wearenorthgate.comSUBSCRIBE TO MIDNIGHT FOOD COMA

Michigan's “Global Ties” Partners map out a Diplomatic Path for International Exchange for Economic Prosperity!Join Jodi Michaels (Global Ties Kalamazoo) and Marian Reich (Global Ties Detroit) together with host Ed Clemente to literally cover the globe. Based in Kalamazoo and Metro Detroit areas, these two organizations best exemplify Citizen Diplomacy and share Michigan with the world's future leaders through international exchange. Working with the U.S. Department of State, USAID and other organizations, these Global Ties partners give Michigan citizens opportunities to network, learn, and explore other countries and cultures through person-to-person interaction right from their own homes and workplaces. The delegates from more than 100 countries come to Michigan often for economic development endeavors. The MEDC and hundreds of other Michigan businesses and organizations are engaged with these global exchange visitors. Find out what IVLP, OIV, and Homestays are and how you can get involved. You can also read the transcript from our conversation. 

DiploChatz welcomes you to our First Season - Episode 3! Episode 3 Description:We have the great pleasure of being joined on Episode 3 of DiploChatz by Dr. Sherry Lee Mueller, Distinguished Practitioner in Residence at the School of International Service (SIS), American University, Washington, D.C., teaches a graduate Practicum entitled Cultural Diplomacy and International Exchange. As part of her ongoing consulting practice, in 2015 Professor Mueller served as the Higher Education Specialist for IBTCI on a bi-national team conducting an evaluation of a USAID-sponsored scholarship program for Indonesians. After serving as President of Global Ties U.S. (formerly NCIV) from 1996 to 2011, the Board of Directors named Sherry President Emeritus. Before NCIV, Sherry worked for the Institute of International Education (IIE) as Director, Professional Exchange Programs. Prior to joining IIE, Ms. Mueller served as an Experiment in International Living Leader to the former Soviet Union, a Liaison Officer for the U.S. Department of State, and a lecturer at the University of Rhode Island.DiploChatz featured on-going Segment: Every month DiploChatz proudly features a segment called Mindfulness Moment with Dr. Yvonne Stedham. This segment provides practical advice on how mindfulness can support you in your daily life. Who is Dr. Yvonne?In addition to a three decade long career in academia as a professor in the College of Business at the University of Nevada, Reno, Dr. Yvonne Stedham is a Center for Mindfulness trained mindfulness instructor. She has taught Mindful Leadership courses to MBA students, judges, and business executives and has a variety provided mindfulness programs to many organizations, including Microsoft, Hometown Health, and Nevada Department of Transportation. Dr. Yvonne has been continuously affiliated with the Northern Nevada International Center for decades.Supported by:DiploChatz is supported by the City of Reno. Click HERE to learn more about the City of Reno. We thank the City of Reno for their support and for believing in DiploChatz!Learn more about NNIC:Visit our website to learn more about the Northern Nevada International CenterCredits:Manuel Mederos, DiploChatz Host, Producer, Audio Editor, Content Director, Sound Engineer, FX/Music Coordinator Kevin Sung, DiploChatz Co-Host, Guest Coordinator, Social Media Content Creator Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=EAZG26HZY6MMN&source=url)

Utah Council for Citizen Diplomacy Youth Program director Vincent Carson and program member Sofia Detjen

Linda J. Brown grew up in Winter Haven, Florida and graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in Journalism and Communications. She was active in campus leadership as an officer in Mortarboard, (national university women's leadership honorary); Women's Student Association, and the Blue Key Speaker's Bureau. She married a physician and raised two children, later becoming involved in the Citizen Diplomacy movement at the opening of the Soviet Union in 1990, leading a number of grassroots tours to encourage people-to-people friendship and to increase the prospects of world peace. She spent a total of eighteen months within Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, and Siberia. Brown was raised in the Episcopal Church, then spent thirty-three years as a member of The Baha'i Faith, resigning in 1997 to pursue her own inner spiritual life. Her first book is HEY BOOMERS, DUST OFF YOUR BACKPACKS: Travel The World On A Limited Budget (Amazon.com). It tells of her adventures on the around-the-world backpacking trail as she circled the globe for a year, alone, using only her social security income. She turned sixty-eight-years-old in Sarajevo, Bosnia. Brown targets the leading edge U.S. Baby Boomers, who become eligible for full-time Social Security in 2011, but really, it's a good read for anybody - traveler or not...old or not. Her extensive travels continue whenever she can find time to hoist a backpack; most recently in January, 2009, when at age seventy-two, she took four months to explore the unique spinal column formed by the Andean Mountain Chain - from Bogota, Colombia to Ushuaia, Argentian in Tierra del Fuego - from top to tip of South America. She likes to say that she performed chiropractic on the backbone of the world." To continue with stuff that's not in the book bio: Linda Brown took on the spiritual name of Linda Layli, Layli Linda when she began to communicate one-on-one with The Holy Spirit. This was before the days of making up names for internet presence and she was a tiny bit stumped when asked to create her own moniker. Then she remembered that she had been told of an earlier reincarnation where she was named Layli Gundrich... (Teh Holy Spirit:: "Oh My God....Layli? Is that YOU? Where have you been all this time?") It was all news to her, but she just pasted her present name of Linda onto Layli, and then couldn't decide which way she liked it best, so kept both.. So, that's what she's called by the Upstairs Gang. Though she wasn't at the time, Linda Brown is now pretty pleased that some dumb psychiatrist once slapped her with the Schizophrenic label. Ha! She showed him! But it underlines what she suspects is an all-too-common problem, though she has had no opportunity, whatsoever, to find out if this has happened to others. - www.heyboomers.com******************************************************************To listen to all our XZBN shows, with our compliments go to: https://www.spreaker.com/user/xzoneradiotv*** AND NOW ***The ‘X' Zone TV Channel on SimulTV - www.simultv.comThe ‘X' Chronicles Newspaper - www.xchroniclesnewspaper.com ******************************************************************

