Glocal Guiding: Fostering more effective subnational diplomacy
Event Details
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Bringing together city, state, and international leaders, this program will explore the growing power and potential of subnational diplomacy in global affairs. Speakers will explore key areas where local and regional governments can collaborate across borders, discuss challenges like limited funding and citizen opposition, and navigate the complexities of geopolitical uncertainty.
This program is part of the Symposium on Strategic Subnational Diplomacy – a landmark two-day gathering focused on empowering city, state, and regional leaders to navigate today’s complex global landscape, hosted by Meridian International Center, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of State, the Truman Center, and the Melbourne Centre for Cities. The Symposium will welcome delegations from nine countries, including Australia, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
For more information or to attend, please email Vishva Bhatt, Manager, Center for Diplomatic Engagement at Forums@meridian.org
About Meridian International Center
Meridian International Center is a nonpartisan, independent center for diplomacy headquartered on a historic campus in Washington, D.C. Established in 1960, Meridian advances American leadership by expanding and opening diplomacy to leverage our nation’s greatest assets—our people, innovation, enterprise, and culture—to build a better shared future. This involves fostering collaboration and dialogue not only among government entities but also with private sector leaders, civil society, and other non-state actors. Our aim is to create a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable global environment.
About the U.S. State Department Subnational Diplomacy Unit
Led by the Special Representative for City and State Diplomacy, the Subnational Diplomacy Unit oversees and coordinates the State Department’s engagement with mayors, governors and other local officials in the United States and around the world. The Subnational Diplomacy Unit aims to bring the benefits of U.S. foreign policy, such as jobs, investments, innovative solutions, and international experiences, to the local and state level. It supports U.S. national security priorities by integrating local ideas into foreign policy and fostering connections among cities, municipalities, and communities in the United States and abroad.
About the Truman Center
The Truman Center for National Policy and its sister organization, the Truman National Security Project, operate at the intersection of foreign and domestic policy, regularly breaking down barriers between the two and making the case that U.S. global leadership is essential to security and prosperity at home. Truman has established itself as a leader in the field of subnational diplomacy. In 2023, Truman published the City & State Diplomacy Toolkit, and in 2024, Truman launched a groundbreaking interactive tool mapping ongoing city & state diplomacy in the United States.
About the Melbourne Centre for Cities
Melbourne Centre for Cities focuses on urban governance, aiming to amplify urban research with an international perspective. As a unique cross-faculty, multidisciplinary, initiative at the University of Melbourne, Centre projects focus on collaborative strategies centered around the key themes of urban sustainability, connectivity, leadership, and equity. Through global collaboration, the Centre connects researchers and city leaders to tackle urgent issues affecting both people and the environment, while also addressing inequalities in decision-making.