President's Address
Dear SIETAR USA members, friends, and colleagues,
October is here and in the Northern hemisphere while temperatures remain warm, leaves are beginning to fall. As the weather slowly changes, we think more about the work we do and how to do it. SIETAR USA has a wonderful webinar to offer you on October 10th from Val Bath on "Marketing Your Cross-Cultural Business" to help you think about how you work with others. We also are planning for the first ever Saturday Seminar to be held on Saturday, November 17th in St. Paul, Minnesota. The topic is "Walk the Talk: Achieving Civility and Respect in Times of Polarization." Please plan to join us!
Last but not least, we are seeking energetic people like you to help us do our work! There are many opportunities to give back to the culture-bridging community that is SIETAR USA. The Call for Nominations deadline is October 4th so please send us your recommendations! And please have a wonderful month!
Best regards,
Holly Emert, Ph.D.
SIETAR USA President
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Bill Doherty opens the day with his keynote address. He says, "Our growing partisan divide is paralyzing government and dividing families and communities." In his presentation he will describe the sources and scope of polarization and offer lessons from his work with 
Shannon Murphy Robinson who specializes in the neuroscience of diversity & inclusion and cultural agility will build on the role that the brain plays in polarization and how to work with the brain to bridge the us/them divide. She has been a frequent SIETAR USA Conference presenter and recently published a book, The Neuroscience of Inclusion: New Skills for New Times.
Karen Lokkesmoe will highlight ways that cultural value frameworks can contribute to misunderstandings, conflict, and polarization. How can we seek a deeper understanding of these concepts so that we can utilize them to recognize and circumvent polarizing attitudes from developing? Further, how can we utilize them to defuse polarizing attitudes that do arise?
Nagesh Rho will draw upon his extensive experience in education, healthcare, and business contexts to share strategies for effectively bridging differences. Knowing they exist and recognizing their potential sources is only part of the issue. The session focuses on what's next.
Saumya Pant will similarly focus on strategies that one can use for diffusing polarization within a social context. She will apply her expertise in interpersonal communication by demonstrating how stories can create dialogue and be powerful agents of change in highly divisive societies.
Holly Emert, President of SIETAR USA, will wrap up the day with a synthesis of key topics and strategies allowing each participant to consider how they might integrate the context of the day in their own lives and work.
SIETAR DC hosted its first event of the fall on Thursday, September 27th on the campus of George Washington University in Washington, DC. Over 50 professionals and students attended to hear intercultural communications expert Craig Storti discuss his new book, Why Travel Matters: A Guide to the Life-Changing Effects of Travel. It was a great success!
