East-West Connections, in partnership with The Museum of Russian Art, Macalester Department of Russian Studies, and Zerkalo, Russian-speaking Media of MN, presents a series of online webinars exploring the history and scope of Minnesota’s outsized global influence.

Minnesotans have played a critical role in the development and practice of diplomacy, humanitarian programs, language study, journalism, culture, and more. Minnesota has attracted immigrants from all over the world, making the state a hub of diverse cultures. East-West Connections believes it is time to shine a light on the value of Minnesota and the depth of this state’s unique international contributions and influence. This is the impetus for EWC’s 2023-24 multi-program series Minnesota’s International Influence.

The October session:

International Human Rights Organizations – Why has Minnesota fostered so many?

Thursday, October 12  |   7:00 – 8:00 PM CST | Free webinar. Please register in advance.

Minnesota is home to the headquarters of many international human rights organizations – including the American Refugee Committee (now Alight), Global Volunteers, and Advocates for Human Rights – this gives the North Star state an outsized voice in the human rights movement of the US, as well as globally. This webinar will explore the people and history behind this aspect of Minnesota’s unique global reach and its outsized impact on the rest of the world.

THE PANEL:
Moderator: Bernadine Joselyn, East-West Connections (EWC)
Aidan Johnson, American Refugee Committee (now Alight)
Jennifer Prestholdt, Deputy Director, Advocates for Human Rights
Michele Gran, Co-Founder and Senior Vice President, Global Volunteers

Program link will be emailed to all registrants prior to program start. Q&A will follow the presentation.

REGISTER

ABOUT THE PANELISTS:

Aidan Johnson was born and raised in Minnesota and hold a B.A. in political science from the University of Minnesota and an L.L.M in international human rights law from the University of Galway. Before joining Alight, he worked in campaign politics, community organizing, and human rights research. At Alight, Aidan works to encourage community involvement in private sponsorship for refugee resettlement.

As Deputy Director of The Advocates for Human Rights, Jennifer Prestholdt assists in fundraising for and directing organizational operations. She also directs the International Justice Program, supervising the organization’s advocacy at the United Nations and regional human rights mechanisms, as well as the Nepal School Project. Prior to becoming deputy director, Prestholdt practiced asylum law for seven years and directed the organization’s Refugee and Immigrant Program, where she specialized in gender-based asylum cases. Prestholdt has expertise in women’s human rights, minority rights, LGBTIQ+ rights, refugee and immigrant rights, as well as transitional justice and peace building in post-conflict settings. She has led international human rights fact-finding trips in Africa, Asia, and South America and trained women human rights defenders from more than 20 countries. Ms. Prestholdt has a B.A. in political science from Yale and a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy from the Fletchers School at Tufts University, where she studied international human rights law and international refugee policy. She graduated cum laude from University of Minnesota Law School in 1996.

Born and raised in St. Paul, Minnesota, Michele Gran co-founded Global Volunteers, serves on the Board of Directors, and initiated and directs the organization’s Community Mental Wellness Initiative for the Reaching Children’s Potential Program. For 38 years, she also directed volunteer engagement, website development, media relations and marketing strategies, including external messaging on all major channels and video. She earned a Master’s Degree in Liberal Studies/International Communications at Hamline University, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism at the University of Minnesota. Before joining the staff in 1990, she built the organization’s media and communications capability while working as a public relations manager at a Minnesota advertising agency. She held communications management positions at various departments in Minnesota State Government, and in non-profit organizations. Michele has led volunteer teams on over 80 Global Volunteers service programs.