Cleveland Foreign Policy Forum | Art and Global Cooperation

On Thursday evening, March 23rd, we attended the Cleveland Foreign Policy Forum at The Music Settlement in University Circle. The event was presented by the Cleveland Council on World Affairs (CCWA) and titled “Art and International Cooperation: The Bridges Cleveland Helps Build.” It highlighted Cleveland’s cultural strengths made possible through global collaboration.

The forum featured a panel discussion moderated by Ms. Carina Van Vliet, CCWA’s Chief Executive Officer. The distinguished participants included:

• Mr. Andre Gremillet, President and CEO of The Cleveland Orchestra
• Dr. Heather Lemonedes Brown, Deputy Director and Chief Curator of the Cleveland Museum of Art
• Mr. Yaron Kohlberg, President of Piano Cleveland, who received immigration assistance from [nap_names id=”FIRM-NAME-1″]
• Mr. Bishara Haroni, Founder and Director of Bestival, an international festival blending Arab, Jewish, and classical music

Interestingly, Mr. Kohlberg, an Israeli, and Mr. Haroni, a Palestinian, formed a piano duo called Duo Amal in 2008. Their performances across continents demonstrate that music can transcend political and national divides.

Throughout the discussion, panelists praised the international cooperation behind Cleveland’s cultural programs. The Cleveland Orchestra and the Cleveland Museum of Art have enriched Northeast Ohio through global partnerships.

As Ms. Van Vliet concluded, the evening was truly “a feel-good conversation.” The event closed with Duo Amal performing several selections, including a moving piece based on both the Israeli and Palestinian national anthems.

Why the Cleveland Foreign Policy Forum Matters

The Cleveland Foreign Policy Forum shows how art fosters unity and understanding. Cultural exchange builds bridges that connect communities worldwide.

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