At the recent 2006 ILI International Youth Conference, Judge LaJunge Lange, president of the ILI, presented Rekindling the Flame (RTF) Awards to two recipients from Rwanda and Kenya. The Rekindling the Flame award recognizes international, national and local Minnesotan individuals for their work and sacrifice in the promotion of social justice and tolerance. The recipients are the Reverend Paul Ndahigwa, Eplise Vivante Church from Kigali, Rwanda and Doctor Khadija A. Abdalla, Garissa Provincial General Hospital Medical Superintendent and Consultant Pediatrician from Garissa Kenya. Both were surprised by the award and recognition and thanked the ILI for the acknowledgement. Both RTF recipients were keynote speakers at the International Youth Conference held at the University of MN Mondale Hall facilities. The youth attending appreciated being a part of an international event.

Rev. Paul Ndahigwa of Rwanda and Dr. Khadija A. Abdalla of Kenya, Africa.

Ward Brehm, president of The Brehm Group and Capstone Advisor, Inc., was appointed by President Bush to the African Development Foundation (www.adf.gov). He is renowned among his peers as a zealous advocate for African causes. Mr. Brehm is also an author of two published books concerning his encounters and experiences as a visitor and house guest of people in rural Kenya. The first book was entitled "Life Through a Different Lens." In 2004, he published "White Man Walking."

Ward Brehm advocated and led the installation of wind pumps for drinking water in the villages of western Kenya. His philanthropic support continues to enhance the lives of families and leaders in rural Kenya, Africa. Other partnerships with key mission agencies in Africa include support of The Pilgrim Center for Reconciliation (Edina), Kingdom Oil (Minneapolis), as well as United States and Kenyan based churches. Brehm has personal involvement with World Vision projects and advocates for effective missions with African leaders.

Dr. A. Ghafar Lakanwal is the executive director and founder of the MultiCultural Development Center (MCDC) in Bloomington, Minnesota, a non-profit organization that promotes multicultural understanding and inclusiveness. He is also a founding member of the Partnership for Education of Children in Afghanistan, a non-profit group that assists children in Afghanistan by addressing their educational and public health needs. Lakanwal is a native of Afghanistan and held the title of Minister of Agriculture in addition to being head of the Afghan delegation to the United Nations before seeking asylum in the United States. Mrs. Laila Lakanwal is an Afghan American entrepreneur who has founded and runs several successful local businesses. She is the owner of Da Afghan Restaurant in Bloomington, Minnesota. Laila also owns and runs Triple Cuts/Fantastic Sams in Golden Valley, Minnesota.

Welsh Companies, LLC is one of Minnesota¹s largest full service real estate firms. Welsh Companies¹ Dennis Doyle, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, is a business leader that has successfully built an organization that is not only profitable, from a traditional business analysis point of view, but one that has also demonstrated its commitment to creatively build an outstanding business model that proves that business can ³serve² and significantly strengthen the community, while still positively impacting shareholder value.

One of the success stories of Welsh Companies business model, applicable to the TCICA award, is Welsh¹s ability to embrace a local humanitarian organization known as Hope For The City. Hope For The City is a local non-profit that redistributes surplus goods, via other established nonprofit, local, nationally and internationally. In 2003, it is estimated that Hope For The City distributed goods retail valued in excess of $112 million. Approximately $98 million of that went overseas. Welsh Companies provided much of the significant warehouse space needed to house the goods. Now Welsh Companies is working to expand this model by recruiting other real estate company¹s across the country to utilize available warehouse space and access to surplus goods, in their respective markets, thereby duplicating this successful model nationally.

The Twin Cities International Citizen Awards, founded in 1992, recognize individuals and corporations in our community who have made inspiring contributions to international understanding, cooperation, and respect. The TCICA acknowledges the depth and breadth of the Twin Cities¹ international connections, concerns and commitments in business and trade, research and human rights, agriculture and technology, the arts and medicine, education and journalism, and in hospitality and humanitarian relief.

Sponsors include Twin Cities Business Monthly magazine, Fredrikson and Byron, Lee Hecht Harrison,Inc, Thomas Auto Mall, Land O¹ Lakes International Development Division, Herbert Igbanugo, Blackwell Igbanugo, Franklin Bank Associated Bank, Rev. Richard and Mrs. Mary Coleman, Southside Health Services, Inc.; InKind - FLASHRED.com, J. D. Steele, Sharon Garth, Johnnie Barker, ILI Members and Volunteers. See the story in the Twin Cities Business Monthly magazine (April 2005, page 123) for an article on the 2005 TCICA recepients.

