California is an important international actor in its own right. As the world's fifth-largest economy, the state engages internationally in ways that reflect its values, priorities and economy. IIS aspires to build bridges between Berkeley's academic expertise and the state's growing international footprint in trade, tech, climate diplomacy, and immigration.
IIS’s programming on “Tech-plomacy” sits at the intersection of Silicon Valley's global reach and international governance. Berkeley's unique proximity to the tech industry makes IIS a natural convener of these conversations.
Goldman School of Public Policy student Miryam Riena (Master of Public Affairs) supported IIS's California, Technology & The World programming during the Spring 2026 semester. Her project, "Beyond Declarations: APEC 2023 and the Case for California’s Strategic Subnational Diplomacy," identifies lessons learned from San Francisco's hosting of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum in 2023 and provides guidance to the State of California for strategic participation in multilateral engagements as a subnational entity.
Goldman School of Public Policy student Johnneson Mymala (Master of Public Policy) also supported IIS in Spring 2026. His capstone project, "Closing the Diplomatic Gap: Strengthening California’s Subnational Diplomacy Through a Central International Relations Office," explores how California could bolster its global leadership with the support of a dedicated team.
White paper
Beyond Declarations: Strategic Subnational Diplomacy Opportunities for California is a short white paper describing IIS's support for research under the California, Technology & The World thematic area.
Guest lecture: California's subnational diplomacy
with Evan Reade, International Affairs Advisor, Office of California Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis
On April 17, 2026, IIS welcomed career diplomat and national security professional Evan Reade, a career diplomat, national security professional, and International Affairs Advisor to California Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis. Mr. Reade discussed how the State of California is navigating international cooperation and standing as a global leader during a period of global rupture.
Guest lecture: Steering safe tech, standards-setting, and policymaking
Mary Saunders in conversation with Debra Glass, PhD
On April 8, 2026, IIS hosted Mary Saunders, Senior Vice President of the ANSI - American National Standards Institute, for a conversation with IIS Senior Fellow Debra L. Miller Glass, Ph.D on steering safe tech through international standards setting for AI, biotech, quantum technologies, and beyond in an era of deregulation.
- Headed for a Cliff? Steering Safe Tech in an Era of Deregulation
Watch on YouTube - California's Subnational Diplomacy in Today's World with Evan Reade
