Meridian International Center, founded in 1960, is a leading non-partisan, not-for-profit organization dedicated to strengthening international understanding.

Meridian builds sustainable global partnerships through leadership exchanges, international collaboration and cultural diplomacy.

Despite recent inclement weather in Washington, DC, Meridian and Gallup will still hold its Tuesday, February 9 launch event of the U.S.-Global Leadership Project.

The Project is a non-political and non-partisan comprehensive assessment of US leadership as seen through the eyes of the world. Following a presentation of the international perspectives of U.S. leadership in the Gallup World Poll, Meridian President Ambassador Stuart W. Holliday will moderate a discussion with:

• Senator Chuck Hagel, Co-Chairman of the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board and Chairman of the Atlantic Council
• Ambassador Wendy Chamberlin, President of the Middle East Institute and former U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan
• Clive Crook, Editor of The Atlantic and columnist for National Journal and The Financial Times

Peace Corps Director Aaron Williams

On Tuesday, December 8, 2009, Meridian International Center held a special reception in honor of The Peace Corps, with welcoming remarks by its new Director Aaron S. Williams. Williams is the organization's 18th Director, and was sworn in on August 7, 2009.

As part of its ongoing work to support the COP15 process Meridian International Center and partnered with Deutsche Bank and the UN Foundation’s Global Leadership for Climate Action Initiative to convene an October 15 roundtable meeting “Energy & Environment: International Cooperation on COP-15 Implementation.”

On Monday November 9, 2009, Meridian International Center brought together government leaders, diplomats, policymakers, scientists, and public health officials in two roundtable discussions on international collaborative efforts and the public health, economic, and national security issues surrounding H1N1.

This two-part Meridian Roundtable discussion was moderated by distinguished global health expert and the Director of Meridian’s Global Health Program Rear Admiral Susan Blumenthal, M.D.

(L-R) Chevron’s Jay Pryor, Dr. Sami Al Araji, Chairman of the Iraqi National Investment Commission, Hon. Stuart Holliday, President of Meridian

On October 20, Meridian International Center hosted a delegation of US and Iraqi business and government leaders at the close of the opening day of the US-Iraq Business and Investment Conference (USIBIC). The USIBIC was organized by the U.S. Department of State, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Iraqi Embassy to focus on twelve sectors: agriculture, banking/finance, defense, electricity, health, education, housing/construction, oil/gas, telecommunications, tourism, industry, and transportation.

Meridian President the Hon. Stuart Holliday (L) and Meridian Chairman Governor James Blanchard (R) present Ambassador Melanne S. Verveer with the 2009 Meridian Award

On October 2, 2009, The Honorable Melanne S. Verveer Ambassador-at-Large, Global Women’s Issues was presented with the 2009 Meridian Award for her advancement of America’s global engagement issues and her outstanding leadership on issues that affect women around the world. Previous recipients have included the Hon. Dina Habib Powell and Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker.