The International Center is a catalyst to inform, convene and connect public, private and civic global objectives in Indiana.
A Community Partnership Formalized
A public signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) and The International Center (IC) took place on Nov. 29, 2018 at IMPD headquarters.

The MOU formalized the cooperative relationship between the two local entities and set the stage for further and expanded collaboration. The MOU called for the IC to continue to offer inter-cultural communication training to IMPD officers and leadership and to serve as an ongoing resource for IMPD’s immigrant outreach officers. IMPD will continue serving as a host to IC’s visiting international delegations that have an interest in law enforcement or national security. 

Key figures at the signing ceremony were IMPD Chief Bryan Roach and IC President and CEO Martin Baier (Pictured Above)
International Visitors Learn U.S. Politics
As the midterm elections approached, The Center welcomed an international visitor group comprised of various nationalities who came to Indianapolis to observe the American electoral system.

Representatives of Finland, Switzerland, Chile, Armenia, Malaysia, and Fiji each took part in educational excursions around the state. These included canvassing on behalf of J.D. Ford (who eventually won a state Senate seat for District 29), attending a Trump rally in Fort Wayne and visiting Southridge High School to observe student government.

One of the visitors said that attending the rally in Fort Wayne was the highlight of the program. Although none of the visitors were necessarily supporters of the president, they were excited to see well-known figures such as Ivanka Trump and Kellyanne Conway at the event. Several visitors remarked that politics in the United States seemed "more like a spectacle" than a discussion of serious policy.

During the trip, the group also stopped in Muncie to meet with Victor Whitehead, Chair of the Delaware County Republicans, and then-candidate for County Clerk.The visitors learned about local government, and distinctions between city, county, and school districts.

At the Center, the group enjoyed a pre-election discussion with Brandon J. Smith, Statehouse Bureau Chief for Indiana Public Broadcasting, and a dialogue about the results of the elections the follow Wednesday with John Ketzenberger, director of government relations for The Nature Conservancy.

Among the cultural and leisure activities that the IVLP group were treated to included a visit the International Motor Speedway and the top of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, as well as eating at KFC, McDonald's, and Kilroy's Bar and Grill.

Some lasting impressions that the visit made on the group, according to visitor Greg Burnside, was that "Americans seem less politically engaged" to them than citizens of their home countries, and less willing to work towards change on issues such as gerrymandering. There were also noted differences in the electoral process, such as canvassing or the amount of money spent on campaigns.
Community Celebrates IC Staff Member
Kirkwood Honored as Volunteer of the Year


The Center's own Peter Kirkwood was recently named Volunteer of the Year by the Nationalities Council of Indiana for his philanthropic efforts in the Indianapolis community, most notably for his support over the years of Nationalities Council events.

Peter serves The Center as Protocol Officer and has been a valued member of our team for 11 years. He oversees the United Nations Flag program and International Visitor Leadership program, and serves as The Center's in-house International Protocol expert.

Thank You!
Thank you to everyone who supported a Global Indiana this Giving Tuesday! With your help, The International Center is strengthening communities through inter-cultural education, global competency training workshops, and citizen diplomacy. We are so grateful for your support, your generosity, and your commitment to helping us advance our mission. If you haven't donated yet, please consider a gift to The Center. A gift - no matter the size - brings with it the hope that people who come together can do great things!
Global Impression Award Correction
Last month's newsletter recap of the Global Impression Award Breakfast contained an error. Attendee Dr. Leslie Bozeman was a GIA nominee not a nominator as reported. A corrected version of the article can be found at the link below.

December 1-23
10 Center Green
Carmel, IN

December 8
Indianapolis Marriott Downtown
350 W. Maryland St.
Indianapolis, IN
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