Superintendent Austin Beutner, Mayor Eric Garcetti Launch MyGlobalLA Partnership to Introduce Students to Diplomacy and International Relations (10-24-19)

(Los Angeles) —Today, Superintendent Austin Beutner and Los Angeles Deputy Mayor of International Affairs Nina Hachigian launched MyGlobalLA at Woodrow Wilson Senior High School. The year-long pilot project will connect 10 Los Angeles Unified high schools with foreign consulates in Los Angeles to introduce students to diplomacy and global affairs. The partners were joined by Vice Consul for Cultural Affairs of the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany (Woodrow Wilson High’s partner), Los Angeles Unified officials and special guests.

During the visit, the Superintendent and Deputy Mayor observed German Vice Consul Wenzel, representing one of the 10 participating countries, sharing the rich culture of Germany with 70 Wilson High sophomores. 

“Los Angeles Unified is the most diverse big city in the country, where America comes to see its future, a future where all students have an understanding of the world around them and are prepared for all of the opportunities in an increasingly global economy,” Superintendent Beutner said. “In a time when Washington seems to focus on conflict and differences, we must lead the way here in Los Angeles and teach our students that the best way forward is through better understanding and cooperation. We are excited to work with the City on this student initiative.”

“Los Angeles is the face of the world today and America tomorrow – a dynamic global hub enriched by our diversity and strengthened by our connections to the world beyond our borders,” Mayor Garcetti said. “Our city boasts a remarkable mix of cultures, cuisines and history in our own backyard, yet succeeding in the 21st century means equipping our young people to understand, appreciate and engage with their communities abroad. MyGlobalLA puts the world at our students’ fingertips and sets them on course to lead and shape L.A.’s future.” 

Participating schools are: Bell Senior High School; Downtown Business Magnets; Eagle Rock Junior/Senior High School; Early College Academy; Benjamin Franklin Dual Language Academy; John C. Fremont Senior High School; International Studies Learning Center; John H. Frances Polytechnic Senior High School; Theodore Roosevelt Senior High School; and Woodrow Wilson Senior High School.

Participating consulates are: Sri Lanka, Mexico, Ireland, Brazil, Ecuador, France, Japan, Armenia, Spain and Germany.

MyGlobalLA will allow partnering schools and consulates to work on joint initiatives that offer international perspectives and cross-cultural lessons throughout the school year. Students will also engage directly with diplomats and international communities, which could lead to future internships and career opportunities.

In addition to encouraging students to explore the history and culture of different countries, the program will emphasize the importance of diplomacy and demystify international affairs.

“We are delighted and proud to be part of MyGlobalLA, and we are thankful for this unique opportunity to interact with students in the City of Angels,” said Stefan Schneider, Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Los Angeles. “Initiatives like MyGlobalLA are so important in times of change and challenges in all fields, also at international level. We need to further focus on mutual understanding in preserving and identifying common grounds related to our shared values and convictions upon which our free societies are based.

“This year, Germany commemorates the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall,” he added. “We just celebrated the year of German-American friendship under the motto ‘Wunderbar together.’ It celebrates the deeply rooted German-American relations and profound friendship between our two peoples. Germany will always remember and honor the tremendous contribution and unconditional support by the United States of America and its people for the reunification of the German nation. By sharing history and personal stories, we create history for future generations and further strengthen the numerous bonds linking us. We are particularly grateful for the personal and outstanding contribution and initiative of Superintendent Austin Beutner and Deputy Mayor Nina Hachigian in MyGlobalLA and are looking forward to our cooperation with Woodrow Wilson Senior High School.”

"Los Angeles is a global city – home to people and culture from across the world – and it is only fitting that we take advantage of access to consular offices to introduce our students to the larger world,” Board President Dr. Richard Vladovic said. “It can help remind them that they are citizens not just of this country, but members of an increasingly competitive global community.”

“This partnership will broaden the horizons of our students,” Board Vice President Jackie Goldberg said. “MyGlobalLA will deepen their knowledge about diplomacy and international relations, help them understand more about the world we live in and even lead to student exchanges, internships and studying or working abroad.”

“Our students are world leaders, trailblazers and problem solvers,” Board Member Mónica García said. “Thank you, Mayor Garcetti and our foreign consulates in Los Angeles, for supporting student voices and modeling courage.”

"The ability to work and learn across lines of difference has never been more important. This partnership will expose our students to new perspectives and approaches that will prepare them for success in our increasingly interconnected world," Board Member Kelly Gonez said.

At the end of the program, students will demonstrate what they have learned with a capstone presentation.

About Mayor Garcetti’s Office of International Affairs

Mayor Garcetti created the Mayor’s Office of International Affairs in 2017 to broaden the city’s engagement on everything from tourism, trade, combating climate change, and preparing for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. In 2018, the office established the Mayor’s Young Ambassadors (MaYA) initiative to send College Promise students from underrepresented backgrounds abroad, to expand their world view, expose them to new peoples, cultures, and opportunities, and prepare them to succeed in a globalized economy. Since the program’s inception, these nearly 100 local community college students have traveled to five countries: Egypt, Mexico, Japan, France, and Vietnam. The MyGlobalLA partnership with Los Angeles Unified is an expansion of the office's global education programming for young Angelenos.