Meridian International Center

Meridian is a nonpartisan center for diplomacy founded in 1960 and headquartered on a historic campus in Washington, D.C. Our mission is to empower the next era of leaders to advance diplomacy for a better future. Our programs strengthen American leadership by accelerating collaboration on shared challenges, increasing economic competitiveness, and building geopolitical resilience. We equip leaders from business, science and technology, cities and states, culture and sports with the insights, networks, and resources to navigate a complex world.

Empowering the Next Era of Leaders to Advance Diplomacy for a Better Future

Meridian International Center empowers the next era of leaders to advance diplomacy for a better future. In a rapidly changing world marked by geopolitical instability and shifting alliances, international collaboration—and American leadership in the world - has never been more critical—or more complex.

Meridian is redefining diplomacy for this moment by opening it to leaders beyond traditional channels. From business executives and scientists to governors and mayors, artists and athletes, we connect leaders with the insights, networks, and resources they need to tackle challenges that no single government can solve alone.

Since 1960, Meridian has been a trusted, nonpartisan partner to the U.S. Department of State and hundreds of thousands of global leaders, including over 180 heads of state. Our historic campus in Washington, D.C., has long been a place that fosters trust and brings together diverse perspectives in pursuit of shared aspirations.

Today, through our global leadership development programs, our impact centers around three priorities:

  1. Alliances and Democracies: Accelerating collaboration on shared challenges through international partnerships
  2. U.S. Competitiveness: Driving economic interests and sustainable development
  3. Geopolitical Resilience: Preparing leaders to navigate a complex global future

Guided by a vision of a secure, free, and prosperous world, Meridian supports the United States in shaping a better future for all.

Our Approach

For centuries, diplomacy was limited to a small group of officials working across governments. But today’s challenges require a new approach. That’s why Meridian is stepping up with a new framework: Open Diplomacy.

Open Diplomacy is a decentralized, inclusive approach to addressing global challenges. Like open-source software or blockchain, it is collaborative, resilient, and adaptable to geopolitical disruptions.

Our Role

At its core is Meridian—a nexus connecting leaders across borders, sectors, and political divides with the insights, networks, and resources needed to solve problems no single government can tackle alone. People are at the center of diplomacy and our mission. We work with highpotential leaders from the following key sectors who are on the frontlines of tackling global issues.

  • Business
  • Science, Technology & Innovation
  • State & Local
  • Culture & Sports
  • Emerging Leaders

Our programs are an on-ramp for leaders to connect with their government and diplomatic counterparts and gain the global insights, networks, and resources needed to be a force multiplier for diplomacy. Our cross-cutting approach includes the following types of global leadership development programs:

  • Global Education & Exchanges
  • Convenings
  • Culture

Our Strategic Priorities: A Better Future Depends on American Leadership and Engagement  

By investing in people and working with them to drive solutions to shared issues, our impact is reflected in our three strategic priority areas:

Alliances + Democracies:

Accelerating collaboration on challenges through international partnerships

Our Impact:

  • More resilient alliances to address shared challenges and counter the growing influence of authoritarian regimes.
  • Policies strengthened through diverse perspectives and the safeguarding of democratic principles.

U.S. Competitiveness:

Advancing economic interests and sustainable development

Our Impact:

• Resources for companies to unlock new markets and solutions for trade, supply chains, regulatory issues, and beyond.
• Greater coordination between government and the private sector to power America’s competitive edge and sustainable development.

Geopolitical Resilience:

Preparing leaders to navigate a complex global future

Our Impact:

  • Leaders empowered to make smarter policy and business decisions through sharper global insights.
  • Organizations able to thrive in an unpredictable world by adapting faster and staying ahead of geopolitical shifts.

Our Campus and History

Since our founding in 1960, Meridian has worked with hundreds of thousands of global leaders, including over 180 heads of state. Our historic campus and nonpartisan stance have established us as a trusted space where diverse perspectives can come together. Today, through more resilient international partnerships and innovative solutions, we’re helping America shape a better future.

Meridian’s history and foundation are rooted in diplomacy. Our campus, located in the heart of Washington, D.C., features two iconic properties—Meridian House and White-Meyer House.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, these homes were residences of U.S. Ambassadors. Built in the 1920s, the homes were designed by renowned American architect John Russell Pope, whose work includes the Jefferson Memorial and the National Archives.

Meridian’s name comes from its location near 16th Street, which in the early 1800s was proposed as the international prime meridian and now serves as the center axis of Washington, DC. Meridian represents a central axis of connection—reflecting our mission to bring leaders together across borders and perspectives.

In 1960, the American Council on Education purchased Meridian House with a Ford Foundation grant, establishing it as a partner to the U.S. Department of State on international exchange programs. White-Meyer House was acquired in 1987, and the organization was renamed Meridian International Center in 1992. Today, these historic homes symbolize Meridian’s mission to connect leaders and foster diplomacy.

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