About Global NC
Global NC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to making North Carolina a great place to invest, work, study, visit, partner, and live. We provide transformative international experiences to educators, government, business and community leaders. We have been strengthening North Carolina through global connections since 1979.
Our Mission
We connect North Carolina and the world.
Our Vision
North Carolina is the most globally engaged state in the nation.
Every Day We
Build Connections
Transcend Boundaries
Open Minds
Unite Diverse Strengths
Grow Awareness
Unlock Opportunity
Strengthen Communities
Far-reaching impact
Our work empowers NC leaders to help our state thrive in a complex, dynamic world. More than 10,000 North Carolina educators, legislators, business leaders and others have traveled with us to more than 55 countries to learn from the world and serve NC.
Our history
Global NC’s roots are in citizen diplomacy. Governor James B. Hunt Jr. established our organization in 1979, originally known as the Center for International Understanding (CIU), later Go Global NC, and today, Global NC. Its mission was to demystify other nations and cultures through people-to-people diplomacy.
Affiliated with The Friendship Force and Youth for Understanding and supported by a network of volunteers, we took plane loads of North Carolinians abroad to live for a week at a time in the homes of people in England, Japan, Kenya, Egypt, and many other countries. Our international hosts would then come to North Carolina and experience life in the Tar Heel state.
Our organization has evolved to provide unmatched global education and leadership programs for North Carolina leaders.
Our Strategic Plan
Our work increases Global Access, support Global Policy, and foster Global Innovation.
Blueprint for Global Engagement
