The San Diego World Affairs Council Presents
"Travelogue: Celebrating San Diego's Multiculturalism"
featuring:
Ashwin Salvi & Lia Steiner Rodriguez
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Special Musical Performance by:
Rafael Pondé
About the Program
SDWAC has partnered with the International Cottages at Balboa Park's House of Pacific Relations, the United Nations Association of San Diego, and the San Diego Diplomacy Council to create a fun and interactive way to explore the International Cottages and to celebrate San Diego's unique history of multiculturalism!
How does travel shape our world perspectives? This unique program will take you on a visual tour around the world with special guest speakers Ashwin Salvi and Lia Steiner Rodriguez, who will inspire us with stories of their own travel and adventures.
Upon checking in for the presentations, all pre-registered lecture attendees will receive a program "passport" upon arrival. Immediately following the presentations, attendees will be invited to visit the participating Cottages to learn more about each country and will receive a "passport stamp" in their program. Participation is free, pre-registration is required.
If you receive a stamp from each participating cottage you can turn that in to receive an entry to a raffle for a travel-related prize - a $500 airfare gift card! Raffle for airfare will take place at the event.
About Ashwin Salvi
Ashwin works as a clean energy professional by trade and is also a San Diego–based travel photographer. His photography gives him a reason to chase epic sunrises, explore hidden corners of the world, and connect with people, cultures, and landscapes beyond the tourist lens.
Born overseas, Ashwin grew up with a love for exploration that eventually led him to San Diego. After co-founding a climate tech company, he took a sabbatical to slow down, travel, and experience the world more deeply.
Along the way, his greatest lesson learned is that kindness transcends borders and that you don’t need all the answers before you set out—you just need the courage to begin.
About Lia Steiner Rodriguez
Lia Steiner Rodriguez is a 19-year-old, second-year college student at Mira Costa, majoring in Anthropology & Legal Studies. She works part-time as a Pool Lifeguard for the City of Carlsbad and interns for the city's Homeless & Housing Services Department. Before moving to the States at twelve years old, Lia lived in multiple countries, where she learned many cultures and languages along the way. She has fluently spoken a total of six languages in her life and still maintains four of them to this day. Lia also holds dual citizenship from the Dominican Republic and Switzerland, which are the cultures she was raised in at home. Lia believes that travel inspires people to build community and appreciate the beauty of differences.
About Rafael Pondé
Rafael Pondé is a visionary Brazilian award-winning artist, passionate about music from around the world. Rafa is a Songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, Singer, and Record Producer. He has recorded 8 solo albums and collaborated with several artists, among them: 2025 Grammy-winning producer Hans Martin Buff (Prince, Joss Stone, Scorpions), Grammy-winning musician Bill Anschell, Latin Grammy-awarded Brazilian band Natiruts, among others. He is the author of the song "Princesa do cerrado" recorded by Natiruts on their 4th album "Quatro" (EMI Records). Along almost 30 years in the music business, Rafa has recorded all over the world and has been touring extensively in Europe, the United States, and South America. In addition, his love for music extends to children as a Ukulele Instructor for Classics 4 Kids, a local San Diego music education nonprofit.
Financial Sponsor
SDWAC thanks the sponsor of our airfare gift card, Bright Light Volunteers, a celebrated nonprofit provider of Global Service Learning (GSL) programs that connect people and communities. Bright Light's mission is to make the world a brighter place by providing educational service opportunities that foster the development of global leaders and citizens