		Twin Cities Honors Outstanding International Citizens of the Year On Thursday, April 24, 2003 the humanitarian-oriented work of local residents and businesses in the international realm were honored at the Twin Cities International Citizen Awards (TCICA) event. The gala was held at the Minneapolis Club in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twin Cities has several organizations that have created a strong foundation with emphasis on international education and supportive services to Minnesota’s international communities. The Twin Cities International Citizen Awards tradition, started in 1992 by the City of Minneapolis and St. Paul, is being continued by the International Leadership Institute in-conjunction with the Twin Cities Business Monthly publication (TCBM). The TCBM highlighted (www.tcbm.com) the accomplishments of the TCICA award recipients in its April Global Business Quarterly, 2003 issue.

Although the TCICA awards are presented at an annual event, they are more than a one-day celebration. The awards serve as a catalyst for communicating among Twin Cities’ international organizations and businesses; provide an opportunity to showcase the international involvement of the Twin Cities area; inspire Twin Citians to enter into international opportunities available in our community; and sustains the work of the International Leadership Institute, a 501 c3 organization which provides civic education and technical assistance to build bridges toward sustainable outcomes for people, business and government.

Award recipients are: Immigrant Achievement Award recipient-Esperanza Guerrero-Anderson, founder, president and chief executive officer of Milestone Growth Fund, Inc. (Minneapolis), which provides equity-type financing to ethnic minority entrepreneurs in the Twin Cities community. Milestone Growth Fund, Inc. is a 21 million dollar Small Business Investment Company (SBIC). A native of Nicaragua, Ms. Guerrero-Anderson has a lengthy career history including, managing a private college, ten years at the Central Bank of Nicaragua, international lending with First Bank of Minneapolis, management consulting with Touche Ross, small business development as President and CEO of the Metropolitan Economic Development Association and entrepreneurial experience owning her own consulting firm in Nicaragua. She has received numerous awards and has served as a member on boards which include M& I Bank Minnesota, Great Lakes Higher Education Corporation and Milestone Growth Fund, Inc. Ms. Guerrero-Anderson is an advocate of the free enterprise system and is passionate about the formation of capital in minority owned businesses as a means to promote economic prosperity and social stability.

International Citizen Award recipient-Carol Engebretson Byrne, Executive Director of the (MIC) Minnesota International Center (Minneapolis) which develops programs and promotes international dialogue and awareness in Minnesota. Since 1995, Carol Engebretson Byrne has been an advocate for the MIC’s many programs that include an expanded International Classroom Connection program to allow people with international backgrounds to visit elementary and secondary schools to introduce students to different countries and cultures. She has also encouraged more MIC programming in out-state Minnesota to acquaint international visitors with the broad heritage of the state.

International Citizen Award recipient-Jawad Malarcher Towns (St. Paul) served in the office of the late U.S. Senator Wellstone by providing constituent advocacy work in the area of immigration. Born in Kuwait City, Kuwait (his parents were university teachers at Kuwait University), Jawad Towns has always been influenced by an environment of history, international affairs, and domestic politics. Mr. Towns has traveled abroad to East Africa and Eastern and Western Europe. He holds a degree in Political Science from Louisiana State University and is engaged in pre-doctoral studies on Race and Politics in America at the University of Virginia. As an advocate for immigrants in the Twin Cities he has been involved in their related problems and concerns.

International Citizen Award recipient- Reverend Dr. Arthur A. Rouner, of the Pilgrim Center for Reconciliation (Edina), operates a unique ministry of reconciliation. Rev. Dr. Rouner began his ministry of reconciliation with the Rwanda Huto and Tutsi people in 1996. Since 1996, more than one thousand eight hundred people in Rwanda and Burundi have participated in retreats Dr. Rouner has organized through the Pilgrim Center for Reconciliation. Those who experience the retreats return to their villages and homes calling themselves, “The Community of the Healed.” The ministry also serves people of four tribes along the Kenya-Uganda border who have been fighting each other over cattle. Dr. Rouner, with his wife Molly, also labor among local Twin Cities groups to encourage them to turn their hearts and resources to the people of Africa. Each year he leads teams of local men and women on ministry trips to Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya and Uganda. He also has a ministry with American Indian people on the Cass Lake Reservation. His commitment to international ministry began many years before 1996 with the support of his wife. Dr. Rouner is a Senior Pastor of Colonial Church of Edina.

International Citizen Award recipient- Robin Phillips, Director of Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights (Minneapolis), has served the local and international communities for over 10 years. After the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing china in 1995, she left her lucrative position as a lawyer to take a leadership role with the Human Rights’ programs. Ms. Phillips is credited by many women’s rights advocates as planting the seed for the movement to end violence against women in Central and Eastern Europe, the Balkans and the Commonwealth of Independent States. Many women in the 33 countries of this region respect her. Locally Ms. Phillips conceived of and created the Minnesota’s first ever International Women’s Day celebration in 1996. The event draws as many as 500 attendees to participate in the workshops, dramatic events and plenary sessions.

