California International Relations

What use would California, a state, have for International Relations?

With a gross domestic product approaching $2-trillion, a population of 40-million, and with our head of state holding global summits and talks around the world, California is well into the international relations and foreign affairs arena.

It is widely known that the California economy is among the world's top-ten, and that the Golden State has international contracts and diplomatic relationships apart from the USA. Our cultural, agricultural and technological exports are worldwide, but how far do California's international concerns really go?

The California National Guard Office of International Affairs manages the State Partnership Program with Ukraine. California deploys Guard teams to Ukraine to help that nation's armed forces in re-structuring, modernizing its military, and strengthening democracy and free market economies. Apparently, there are future missions with other nations planned as well.

The California Senate Office of International Relations provides data and assistance for furthering economic and cultural ties between California and the nations of the world.  Through its California International Relations Foundation, its California Japan Scholars Program, and its California Brazil Partnership, the Senate is aggressively promoting the international exchange of ideas.

California's universities are also furthering the global dialogue. 

International institutes and departments at Stanford University, the University of California and the University of Southern California are shaping the Pacific Century by addressing International Affairs, Global Conflict and Cooperation issues head-on.

Citizens of the Golden State are joining groups like the World Affairs Council, where heads of state and international policy makers regularly address local chapters of the Council.

The Citizen Diplomacy Council of San Diego arranges face-to-face professional and cultural exchanges between visiting international leaders and San Diego citizens and experts.

The Santa Barbara Committee on Foreign Relations members include business professionals, educators and government officials in the Santa Barbara area. The SBCFR holds dinner meetings featuring speakers on foreign policy and international issues.

Californians are more concerned than ever with International Relations, Foreign Affairs and Global Diplomacy.  California has grown to be a member of the world's international community.  What happens to the world affects us, and our developments have an impact on the world as well.

As goes California, so goes the nation --- and the world.