A look back at 2022 Impact
Happy New Year! Thank you for your interest in learning about the World Affairs Council and taking a look back at 2022 impact!
It was a challenging year in new ways – trying to figure out how to serve in a hybrid world. We are so thankful that our community and team have come together to continue pursuing international awareness and cultural understanding.
Let’s talk about the highlights of 2022.
So here is 2022 by the numbers:
We served over 5500 students through global education programming. Exchanges continued virtually and we still connected with 113 international dignitaries from 40 countries. There were 12 events serving over 500 community members and 254 volunteers gave over 780 hours of their time.
Let’s celebrate those accomplishments with a best countdown!
5 Your Most Loved Global Education Programs
Here is a roundup of your 5 most loved global education programs! Click here to see more information about our education programs.
5 Ohio Council for the Social Studies Conference: Starting with the 5th – the Council participated in the Ohio Council for the Social Studies Conference for the first time. Melissa McDonald, our Director of Global Education, presented to teachers about Developing International-mindedness through Visible Thinking. Through this session, she made new partnerships with the International Office of International Affairs for the Ohio State University and a local social studies teacher and published author, Adam Moler. Future collaborations will be coming in 2023…
4 Around the World Family Collaboration with ArtEquals: Your #4 – ArtEquals, a Covington non-profit focused on empowering everyone to be an artist through providing community-driven accessible opportunities for creative growth, stepped up to partner with the Council and the Center for Great Neighborhoods to put together Culture Boxes for families in Covington. Their dynamic approach allowed each family to have the opportunity to experience Uganda through food and art with an at-home craft kit provided by ArtEquals.
3 Returning to in Person Presentations Winton Woods High School and St. Ursula Academy Presentations: Coming in at 3rd – This in-person education program brought back to the classroom learning about the significance of global competence. Melissa presented to over 300 students at several local high schools including at the Opening Ceremonies of the Academy of Global Studies at Winton Woods High School and Saint Ursula Academy Global Speaker Event focused on the topic of Recognizing Perspectives.
Students learned about how global competence is important to understand and act on issues of global significance.
2 Global Educator Workshops – Year One: Rounding out spot #2 – As we look to the future of virtual resources, the power of global learning cannot be overstated. We piloted a year of global educator workshops to share resources with our teachers for free. You can see the topics we chose here on the screen – such as Cultural Awareness and Responsibility – bringing these topics into the classroom for a diverse group of students hearing from teachers at Winton Woods High School who are doing some amazing things in the classroom OR Using Inquiry Learning to Teach Global Topics. Click here for more educator resources.
1 International Education Summit – Back In Person: And our most loved global content was the 17th International Education Summit going back in person for almost 200 high schools students. Students explored the theme of “glocal” climate action which kicked off with Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval addressing regional climate change efforts. During the Summit, students learned about ways to act locally while thinking globally through hands-on, interactive workshops from local businesses impacting this topic here and some around the world. Additionally, 25 local professionals shared how they got to be global leaders in business while living and working here in our region inspiring the next generation. Click here for more information. The students expressed their biggest takeaways as being:
“I used to think that the global issues around the world weren’t as bad as I thought it was, and now I think/know that we need to be the change now.”
“I used to think global stuff was super stressful and now I KNOW it’s super stressful….. seems fun though so I’ll be down .”
4 Our memories of exchange
Next on our countdown is 4 our memories of exchange!
4 Back In Person
Your #4 is going back in person with the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) after almost 2 years of only virtual exchange. The IVLP is the premier exchange program of our region leading people to people diplomacy efforts and connecting our region to the very best and brightest of international dignitaries. All visitors on this program are hand picked by our embassies to travel, virtually or now back in person, to the U.S. to exchange best practices and ideas for collaboration.
3 TechGirls Virtual Exchange
Your #3 – We were selected to host the first cohort of 21 high school girls from Europe and Eurasia in a virtual exchange program called TechGirls. While all TechGirls share a passion for STEM, they all have different levels of experience and vary in their interests within the field. One of the most exciting parts of this program was planning a virtual job shadowing experience for the girls. Local companies such as NKU, Cerkl, Great American Insurance, 84.51, Kroger, and Perfetti Van Melle partnered with us to meet the girls and mentor them for this experience. We have a great upcoming generation of future women leaders in STEM careers.
2 Youth Empowerment through Workforce Development – specifically IVLP
Coming in at #2 – A delegation traveling on the IVLP from Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Tunisia spent time getting to know our region, connecting both personally and professionally. On Indigenous Peoples Day, they visited the Mecum House, a property owned by Lighthouse Youth and Family Services, where they served lunch to the homeless kids that lived there. You can also see here all the organizations they met with while in town. One of our delegates from Morocco, Said Andam, was so impressed that he wants to connect with Cincinnati Job Corp to create an exchange with Moroccan students. The group shared that they hadn’t enjoyed any of their meetings in DC, but they had loved every single meeting that they had attended in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Click here for more information.
