Global Ties Arizona

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Phoenix, AZ
Global Ties Arizona

"Citizen Diplomacy: One Handshake At A Time"

www.GlobalTiesArizona.org

Global Ties Arizona is part of the US Department of State's International Visitor Leadership program. We arrange professional activities and home hospitality in the metropolitan Phoenix area for foreign dignitaries who are sponsored by the US Government to visit the United States in order to facilitate the exchange of ideas, values and cultures - one handshake at a time.

03/12/2026

Global Ties Arizona is growing! 🌎
We’re looking for someone to join our small but mighty (and very fun!) team. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment where every day brings something new—and you love the idea of meeting inspiring people from across industries and around the world—this could be the opportunity for you.

We’re hoping to fill the position quickly, so we encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible. Come help us build global connections right here in Arizona!

03/11/2026

Sports diplomacy brings people together across cultures, strengthening civic engagement and building international relationships through shared experiences and love of sport.

Global Ties Arizona is proud to partner with Phoenix Rising FC to highlight how sports can help connect communities and foster global understanding.

Join us for International Night on May 30 and take part in a celebration of international relationships while cheering on our hometown team.

🎟️ Purchase your tickets through our special . A portion of each ticket sold will support Global Ties Arizona’s programs while you enjoy the match and support sports diplomacy in action.

01/22/2026

For 60 years, our work has been rooted in a simple but powerful belief: relationships matter. Through global connections and local action, we have created opportunities for people from different cultures, perspectives, and communities to come together in meaningful ways. By welcoming international visitors to Arizona, sharing industry expertise from growing sectors, and fostering dialogue and mutual understanding, our impact has always been grounded in the power of human connection and shared experience.

As our work has grown, so has the community around it. Over the decades, we’ve supported evolving industries, strengthened economic partnerships, and helped showcase the best of what America has to offer—through openness, collaboration, and hospitality. In recent years, this work has expanded to include elevating and empowering youth, creating pathways for civic engagement and global awareness that will shape the next generation of leaders. This anniversary is a moment to reflect on the depth of what we’ve built, the value created across generations, and our continued commitment to elevating Arizona’s role in a more connected world.

Join us in celebrating Global Ties Arizona’s 60th anniversary all year long. Stay tuned for exciting announcements, special moments, and events throughout this milestone year.

11/03/2025

Members of the Worldly Women Collective gathered last week at the historic and beautiful SRP Heritage Center for an evening of connection, learning, and community growth. The event, Building Bridges for Business & Community Growth, highlighted Salt River Project’s (SRP) vital role in empowering local businesses and supporting Arizona’s economic development.

Attendees composed of entrepreneurs, small business owners, and community leaders heard from Erika Castro, Supplier Diversity and Supplier Management Manager at SRP. Erika shared valuable insights about SRP’s commitment to supplier diversity, opportunities for small and diverse businesses to collaborate with SRP, and how these partnerships help drive innovation and prosperity throughout the Valley.

The evening fostered meaningful networking and conversations about how local businesses and entrepreneurs can continue to build bridges that make Arizona thrive.

A special thank-you to Erika Castro for sharing her expertise, to Hilen Cruz for highlighting how SRP’s impact extends to international communities and right here in Arizona, and to Jessica Potter for opening the evening and sharing the Safety Minute.

10/04/2025

Happy Kanelbullens dag! Global Ties Arizona, the Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce of Arizona, and the Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations came together Friday morning to celebrate Kanelbullens Dag—Sweden’s official Cinnamon Bun Day. Members and friends gathered at the GTAZ headquarters at Industrious Midtown to connect, mingle, and enjoy the warm tradition of fika—the Swedish custom of pausing for coffee, pastries, and conversation.

In addition to sharing delicious Swedish cinnamon buns, guests had the chance to learn more about the missions and work of each of our organizations, sparking new connections and ideas for collaboration.

We extend a special thank you to COMIDA and Café Bliss for providing the pastries that made the morning extra memorable. Events like these highlight the simple joys of food and conversation while building meaningful connections across our community.

Tack så mycket to everyone who joined us for this sweet celebration!

09/04/2025

City of Mesa: A Gateway to Global Connections

The City of Mesa continues to play a leading role in connecting Arizona to the world, opening its doors to international leaders and fostering meaningful global dialogue. Through partnerships like ours, Mesa showcases the best of its innovation, hospitality, and community spirit, positioning Arizona’s cities as vital players on the international stage.

Earlier this year, the Mesa Police Department hosted an International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) delegation from Israel focused on Community-Based Crime Prevention. This exchange brought together Mesa and Israeli law enforcement professionals to share strategies for building trust between officers and residents, enhancing public safety, and fostering strong community relationships.

We also hosted one of our Global Cafés in partnership with the City of Mesa and the Mesa Police Department, helping us welcome five law enforcement experts from Europe visiting through IVLP. The event provided a unique space for sharing approaches to community policing, building trust between officers and residents, and learning from diverse international perspectives.

Most recently, IVLP visitors from Pakistan on the Disability Rights program met with Visit Mesa, Mesa’s destination marketing organization dedicated to accessible travel. Visit Mesa’s initiatives, including digital accessibility guides, sensory-friendly itineraries, staff training in disability awareness, the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program, and Mesa’s recognition as the first Autism Certified City and first Wheel the World Verified City.

