World Affairs Council hosts first Dinner Diplomacy – A partnership with Global Ties U.S. and Marriott International
When we hosted teachers from Guatemala and Mexico, we invited family and friends over for dinner. We gave them a tour of Mt. Adams, friends brought dishes to share, and we laughed a lot as we discussed the differences and similarities between our countries, teaching, and talked anime. For both teachers, it was their first time in the U.S. and experiencing the cold so we let them borrow some warm coats and sweaters. We were so glad to give them such a fun experience to remember!
— Wendy Silvius on her dinner hosting experience in March
Join us for the first dinner diplomacy on July 23! Learn more here:
Dinner Diplomacy is a new collaboration between Marriott International and Global Ties U.S., a community based network across the U.S.; the World Affairs Council – Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky is a chapter of the Global Ties U.S. network. This effort will seek to advance peace and cultural understanding through travel. The partnership will help Global Ties Network member organizations expand opportunities for people in their communities to participate in dinner diplomacy events with global leaders traveling to the United States on international exchange programs.
The World Affairs Council received a stipend to connect more people in our communities with international visitors to share meals and exchange stories and experiences through dinner diplomacy. Often, these meals are served by select community members who have the means to host people in their homes. With this stipend, we will reimagine the hosting experiences for people and expand access to global engagement opportunities. It also funds a community impact project to help address global challenges that affect us locally.
The World Affairs Council of Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky is honored to have received a grant through this new initiative. We will be hosting our own Dinner Diplomacy with our upcoming international group: Women and Entrepreneurship with delegates from Algeria, Burkina Faso, Switzerland, Guinea, Haiti, Mauritania, Senegal, and Togo. We hope to connect more people within our area to global leaders, promoting citizen diplomacy!
Press Release from Global Ties U.S. and Marriott International (re-post below):
Global Ties U.S. and Marriott International Collaborate to Promote Peace Through Travel and Exchange Programs
Activities will expand access to global engagement opportunities for U.S. communities and build greater cross-cultural understanding at home and abroad.
Washington, DC, May 7, 2024 – Today, the Washington, DC-based nonprofit Global Ties U.S. announced a new collaboration with Marriott International to advance peace and cultural understanding through travel. The partnership will help Global Ties Network member organizations expand opportunities for people in their communities to participate in dinner diplomacy events with global leaders traveling to the United States on international exchange programs.
“Global Ties U.S. is excited to launch this new initiative with Marriott International and our Network of nonprofit organizations. Our Network brings thousands of global leaders to U.S. communities each year. One of the most memorable highlights of the experience—for our visitors and Network alike—is breaking bread together. This collaboration is an exceptional opportunity to bring more voices to the table and enrich our communities by sharing and experiencing one another’s culture through food,” said Katherine A. Brown, President & CEO of Global Ties U.S.
A global leader in the travel and tourism industry, Marriott works with nonprofit organizations to create and implement programs that allow people to experience and understand other cultures and create a more welcoming world for all. This initiative will uplift historically under-represented communities to be part of international exchange programs and help those communities build relationships with leaders traveling to the U.S.
“Marriott believes that travel is a catalyst for peace and cultural understanding,” said Apoorva Gandhi, Senior Vice President of Multicultural Affairs, Social Impact and Business Councils. “Recognizing the role that hospitality can play in creating a sense of community and belonging, we are proud to work with Global Ties U.S. to support this innovative exchange program that creates inclusive experiences, promotes a warm, welcoming world for all, and advances our purpose to connect people through the power of travel.”
Specifically, the agreement will provide stipends for Global Ties Network member organizations to connect more people in their communities with international visitors to share meals and exchange stories and experiences through dinner diplomacy. Often, these meals are served by select community members who have the means to host people in their homes. With these stipends, Global Ties Network members can reimagine the hosting experiences for people and expand access to global engagement opportunities. It also funds a community impact project to help address global challenges that affect us locally, such as supporting refugees and promoting sustainability and building resilience to mitigate climate change.
With more than 80 community-based nonprofit organizations serving all 50 U.S. states, the Global Ties Network has deep roots, wide reach, and real impact. Each year, the Global Ties Network welcomes more than 4,000 current and future world leaders to their communities on international exchange programs and engages thousands more volunteers across the United States in community service to support this work. The many thousands of citizen diplomats who power the Global Ties Network are civic leaders, educators, businesspeople, scientists, students, creatives, athletes, and others. These Network members forge connections with the international leaders they host and help to build the partnerships essential to solving future challenges in a globalized economy.
More Information
Global Ties U.S. is the national leader for connecting people and communities in the United States with global leaders through international exchange programs. Since 1961, Global Ties U.S. has powered a community-based network of 80+ nonprofit organizations that serve all 50 U.S. States and implement the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) and a wide variety of other international exchange and public diplomacy programs. The work of Global Ties U.S. advances U.S. strategic priorities abroad and boosts prosperity at home by harnessing the diplomatic potential of our country’s greatest asset: our people.
Marriott International Inc. (Nasdaq: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of nearly 8,900 properties across more than 30 leading brands in 141 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world. The company offers Marriott Bonvoy®, its highly awarded travel program. For more information, please visit our website at www.marriott.com. In addition, connect with us on Facebook and @MarriottIntl on X and Instagram.