International Citizen Award recipient- Karen M. Houle, founder and president of the University Language Center, Inc. (Minneapolis), provides foreign language instruction to adults and children. Approximately 75% of employees and contractors at the center are foreign nationals. Ms. Houle is a member of the Minneapolis University of Minnesota Rotary Club where she has served as committee chair of a special 3H HIV/AIDS project in Costa Rica, Central America. Since 1995 she has lead four delegations to Costa Rica in support of the 3H Project (Health, Hunger and Humanity), the largest program of the Rotary International Foundation. Ms. Houle has also been an international mentor in several programs including the Entrepreneurial Exchange program with businesswomen in the Czech Republic.

Corporate International Citizen Award recipient- 3M Corporation (St. Paul) earned the award for corporate international citizenship by helping people in other countries to develop more sustainable economies. 3M began over 100 years ago, in 1902, in Two Harbors Minnesota. Today an international corporation operating in over 60 countries and doing business in more than 200 countries around the world. 3M has donated funds for local education, health, art programs, and disaster relief. In trying times the company has always been sustained by its commitment to corporate integrity This is highly evidenced by the way 3M handled its operations in “apartheid” South Africa, in the 1970’s and 1980’s. Numerous local companies made highly lucrative offers to buy 3M’s South African operations, but the 3M Board of Directors said “no thanks”, because “the whole decision boiled down to the economic welfare of our employee and their families.” 3M was among the first 12 American companies to adopt the Sullivan Principles in 1977, a voluntary code in which the companies pledged to practice fair and equal employment practices as well as contribute to the progress of black South Africans in the work place and community. 3M’s achievements and contributions to Minnesota, the Twin Cities, and international community have been numerous. Together, the company and its private foundations account for about one-fifth of all charitable grant making in Minnesota.

The criteria for recognition includes clear and exemplary contribution to both local and global communities, a strong commitment to international understanding and cooperation, and a demonstrated sense of mutuality and respect in relation with other countries and people. The International Leadership Institute (ILI) in-conjunction with Twin Cities Business Monthly magazine invited Twin Cities citizens to share an evening of fellowship, inspiration and service with the award recipients at this year’s Twin Cities International Citizen Awards banquet.

Major event sponsors were the Twin Cities Business Monthly magazine(www.tcbm.com), Fredrikson & Byron P.A. (www.fredlaw.com), Right Management Consultants, Inc. (www.right.com), Blackwell Igbanugo P.A. (www.blackwell-law.com), and Faegre & Benson LLP (www.faegre.com).

10/4/02: "Empowering Youth To Strengthen Global Leadership" was the theme of the ILI YOUTH CONFERENCE held at the University of Minnesota Law School, Walter Mondale Hall (west bank/229 -19th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55455) on Saturday, October 19, 2002. Open to all high school students, college students, teachers, youth advocates, parents and community professionals, the conference explored critical topics important to youth.

Youth and leaders from across the metropolitan area explored topics such as "Successful Leadership for Youth;" "Positive Coping Skills - Preventing School Stress;" "International Human Rights;" "People of African decent and the Aftermath of Sept. 11;" and a youth open mic: "Sounding Out Through Rhythm and the Arts." The conference sponsors were: The International Leadership Institute, The University of Minnesota Law School Human Rights Center, and The ILI Youth Leadership Council.

Denise Andrews, ILI Youth and conference coordinator, said, "We were delighted with the interest in this event for youth. With so many of the worlds issues affecting our youth and continuing to be a part of their lives, having this opportunity to discuss them is critical. We also were glad to see parents and advisors join in the conversation at the conference."

Program presenters were Natalie Johnson Lee, Mpls. Council person; Prof. David Wiessbrodt, U of MN Law School; Kristi Redelius-Palmer, U of MN Law School; Prof. Mahmoud El-Kati, Macalester College; Dr. Susan Crutchfield, Medical; Betty Tucker, Educator; Scott Robinson, Educator; Demetria A. Carter, DC Consulting, Ltd.; Lauren Lange, youth leader; Yemisi Soyomokun, youth leader; and Judge LaJune T. Lange. Invited presenters included BraVada Garrett-Akinsanya, Ph.D. LP, and Dorothy Bridges, Bank President.

The conference began at 9:00am with registration, which includes a boxed lunch. Sessions ran from 10:00am to 3:00pm. Conference fees were $25.00 for adults and $10.00 for students. The event also had space for vendors and organizational literature. Youth scholarships were available.

The events community partners included Women of Africa Resource Development Association, Nigerwives of Minnesota, Nigerian Youth Choir Minneapolis Parks System, and Darin Florenz, Banker.

Leadership... making a positive difference in the world... one person at a time.