Iowa City Foreign Relations Council (ICFRC)

Iowa City Foreign Relations Council (ICFRC) Where Iowa meets to learn and talk about the world.

The Iowa City Foreign Relations Council is Dedicated to Promoting Understanding of International Issue Through Education, Connection, and Engagement

ICFRC is thrilled to welcome Sophia Restiffe-Favoretto as our 2026 Glocal Impact Fellow focused on Multimedia Strategy a...
06/17/2026

ICFRC is thrilled to welcome Sophia Restiffe-Favoretto as our 2026 Glocal Impact Fellow focused on Multimedia Strategy and Outreach.

Sophia is a Brazilian-Italian communicator, visual storyteller, and recent graduate of the University of Iowa’s Master of Arts program in Mass Communication. With experience in visual communication, multimedia storytelling, international student engagement, study abroad programming, and cross-cultural education, Sophia brings a global perspective and deep commitment to helping people connect across cultures and communities.

Through this two-month summer fellowship, Sophia will help ICFRC develop audience profiles, outreach tools, messaging materials, and multimedia content strategies to expand participation, deepen community partnerships, and support our fall Voices Into Votes: Why Turnout Matters Here, There, and Now series.

The Glocal Impact Fellowship connects internationally focused graduate students and recent alumni with meaningful opportunities to apply their skills locally, working alongside community leaders, international experts, advocates, and social impact organizations in Johnson County.

We are so excited to have Sophia’s creativity, experience, and international perspective supporting ICFRC’s mission to make global learning accessible, welcoming, and locally meaningful.

Learn more: https://www.icfrc.org/glocal-impact-fellowship

ICFRC is overjoyed to congratulate Dr. Sunday Gosh*t and Regina Gosh*t on becoming U.S. citizens after 25 years of build...
06/15/2026

ICFRC is overjoyed to congratulate Dr. Sunday Gosh*t and Regina Gosh*t on becoming U.S. citizens after 25 years of building a life, family, and extraordinary legacy of service in Iowa City.

Sunday, ICFRC’s Board President, has long been a leader, educator, mentor, and bridge-builder in our community. Regina has spent years supporting and advocating for people with disabilities in Johnson County. Together, they represent the generosity, perseverance, and commitment to community that make Iowa City stronger.

This long-awaited milestone is a deeply meaningful moment for the Gosh*t family and for all who have been touched by their leadership and care.

Congratulations, Sunday and Regina. We are grateful for you and honored to celebrate with you.

ICFRC invites you to a timely and thought-provoking screening of Everybody to Kenmure Street, presented in partnership w...
06/11/2026

ICFRC invites you to a timely and thought-provoking screening of Everybody to Kenmure Street, presented in partnership with FilmScene.

This powerful documentary tells the story of a spontaneous act of community solidarity in Pollokshields, Scotland, where hundreds of residents came together to stop the deportation of their neighbors after a UK Home Office dawn raid in May 2021.

This special community event will include tabling with local organizations, catered local foods, and opportunities to connect with groups working in support of immigrant, refugee, and justice-centered communities in Iowa City and beyond.

Saturday, August 22, 2026
12:00 PM to 2:30 PM
FilmScene at The Chauncey
https://www.icfrc.org/events-1

Presented with support from FilmScene, International Rescue Committee, IC Compassion, Open Heartland, Immigrant Welcome Network of Johnson County, Prairielands Freedom Fund, Escucha Mi Voz Iowa, and other community partners.

To register, visit FilmScene’s website, scroll to “Showtimes,” click the 12:30 PM time, and follow the steps to complete your registration.

ICFRC is hiring a Multimedia Student Intern!We’re looking for a University of Iowa SJMC student to help capture the ener...
06/02/2026

ICFRC is hiring a Multimedia Student Intern!

We’re looking for a University of Iowa SJMC student to help capture the energy, ideas, and community connections that make ICFRC programs special. This opportunity is photography-first, with a strong preference for someone interested in videography and short-form storytelling.

Programs typically take place every two weeks, with the in-between week used for editing and a team check-in. The role averages up to 5 hours per week.

Interested? Email Peter Gerlach at [email protected] with your resume, 2–3 samples, and a brief note about why you want to work with ICFRC and your availability.



University of Iowa School of Journalism and Mass Communication

The Stanley Center invites the community to the premiere of Barberman, an original full-length play about Alexander Clar...
05/28/2026

The Stanley Center invites the community to the premiere of Barberman, an original full-length play about Alexander Clark, a longtime Muscatine resident, civil rights leader, and early advocate for equal rights in Iowa.

Clark’s landmark lawsuit against the Muscatine school board led the Iowa Supreme Court to desegregate Iowa’s public schools 85 years before Brown v. Board of Education. This powerful production brings his story, and the stories of those who shaped and stood alongside him, to the stage.

The play will be performed June 12 through 14, 2026, at Muscatine Community College. This is a free event with a suggested donation.

Performance times:
Friday, June 12 at 7:00 PM, followed by Q&A
Saturday, June 13 at 2:00 PM
Saturday, June 13 at 7:00 PM, followed by Q&A
Sunday, June 14 at 2:00 PM, followed by Q&A

Reserve your seat today and experience this important Iowa story brought to life.

https://stanleycenter.org/global-education/barberman-alexander-clark-story/

Join Us for the Third Annual Glocal Connections Summer Gathering & PotluckThe Iowa City Foreign Relations Council (ICFRC...
05/26/2026

Join Us for the Third Annual Glocal Connections Summer Gathering & Potluck

The Iowa City Foreign Relations Council (ICFRC), in partnership with the Iowa City community, invites you to an afternoon of culture, conversation, food, and friendship at our third annual Glocal Connections Summer Gathering & Potluck.

