Blog
Creating Connections
2024 is now well underway and so are our attempts to create connections here in Kalamazoo with people around the world. Youth Ambassadors from Brazil, journalists from Gabon, and leaders from Guinea Bissau fighting human trafficking joined us so far this year, with changemakers from Armenia, Argentina, Greece, India, Lebanon and the Philippines coming to Kalamazoo later this month
Farewell to 2023!
As we begin the new year, we hope for more peace and joy. We reflect on just how much we were able to connect and explore our shared humanity through our work here locally in 2023.
Exploring our shared humanity is what we do
We welcomed a record number of guests to Kalamazoo last month — more than 100 people from all across the world in nine distinct programs creating meaningful connections.
A fall full of engagement opportunities in Kalamazoo
So many updates! Features about our work, StoryCorps conversations to listen to, and some ten delegations from all over the world coming to Kalamazoo this fall.
Bidding farewell to Yesenia and summer, while preparing for a busy fall
Reflecting on our busy summer, saying farewell to Yesenia, and sharing fall plans.
A warm welcome to our new Program Manager and many IVLP groups, and a reflection on our first YLAI cohort
June went by in the blink of an eye and here we are in mid-July. We had our first YLAI cohort, welcomed our new Program Manager, and hosted several IVLPs
Celebrating many welcomes and bidding a fond farewell this May
Welcoming YLAI Fellows, Leeanne, Yesenia, and more, bidding farewell to Jordan
One full year back in-person: So many rich experiences created and shared
Now as we welcome April 2023, we have passed the one year anniversary of our return to in person programming, which took place at the end of March 2022. Thank you to all who have been with us through these past three years, filled with uncertainty, innovation, and a constant striving to build connections between people - to make this world a better place.
Why visit Kalamazoo?
Human and Civil Rights • Youth Empowerment • Transboundary Water Issues • American Pluralism • Renewable Energy • Disinformation in Media • Transparency & Accountability in Government • Women in Entrepreneurship • Engagement in the Arts • Higher Education and Study Abroad • Social Services
Land Acknowledgement
At Global Ties Kalamazoo, we live and work on the land of the Council of the Three Fires—the Ojibwe, the Odawa, and the Potawatomi. The city name Kalamazoo is anglicized from various indigenous references to its namesake river, and is located in southwestern Michigan—the Michigamme, “the place where food grows on water,” a reference to the abundant wild rice in our state. Indigenous nations of the Great Lakes region are also known as the Anishinaabe (original people) and their language is Anishinaabemowin.