2020 ANNUAL REPORT 2020 International Visitor Leadership Program exchange with a delegation from Kazakhstan and The Viola Project about music. Bringing the world to Chicago and Chicago to the world. 309 W. WASHINGTON ST., STE. 450 CHICAGO, IL 60606 I 312.254.1800 I WORLDCHICAGO.ORG 301 Virtually welcomed exchange visitors Number of participants welcomed to Chicago through WorldChicago Programs to our global community From one handshake at a time to one Zoom at a time. 2020 was a challenging year for us Through our pivot we were able to: all. With shuttered doors, vacant -Virtually welcome 301 exchange airports, and everyone at a physical visitors; distance, the global pandemic brought us all a new normal. -Implement 40 exchange programs, and; At WorldChicago, we had to PEGGY PARFENOFF reimagine how we accomplish our -Virtually bring people from more PRESIDENT mission of citizen diplomacy. Our than 71 different countries to WORLDCHICAGO work, centered on a handshake and Chicago. Peggy has been leading the sharing of our homes, businesses, We know that going forward we WorldChicago since 2001, meeting and city, needed a new approach. emerging leaders - young and old - will continue to reimagine our new from all over the world and sharing We quickly realized that physically normal, and embrace all forms of our amazing City of Chicago with distancing does not eliminate our communication. We believe in our them. Throughout her 19-year mission, our board and staff, and tenure she has: social connection. It brings us closer. most importantly, YOU. • Received the Global Ties U.S. One of the most important ways that Decade of Leadership Award; we were able to connect was through We honor the invaluable role that • Led the pivot from in-person our computers. We utilized platforms you have played in supporting to virtual programming; that allowed us to take our important WorldChicago’s work of building • Helped to engage hundreds programming online, where we were bridges throughout the world, and we of youth leaders in Chicago able to travel and connect at the look forward to continue connecting, including more than 90 in engaging, impacting, and creating a 2019; speed of an internet connection. more peaceful world through citizen • Aided in bringing more than diplomacy. 600 international visitors to Chicago annually, and; • Generated countless opportunities for global Sincerely, exchange that bring the world to Chicago and Chicago to the world. Peggy Parfenoff Learn more about WorldChicago Visit the WorldChicago website at www.worldchicago.org to learn more about our current programming and how to get involved. bringing the World to Chicago and Chicago to the World TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 Welcome from WorldChicago Board Chair, Virginia Russell 2 Our Mission 3 Who We Are 4 Leadership & Staff 5 Youth Programming 6 Youth Diplomat Social Venture Virtual Exchange 7-8 Professional Fellowships 9-10 International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP) 11 WorldChicago by the Numbers 12 Social Justice & Equity 13-14 Where in the World is WorldChicago? 15-16 Donors & Corporate Supporters 17 Professional Resources 18 Get Involved 2021 Board chair Virginia Russell WorldChicago welcomes Virginia Russell as our 2021-2022 Board Chair. Virginia has been a supporter of WorldChicago for 35 years, serving in multiple capacities, including volunteer, donor, committee member and board member. She is a retired Associate Director of the Center for International Law at the University of Illinois Chicago John Marshall Law School. Dear Friends of WorldChicago, when we will be able to include home individuals and institutions we hospitality and home stays, not to work with in the greater Chicago As we began 2020, little did we know mention cultural and social events, metropolitan area is an extensive the changes and challenges we would as an integral part of their visits to one. We could not do what we do face as a global community. The Chicago. without them and their support and mission of our organization - to bring enthusiasm for citizen diplomacy. together individuals from around Hopefully, by this coming fall , if the world to learn from one another not the winter of 2022, most of our Thank you all for your ongoing in the interests of promoting citizen programming will include bringing commitment to WorldChicago and diplomacy - had overnight met its our international visitors to Chicago. for your support of our programs greatest challenge. The challenge Meanwhile, we continue to navigate and activities. The alumni of our was how to continue our programs through somewhat uncharted waters. programs are a testament to how and activities in the midst of a global Thankfully, modern technology has important it is to meet one another pandemic, one that has now gone allowed us to vastly expand what we on a personal level and to reinforce on longer than most of us could ever are able to do. Our work continues the idea that we share so much more have imagined. to allow us to connect with others in common