This family-friendly event brings together neighbors, international communities, local organizations, and friends from across the Iowa City area to celebrate the connections that make our community stronger and more welcoming.

Enjoy a diverse array of dishes shared by attendees and community organizations, music, and opportunities to meet people and groups working to promote international understanding, inclusion, and mutual support. We are excited to gather alongside partners such as the African Community Network of Iowa, IC Compassion, the Center for Worker Justice, Global Ties Iowa, and many others.

Saturday, June 20, 2026
4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Iowa City City Park, Shelter #5

Bring a favorite dish to share and invite family and friends. Everyone is welcome.

Registration is not required. Simply join us for an afternoon of community and connection.

Translation assistance for promotional materials is available in several languages, including Arabic, French, Spanish, Swahili, and Lingala. For more information, contact [email protected].

We look forward to celebrating the richness of our community and continuing to build connections across cultures and backgrounds.



University of Iowa International Programs
University of Iowa Honors Program
University of Iowa School of Journalism and Mass Communication
FilmScene
Humanities Iowa
City Channel 4
Midwestone, A Division Of Nicolet National Bank
National Endowment for the Humanities
Iowa Public Radio
Stanley Center for Peace and Security
Veterans for Peace Iowa
Community Foundation of Johnson County
University of Iowa Libraries
University of Iowa Department of Political Science
University of Iowa - Division of World Languages, Literatures & Cultures
University of Iowa International Student Advisory Board

Thank you to everyone who joined ICFRC at The Englert Theatre for The Blind Spot: How Oligarchs Dominate Our Democracy, ...
05/21/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined ICFRC at The Englert Theatre for The Blind Spot: How Oligarchs Dominate Our Democracy, our final Spring season event and the concluding program in our Resisting Global Tyranny series.

We are grateful to Dr. Jeffrey A. Winters for sharing his timely work, and to Ben Kieffer and Iowa Public Radio for guiding the conversation, recording the program, and featuring it on River to River.

Special thanks to our partners at The Englert Theatre, Prairie Lights Books, and Iowa Public Radio for helping make this evening possible. We also thank ICFRC intern and local photographer extraordinaire Antony Cardenas for providing a beautiful event photo gallery.

Listen to the River to River episode:
https://www.iowapublicradio.org/podcast/river-to-river/2026-05-20/how-the-u-s-has-arrived-at-its-most-blatant-era-of-oligarchy

View the photo gallery:
https://antonyphotography76.pixieset.com/icfrcattheenglert/

Looking for a copy of Dr. Winters’ book? Find The Blind Spot through Prairie Lights:
https://prairielights.com/book/9781668221532

We also hope you will join us for our third annual Glocal Connections Summer Gathering & Potluck:

Saturday, June 20, 2026
4:00 to 6:00 PM
Iowa City City Park, Shelter #5
No registration required

Bring a favorite dish, friends, and family. All are welcome.

Join the The University of Iowa College of Law’s Federal Impact Litigation Clinic for a community panel on how travel ba...
05/08/2026

Join the The University of Iowa College of Law’s Federal Impact Litigation Clinic for a community panel on how travel bans are interfering with pathways to citizenship.

The discussion will feature immigration lawyers, community leaders, and law students, with resources available for community members.

Monday, May 11
7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Dream City IA, 611 Southgate Ave, Iowa City, IA 52240

Moderated by ICFRC Board President Dr. Sunday Gosh*t.



Refugee & Immigrant Association
Immigrant Welcome Network of Johnson County
IC Compassion
Refugee & Immigrant Voices in Action - RIVA
Iowans for Immigrant Freedom
Escucha Mi Voz Iowa
Open Heartland
Iowa City Catholic Worker
Dream City
Greater Iowa City Church of the Nazarene
The University of Iowa College of Law
Catherine McAuley Center
United We March Forward
International Rescue Committee in Iowa
Iowa MMJ
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Dubuque
Latinos Unidos of Iowa

A new film festival celebrating Latino culture and community is coming to Iowa City this weekend. The inaugural Aquí y A...
04/30/2026

A new film festival celebrating Latino culture and community is coming to Iowa City this weekend. The inaugural Aquí y Allá Latin American Film Festival takes place May 1-3 at FilmScene

The festival will screen six new feature films, one short film and one repertory title over the course of three days. It will also include panel discussions, art displays, poetry readings and receptions with complimentary food for attendees.

All events are free, with a “pay what you can” ticket donation option available.

https://icfilmscene.org/series/aqui-y-alla-latin-american-film-festival/

Join us for ICFRC’s final spring season event and the last program in our Resisting Global Tyranny series, presented in ...
04/22/2026

Join us for ICFRC’s final spring season event and the last program in our Resisting Global Tyranny series, presented in partnership with The Englert Theatre, Prairie Lights Books, and Iowa Public Radio.

On Thursday, May 7, 2026, political scientist Dr. Jeffrey Winters will discuss his new book, The Blind Spot: How Oligarchs Dominate Our Democracy, in conversation with Ben Kieffer of Iowa Public Radio.

In this urgent and thought-provoking program, Winters explores how oligarchic power has shaped modern democracy and why so many people continue to participate in systems that exclude and disenfranchise them. He also offers bold ideas for how power can be rebalanced in a time of deep inequality.

Register here: https://www.icfrc.org/events-1

The Englert Theatre

6:30–8:30 PM

6:30 PM – Doors open / reception with invited guests
7:30 PM – Program begins, followed by Q&A
8:30 PM – Book signing

Hosted by ICFRC Executive Director Peter Gerlach.

Don’t miss this timely conversation with one of the leading scholars of oligarchy and democracy.

Address

Iowa City, IA

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+13196002588

Website

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