Linda J. Brown grew up in Winter Haven, Florida and graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in Journalism and Communications. She was active in campus leadership as an officer in Mortarboard, (national university women's leadership honorary); Women's Student Association, and the Blue Key Speaker's Bureau. She married a physician and raised two children, later becoming involved in the Citizen Diplomacy movement at the opening of the Soviet Union in 1990, leading a number of grassroots tours to encourage people-to-people friendship and to increase the prospects of world peace. She spent a total of eighteen months within Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, and Siberia. Brown was raised in the Episcopal Church, then spent thirty-three years as a member of The Baha'i Faith, resigning in 1997 to pursue her own inner spiritual life. Her first book is HEY BOOMERS, DUST OFF YOUR BACKPACKS: Travel The World On A Limited Budget (Amazon.com). It tells of her adventures on the around-the-world backpacking trail as she circled the globe for a year, alone, using only her social security income. She turned sixty-eight-years-old in Sarajevo, Bosnia. Brown targets the leading edge U.S. Baby Boomers, who become eligible for full-time Social Security in 2011, but really, it's a good read for anybody - traveler or not...old or not. Her extensive travels continue whenever she can find time to hoist a backpack; most recently in January, 2009, when at age seventy-two, she took four months to explore the unique spinal column formed by the Andean Mountain Chain - from Bogota, Colombia to Ushuaia, Argentian in Tierra del Fuego - from top to tip of South America. She likes to say that she performed chiropractic on the backbone of the world." To continue with stuff that's not in the book bio: Linda Brown took on the spiritual name of Linda Layli, Layli Linda when she began to communicate one-on-one with The Holy Spirit. This was before the days of making up names for internet presence and she was a tiny bit stumped when asked to create her own moniker. Then she remembered that she had been told of an earlier reincarnation where she was named Layli Gundrich... (Teh Holy Spirit:: "Oh My God....Layli? Is that YOU? Where have you been all this time?") It was all news to her, but she just pasted her present name of Linda onto Layli, and then couldn't decide which way she liked it best, so kept both.. So, that's what she's called by the Upstairs Gang. Though she wasn't at the time, Linda Brown is now pretty pleased that some dumb psychiatrist once slapped her with the Schizophrenic label. Ha! She showed him! But it underlines what she suspects is an all-too-common problem, though she has had no opportunity, whatsoever, to find out if this has happened to others. - www.heyboomers.com ****************************************************************** To listen to all our XZBN shows, with our compliments go to: https://www.spreaker.com/user/xzoneradiotv *** AND NOW *** The ‘X' Zone TV Channel on SimulTV - www.simultv.com The ‘X' Chronicles Newspaper - www.xchroniclesnewspaper.com ******************************************************************

Linda J. Brown grew up in Winter Haven, Florida and graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in Journalism and Communications. She was active in campus leadership as an officer in Mortarboard, (national university women's leadership honorary); Women's Student Association, and the Blue Key Speaker's Bureau. She married a physician and raised two children, later becoming involved in the Citizen Diplomacy movement at the opening of the Soviet Union in 1990, leading a number of grassroots tours to encourage people-to-people friendship and to increase the prospects of world peace. She spent a total of eighteen months within Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, and Siberia. Brown was raised in the Episcopal Church, then spent thirty-three years as a member of The Baha'i Faith, resigning in 1997 to pursue her own inner spiritual life. Her first book is HEY BOOMERS, DUST OFF YOUR BACKPACKS: Travel The World On A Limited Budget (Amazon.com). It tells of her adventures on the around-the-world backpacking trail as she circled the globe for a year, alone, using only her social security income. She turned sixty-eight-years-old in Sarajevo, Bosnia. Brown targets the leading edge U.S. Baby Boomers, who become eligible for full-time Social Security in 2011, but really, it's a good read for anybody - traveler or not...old or not. Her extensive travels continue whenever she can find time to hoist a backpack; most recently in January, 2009, when at age seventy-two, she took four months to explore the unique spinal column formed by the Andean Mountain Chain - from Bogota, Colombia to Ushuaia, Argentian in Tierra del Fuego - from top to tip of South America. She likes to say that she performed chiropractic on the backbone of the world." To continue with stuff that's not in the book bio: Linda Brown took on the spiritual name of Linda Layli, Layli Linda when she began to communicate one-on-one with The Holy Spirit. This was before the days of making up names for internet presence and she was a tiny bit stumped when asked to create her own moniker. Then she remembered that she had been told of an earlier reincarnation where she was named Layli Gundrich... (Teh Holy Spirit:: "Oh My God....Layli? Is that YOU? Where have you been all this time?") It was all news to her, but she just pasted her present name of Linda onto Layli, and then couldn't decide which way she liked it best, so kept both.. So, that's what she's called by the Upstairs Gang. Though she wasn't at the time, Linda Brown is now pretty pleased that some dumb psychiatrist once slapped her with the Schizophrenic label. Ha! She showed him! But it underlines what she suspects is an all-too-common problem, though she has had no opportunity, whatsoever, to find out if this has happened to others. - www.heyboomers.com ****************************************************************** To listen to all our XZBN shows, with our compliments go to: https://www.spreaker.com/user/xzoneradiotv *** AND NOW *** The ‘X' Zone TV Channel on SimulTV - www.simultv.com The ‘X' Chronicles Newspaper - www.xchroniclesnewspaper.com ******************************************************************

Purdue University Fort Wayne's Teaching English as a New Language Program prepares students for teaching English to speakers of other languages. With how much has happened in Myanmar this past year, we'll hear from students, professors, and community members who bring a variety of perspectives to language learning, international affairs, and citizen diplomacy This week, we have a virtual panel moderated by Andy Downs, Director of the Mike Downs Center for Indiana Politics. The panelists are listed below in the order they are introduced in the program. Mary Encabo, Continuing Lecturer in Linguistics at PFW Caitlyn Bushnell, PFW student Joshua Heckelsmiller, PFW student Natalie Kage, PFW student Tom Herr, Fort Wayne Sister Cities International Inc., former president Jamie Toole, Associate Professor of Political Science at PFW Special thanks to Andy Downs and all of the panelists for making this program possible. Our music is by Mark Waldick, Noah Campodonico, Kurt Roembke, and Hope Arthur. Our web producer is Loyal Vandenburg. Our production assistants are Monica Blankenship, Steve Mullaney, and Sydney Wagner.

