From Feb. 17 to 21, we welcomed 15 international leaders from Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Italy, the Republic of Kosovo, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Türkiye, and the United Kingdom for the program titled “U.S. Foreign Policy – Global Challenges, A Regional Project for Europe.” The aim of their visit to eastern Iowa was to discuss transatlantic relations, the changing roles of institutional organizations, transboundary environmental policy issues, and global trade trends.
Upon their arrival at the eastern Iowa airport, the leaders were greeted by volunteer Salahaldin Adam. They had the rest of their first day to get settled and explore Iowa City on their own.
Tuesday, Feb. 18 started with a breakfast with Bala Subramaniam, Vice President on the Global Ties Iowa Board of Directors. After breakfast, the delegation went to the Iowa City Public Library to share their experiences from their city stops. They then went to their next meeting with the Daily Iowan, the independent newspaper of the University of Iowa. Participants met with Executive Director Jami Martin-Trainor, Politics Editors Liam Halawith and Roxy Ekberk to discuss their operations and their roles in sharing information and combatting misinformation. The last meeting of the day was with the Kirkwood Agricultural Faculty at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids. Associate Professor Josh Henik and the Dean of Agricultural Sciences and Hospitality Arts Brad Kinsinger spoke on their efforts to educate the next generation in agriculture sciences and touched on the effects of foreign policy on agriculture, especially Iowa farmers. That evening, the delegation enjoyed Iowa City on their own.
On Wednesday, Feb. 19, the delegation started their morning by meeting with Professor Nicholas Martini to discuss his insights on the U.S. electorate with examples from Iowan constituents, and views shaping current foreign policy priorities. After, joined by Global Ties Iowa volunteer Lynn Ouedraogo, they met with Ambassador Ron McMullen to learn about his insights on U.S. foreign policy and the intersection of Iowa politics. Later that evening, the delegation attended a panel discussion moderated by Ambassador Ron McMullen on U.S. foreign policy at the Old Capitol Senate Chambers. The panel was organized in conjunction with the University of Iowa’s Department of Political Science and the Iowa City Foreign Relations Council for participants to discuss transatlantic relations, the changing roles of institutional organizations, transboundary environmental policy issues, and global trade trends. After the panel, they had the night to rest.
Thursday, Feb. 20 started with traveling to Coe College for a campus tour. After the tour the delegation went to Kirkwood Community College for their meeting with Rep. Ashley Hinson’s office. The meeting was arranged with Georgie Hilby, Rep. Hinson’s District Representative, to discuss recent work on the Farm Bill and how national and international politics impact constituents in Rep. Hinson’s district. The delegation had the remainder of their day free.
The morning of the delegation’s last day in Iowa City, Feb. 21, started with a synthesis discussion with Dr. Peter Gerlach, Executive Director of the Iowa City Foreign Relations Council (ICFRC). The synthesis was focused on discussing and reflecting upon all professional meetings and cultural visits from their visit to the United States. After the meeting, the delegation departed for Chicago.
We would like to thank Salahaldin Adam, Bala Subramaniam and Lynn Ouedraogo for volunteering and interacting with the delegation! Additionally, we extend our gratitude to the Iowa City Public Library, Old Capitol Senate Chambers, the Daily Iowan, Kirkwood Community College, University of Iowa’s Department of Political Science, the Iowa City Foreign Relations Council, Coe College, and Representative Ashley Hinson’s office for serving as our professional resources for this program! We appreciate the time and effort you have taken to engage with our delegation.
