​International Relations Committee:  
​
The International Relations Committee is a non-partisan committee charged with
​educating LWV members on current select international issues.

Over the past twenty years, the International Relations Committee has organized the visit of the Humphrey International Fellows to Duluth. These young professionals from developing nations around the world study at the University of Minnesota for ten months in the Humphrey School of Public Affairs and come to Duluth—a medium-size city--to meet with local social service, political, academic and law-enforcement groups.
 
The International Relations Committee is seeking new members to carry on its work with the Humphrey Fellows and to develop new projects for carrying out its charge.
 
If you are interested in being part of the International Relations Committee, please contact Lori Dando [email protected] 



​August 2023


The Fellows were from Togo, Ukraine, Slovak Republic, Uruguay, Philippines, Honduras, Vietnam, Palestine, Pakistan Jordan and Armenia
Aug 15, 16 and 17, 2023 saw the return of the Humphrey International Fellows who again opened their year-long study at the U of MN-Twin Cities with a visit to Duluth. With the good help of Liz Taylor, we organized a lunch and afternoon session at UMD, with Dean of CLA, Jeremy Younde, and Professors Cindy Rugeley, Khalil Dokhanchi and Cindy Christian, as well as Rev Pat Benson from CHUM.  The second morning opened with a visit to City Hall meeting with Mayor Larson as well as a number of others from city government and NGO’s.  All of the speakers had lots to add in response to questions from the Fellows and, as always, we ran out of time.  The Fellows also had an excellent “tour” of the Clayton-Jackson-McGhie Memorial with Sherrie Foster.  A number of the participants (including the mayor) said this was one of their favorite events of the year!  The Fellows then enjoyed the Duluth outdoors with a hike and canoeing on the St. Louis River.  They had planned to attend the Concert on the Pier at Glensheen, but when the rain cancelled that plan, Liz Taylor organized an after hours guided tour of the mansion!
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The University of Minnesota 2022-23 Humphrey International Fellows came to Duluth for three days this summer—August 17, 18, and 19. They are accomplished mid-career professionals from around the world, who come to the United States for ten months of professional and academic enrichment. This years’ Fellows come from Argentina, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Colombia, Indonesia, Lesotho, Mozambique, Philippines, Romania, Turkey, and Uzbekistan.
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Different than previous years, the Fellows came to Duluth at the beginning of their ten-month exchange so they could participate in the UMD Recreational Sports Outdoor Program. They hiked along the St. Louis River Estuary, did rope activities in UMD’s Equipment Room, and canoed the St. Louis Rivers Estuary. In the afternoons, with the help our International Relations Committee, they:
  • Met with the following at UMD:
        Monica Haynes (UMD Bureau of Business and Economic Research, Director—Labovitz School)
        Khalil (Haji) Dokhanchi (University of Wisconsin, Superior, Political Science Professor)
        Cynthia Rugeley (UMD Political Science, Department Head)
        Lynn Goerdt (University of Wisconsin, Superior, Social Work Professor) Non-Profit Management
        Cindy Christian (UMD Royal Alworth, Jr., Institute for International Studies-Program Director)
  • Met with City social service individuals:
        Bret Pence (Greater Minnesota Director-Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light)
        Jody Slick (Founder/CEO Equilibrium 3)
        Mindy Granley (Sustainability Officer, City of Duluth)
        Carl Crawford (Human Rights Officer, City of Duluth)
        John Cole (Director-CHUM--Central Hillside United in Ministry)
        Mary Faulkner (President, Duluth League of Women Voters)
        Vanessa Lebens (PAVSA—Director of Operations and Communications)
  • Met with Mayor Emily Larson and City Council Members Janet Kennedy and Terese Tomanek.

​International Relations Committee Zoom Meeting
Monday, March 7, 2022
​
Tom Morgan gave an update on the Russia-Ukraine situation.

Click here to view the recording of the meeting

​International Relations Committee Zoom Meeting
Monday, January 24, 2022
 
Terrie Shannon talked to the group about support needed in bringing
4-5 Afghan refugees to Duluth through a program called Sponsor Circles.

​Click here to view the recording of the meeting.
Meeting with
Humphrey International Fellows
Monday, Friday, April 29, 2022
​The 2021-22 Humphrey International Fellows from twelve countries—Gaza, Yemen, Sierra Leone, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Venezuela, Botswana, Pakistan, Montenegro, Ecuador, Maldives, Tanzania, and India—came to Duluth and met with university, social service, law enforcement, and City officials on April 29th. The Fellows study at the University of Minnesota (School of Public Affairs on the Twin Cities’ campus) for one year and came to Duluth to learn about a medium-size American city. Although the meetings were very brief this year, they were enriching for all. One of the conversations that became very lively was on the death penalty. Participants were invited to continue to connect with each other through email as they return to their home countries.
 
Meeting with
Humphrey International Fellows
Monday, March 15, 2021
1:00 - 2:00 pm via Zoom
There will be a  Zoom meeting with this year’s Humphrey International Fellows who are at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities Campus. The Fellows are from the following countries: Morocco, Pakistan, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, Romania, Venezuela, Kyrgyzstan, India, Argentina, Philippines, and North
Macedonia.
 