In this inspiring episode Dr Jim Garrison draws upon his many years and stories of working with some of the world's most historic and influential leaders (such as Mikhail Gorbachev, Jane Goodall, Muhammed Yunus and Mother Theresa) to share his views on the kind of leadership required to successfully deal with 'hyper-complexity' through 'regenerative leadership'. Leaders now need to employ 'ruthless realism', to facilitate the 'collective' in a 'synergistic and multi-disciplinary way', 'interact with diversity', and cultivate 'imagination'. Jim was there in person with the Politburo and the Government when the Soviet Union collapsed through a 'lack of creative leadership' and learned that it is vital now and in the future to 'shapeshift organizationally'. So much insight here into a new model of leadership, a model that serves humanity while generating profit not depletes it. Dr Jim Garrison is the founder and president of Ubiquity University and the convener of Humanity Rising. He came to this having served as president of Wisdom University which he led from 2005 – 2012, after which he led its transition into Ubiquity University, established in 2012. Jim has spent his entire professional life in executive leadership, including as co-founder and president of the Gorbachev Foundation/USA (1992 – 1995) and State of the World Forum (1995 – 2004) with Mikhail Gorbachev serving as convening chairman. Jim received his B.A in History from the University of Santa Clara, an MA in History of Religion from Harvard University, and a PhD in Philosophical Theology from Cambridge University. He has written numerous books, including The Plutonium Culture, America as Empire, The Darkness of God: Theology after Hiroshima, Citizen Diplomacy, and Civilization and the Transformation of Power. He lectures regularly on comparative philosophy and religion, world history and politics, and the implications of global warming.

The topic: U.S.-China relations rest upon more than the formalized chess moves of presidents and diplomats. Far greater in scope and depth are the people-to-people exchanges in business, education, arts and culture, journalism, nonprofits, tourism, and so much more. These societal ties provide ballast for U.S.-China relations even when the political situation is at its most tense. Iowa's people-to-people connections with China are particularly strong and extend back nearly half a century, continuing a tradition in which Iowa also helped to play a moderating force with the Soviet Union at the height of the Cold War. How have these connections been built and sustained over time? What forms do they take? How do Iowans and their Chinese counterparts benefit from such ties? Our guest: Kim Heidemann is an international programming consultant, adjunct instructor at Des Moines Area Community College, staff member with the Republic of Kosovo Consulate in Des Moines, and an expert administrator in citizen diplomacy. During her 15 years with Iowa Sister States, she traveled extensively and helped to shape the grassroots ties between Iowa and several partner nations, including China's Hebei province, as "old friend" Xi Jinping returned to visit in 2012, triggering a heightened phase of trade and cultural exchange between the two nations. Full episode transcript: https://david-skidmore.medium.com/kyle-munson-and-david-skidmore-interview-with-kim-heidemann-bfefce55cca5. The series: David Skidmore and Kyle Munson produced this podcast series in conjunction with Skidmore's Spring 2021 U.S.-China international relations course at Drake University. Your hosts: David Skidmore is a Professor of Political Science at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where he has taught since 1989. Skidmore's teaching and research focuses on U.S. foreign policy and U.S.-China relations. During the 1996-97 academic year, he taught at the Johns Hopkins-Nanjing University Center for Chinese and American Studies in Nanjing, China. He also served as a Fulbright Scholar based at the University of Hong Kong in 2010-2011. He is past Director of the Principal Financial Group Center for Global Citizenship (2002-2017) and the Nelson Institute for Diplomacy and International Affairs (2012-2017), both at Drake University. Skidmore is author, co-author or editor of six books including a monograph titled The Unilateralist Temptation in American Foreign Policy (Routledge, 2011), and has published numerous articles or chapters in various academic journals and books. His most recent research focuses on China's Belt and Road Initiative. His editorial writing has appeared in Fortune, U.S. News and World Report, Salon, The Conversation, the Diplomat, Global Times and the Des Moines Register. Kyle Munson is a journalist, writer, podcaster, and content strategist who currently works in content marketing and financial services. He previously spent 24 years with The Des Moines Register/Gannett in a variety of roles, including eight years as columnist. In 2017 he was awarded a grant from the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting to report on U.S.-China relations early in the Trump administration as Amb. Terry Branstad began his tenure in Beijing. That resulted in the project “Iowa in the Heart of China.” Munson also reported on Chinese President Xi Jinping's 2012 visit to Iowa. He has volunteered and served as a board member with Iowa Sister States, a nonprofit dedicated to citizen diplomacy. He currently chairs the board of the Western Iowa Journalism Foundation. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/uschina/message

Trained as an astrophysicist, Dr. Robert Gilman decided in the mid-70s that “the stars could wait, but the planet couldn't.” He turned his attention to global sustainability, futures research, and strategies for positive cultural change. His on-the-ground sustainability efforts have included developing the Context Institute, co-founding the Global Ecovillage Network, Citizen Diplomacy with the former USSR, serving as City Councilman in Langley, Washington, and working nationally with the American Institute of Architects on issues regarding sustainability and the built environment. He is currently leading the worldwide Bright Future Network and its Bright Future Now  “adventure tour to the future.”

In this interview, human rights attorney, author, and activist Dr. Thiago Amparo explains recent examples of violence against Black Brazilians and places those events in the context of Brazil's history and modern social and political reality. Dr. Amparo's most recent English-language writing may be found in Critical Essays on Human Rights Criticism, edited by Andras Sajo and Renata Uitz, and in various newspapers including Americas Quarterly.

