ICFRC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit community organization of people interested in
learning, connecting and engaging with each on international issues.
learning, connecting and engaging with each on international issues.
HISTORY, VALUES AND APPROACH
Located in the growing community of Iowa City, ICFRC has brought together individuals and ideas from around the globe since 1983. We are committed to living out our longstanding values of respect for, curiosity about, and open-mindedness to the discussion of—even debate over—internationally-focused topics.
Yet, in an ever-changing and increasingly complex world, we recognize we must re-center our organization around the social justice imperatives of the twenty-first century’s third decade. Most importantly, we acknowledge we need to be a place where more people feel comfortable being safe learning from and engaging with others across all lines of difference.
In this more inclusive space, we will be intentional in our selection of more diverse speakers, topics, and formats as well as board members, staff, interns, and funders; we will challenge ourselves and our community to seek out new perspectives and understandings of the complex international issues which bring us together; and we will champion the democratization of knowledge and the free and open discussion of the problems and possibilities of our times.
Native American Land Acknowledgement
We recognize that our home community of Iowa City "now occupies the homelands of Native American Nations to whom we owe our commitment and dedication. The area of Iowa City was within the lands of Iowa, Meskwaki, and Sauk.
Because history is complex and time goes far beyond memory, we also acknowledge the ancient connections of many other Indigenous peoples here. The history of broken treaties and forced removal that dispossessed Indigenous Peoples of their homelands was an act of colonization and genocide that we could not erase.
We implore the Iowa City community to commit to understanding and addressing these injustices as we work toward equity, restoration, and reparations." (From the Native American Land Acknowledgement prepared for the City of Iowa City's Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Human Rights Commission)
Because history is complex and time goes far beyond memory, we also acknowledge the ancient connections of many other Indigenous peoples here. The history of broken treaties and forced removal that dispossessed Indigenous Peoples of their homelands was an act of colonization and genocide that we could not erase.
We implore the Iowa City community to commit to understanding and addressing these injustices as we work toward equity, restoration, and reparations." (From the Native American Land Acknowledgement prepared for the City of Iowa City's Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Human Rights Commission)
Our Educational Programs
The Council hosts experts who speak on various international issues, such as foreign policy, international relations, law, history, arts and culture, the environment, politics, diplomacy, and current events.
Over the past three years, we have carried out all our programs online. Based on a survey of our members and friends in July 2021, we presented our programs during Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 through a mix of in-person and virtual programs.
We follow health and safety protocols for our in-person programs, and all our in-person programs will be live-streamed so that participants can choose how they would like to engage with us.
Over the past three years, we have carried out all our programs online. Based on a survey of our members and friends in July 2021, we presented our programs during Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 through a mix of in-person and virtual programs.
We follow health and safety protocols for our in-person programs, and all our in-person programs will be live-streamed so that participants can choose how they would like to engage with us.
Our Funding
Membership dues fund us in addition to contributions from individuals, businesses, the University of Iowa departments and programs, foundations, and other organizations.
We are also grateful to the Iowa Arts Council, Humanities Iowa, and the National Endowment for the Humanities for their financial support.
We are also grateful to the Iowa Arts Council, Humanities Iowa, and the National Endowment for the Humanities for their financial support.
OUR SPONSORS AND PARTNERS
- City Channel 4
- GlobalTies
- Iowa Arts Council, a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs - Iowa Arts & Culture Recovery Program
- Iowa United Nations Association
- MidWestOne Bank
- The Dee Norton Fund
- Stanley – UI Foundation Support Organization
- The University of Iowa Department of Political Science
- The University of Iowa’s Honors Program
- The University of Iowa’s International Programs, including the Center for Asian and Pacific Studies
- The University of Iowa Lecture Committee
- The University of Iowa Libraries Archive
- The University of Iowa Public Policy Center
- The University of Iowa International Writing Program
- The University of Iowa Human Rights Center
- Humanities Iowa and the National Endowment for the Humanities