The Fellows will share what they hope to learn during their exchange at the University of Minnesota, what the current social issues are in their home countries, and how their country is doing with the pandemic. Following this meeting, the International Relations Committee will set up Zoom meetings with Duluth community individuals/groups who have interests in the areas these Fellows are studying.
 
 If you would like to be part of the March 15th Zoom, please let Liz Taylor ([email protected]) know by Friday, March 12.
 

Hubert H. Humphrey Fellows

For eighteen years LWV Duluth has hosted Fellows from the University of Minnesota Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program at the Institute of Public Affairs and Human Rights Center at the Law School. 


Humphrey Fellows study at the Minneapolis campus for an academic year to expand their knowledge at a professional level in their respective fields. 

The Fellows come from designated developing nations and emerging democracies such as Pakistan, Philippines, India, Egypt, Columbia, Turkey, Kenya, Nepal, and many others. The ten or twelve Fellows come to Duluth annually to meet with government and non-government representatives, and discuss mutual issues and policies. 


Learning about our community and local governance is a major aspect of their visit.  A visit to the Mayor's office and key non-profit agencies provides perspective for participants.  The city is showcased with a tour of Duluth’s attractions and the visit is punctuated with a luncheon and discussion time provided by LWV Duluth.
2019 Visit
Each year for the past 40 years, the Humphrey International Fellows Program brings accomplished mid-career professionals from designated countries to the United States for a year of academic study, related professional experience, and cultural exchange. The people-to-people approach to international understanding provides a basis for lasting ties between US citizens and their professional counterparts in other countries, and strengthens the global exchange of knowledge and experience essential to a sustainable world.
 
The 2018-2019 University of Minnesota’s Humphrey Fellows visited Duluth April 24th, 25th, and 26th as guests of the Duluth League of Women Voters. This year, Fellows came from Israel, Brazil, Zimbabwe, Tunisia, Zambia, South Africa Morocco, Pakistan, Nepal, Cambodia, Tonga, and Tajikistan. They come to Duluth at the end of their exchange to learn what social services/programs a medium-size community offers and to have time to evaluate their learning experience in the program. Two delegates from Duluth’s Sister City Thunder Bay also joined the visit.
 
The theme for this year’s visit was Current innovative social services/social justice policies and programs, economic development which bring equity for all. As with past visits to Duluth by former Fellows, the group met with Mayor Larson and other City and human rights officials, learned about the history of the Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial and Program, and about the American Indian Community programs—but this year they also were part of discussions with UMD faculty on the Current Life of Refugees and on Food Insecurity. 
​
Humphrey Fellows with Mayor Emily Larson
    2017 Visit

    Seventeen Fellows from the Hubert H. Humphrey International Fellowship Program--who come from developing countries to study at the University of Minnesota for ten months--plus two Thunder Bay representatives from their Multi-Cultural Association and Sister Cities' Committee, visited with Duluth's social and human service agencies, law enforcement, and City officials on April 12, 13. The visit provided open discussions on current issues in the areas of Human Rights and the Immigration and Refugee Experience, plus Gender Equality. Three Fellows also presented at an Alworth Institute public forum. 


    2016 Visit

    Humphrey Fellowship Program will bring eleven Fellows to Duluth
    April 17 - 19, 2016.

    This year’s program includes 167 Fellows from 90 countries who are being hosted by 15 campuses throughout the United States.

                                          2016 Humphrey Fellows
                        Alworth Institute International Lecture Series
                                     Monday, April 18 at 7:00 pm
                                            UMD’s Griggs Center

    During their trip to Duluth, the 2016 Humphrey Fellows from the Humphrey Fellowship Program, University of Minnesota Law School will present a program–Human Rights and the Immigration and Refugee Experience.

    If you would like to be part of the 2016 Fellows visit to Duluth, please contact Joyce Benson (    [email protected]) or
    Liz Taylor (    [email protected]).
     

    2015 Visit

    Site Visits

    The site visit to Duluth has become an eye-opening experience with Fellows having access to local professionals in the areas of law enforcement, human rights, non-profit organizations, and especially the opportunity to meet and have open discussions with elected officials, including Mayor Ness. 


    2015 Visit Highlights

    • There has been a world-wide concern with Trafficking , which was addressed at a meeting with members of the Trafficking Task Force at PAVSA. Shared experiences, problems and possible efforts to find solutions were discussed. This was followed by a visit to Life House where they observed local efforts to provide for the needs of young people.

    • An area of great interest to the Fellows was their visit to the Clayton, Jackson, McGhie Memorial, 
    which was followed by a discussion at the offices of the Domestic Abuse and Intervention Program (DAIP). The Un-Fair Program was also addressed.

    • A break was provided to showcase the city – with the highlight site of Enger Tower! The colored leaves were at their best, and it was agreed this was a “must” in future visits to Duluth. A visit to the new Lakewalk Park—Sister Cities Park—later provided a visual awareness as Mayor Ness told how a holding tank, used to treat overflow waste water before it empties into Lake Superior, can also become a useful, beautiful location park. Clean water is an issue in many of their countries.