Partnerships help Elgin host world class conversations

If you live in or near Elgin, you've probably seen headlines about influential world leaders visiting our community. Guests such as Tony Blair, Condoleezza Rice, Mikhail Gorbachev and George W. Bush are people who shaped our world, and for one day each year, everyday people in the Fox Valley have the remarkable opportunity to hear from them in person.

As mayor of Elgin, I have had the extraordinary opportunity to welcome these significant global leaders to our city. On April 18, I'm excited to repeat this honor for Queen Noor of Jordan as she keynotes Judson University's sixth annual World Leaders Forum.

Not only does the Elgin community have the incredible opportunity to listen and learn from experienced world leaders such as Queen Noor, but it all happens at Judson University, a local, private university that has been an anchor of our city for more than 50 years. Judson is a strong representation of our city's growing international community as its student body of 1,250 comprises students from 30 states and 20 countries.

As Elgin is one of the most diverse cities in the nation, with a population of 110,000, the World Leaders Forum is a reflection of who we are: a city that provides meaningful educational opportunities for our well-connected, global community. We value the contributions made to our city by our all of our residents - including 13,192 people who share Queen Noor's Islamic faith.

I am so pleased that our community has the opportunity to meet Queen Noor, an American-born global leader known just as well by people of other beliefs as those who share her faith. Queen Noor married King Hussein of Jordan in 1978 and remained queen consort until her husband's death in 1999. She is world-renowned for her long and active career promoting the international exchange and understanding of Arab and Muslim culture and politics.

Elgin is also home to many corporations with international presences. Several area businesses - including Shales McNutt Construction, Lundstrom Insurance and EFS Foundation - have signed on as World Leadership Forum event sponsors. Partnerships like these, between a local university and area businesses, help make our community stronger.

Tickets to the World Leaders Forum are $65 and proceeds from the event help provide scholarships for incoming Judson University students. I am proud that our community has access to this kind of opportunity, and I am grateful to Judson for making it possible.

I encourage Elgin residents of all faiths and ages to join me at this very special event

David Kaptain is mayor of Elgin.