Collaborating with municipalities like Mesa is central to our mission at Global Ties Arizona. These partnerships not only highlight Arizona’s world-class cities but also create meaningful opportunities for local leaders and residents to engage with global issues, exchange ideas, and strengthen international relationships. We’re especially grateful for the leadership of our Vice Chair of the Board and Former Mesa City Councilman, David Luna, whose deep connections in Mesa help make these impactful exchanges possible.

09/03/2025

🌍✨ Global Ties Arizona has an exciting lineup of events this fall, and we want you to join us! Mark your calendars for these unique opportunities to connect, learn, and engage with global leaders right here in Arizona:

📌 Digital Dialogues: Women Shaping AI Across Borders
Meet 10 women AI experts from Germany and Sweden visiting through the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program.

📅 Friday, September 19, 2025 | ⏰ 5 – 7 PM

📍 University of Arizona Scottsdale Center

📌 Global Café: Desert Tech Talks - Exploring Life & Innovation in Arid Climates
Mingle over coffee and pastries with international desert tech professionals and explore solutions for thriving in arid environments.

📅 Thursday, September 25, 2025 | ⏰ 8:30 – 10 AM

📍 City of Surprise | Arts HQ Gallery

📌 Diplomat Dash Roundtable
Calling all high school students! Engage in rotating conversations with members of the Diplomatic Corps of Arizona on diplomacy, conflict resolution, international service, and more.

📅 Tuesday, September 30, 2025 | ⏰ 5 – 6:30 PM

📍 Industrious Midtown

📌 Swedish Cinnamon Bun Gathering
Enjoy Swedish fika and connect with members of GTAZ, SACC AZ Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce Arizona, and Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations (PCFR) over traditional cinnamon buns.

📅 Friday, October 3, 2025 | ⏰ Time 8:30 - 10 am

📍 Industrious (Phoenix)

Each event offers a chance to meet global leaders and local changemakers. We hope to see you there! 🌐 for full event details!

07/01/2025

🌍 Celebrating the Power in Partnership: Empowering Arizona Communities & Advancing Global Solutions with Salt River Project (SRP)

At Global Ties Arizona, partnership fuels our mission—connecting local Arizona leaders and community members with global changemakers to advance solutions for a more sustainable, secure, and interconnected world. One of our strongest partners in this effort is Salt River Project, whose long-standing commitment to international exchange helps shape conversations around global challenges like water security, climate resilience, and environmental sustainability.

🌎 In 2024, SRP helped foster meaningful international dialogue by welcoming 33 visitors from Japan, Iraq, and Chile through two U.S. Department of State initiatives: the International Visitor Leadership Program and the Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program. These cross-cultural exchanges provided opportunities for global leaders and Arizona stakeholders to share ideas, build connections, and collaborate on solutions to challenges that transcend borders.

Their dedication to cultivating the next generation of globally-minded leaders is also evident through their consistent support of the Young Diplomats Summer Institute, an initiative they have proudly backed for the past three years. Each conversation held, each perspective shared, and each investment in youth leadership helps move Arizona—and the world—forward.

SRP also helped make our Dining for Diplomacy: Lunar New Year celebration earlier this year possible—a vibrant evening of cuisine, cultural performances, and global connections. The event not only celebrated the rich traditions of the Lunar New Year but also welcomed participants from the U.S. Department of State’s Volunteerism and Civic Action, further intertwining cultural celebration with international exchange and showcasing how America—and Arizona—embraces and honors diverse global traditions.

We’re proud to celebrate Salt River Project and thank them for their continued leadership in sustainability, education, and international collaboration.

06/30/2025

The Worldly Women Collective Book Club gathered over the weekend for a deeply moving book club discussion centered around We Do Not Part by Han Kang. The novel, known for its haunting beauty and emotional complexity, explores themes of separation, memory, grief, and the lingering echoes of the past. Much of our conversation touched on the uniquely Korean concept of “Han” — a cultural expression of unresolved sorrow, loss, and longing that is woven throughout the novel and resonates on a universal level.

We were especially grateful to have two of our fellow book club members, originally from South Korea, share their personal reflections and cultural perspectives, adding invaluable depth to the conversation. Their insights helped illuminate not only the cultural layers of the book but also the shared human experiences that transcend borders.

A special thanks to Global Ties Arizona Board Member, Suzanne Lawrence, for so graciously hosting us in her home. The beautiful spread of homemade cooking and baked goods she prepared made everyone feel welcome and created the perfect setting for meaningful conversation and connection.

As always, the Worldly Women Collective Book Club reminded us of the power of gathering in community — to share perspectives, challenge our thinking, and appreciate the beauty of diverse experiences. Thank you to all who joined us for this memorable morning!

03/08/2025

🌍💜 Happy International Women’s Day from the Worldly Women Collective! 💜🌍

This morning, ladies of WWC gathered to celebrate the day through the art of expression—painting! 🎨✨ Led by fellow Worldly Woman, Tere Derbez (artist, author, and coach), we put paintbrushes to canvas, embracing creativity, fellowship, and a moment of calm in our busy lives.

Here’s to the power of women lifting each other up, finding beauty in every stroke, and continuing to inspire change across the globe. 💪🌎💙

Address

3110 N Central Avenue
Phoenix, AZ
85012

Website

http://globaltiesarizona.org/

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