Who We Are
Colleagues International is the Kalamazoo region's leading international organization, linking businesses and institutions with hundreds of rising and established leaders.

We are a volunteer-based citizen diplomacy organization and part of a network of volunteers that was nominated for the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize.

Our Mission
Colleagues International promotes international understanding and facilitates global business, professional development and cultural exchanges. We foster and promote Citizen Diplomacy “one handshake at a time.”

What We Do
We administer leadership exchange programs for the U.S. State Department, U.S. Library of Congress, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), as well as programs for national nonprofit agencies and foreign governments.

Colleagues International arranges the local itineraries and "American experiences" for hundreds of delegates. We identify experts in various fields to meet with the guests; we develop relationships for academic, cultural, civic and business institutions; and help prevent future wars by making friends with the world's new leaders.

Tajik visitors (L-R) Olim, Firuz, Marziya, Mokhsharif, Bodurkbek and Ardasherkhon each hold a Kalamazoo Gazette featuring a story about Marziya and her internship at Sarkozy Bakery at their farewell dinner.