LEADING THE FIGHT: HOW CITIES ARE ACTING ON GLOBAL ISSUES
BY LAUREN BATTEN
The Pacific Council recently hosted a webcast discussion with Vanessa Ibarra, director of Atlanta’s Office of International Affairs and Ambassador Nina Hachigian, LA deputy mayor of international affairs, on preparing for future challenges through subnational diplomacy and global engagement. The discussion was moderated by Anka Lee of the Truman National Security Project.
Here are takeaways from the discussion:
Lee set the scene by pointing out that in modern cities, many people feel out of place. “It is difficult to have to constantly adapt so rapidly,” Lee said. “Some generations are able to be on autopilot and operate established systems. That is not the case for this generation. We are being called to evaluate if our systems are equipped to handle the 21st century.”
“Mayors can be very effective messengers of why foreign policy is important to local populations,” Hachigian said. “Americans in general want us to cooperate in the world, but they don’t necessarily know how foreign affairs touches their daily lives. I think COVID-19 is a great example of why it is important, and I hope that we get more involved and that city populations do more.”
Hachigian added that when city budgets are cut, international affairs offices are typically the first to go. “I hope that people like me, Vanessa, and others, are paving the way for a different time when cities will be more active [on the world stage]. It’s been great to have cities be more active since we’ve been the voices of the American values of diversity, wanting to work with our international partners, and caring about climate change and immigrants.”
Ibarra agreed that cities need a “cohesive strategy in city budgets to include international affairs,” and that both “funding and convenings are essential.”
Ibarra said it’s important to educate young people on why international affairs are so important, which is mutually beneficial for cities as well. “When you actually sit down with them and give them the opportunity to express themselves and let you know what they want to see in the world, it really helps you take a few steps back and realign your strategy,” Ibarra said. “It’s up to us to uplift our youth and really make a difference and have a global mind.”
WATCH THE FULL CONVERSATION BELOW:
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The views and opinions expressed here are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Pacific Council.