Rima Nashashibi, Founder and President of Global Hope 365, a local nonprofit dedicated to ending harmful practices towards women and girls such as Child Marriage, Human Trafficking, and Chhaupadi, is an Internationally Recognized Speaker, Political and Community Leader/Activist with more than 20 years of experience in public speaking, conducting seminars, and media appearances promoting openness, equal opportunity, tolerance, fairness, and justice for persons of all genders, ethnicity, religious backgrounds, and political persuasions. Ms. Nashashibi has been a guest speaker locally, nationally, and internationally including hosted by the U.S. Department of State in places such as Jerusalem, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait. In addition, Ms. Nashashibi trained the women in Saudi Arabia in August 2015 on how to run for office in anticipation of the historical election held in December 2015 where women participated for the first time in the history of the Kingdom. Founded and led local, regional, national, and international organizations. Recipient of Numerous Awards including being nominated as one of Orange County Business Journal's top businesswomen in Orange County, April 2020; nominated and selected to receive Congressman Lou Correa's Woman of the Year Award, March 2020; Community Activism Appreciation Award, Women For:OC, August 25, 2019; Appreciation Award “Co-Chair of the International Development Committee, Greater Irvine Chamber of Commerce“ 22018-2019, July 2019; Appreciation of her Service and Leadership in the field of Refugee Support” May 2019 by Sunrise USA; a Life-Time Achievement Award April 2019 by the Arab American Civic Council; Congressional, State Senate, and Orange County Supervisorial proclamations in recognition of her leadership in the community; the Partner of the Year by the Irvine Chamber of Commerce in 2017, “In honor of Women Making a Difference in Orange County 2012” by the California State Senate. “In honor of many years of dedicated service and leadership 2012” a US Congressional Recognition Award; the Harry S Truman Lifetime Achievement Award by Democratic Party of Orange County, 2006; Leadership Award by the Rebuilding Alliance, and an Appreciation Award from Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, CA; Ms. Nashashibi is President of the Insurance Professionals of Orange County (IPOC) 2019-2020, President 2013 and President-Elect 2012 and 2014, and a partner in SelectFirst Insurances Services, an agency providing commercial insurance to businesses. Ms. Nashashibi serves on the Board of Directors of the United Nations Association of Orange County, the International Visitors Council of Los Angeles (IVCLA), a nonprofit committed to creating a world of peace and prosperity through Citizen Diplomacy and is currently a member of the Advisory Board of Friends of UNRWA, USA, ANERA and the Arab American National Museum. She is also the co-Chair of the International Development Committee and the task force leader of the World Trade Week Breakfast and Forum of the Greater Irvine Chamber of Commerce.    Here’s what we discussed:   Ending harmful practices on women and girls  Child marriage  Sex Trafficking   Connect with Rima Nashashibi  Global Hope 365: https://www.globalhope365.org/ The CA Coalition to End Child Marriage: https://cacoalitiontoendchildmarriage.org/join-us/ Join our advocacy efforts to End Child Marriage here https://cacoalitiontoendchildmarriage.org/advocacy/ Partner with us to End Child Marriage https://cacoalitiontoendchildmarriage.org/join-us/ Help us continue with our efforts https://www.globalhope365.org/donate Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn @GlobalHope365. 5 things you can do to ensure children are safe online https://endsexualexploitation.org/articles/5-things-you-can-do-to-ensure-your-children-are-safe-online-during-quarantine/ 5 internet filtering services for families https://endsexualexploitation.org/articles/kids-online-more-thanks-to-covid-19-here-are-five-internet-filtering-services-for-families/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ncose

Building bridges between Los Angeles and the world, the International Visitors Council of Los Angeles (IVCLA) plays a crucial role in creating international connections; cultivating local innovation; and activating global potential.   Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, IVCLA develops leadership exchanges and advances a range of cross border programs that addresses critical issues, including: alleviating chronic poverty and hunger, creating sustainable communities, promoting tolerance through the arts, empowering women in leadership, controlling infectious diseases, eliminating human trafficking, and promoting civic engagement, amongst others. Many of the international visitors that have participated in IVCLA programs have become leaders in and of their respective governments.   While COVID-19 has made cross-cultural and international collaboration and connection more challenging than ever, the work of IVCLA has become more vital to the health and well-being of our international state system and the success of our world post-pandemic.   Join us for our conversation with Janet Elliott, President & CEO, International Visitors Council of Los Angeles, as we discuss the work of IVCLA; how IVCLA has adapted to facilitate connections and foster citizen diplomacy in new and innovative ways; and the important role IVCLA plays in the civic fabric of Los Angeles and connecting Los Angeles to the world. To learn more and get involved, please visit www.IVCLA.org.   For more information, please visit www.CivitasLA.com   And we hope you’ll rate and review our show; and connect with us on Facebook (@CivitasLA), Instagram (@Civitas_LA) and Twitter (@Civitas_LA).

