Dear Friends of Utah Global Diplomacy,
Eight years ago, when I joined Utah Global Diplomacy, I asked myself: "What impact do we make in the world?" The answer I hear over and over again surprises me, and yet reaffirms that we are meeting our mission to promote respect and understanding between the people of Utah and people from around the world, one handshake at a time. Today, I'm excited to share a story I recently received that shows just how far-reaching our work is. I hope this story inspires you to choose Utah Global Diplomacy as one of your top charities to support this holiday season.
In March 2018, we welcomed Ms. Rorich Saura from the Philippines through our International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). At just 20 years old, she became the youngest person to become an elected official in her community. Since then, she has dedicated herself to advancing education in her country.
Most recently, Rorich has been working with the Badjao Tribe, an indigenous group living along the southern coast of the Philippines. Despite their rich cultural heritage, the Badjao people face chronic marginalization. Lacking access to essential services like healthcare, education, and employment opportunities, they struggle to break free from a cycle of poverty. Literacy, especially, is critical to improving their chances for employment beyond fishing, yet members of the tribe remain largely illiterate because a day in class means a day not earning money.
Through Rorich’s leadership and deep connection to the community, she helped negotiate a solution. She partnered with local leaders to offer tribe members basic food supplies if they attended class, ensuring they wouldn’t have to choose between education and eating. This initiative, rooted in local knowledge and driven by diplomacy, has made a tangible difference in their lives. Rorich credits these solutions to what she learned here in Utah through her IVLP exchange. The meetings we arranged for her delegation with organizations like Women of the World, the Utah Women's Leadership Institute, and the Women’s Business Center gave her the tools, resources, and knowledge needed to navigate complex situations and find innovative solutions.
This is the value of citizen diplomacy.
But I must be honest: building these bridges is neither easy nor quick. Our work at Utah Global Diplomacy requires sustained effort, and for these reasons, I'm asking for your support. As we approach the end of the year, your gift can make a critical difference in our ability to continue programs like the one that helped Rorich. We need your help today to ensure these vital exchanges continue.
Every contribution—no matter the amount—plays a vital role in building bridges between the people of Utah and other nations, which in turn fosters a more peaceful and prosperous world. For example, a gift of $25 helps provide a cultural activity for an international visitor, showcasing Utah as an innovative, economic, and cultural hub, $100 sponsors a global and diplomatic conversation event that helps shape public discourse, $500 provides a scholarship for our International Leadership Academy, and $1,000 provides the
infrastructure we need to host our professional and cultural international exchange and global education programs. Your donation today will help us continue making these life-changing connections.
We offer two ways for you to support Utah Global Diplomacy:
- Purchase tickets for you and your loved ones to our Vivaldi by Candlelight Concert on Saturday, December 7 - an incredible way to start the holiday season set to the soft glow of candlelight and old-world charm while supporting our mission. Our Vivaldi by Candlelight Concert offers a musical experience never experienced elsewhere as Maestro Gerald Elias hand-selects each piece of music for the program.
- Make a direct donation to Utah Global Diplomacy. You can make your tax-deductible gift online using the QR code provided in this letter or mail a check to 151 E 5600 S Ste 206, Salt Lake City, UT 84107.
You might also consider joining our monthly donor community—small, recurring donations provide consistent, ongoing support that sustains our work throughout the year. For further information about the Vivaldi by Candlelight Concert or about donating to Utah Global Diplomacy, visit utahglobaldiplomacy.org or contact me at 385.200.1998.
Help Utah Global Diplomacy create a global impact right here in Utah, one handshake at a time!
With sincere appreciation,
Felecia Maxfield-Barrett
President & CEO
Utah Global Diplomacy
