We are a community passionate about learning, connecting, and engaging with international issues
that promoteS understanding by hosting forums with diverse, global voices and perspectives.
WELCOME TO ICFRC!
|
|
|
UPCOMING FREE EVENTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ANNOUNCING THE 2024 FALL PROGRAM SERIES
The Iowa City Foreign Relations Council (ICFRC) proudly presents its fall 2024 series on democracy, a vital opportunity for our community during a critical period in our nation's history. In alignment with the belief that discussing threats to democracy is not escalatory but essential for its health, this series explores how political disagreements can coexist within the democratic framework that facilitates such discourse.
As highlighted by our executive director during ICFRC's 40th-anniversary event, the latest Freedom House report reveals a sobering reality: democracy has been in decline worldwide for the past 18 years, with 60% of the global population now living under authoritarian regimes. In 2024, nearly half of the world's population will vote in national elections, marking an unprecedented scale in human history.
Our series is designed to offer a comprehensive understanding of democracy through a rich tapestry of global perspectives, ensuring that all viewpoints are not just heard, but valued. This approach reflects our unwavering commitment to examining democracy without succumbing to partisanship or polarization. These perspectives will shed light on the implications for the US elections in November, making each of us a part of the conversation.
Confirmed programs so far include esteemed experts that will delve into the reshaping of European media, the historical context of South African democracy, and the rise of authoritarianism in Hungary. The series will conclude with a panel of Iowa experts interpreting the November elections and their implications for our state and international relations.
Join us in this crucial journey to navigate the complexities of democracy in a global context, understand its challenges, and foster a cautiously hopeful outlook for America's future during this consequential election year. Together, we can engage in meaningful dialogue and shape a brighter future. This series is not just about understanding democracy, but about actively contributing to a better tomorrow.
As highlighted by our executive director during ICFRC's 40th-anniversary event, the latest Freedom House report reveals a sobering reality: democracy has been in decline worldwide for the past 18 years, with 60% of the global population now living under authoritarian regimes. In 2024, nearly half of the world's population will vote in national elections, marking an unprecedented scale in human history.
Our series is designed to offer a comprehensive understanding of democracy through a rich tapestry of global perspectives, ensuring that all viewpoints are not just heard, but valued. This approach reflects our unwavering commitment to examining democracy without succumbing to partisanship or polarization. These perspectives will shed light on the implications for the US elections in November, making each of us a part of the conversation.
Confirmed programs so far include esteemed experts that will delve into the reshaping of European media, the historical context of South African democracy, and the rise of authoritarianism in Hungary. The series will conclude with a panel of Iowa experts interpreting the November elections and their implications for our state and international relations.
Join us in this crucial journey to navigate the complexities of democracy in a global context, understand its challenges, and foster a cautiously hopeful outlook for America's future during this consequential election year. Together, we can engage in meaningful dialogue and shape a brighter future. This series is not just about understanding democracy, but about actively contributing to a better tomorrow.
SUPPORT OUR MISSION
|
|
IN THE NEWS
|
|
|
August 09, 2024
What's it like to travel the world? Exhibit seeks to inspire cultural exchange The Gazette | by Tom Barton |
April 15, 2024
NPR’s Frank Langfitt on being a correspondent, the state of democracy and what's at stake in 2024
Iowa Public Radio | By Caitlin Troutman, Ben Kieffer
NPR’s Frank Langfitt on being a correspondent, the state of democracy and what's at stake in 2024
Iowa Public Radio | By Caitlin Troutman, Ben Kieffer
March 5, 2024
Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs Sison’s Travel to Iowa
U.S. Department of State
Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs Sison’s Travel to Iowa
U.S. Department of State
Glocal Voices PODCAST
WE ARE COMMITTED TO LIVING OUT OUR VALUES OF, RESPECT FOR, CURIOSITY ABOUT, AND OPEN-MINDEDNESS TO DISCUSSION OF INTERNATIONALLY FOCUSED TOPICS.
|
INTERESTED IN BECOMING A SPEAKER? SEND AN EMAIL TO [email protected] |