The Upper Realm Answers Questions About Earth - Linda J. Brown grew up in Winter Haven, Florida and graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in Journalism and Communications. She was active in campus leadership as an officer in Mortarboard, (national university women's leadership honorary); Women's Student Association, and the Blue Key Speaker's Bureau. She married a physician and raised two children, later becoming involved in the Citizen Diplomacy movement at the opening of the Soviet Union in 1990, leading a number of grassroots tours to encourage people-to-people friendship and to increase the prospects of world peace. She spent a total of eighteen months within Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, and Siberia. Brown was raised in the Episcopal Church, then spent thirty-three years as a member of The Baha'i Faith, resigning in 1997 to pursue her own inner spiritual life. Her first book is HEY BOOMERS, DUST OFF YOUR BACKPACKS: Travel The World On A Limited Budget (Amazon.com). It tells of her adventures on the around-the-world backpacking trail as she circled the globe for a year, alone, using only her social security income. She turned sixty-eight-years-old in Sarajevo, Bosnia. Brown targets the leading edge U.S. Baby Boomers, who become eligible for full-time Social Security in 2011, but really, it's a good read for anybody - traveler or not...old or not. Her extensive travels continue whenever she can find time to hoist a backpack; most recently in January, 2009, when at age seventy-two, she took four months to explore the unique spinal column formed by the Andean Mountain Chain - from Bogota, Colombia to Ushuaia, Argentian in Tierra del Fuego - from top to tip of South America. She likes to say that she performed chiropractic on the backbone of the world." To continue with stuff that's not in the book bio: Linda Brown took on the spiritual name of Linda Layli, Layli Linda when she began to communicate one-on-one with The Holy Spirit. This was before the days of making up names for internet presence and she was a tiny bit stumped when asked to create her own moniker. Then she remembered that she had been told of an earlier reincarnation where she was named Layli Gundrich... (Teh Holy Spirit:: "Oh My God....Layli? Is that YOU? Where have you been all this time?") It was all news to her, but she just pasted her present name of Linda onto Layli, and then couldn't decide which way she liked it best, so kept both.. So, that's what she's called by the Upstairs Gang. Though she wasn't at the time, Linda Brown is now pretty pleased that some dumb psychiatrist once slapped her with the Schizophrenic label. Ha! She showed him! But it underlines what she suspects is an all-too-common problem, though she has had no opportunity, whatsoever, to find out if this has happened to others. - www.heyboomers.com

The fatal stabbing of the liberal mayor of the Polish city Gdansk earlier this year sounded alarms about the effects of hate speech by populist politicians. Democratic Representative Marcy Kaptur joins Greg to discuss that and others threats to democracy in Europe, and what Congress and ordinary Americans must do to push back against the White House by shoring up the transatlantic alliance.

On today's show:U.S. peace activists tour Iran to prevent future conflictAn anthropologist and a journalist on Islam's role in shaping... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Jodie Evans is a Political Activist, Author, Documentary Film Producer, and Co-founder of Women’s Anti-War organization CODEPINK working for Peace & Justice, Environmental Causes, and Women’s Rights, making Citizen Diplomacy delegations to Iran, the Gaza Strip, Afghanistan, and more. She chairs 826LA, is Founding Board Member of the Drug Policy Alliance on grounding policies in science, compassion, health & human rights, and served in Governor Jerry Brown’s cabinet and managed his 1992 campaign for president. https://codepink.org https://twitter.com/MsJodieEvans ******* Simulation is rebirthing the public intellectual by hosting the greatest multidisciplinary minds of our time. Build the future. Architect the frameworks and resource flows to maximize human potential. http://simulationseries.com ******* SUBSCRIBE TO SIMULATION ► YOUTUBE: http://bit.ly/SimYoTu ITUNES: http://bit.ly/SimulationiTunes INSTAGRAM: http://bit.ly/SimulationIG TWITTER: http://bit.ly/SimulationTwitter ******* FACEBOOK: http://bit.ly/SimulationFB SOUNDCLOUD: http://bit.ly/SimulationSC LINKEDIN: http://bit.ly/SimulationLinkedIn PATREON: http://bit.ly/SimulationPatreon CRYPTO: http://bit.ly/SimCrypto ******* NUANCE-DRIVEN DISCOURSE ► http://bit.ly/SimulationTG WATCH ALLEN'S TEDx TALK ► http://bit.ly/AllenTEDx FOLLOW ALLEN ► INSTAGRAM: http://bit.ly/AllenIG TWITTER: http://bit.ly/AllenT ******* LIST OF THOUGHT-PROVOKING QUESTIONS ► http://simulationseries.com/the-list GET IN TOUCH ► simulationseries@gmail.com

Jenny Buccos is a multi-award winning director and producer. She is the founder and creator of the ProjectExplorer education series and an agent for global citizenship. In 2003, before the existence of YouTube or widespread online video, Jenny founded ProjectExplorer.org as a means to educate children and families about global cultures and histories.  To date, she has directed and produced more than 500 webisodes. Under her direction ProjectExplorer.org reaches a global audience of over 6 million viewers. Jenny is a three-time recipient of the prestigious GOLD Parent's Choice Award for Excellence in Educational Programming. She is a 2010 recipient of the National Award for Citizen Diplomacy; honored alongside Academy Award winner Robert Redford for her exemplary work as a citizen diplomat. In July 2012, she was named a White House Champion of Change.  Jenny's work has taken her to more than 70 countries. Currently, she is filming a family-focused ProjectExplorer TV series with Kari Byron (Mythbusters) and Intuitive Content for broadcast in spring of 2019. She serves as the Show's Creator and Executive Producer. In this episode, Jenny discusses the role ProjectExplorer plays in educating children and families about global cultures and histories.  She also shares her one way ticket to Mars! Jenny is just one of the accomplished guests featured on The One Way Ticket Show, where Host Steven Shalowitz explores with his guests where they'd go if given a one way ticket, no coming back! Destinations may be in the past, present, future, real, imaginary or a state of mind. Steven's guests have included: Nobel Peace Prize Winner, President Jose Ramos-Horta; Legendary Talk Show Host, Dick Cavett; Law Professor, Alan Dershowitz; Broadcast Legend, Charles Osgood; International Rescue Committee President & CEO, David Miliband; Grammar Girl, Mignon Fogarty; Journalist-Humorist-Actor Mo Rocca; Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr.; Abercrombie & Kent Founder, Geoffrey Kent; Travel Expert, Pauline Frommer, as well as leading photographers, artists, chefs, writers, intellectuals and more.   

In this talk, Seattle native Tony Allison discusses his involvement in a jointly owned Soviet-American fishing venture during the Cold War period. Allison served as Director of the Nakhodka and Moscow offices of the Marine Resources Company and then, after the end of the Soviet Union, as CEO from 1990 until its closure in 2001. The company sponsored or initiated several other forms of citizen diplomacy with the USSR-Russia. Allison became a high school history teacher in Seattle and then transitioned to teaching environmental education at the Washington Park Arboretum and Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust and recently initiated an environmental education exchange between Botanical Gardens in Russia and the Pacific Northwest. This talk was presented as part of the Ellison Center's Fall 2017 Master Teacher Workshop: Glasnost and Goodwill: The Cold War, Washington State, and the Power of Citizen Diplomacy.

