This past year marked a turning point for the United States and its role in the world today. A polarized political climate, the economic stagnation of a large segment of Americans, and the minimized importance of global alliances have fueled a false dichotomy between globalism and nationalism. Meridian believes that we do not have to choose one or the other. The United States is stronger at home when globally engaged, setting the tone for collaboration and consensus building across nations in order to build a more secure and prosperous world for all.
Every day, in every corner of the world, Meridian advances U.S. engagement and builds global leaders through exchange, training, culture and convening programs. While our work is global in reach, the foundation and impact of our programs is national.
Meridian’s work on the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) last year brought 1,830 international participants on 244 exchange programs to 336 U.S. cities – from Guntersville, Alabama to Lawrence, Kansas to Rapid City, South Dakota. Americans coast to coast collaborated on these exchanges, benefiting from the millions of dollars of direct economic value generated in their local communities as well as the long-lasting relationships and reciprocal insights developed along the way. Congress reaffirmed the value of international exchanges by maintaining funding levels for public and cultural diplomacy initiatives, including the IVLP.
Entrepreneurship training continues to be a cornerstone of Meridian’s work. The 2017 Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) brought 250 promising entrepreneurs from Latin America and the Caribbean to the U.S. for an exchange to equip them with knowledge, resources and networks to succeed in the digital commerce era. Since 2016, over 26 U.S. communities have hosted and mentored 500 YLAI Fellows, while over 70 U.S. mentors have traveled to Latin America and the Caribbean to help fellows implement community projects. These trainings connect entrepreneurs across borders to stimulate commerce, create networks, and catalyze growth in both directions.
Beyond this year’s professional exchanges, Meridian leveraged the power of American arts and culture to strengthen bilateral relationships, bridge cultural divides and address global issues. We curated a record number of exhibitions traveling from Canada to India, while arts professionals from Sweden and South Africa visited American cultural capitals like Austin, New York and San Francisco. In Japan, over 27,000 people learned about America’s value of sports from ex-Major League Baseball players Warren Cromartie and Masanori "Mashi" Murakami at the Pacific Pitch: U.S.-Japan Baseball Diplomacy exhibition.
The global reach and national impact of our work also manifests in Washington, D.C. through Meridian’s convening programs. As a non-partisan institution, Meridian offers the diplomatic community a neutral platform to accelerate collaboration with the public and private sectors on critical economic and security issues. Our convening programs enhance the foreign diplomats’ understanding of America’s democracy and their ability to effectively partner with the American people.
The challenges facing our world and our country are serious. We are thankful to our partners and supporters who share our belief that U.S. global engagement is vital for a more secure and prosperous nation and world. Our impact is possible because of your sustained support and dedication. Thank you again and we look forward to continuing our work together into the coming year.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND MERIDIAN STAFF – THANK YOU!
