Meridian Exchange: January 2022

For Media

DIVING INTO DEMOCRACY

One year after January 6, we reflected on the role public diplomacy has in strengthening democracy both at home and abroad. The Meridian Center for Diplomatic Engagement hosted a federalism briefing for diplomats new to Washington to help them orient to the complex U.S. federal government structure and connect with their counterparts from other countries. Our Corporate Council held a fireside chat with Anna Palmer, CEO of Punchbowl News, which launched only five days before the January 6, 2020 attacks and dove headfirst into covering threats to U.S. democracy.

DISCOVERING NEW
MAYAN CIVILIZATION AND CULTURE

As part of the Global Humanities Initiative, the Meridian Center for Cultural Diplomacy is partnering with the Embassy of Guatemala to explore recent archaeological discoveries by a team of researchers who uncovered dozens of ancient, previously lost Mayan cities of more than 60,000 houses, palaces, elevated highways and other large constructions in the jungles of Guatemala. Don’t miss out on this groundbreaking Mayan discovery by registering for the January 27 event here.

KICKING OFF YOUTH EDUCATIONAL EXCHANGE

In early January, Meridian kicked off its Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSI) for Global Student Leaders program, which welcomes 20 college-aged students of civic engagement from Angola, Botswana, Mali, Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Together they will participate in a five-week virtual academic residency at the University of Washington, Seattle, in conjunction with the Foundation for International Understanding Through Students. In addition to the robust civic engagement curriculum, students learn more about the U.S. and develop community action planning while honing leadership skills. To learn more about the SUSI program, visit the project page here or check out our series of SUSI alumni reflections here.

UPCOMING EVENT

Innovations in Healthy Aging in Latin America

Thursday, February 3, 2022

What are innovative ways to encourage healthy aging around the world? What are areas of cooperation that governments, the private sector, and multilateral organizations can collaborate to support this population? This discussion will also explore the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing and launch AARP’s latest edition of its internationally acclaimed publication, The Journal, which profiles healthy aging in Latin America. For more information about the program, please reach out to Ryan Scherba at mcde@meridian.org.