Dear Friends of Utah Global Diplomacy,
This year was so incredible that I wanted to share Utah Global Diplomacy’s Top 10 Highlights with you. These highlights celebrate the connections, events, and milestones that made this year so impactful!
#10: Vivaldi by Candlelight Concert: We kicked off the countdown with our cherished Vivaldi by Candlelight Concert, celebrating Maestro Gerald Elias' 20th anniversary. Thank you to everyone who supported this enchanting evening of music diplomacy. Make sure to relive the experience on YouTube!
#9: Citizen Diplomacy Day on the Hill: Thanks to Senator Escamilla and Representative Spendlove, February 16 marked Utah's inaugural Citizen Diplomacy Day. We also honored Luna Banuri, Senator Escamilla, and State Auditor John Dougall with the 2024 Citizen Diplomat Awards.
Save the date for our 2025 Diplomacy Day on the Hill on Wednesday, February 26!
#8: Youth Ambassador Program: This spring, we hosted inspiring high school students from Honduras, El Salvador, and Belize who explored leadership and strengthened ties between Utah and their home countries.
#7: Three Thought-Provoking Symposia: We hosted The Open Lens Symposium, A Marketing Masterclass, and Bridging Religious Divides as part of our Ambassador John & Marcia Price World Affairs Symposium Series. Our 2024 events created space for dialogue on journalism, nonprofit leadership, and women’s role in peacebuilding. If you missed these events, you can check out the lectures on our YouTube channel and check out our 2025 events.
#6: Celebrating Women Delegates: This year, we welcomed incredible women leaders from around the world who tackled critical issues like gender-based violence, women’s equality, and entrepreneurship.
#5: Utah Global Diplomacy Goes to Washington: We joined our national network in Washington, D.C., where we met with congressional leaders, learned about foreign policy, and showcased the shining reputation of the "Utah way" in citizen diplomacy.
#4: International Leadership Academy: This flagship program empowered young people to connect to careers in international relations, teaching them practical skills like public speaking, diplomacy, policy analysis, and more.
#3: Listening Tour Across Utah: Through a Listening Tour, we learned how communities outside the Wasatch Front embrace global connections. Special thanks to the Vernal, Cache Valley, and St. George Chambers of Commerce for their warm welcomes!
#2: US-Jordan Leadership Exchange Program: We hosted two delegations from Jordan, discovering that Utah and Jordan share more in common than differences. Thank you to the remarkable young adults from Jordan and the host families and businesses who made this program a success.
#1: Thousands of Handshakes: At the heart of everything we do are the thousands of handshakes exchanged between Utahns and people from around the world. These moments of connection remind us of the power of citizen diplomacy to foster peace and understanding.
Thank you for making 2024 a year to remember! None of this would have been possible without you, the hundreds of incredible individuals who volunteered your time, donated your resources, opened your homes as hosts, and served alongside us to make our programs and events successful. Your unwavering support and dedication have allowed us to foster meaningful connections, build bridges across cultures, and amplify the power of citizen diplomacy.
Together, we’ve created a ripple effect of goodwill and understanding that spans the globe. Here’s to continuing this incredible journey together in 2025 and beyond!
Warm regards,
Felecia Maxfield-Barrett
President & CEO