By Andi Anderson
The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) has announced a new collaboration with the Iowa International Center (IIC) to manage the citizen-to-citizen diplomacy aspects of Iowa’s Partner States program. Established to foster connections between Iowans and the global community, the Partner States initiative has facilitated exchanges in agriculture, law, business, culture, and education since its inception with Yamanashi, Japan, in 1960.
Following the state government realignment in the recent legislative session, the responsibility for managing Iowa’s partner state programs transitioned from the non-profit Iowa Sister States organization to IEDA on July 1, 2023. IEDA's International Trade Office now oversees the program, with a dedicated position managing partner state relationships and exchanges.
The collaboration with IIC will focus on facilitating cultural and educational connections. Established in 1938, IIC has a rich history of linking Iowans with people worldwide, offering educational and cultural resources, interpretation and translation services, and various programs promoting international understanding.
Patricia Grote, Executive Director of Iowa International Center, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, highlighting the organization's 85-year history of welcoming international delegations to Iowa. The collaborative effort aims to enhance cultural and citizen diplomacy initiatives between Iowa and its Partner State Affiliates.
Current partner states include Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan (1960), Yucatan, Mexico (1965), Hebei Province, China (1983), Terengganu, Malaysia (1987), Stavropol Krai, Russia (1988), Taiwan (1989), Cherkasy Oblast, Ukraine (1996), Veneto Region, Italy (1997), and Kosovo (2013).
Photo Credit: gettyimages-peopleimages
Categories: Iowa, Business