than in what might divide around the world and to share us. We are grateful for the role you I’m very proud of our staff, board our experiences and professional play in assisting us to consistently members, and volunteers who have knowledge, as well as our common offer high-quality programs. not only met this challenge, but have humanity in the face of the pandemic. exceeded our expectations since mid We look forward to seeing you at March of 2020. Our staff have found I have been a volunteer with one or more of our upcoming virtual innovative ways to continue almost WorldChicago since 1986 and events. Do visit our website at www. all of our program activities in a I am extremely proud of how worldchicago.org to learn more virtual format. While our international WorldChicago has grown since its about the array of programs we host visitors cannot physically be in creation in 1952. We are now one and how you can be involved. We are Chicago, our staff have continued of the leading international visitor committed now more than ever to to develop meaningful professional organizations in the country. Over citizen diplomacy and the key role it visits for them online. We look the years, we have greatly expanded plays in the conduct of our country’s forward to the day when our visitors our programming and community foreign policy. will be able to join us in Chicago and outreach. Our database of the With best wishes for a brighter future, 2021 Board of Directors Visit the WorldChicago website at www.worldchicago.org to learn more about Virginia Russell our 2021 Board of Directors. Chair, Board of Directors WorldChicago 1 “In an era of bluster and bombs, citizen our mission: diplomacy is a builder of Citizen diplomacy bridges.” Citizen diplomacy is the belief commonalities of challenges MADELINE ALBRIGHT, that everyday people can bring and triumphs. countries and cultures together, Key programs that are FORMER U.S. SECRETARY contribute to peace and stability administered by WorldChicago to the world, and connect us all OF STATE have not fallen victim to the as a global community. pandemic, but have found a way At WorldChicago, through to pivot and expand our reach professional and personal and impact. This is the power of exchanges and youth citizen diplomacy. programming, we work each The people of Chicago and those day to build those bridges from around the world may have lost Chicago to the rest of the world the ability to connect physically, and bring together everyday but they have not lost the ability people that are an integral part to connect socially. of international diplomacy. We are all contributors to a Though it may seem that 2020 global community and each has created boundaries and of us is empowered to make a barriers to connection, the world positive impact on the world. is seeing an interconnectivity The connections and knowledge that it has never seen before. we share are what makes us all Individuals from around the citizen diplomat, working to world are sharing their ideas, make the world a better place. their cultures, and their 2 Who we Are Professional Exchanges Working with the U.S. Department of State, WorldChicago is a partner on the International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP), which brings foreign leaders to the United States for short- term professional exchanges on topics ranging from women’s empowerment to global entrepreneurship and countering violent extremism. These exchange programs are transformative experiences that positively shape participants’ views of the U.S. and lead to positive change and impact in their home countries. Professional Fellowships Through partnership with the U.S. Department of State’s Professional Fellows Program, WorldChicago connects emerging leaders with government offices, public policy-oriented NGOs, private companies, and university departments for short-term, intensive fellowships designed to broaden their professional expertise. Youth Diplomats/Youth Leadership WorldChicago is a local coordinator for U.S. Department of State Youth Leadership Programs for international high school students and adult mentors. These short trips programs inspire cross-cultural dialogue, build respect and mutual understanding, and boost civic engagement among young Americans and their international peers. Locally, the Youth Diplomats Program that offers hands-on workshops, skills training sessions, volunteer activities, and cultural events for Chicago high school students. exchange programs implemented by 48 worldchicago in 2020 3 2020 Board of Directors Cathy Lieberman, Chair Linda Cushman Bernard Ramos CDL Business Consulting Cornell University Educational Perspectives Brian Starr, Vice Chair Bruce Leech Virginia Russell YWCA of Metropolitan Chicago Coleman Entrepreneurship Center Retired, John Marshall Law School DePaul University Lisa Harwood, Treasurer Donna Lindquist Louis P. Vitullo Commercial Real Estate Professional Soliel Global Communications Group Retired, Wildman Harrold Joan Miller Mark Wilson Rebecca Wellisch, Secretary Miller, Miller & Co.