Kalamazoo’s Role in Citizen Diplomacy: A Legacy of Connection

For over fifty years, Global Ties Kalamazoo has served as a beacon for Kalamazoo’s citizen diplomacy, linking neighbors, leaders, and visitors from around the world. The story began in 1971 as the Kalamazoo Area Council of International Programs (KIP), a seasonal program in the School of Social Work at, Western Michigan University. In the 25th year, as an independent nonprofit, they became Colleagues International. Today, this legacy lives on each time you greet a visiting leader, share a meal, or help a newcomer feel at home, all as part of Kalamazoo’s vibrant Global Ties network.​​

Foundations of Trust

“This is the first year we are trying to make a group-book in Kalamazoo—an outstretched hand from one group to another.”
KIP guide, 1974​

From the start, Kalamazoo’s history of diplomacy was about practical kindness—offering advice, rides, and hospitality to guests from places like Ethiopia, Norway, and Italy. These earliest exchanges established deep connections, creating ripple effects that have spanned generations.

The 1974 Visitors Guide: The first group of international visitors in 1974—a tradition at the heart of Kalamazoo citizen diplomacy.​

The Growth of a Global Ties Kalamazoo Network

“There’s a bit of awe in looking back at what has been accomplished by the quiet force of skilled volunteers, professionals from area organizations, and wise leaders.”
Frederick (Fritz) MacDonald, Colleagues International, 1996​

Today, Global Ties Kalamazoo is a hub for international exchanges, connecting you to professional counterparts from across the globe. From journalists and lawyers to educators and doctors, these programs fuel a dynamic, welcoming atmosphere where everyone learns and grows.​

Recent visitors and locals connect at a Global Ties Kalamazoo hospitality, strengthening cross-cultural partnerships.​

Cultural Diplomacy Examples

“What they, and we, have had in common is a deep and growing understanding that somehow cross-cultural exchange matters, not just in interpersonal terms, as valuable as that is, but also in the broader context of human community—both local and global.”
25th Anniversary Handout, 1996​

And as Swedish participant Inga Gustavson once reflected, “It is a time to give and take... most of them nice. Don’t forget that you are able to buy wine 24 hours a day... and perhaps nobody else will understand your mother-language.”
KIP guide, 1974​

Dining together, gathering in living rooms, and laughing through language barriers—these are the real cultural diplomacy examples that transform both visitors and locals.

Local families share food, stories, and songs with guests, bringing cultural exchange to the table.​

Impact and How You Can Get Involved

In 2024, over 800 Kalamazoo citizens welcomed 366 guests from 88 countries, generating almost $900,000 in direct economic impact—proof that diplomacy strengthens your community.​

You can be a part!

Exchanges generated nearly $900,000 in direct local impact last year in Southwest Michigan.

• Host an International Guest
  Local hosts welcomed guests from 88 countries last year—build global friendships and expand Kalamazoo’s horizons.

• Volunteer With Global Ties
  Local volunteers powered $900,000 in impact by supporting events, hospitality, and more.

• Partner With Global Ties
  Partners help launch collaborative projects and strengthen cross-cultural ties region-wide.

Kalamazoo’s story is still unfolding. Your engagement ensures the next chapter of Global Ties Kalamazoo keeps building bridges in your city and beyond.