Siobhan Lyons, president/CEO, Citizen Diplomacy and Tom and Kathy Jennings, Citizen Diplomacy volunteers, talking about the organization that connects international visitors and Americans and serves as the official administrator of the Philadelphia Sister Cities Program

This week’s guest is travel guide Simon Yugler – named one of Open World Magazine’s “Top 30 Adventurers Under 30,” Simon facilitates initiatory experiences as the leader of experiential education journeys for young adults.http://travel-alchemy.comHere’s Simon talking to UpliftConnect about the difference between “wanting to help” and “wanting to be of service”:https://youtu.be/JzIwXy4l4lY - “What cultural exchange looks like from a place of transformation and healing.”- Decolonizing Festival Culture.- Right Relationship & the difference between “Citizen Diplomacy” & “Mission Work.”- What it means to be a respectful guest.- The difference between tourists and locals: tourists look up (novelty and wonder).- What travel has to teach us about navigating our turbulent and transformational age.- How rootless modern people (digital nomads, refugees, wandering Jews, and so on) can reconnect with a sense of place and become a “person of place.”- How to RECEIVE people with respect and be a good host for travelers and displaced peoples.- Avoiding the dark side of entrepreneurialism, the exploitation and instrumentalist thinking, and turning our hunger into the fuel for something beautiful… The Five Principles of Right Relationship:• Give Offerings of Respect• Shut Up & Listen• Know Your History (Do Research About Where You’re Going/Are)• Love of Language• Sharing From The Heart “Travel will leave you speechless and then turn you into a storyteller.”- Ibn Battuta Quotes:“I think there’s something almost archetypal and profound about leaving your home, country of origin, about leaving your comfort zone and traveling OUT into the world…let’s just start there. Initiation 101.”“Coming to terms with my own liberal conditioning of wanting to save the world…all these things we’re raised to think in America these days, and learning to let that all go. And realizing that all I can do as an individual is build authentic relationships with people.”“One thing Right Relationship ISN’T is wanting to come in and FIX.”“If we don’t have anything to give – which I doubt – we can give the gift of silence.”“Once you start on the initiatory path it continues for your whole life. Eventually, part of that is initiating others.”“We can share stories about how the world is burning down and imploding, or we can share stories about how the world is being created. We can play a part in that.”“For me, to put it lightly, travel has been an initiatory path.”“Everything that could go wrong while traveling in Africa DID go wrong. I had no money, I had one contact in the town I was showing up in whose phone happened to be out of commission, my phone credit ran out and I didn’t know how to recharge it because I didn’t know how to speak Swahili, and here I am in the middle of the country in this dusty little savannah town with no-one I know in a thousand miles and no money and no language skills and nothing…”“Knowing that people across the world are good, for the most part, and for the most part want to help you, is one of the most powerful and transformative messages that we can experience and share. Because if you turn on the news – I don’t know why you’d do that, these days – but if you were to turn on CNN, you would get barraged with information about how dangerous and terrible the world is. Travel can instill these experiences in your life that prove the complete opposite of that.” Referenced in this episode:Michael Mead, writerLewis Hyde, author of The GiftNelson Mandela, politicianDavid Abram, author of The Spell of the SensuousRolf Potts, author of Vagabonding: A Guide to the Uncommon Art of Long-Term World TravelIbn Battuta, legendary explorerVictor Turner, anthropologistBruce Chatwin, author of The SonglinesThe Sierra Leone Refugee All-StarsDavid Dang Vu, serial entrepreneurPaul Levy, writerSeth Godin, marketing expertTim Ferris, author of The 4-Hour WorkweekChris Guillebeau, author of The 100 Dollar StartupDuncan Trussell, comedianDebbie Millman, host of Design Matters PodcastDrew Dillinger, poet, “The Hieroglyphic Stairway” See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It's Vivaldi by Candlelight! Gerald Elias conducts the orchestra, whose performance is sponsored by the Utah Council for Citizen Diplomacy. Highway 89 goes on-location at the First Presbyterian Church in Salt Lake City for this special Christmas concert.

