Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Global Exchange (VGE), a collaborative of 20 Vermont organizations engaged in international development work, is affiliated with the University of Vermont's Office of Engagement through a memorandum of understanding signed last year.
The next Vermont Global Exchange meeting on Thursday, October 19 at 5:30 p.m. at Waterman Memorial Lounge at the University of Vermont (85 S. Prospect St., Burlington) will bring the two communities together. The meeting, which discusses the theme “Peace and Global Security,” is also free and open to the public with advance registration.
The following speakers will lead the discussion:
Major Patrick (Gene) Enriquez, Director, Vermont National Guard
Jody M. Prescott, Lecturer, Computer Science & Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources
Fran Stoddard, Co-founder, Vermont Global Exchange
Scott Tighe, Co-Chair ABRF Metagenomics and Microbiome Research Group (MMRG) & Group leader Extreme Microbiome Project
Tricia Coates, Director, Institute for Rural Partnerships & Office of Engagement, UVM
Jamie McGowan, Executive Director, International Partnerships and Programs, UVM
Nina Meyerhof, President and founder of Children of the Earth and Co-founder of the One Humanity Institute
Gail Stephenson, Vermont Global Exchange
The Vermont Global Exchange launched in 2010 as an informal network to discuss issues important to local leaders doing international development work. VGE organizations operate in fields including health care, technology, education, sustainability and democracy building. What brings them together is a passion for making the world a better place.
The VGE/UVM partnership offers benefits to both organizations.
“The Exchange gives us an opportunity to share strategies and experiences and to really create a community of practice within Vermont around international engagement,” said Vermont journalist Fran Stoddard, who as instrumental in bringing VGE member organizations together. “The group will benefit from the expertise of UVM faculty members and students involved in overseas development work.”
“This partnership will bring students and faculty face-to-face with some of the key players in international education, economic development, health and sustainability—all based right here in Vermont,” said Naomi Parekh, a UVM graduate student pursuing a doctorate in community development and applied economics and one of the organizers of the meeting.
Building upon the University’s land-grant mission, UVM established the Office of Engagement to serve as the university's “front door” for private, public and non-profit entities and communities looking to access UVM’s many strengths and capabilities.
