Each year, the Minneapolis-based International Leadership Institute presents the Twin Cities International Citizen Awards. The awards promote the state’s significant achievements in international friendship and development by highlighting the work of key individuals and companies in three categories: foreign-born Minnesotans who’ve made contributions to global understanding are eligible for the International Immigrant Achievement Award; United States–born Minnesotans are eligible for the International Citizen Award; and the International Corporate Award celebrates a local company’s achievements. Nominations for the awards come from the Minnesota business community.
The International Leadership Institute hopes to inspire people to pursue international opportunities available in the community and abroad through recognition of global connections in business, research, human rights, agriculture, technology, the arts, medicine, education, journalism, hospitality, and humanitarian relief.
This year’s recipients include the president of the Midwest’s largest minority-owned contractor, a former ambassador (and United States senator and vice president), and a globally involved Minnesota corporation that’s using its business clout and expansion to encourage development in countries where it’s needed and to stop trafficking in and prostituting of children.