Auckland New Zealand, with all its Mayoral and Council pomp and celebration was designated a City of Peace in December 2011. Today it is hosting 20 visiting warships in its inner harbour and at the same time 500 weapons dealers are gathering less than a kilometre from Auckland’s Queen St. They are attending this harbourside Expo from the 16th and 17th November 2016 in order to tap into the NZ government’s $20 billion defence budget for new procurements.   In 2011 Auckland became a Peace City and that this resolution was ‘headed by a Peace Committee that Laurie was the Chair’ now finds itself as the focal point of a geo strategic naval war game this month - less than 20 kilometres off the shores of Auckland city, when NZ is supposed to be a keen advocate on being a Nuclear Free Nation and working towards being a Neutral Peacemaker too. As a result the Peace Movement of NZ is mobilising! All peace loving people are welcome to attend, a non violent demonstration prior to  a blockade outside the ANZ expo centre. Details below. The goal of this action is to bring both local and world attention to the fact that armaments and war are increasingly being pushed up the national and international priority list. Whilst, housing, health and social needs get less. So what do we want the people of NZ and our government to do? Download and listen to Laurie. Why is the military/industrial complex in New Zealand? Lockheed Martin is one of the world’s largest nuclear weapons, electronics and ‘security’ corporations and has a presence in New Zealand currently encompassing over 200 employees and operating on six sites in Trentham, Palmerston North, Burnham, Wellington, Auckland and Waiouru. Note that though Lockheed is the principal sponsor, (with a woman CEO of all things). The 90 other sponsors include General Dynamics, Hawker Pacific, ANZ, Airworks, Auckland University’s UniServices, Babcock NZ, Beca, Safe Air, AVIS, University of Canterbury Spatial Engineering Research Centre, Callaghan Innovation, Mainfreight, and Datacom Ltd. What is militarism in present day terms? Plus why now here in NZ? It is to celebrate “Seventy Five  years of the NZ Navy” and act at the same time - as a cover for selling weapons. Lack of Will & Diplomacy on a Global Scale. Why? Today, we have an issue of nuclear weapons being intensified with Russia & China being reclassified as the adversary and that no attempt is being made to mobilise diplomatic efforts on a broad front to look at resolving these issues and de-escalating what it happening. Why not greater diplomacy and Citizen Diplomacy as in the Reagan Gorbachev era? Note that President elect Trump has consistently stated he does not want confrontation with Russia, so let us trust that this is so. And he does not get infiltrated with Neocon advisers who subvert him. New Zealand as a Nuclear Free Peacemaker? For NZ there are many options to concentrate around Defence but not Offence and re focussing our Foreign policy of engaging in Peacemaking and Neutrality. Training up all personal in the defense forces in the many methods and modalities of peacekeeping, and helping the community that is being assisted to become more cohesive and functional. Emergency power, health, water, shelter and policing via the rule of law etc. Including mediation skills, food growing and education. What can we do as a nation as we already have an educational program in place that is championed by the NZ Peace Foundation - called Cool Schools. That has been introduced to  thousands of schools across NZ. Where children learn the skills of reconciling opposing points of view with peer remediation and conflict resolution. A huge export potential of this innovative method of bringing people together in a mode of ‘learned communication skills’ and equipping them for the future. However. Laurie goes far deeper talking about systems and structures and how to lay out the protocols on a vaster scale, that also encompasses not only local areas suffering from some disaster, but to larger situations involving whole countries.  Listen to the broadcast. peace foundation nz Laurie finishes with a prayer and a song.   This piece below is gratefully taken from Action Stations here in NZ. https://our.actionstation.org.nz/petitions/no-weapons-expo-no-warships We oppose the investment of billions of dollars in the military and new weaponry, which clearly does not deter terrorism, but rather contributes to violence, and war cycles. We will not stand for the government supporting an arms expo for international weapons companies. This is proposed for 16 and 17 November 2016 in Auckland, sponsored by the world’s largest weapons manufacturer and maker of nuclear weapons, Lockheed Martin. In June, 2016, the government announced $20 Billion of new spending on weaponry. At the same time, it extended an invitation to a US warship to visit NZ for the first time in 32 years. In November this year, this will all culminate in a week where warships dominate Auckland Harbour, and 500+ weapons dealers take over the ANZ Viaduct events centre for a trade show. The NZDF, Ministry of Defence and NZ Trade and Enterprise provide funding, personnel, equipment, displays and expertise for the Weapons Expo. The $20 Billion new military spending includes the purchase of new warships and aggressive cyber warfare capabilities described by Minister Gerry Brownlee as a "significant weapon". This is despite that the government's own evidence that "the country does not face a direct military threat in the foreseeable future." While billions are funnelled to multinational arms dealers, the real threats to ordinary people in New Zealand mount: poverty, homelessness, lack of adequate health care and catastrophic climate change. Auckland Peace Action is a grassroots community group working to oppose the warships and the weapons expo. We believe that it is not possible to build a peaceful and just world while simultaneously acquiring ever more weapons and doing more planning for war. This petition is an important part of our campaign this year to bring pressure on the government. Join the campaign for peace! [1] See "Does US Intervention overseas breed terrorism?" Foreign Policy Briefing. The Cato Institute. http://object.cato.org/sites/cato.org/files/pubs/pdf/fpb50.pdf [2] More information on the Weapons Expo can be found at http://www.nzdia.co.nz [3] http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/80835677/defence-white-paper-20b-defence-upgrades-for-new-planes-boats-and-cyber-security [4] Ministry of Defence. 2016. Defence White Paper, p10. http://www.defence.govt.nz/pdfs/defence-white-paper-2016.pdf How it will be delivered: Auckland Peace Action sees this petition as an important part of our campaign opposing the weapons expo and the visit of foreign warships in November 2016. We need your support now to make this petition as powerful as possible. All the signatures will be delivered in the immediate lead-up to the weapons expo. It takes only a moment to download this from GreenplanetFM.com and you can listen to it whilst driving, bussing or training to and from work or leasure. Lauri is one of the most dynamic grandmothers in NZ who clearly articulates what needs to be conveyed and very powerfully too. ACTION DATES: Tuesday 15th Nov:   Dr. Helen Caldicott speaks Nobel Peace Prize Nominee Dr. Helen Caldicott, the world’s foremost anti-nuclear activist and researcher speaks at 7:30pm, at the Auckland University of Technology. Hosted by the Peace Foundation. Wednesday 16th:   Blockade the Arms Trade! Actively oppose the arms trade by the blockading the Weapons Expo. There are spaces for people who wish to actively blockade as well as space for support and family-friendly creative resistance. Check out the Facebook event for full details.   Thursday 17th:    WALL of NOISE – Drown out the Death Merchants. Bring your best noisemakers, instruments, banners and placards to drown out the weapons dealers’ party and awards ceremony happening inside. Evening. Check out the Facebook event for more details Peace Flotilla:  Time & place TBA Join up with a boat, kayak, surfboard or your body to resist the warships coming into Auckland Harbour. Details confirmed closer to the day. SATURDAY THE 19th Auckland Town Hall - the BIG MARCH 2pm. Come and make a noise, and Bring Banners & Placards. A Massive March for Peace Wednesday 9 November   2pm Press Release: People for Peace A big turnout is expected for a March for Peace on Saturday November 19th at 2pm, starting from the Town Hall, Queen St, and organised by “People for Peace”. Large numbers of people are stunned that the New Zealand Navy has invited approximately 15 warships to participate in the Navy’s 75 birthday celebrations and an International Naval Review. Other countries are sending senior officers to participate. The vessels, with their array of deadly weaponry, will berth at both Ports of Auckland and Devonport Naval Base. This is a stark call to all peace activists who opposed the US warships in the eighties and worked for a peace that may now be under threat globally, and also to the new generation of young people who see the insanity of warfare and want to take a stand for peace. “Even if the ships are non-nuclear armed, it is still not desirable to be reinforcing a warfare mentality and militarism when we should be promoting peace and underpinning the UN Charter that New Zealand signed in 1945,” said long time peace worker Lisa Er. “By endorsing conventional warships New Zealand is effectively being groomed for involvement in future wars” she said. In tandem with the warships visit is a weapons conference and expo, selling both military equipment and weapons, at the Auckland’s Viaduct Events Centre. It will bring together 500 arms dealers sponsored by Lockheed Martin, the world's largest weapons manufacturer and a producer of nuclear weapons. This is contrary to Nuclear Free New Zealand’s peacemaker policy role in the international community. It also contravenes Auckland’s City for Peace declaration, signed on Dec 15th 2011, which states that “Auckland Council is dedicated to the promotion of nuclear free zones and a culture of peace based on social, economic and environmental justice, tolerance and nonviolence.” Veteran Peace activist Laurie Ross says, “New Zealanders must ensure that the multimillion dollar weapons industry is not permitted to promote its warfare culture under the guise of security, business and free trade in this country.” “Unlawful terrorism will not be stopped by nation states increasing their warfare capacity but rather by curbing the sale of weapons and militarism throughout the world” she said. The March for Peace is an opportunity for the public to show en mass their disdain for warfare and their desire to live in a peaceful world, and is complementary to the Week of Peace events.   Contacts: Laurie Ross  laurie-ross@xtra.co.nz Ph 09 818 0696 Lisa Er  lisa@peaceteam.org,nz mob 021 777 473   City for Peace Declaration: http://www.peace.net.nz/sites/default/files/kiora/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/City-for-Peace-Declaration.pdf UN Charter: http://www.un.org/en/sections/un-charter/un-charter-full-text/   Sunday 20th:  Peace Ships, NOT Warships! 1pm @ the Cloud We’ll be having a peace picnic in the midst of the Navy birthday celebration reminding everyone that war is not a celebration bring banners, picnic stuff and other peace materials.

