What We Do
About Us
The Citizen Diplomacy Alliance for International Visitors serves participants in the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program and other exchanges, building person-to-person relationships “one handshake at a time.”
Citizen Diplomacy
Would you like to serve as a citizen diplomat and host foreign leaders visiting Southern Arizona? The Citizen Diplomacy Alliance offers unique opportunities to engage in citizen diplomacy with participants in the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program and other exchanges.
Who We Are
administered by the U.S. Department of State annually brings to the United States approximately 5,000 foreign nationals from all over the world to meet and confer with their professional counterparts and to experience America firsthand. The visitors, who are selected by United States Foreign Service Officers overseas, are current or potential leaders in government, politics, the media, education, the arts, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), business and other fields.
Stories
2023 Annual Meeting
We want to thank the Mexican Consulate, and Consul General Rafael Durazo, for hosting our meeting again this year. Their partnership with CDA, friendship and involvement are valuable to being able to do so much. We also want to thank those that presented to the group. First off is our President, Patricia Houston, who did Read more about 2023 Annual Meeting[…]
Regional African Mixer
It is always fun to join the visitors at the Monetary Court Cafe for a mixer with the members of CDA and the community. Last night, May 5, 2023, we had the opportunity to visit with our visitors from Congo, Democratic republic of Congo, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, South Sudan, Tunisia and their Read more about Regional African Mixer[…]
Consulate of Mexico Art Exhibit
On February 2 the Consulate of Mexico held a showing of art by three photographers from Southern Arizona, two from Mexico. The art was well displayed and the art was revealing in its depth of capturing the many different areas of interest. First shown at Pima Community College Bernard Art Center the sharing with the Read more about Consulate of Mexico Art Exhibit[…]
Enrique Alfonso Gómez Montiel
Director of Middle East and Central Asia Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs This “ambassador” meeting held a very special treat for CDA members as it was a wonderful reunion with Enrique. Prior to being called to service in Mexico City, Enrique had been Deputy Consul from México to Tucson and a wonderful friend to our Read more about Enrique Alfonso Gómez Montiel[…]
Ukrainian Transplant Surgeons
5 Ukrainian transplant surgeons came to Tucson on an Open World program to meet other transplant surgeons. Due to the amazing assistance of Dr. Elizabeth Butler from Banner Medical these visitors were offered the opportunity to meet with a number of transplant surgeons and others to share ideas and knowledge. Due to Dr. Butler’s they Read more about Ukrainian Transplant Surgeons[…]
Director Anne Grimes Visits Phoenix and Tucson
In December 2022 the Director of the International Visitor Leadership Program with the Education and Cultural Affairs Division of the Department of State visited Global Ties Arizona and Citizen Diplomacy Alliance. The visit was filled with appointments and a reception at the Mexican Consulate where 3 Consul Generals welcomed Director Grimes to Southern Arizona. Members Read more about Director Anne Grimes Visits Phoenix and Tucson[…]
2023 Annual Meeting
We are so fortunate to have the Mexican Consulate once again provide us the gallery for our annual meeting. The date is April 15, 2023 at 2 p.m. Please mark your calendar. This year’s Key Note Speaker will be District Chairman of the Tohono O’odham District 11, Austin Nunez. Chairman Nunez has been extremely involved Read more about 2023 Annual Meeting[…]
Moldova
The group from Moldova was here on corruption, actually Customs and Border Patrol Customs, but since the CBP was “unable to accommodate them at this time” we arranged for them to meet with a number of different agencies and people to discuss corruption. Here they are visiting with a current Tucson Police officer and former Read more about Moldova[…]
What a Year!
We were busy with visitors this year, fortunately! After COVID shutting down the IVLP program for two years it got busy trying to play catch up. Between the Open World program (the one where the visitors stay in homes rather than a hotel) and the IVLP (the International Visitor Leadership program) where they stay in Read more about What a Year![…]
Nogales Santa Cruz Chamber Government Affairs Meeting with Consul General Laura Biedebach
Consul General Biedebach discussed the new consulate construction, water issues, trade relations with the US and Mexico and the availability of consulate staff to assist US citizens in Mexico. She also discussed programs the consulate is funding to assist young Mexican citizens in business. She is an excellent speaker willing to answer questions, share knowledge Read more about Nogales Santa Cruz Chamber Government Affairs Meeting with Consul General Laura Biedebach[…]