TGA & Citizen Diplomacy

Slide 1: Mission Statement Tulsa Global Alliance is a non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to increasing global awareness, understanding and opportunities in Northeastern Oklahoma. • Hosts international visitors • Facilitates Sister Cities activities • Promotes global education • Assists with international trade development • Cooperates with international organizations • Serves as a resource for area governments, businesses, educational institutions, organizations and residents.

Slide 2: History of TGA Formed by the 1995 merger of International Council of Tulsa and Sister Cities International of Tulsa. (ICT was started in 1976 and SCIT in 1986) Affiliated with two national organizations: National Council for International Visitors (NCIV) Sister Cities International (SCI)

Slide 3: NCIV •Founded in 1961. •National network / 93 community- based organizations. •Provide business meetings, cultural activities and home hospitality opportunities for foreign leaders, specialists and international scholars. •Funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

Slide 4: Sister Cities International Tulsa’s 8 Sister Cities Mission: Promote peace through mutual respect, understanding, & cooperation - one individual, one community at a time.

Slide 5: Sister Cities International •Grew out of President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s People-to-People Program, 1956. •Develops partnerships between U.S. cities and similar cities in other nations. •Provides opportunities for city officials/citizens to experience/explore other cultures. •Implements and strengthens economic and community development.

Slide 6: San Luis Potosi, Mexico Sister City Since 1980

Slide 7: San Luis Potosi, Mexico Eisenhower International School Student Exchange

Slide 8: Kaohsiung, Taiwan Sister City Since 1980

Slide 9: Kaohsiung, Taiwan Professional Internships Julie Dean

Slide 10: Beihai, China Sister City Since 1987

Slide 11: Beihai, China International Travel - 20th Anniversary Celebration

Slide 12: Tiberias, Israel Sister City Since 1989

Slide 13: Tiberias, Israel International Visitors – Chef’s

Slide 14: Utsunomiya, Japan Sister City Since 1992

Slide 15: Utsunomiya, Japan Annual Student Exchange – Community Service Day

Slide 16: Zelenograd, Russia Sister City Since 1992

Slide 17: Zelenograd, Russia Business & Educational Partnerships TU & Zelenograd Business College

Slide 18: Celle, Germany Sister City Since 2000

Slide 19: Celle, Germany Kids’ World

Slide 20: Amiens, France Sister City Since 2005

Slide 21: Amiens, France Sister Cities Bar Associations Partnership

Slide 22: Community Connections & Open World Russian Leadership Programs Professionals from the former Soviet Union learn about Western business and professional practices and apply this new information to build stronger economies.

Slide 23: Other Business Opportunities & Activities •University of Tulsa/TGA quarterly Business Seminars Oct 2006: Global Risk Focus on China •Sister Cities Summit (Oct. 2005) •Corporate Membership (supporting international connections)

Slide 24: Global Vision TGA annually presents its Global Vision Dinner and Awards to recognize outstanding individuals and institutions in the community that contribute to citizen diplomacy, global understanding, world political stability or cooperative efforts to solve international health, economic, social or environmental challenges.

Slide 25: Kids’ World International Festival Award-winning festival that unites Tulsa's diverse ethnic communities under one roof to provide children with a cultural perspective and unique understanding of our world.

Slide 26: Culture Boxes •Culture Boxes provide hands-on learning about the cultures of the world. •Currently represent 40 different countries. •Available for check-out to community groups, schools, businesses, etc.

Slide 27: Other Educational Programs/Activities •Sister Cities International Young Artists Competition •Student Exchanges to and from Sister Cities

Slide 28: TGA’s Programs & Activities Have One Central Theme…

Slide 29: Citizen Diplomacy Citizen Diplomacy is the idea that the individual citizen has the right — even the responsibility — to help shape U.S. foreign relations "one handshake at a time." “What’s so funny about peace, love and Harmony.” – NCIV Photo Contest Entry

Slide 31: Interactions are POWERFUL! They shape the way we view the world and how others view us. Unity Through Laughter.

Slide 32: Anyone who interacts with people from other countries (business reps, gov. officials, students, community leaders, etc.) ARE citizen diplomats. Sister Cities Summit, October 2005 Chefs from Celle, Germany with Native Americans from Tulsa.

Slide 33: “Average Americans, in their natural state, are the best ambassadors a country can have.” -The Ugly American Published 1958 by William Lederer and Eugene

Slide 34: If only people will only get together, then so eventually will nations.” -President Eisenhower

Slide 35: World Citizens Guide Practical ideas for American business executives traveling abroad. “In other countries, you are more than just an American. You are America.”

Slide 36: Become a Citizen Diplomat •Host an international visitor in your home for dinner •Introduce your children to other cultures through local festivals and events •Invite an exchange student into your home •Join Rotary, Kiwanis or other community service organization committed to international understanding •Join a Sister City Committee