1 Open World Delegation – Tajikistan Visitors
At #1 – Our last delegation of the year visited us from Tajikistan to talk with locals about Inclusive Education for Children with Developmental Disabilities. They visited many local places including Findlay Market, local cafes in Covington and Newport and attended performances by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and the Ensemble Theatre. Even though they did not get a chance to watch the Bengals while in town, they took tons of pictures of the VERY FULL stadium.
This group had many meetings while in town as you can see here. After meeting a second time with the Hamilton County Disabilities Services, the group will now begin the process of building similar programs and services in Tajikistan. Finally, our new International Programs Lead, Emily Rose, hosted the group for dinner one evening. The visitors cooked a Tajikistan National Dish, Osh, and taught her traditional Tajik dances and some Tajik words.
This is diplomacy at its best.
3 Your top-rated global events
Alright, the results are in for your 3 top-rated global events! These were your favorites.
3 One World Gala – Back In Person
Coming in at 3rd – The One World Gala, the Council’s only annual fundraiser, went back in person and because of all the attendees and sponsors raised over $95,000 to support the access and success of local students on a global platform with programs for free or at low cost throughout the year. It was a tough trivia competition with 22 teams emceed by Kristyn Hartman from WCPO and the winner was supporters from JBS Beef! Click here for more information.
It is because of your generosity that we were able to continue providing our youth with the resources they need to become the next generation of global leaders.
2 Engage America: A Just Transition to the Green Economy, The Impact to Business & Workers
Rounding out spot #2 – We hosted our first in person speaker event since pre-pandemic, historic! With Kevin Cassidy, the Director and Representative to Bretton Woods and Multilateral Agencies, who came to town as part of a partnership program with the World Affairs Councils of America and the International Labour Organization. Discussions were focused on how the shift to a greener economy has the potential to create employment across a range of sectors. You can see here he had a robust two day visit planned by our office including a radio interview on Cincinnati Edition, WVXU; a special roundtable discussion with the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Senator Cecil Thomas, visits to many local nonprofits and companies; two special DIGNITY AT WORK INTERVIEWs with SLEEPY BEE CAFE & PEASLEE NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER; and more.
1 The View of Ukraine from Capitol Hill about Senator Rob Portman
Your #1 event from the year was The View of Ukraine from Capitol Hill with Senator Rob Portman, Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus. At this pivotal moment in history, the Council stepped up to reach out to hear first hand what was unfolding before our eyes. The Council and fellow chapters across the U.S. have hosted many international groups from Ukraine over the years and there are strong ties between Cincinnati and our active Ukraine Sister City organization. I saw so much support from our community during this crisis. Senator Portman shared his perspective on the rapidly unfolding war in Ukraine and the current efforts of the Senate Ukraine Caucus.
2 Our global footprint
This takes us to our global footprint. Even in a year where we were just trying to do our best, you stepped up and made the lives of this community better. You didn’t stop helping!
2 Global Summer Camp, Covington
Your #2 – Our school partnership in Covington elementary schools, which is a high priority school district where 91% of students are on free and reduced lunch, continued this summer.
We served 75 students from Covington Independent School with our global camp program. This year’s focus was on learning about the life of refugees. At the end of Camp Covington, each student received a signed copy of the published memoir of our Global Guide from Uganda, Enock Sadiki, who shared his story of being a refugee and how soccer helped him persevere as well as two multicultural books purchased from the non-profit Friends of the Public Library (thanks to our generous donors!).
A significant moment during Camp Covington was when one of the students chose a book to bring home that was connected to his personal experience. The student decided on A Refugees’ Journey from Guatemala. When asked why he chose that book he said because my dad died trying to come from Guatemala.
Connecting students to global experiences increases their international awareness, empathy, and cultural knowledge. It matters more than ever.
1 Non-Profit of the Year for Lifelong Learning Programs from Cincy Magazine
Coming in at #1 – The Non-Profit of the Year Issue of Cincy Magazine came out! Exciting new as the World Affairs Council was voted for by everyone to be the Non-Profit of the Year for Lifelong Learning Programs. We’re so grateful for each and every one of our supporters.
1 your community, our world
Coming to #1 on our countdown, your community, our world. We cannot do this work without you!
From our volunteers who supported the International Education Summit, met with international visitors, joined a working committee, or helped create a new global art project –
From our entire board and advisory members always being there for advice and signaling leadership to the community – Michele Mansfield – your year as board chair was again quite demanding as I went on maternity leave and had my first baby, sweet Ainsley Raine, our newest World Affairs Council member.
From our corporate sponsors and foundations who continue to believe in this important global cause.
I cannot thank you enough for making this challenging year a little better because we knew you were in it with us!
For a quick look into 2023, I am excited again to share that we are celebrating 100 years as an organization!! On February 23, 1923, the organization officially launched here in Cincinnati, Ohio.
You will be seeing some big programs come out this year! We will be hosting events like the 18th annual International Education Summit, a new signature series of events, and make sure to keep an eye out for our tenth Annual One World Gala on April 20th. Exchanges are back in person and we have volunteer opportunities to host visitors in your home for dinner or overnight as well as meeting with them professionally.
No matter what year it is, one thing rings true: you show up to the challenge! We love serving our community and are looking forward to a great 2023!
^^^Above programs as of 1/26/2023
