Washington D.C. (August 24, 2020) – From the global public health crisis gripping communities across the world to executive orders that enact new barriers closer to home, 2020 has been filled with challenges that threaten the mission of Cultural Vistas to promote global understanding and collaboration among individuals and institutions. To date more than 75% of the organization’s programs have been canceled or postponed. Meanwhile, painful events across the United States over the past six months have thrust issues around racial inequality into the global spotlight, raising renewed awareness of the deep extent that systemic racism persists, weakening and diminishing our role in the world.

To explore innovative ways to advance global engagement in the modern era and raise funds to sustain the organization’s mission, Cultural Vistas is holding a Virtual Awards Benefit, October 22 and 23, 2020.The benefit will be headlined by Fareed Zakaria, CNN host, bestselling author and columnist for The Washington Post. Zakaria will deliver a keynote exploring the theme of how diversity can rescue democracy as well as insights from his upcoming book 10 Lessons for a Post-Pandemic World.

The host of Fareed Zakaria GPS, the weekly international and domestic affairs has become a prominent television forum for global newsmakers since its debut in 2008 featuring interviews with such prominent thought leaders as U.S. President Barack Obama, French President Emmanuel Macron, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The program earned the prestigious Peabody Award in 2011 and an Emmy® Award nomination in 2013.

“We are so thrilled that Fareed Zakaria will be joining to help us all think about ways we can meet the moment with new solutions to enhance diversity, equity and inclusion in international exchange,” said Jennifer Clinton, President and CEO of Cultural Vistas. “Undoubtedly the events of 2020 have been difficult for us all and we welcome Zakaria’s thought leadership as we explore the future of global exchange in this unique chapter of history and beyond.”

Established in 2018, Cultural Vistas annual awards benefit recognizes individuals and institutions for their influence and notable contributions toward the advancement of global skills, leadership development, and cross-cultural understanding. This signature event will bring leaders from across the business, education, government, and diplomatic communities together virtually for an evening celebrating the diversity of people, ideas, knowledge, and skills shared through international exchange. The event will take place October 22 and 23, 2020 from 12-3 p.m. EST.

Learn more about the event program, tickets and opportunities to sponsor at cvbenefit.splashthat.com.

About Cultural Vistas
Founded in 1963, Cultural Vistas is a nonprofit exchange organization whose mission is to enrich minds, advance global skills, build careers, and connect lives through international exchange. Cultural Vistas develops international professional experiences that create more informed, skilled, and engaged citizens. Every year, Cultural Vistas’ 30-plus unique exchange programs empower people in the United States and in more than 130 countries around the world to drive positive change in themselves, their organizations, and society. Learn more at culturalvistas.org.