Tom Fletcher, former British Ambassador to Lebanon and known as the 'naked diplomat' for his direct, unvarnished approach, argues that the future of diplomacy will be citizen-led. Speaking at the Hay Festival, the 'ex-Excellency' explains how in the digital age most people doing diplomacy - what he describes as a basic human reflex to find common ground - will never have crossed the threshold of a Foreign Ministry. Instead, they will be working for NGOs, the media, in business, elsewhere in government or in communities. Producer: Giles Edwards.

On this episode of The Utah Foodie Podcast, we're joined by Amy Riolo, award-winning author, chef, TV personality, cuisine and culture expert, and educator who makes frequent appearances on television and radio programs in the United States and abroad, including Fox Television, CBS, The Travel Channel, Martha Stewart Living Radio, WHYY, and now... the popular podcast that is The Utah Foodie.Amy Riolo is in Salt Lake City this week, as a guest to the Utah Council for Citizen Diplomacy as a part of their World Affairs Lecture Series. Amy is speaking on Tuesday, September 15 at 7 pm in the Vieve Gore Auditorium at Westminster College. Her lecture is titled Culinary Diplomacy: Building Bridges Through Global Cuisine. The event is free and open to the public.So on the show today, our guest takes us through her writing on food and culture — and how it builds bridges around the world, enhances traveling, and is even used as a diplomacy device by the US State Department. All this and more, with author, speaker, and food anthropologist, Amy Riolo.—This episode of The Utah Foodie was hosted by Chase Murdock and produced by Ryan Samanka. Visit our episode archive on Ventricle Presents, and stay connected with us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Copyright © Ventricle Media, LLC • ventriclemedia.com

Deirdre White is a globally recognized leader in building tri-sector partnerships to address the world’s most pressing challenges. As CEO of PYXERA Global she has led the transformation of the organization to one that maximizes impact through strong and strategic partnerships through cutting edge programming like Global Pro Bono, Local Content Development, and Integrated Community Development.Deirdre’s expertise spans private, public and social sector experiences.  Her social sector tenure at PYXERA Global is complemented by early career roles at the International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX) and American Councils.  She has also served on the Boards of Directors of the Volunteers for Economic Growth Alliance (VEGA) and the US Center for Citizen Diplomacy (now a signature initiative of PYXERA Global.)  Prior to joining PYXERA Global in 2002, Deirdre was a Senior Manager in the Public Sector Practice at Arthur D. Little, Inc., leading projects focused on strategy and organization for the US Agency for International Development, the US Trade and Development Agency, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, along with numerous government agencies across Eurasia.  Deirdre began her career in the private sector, working with Welt International, a niche consulting firm engaged in non-conventional means (barter and countertrade) of financing international trade ventures.  She later expanded her private sector experience as a Senior Manager in Arthur D. Little’s Moscow office, leading post-privatization restructuring efforts for large manufacturing enterprises in Russia and Ukraine.  She also served as an organizational development advisor to several of the Eurasian oil and gas sector’s largest firms.

Dan Clark's topic is "Iowa and Russia: A Half Century of Citizen Diplomacy," starting from memories of Nikita Khrushchev's visit to Iowa in 1959. He tells of welcoming visitors from the former Soviet Union and helping many Iowans with their exchange efforts, having traveled in Russia eight times, 1984-1998, especially Iowa's sister state Stavropol and Muscatine's sister city Kislovodsk. He asks listeners, "What difference has Russia—or the former USSR—made in your life?" and invites calls during Part 2 scheduled for Sept. 22, the actual 50th anniversary of Khrushchev's arrival in Iowa. Links related to the topic: "Khrushchev in Iowa" http://www.creatinggreatplaces.org/khrushchev.aspx; "Dan's Russia Experiences" http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=105312&id=802136391&l=fd3f441222; "Chechen war: We know these folks" http://friendlywork.com/chechen.html; early history of Kislovodsk-Muscatine relations (1996) http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=269536050226.