Group of European leaders to visit Austin Friday

In collaboration with Global Minnesota and the Austin Area Chamber of Commerce, the U.S. Department of State is sending a group of European leaders to Austin today (Friday).  

The group of 18 visitors will include mayors, members of parliament, nonprofit leaders, reporters and more from the countries: France, Germany, Greece, Lithuania, Portugal, the Republic of North Macedonia, Republic of Turkiye, Romania, Slovak Republic, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Andora, Belarus, Croatia, the Czech Republic and Estonia. 

The Austin Area Chamber of Commerce stated in a news release that the purpose of the visit is to learn more about how the city has embraced its changing demographics.  While in Austin, the European visitors will meet with leaders and individuals to learn more about the integration of immigrants and refugees in the community of Austin. The day will include presentations from city council members and representatives from Hormel Foods Corporation, APEX Austin, The Welcome Center, Workforce Development Center, Quality Pork Processors, and Austin Public Schools.  

In addition to Austin, the European leaders are visiting St. Paul to meet with State legislators, as well as attending meetings in the cities of Washington, Philadelphia and San Diego.  Austin is the only town under 50,000 that the leaders are visiting.