2 May 2022
Washington, D.C. - His Excellency Philippe Étienne, Ambassador of France to the U.S., awarded The Honorable Stuart Holliday, CEO of Meridian International Center and a former U.S. Ambassador at the United Nations, with the Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur in a decoration ceremony on Monday, 2 May 2022.
Ambassador Holliday was officially recognized for his lifetime passion and dedication to strengthening the relationship between the U.S. and France in the diplomatic, cultural, and military spheres.
The Legion of Honour (Ordre national de la Légion d’Honneur), France’s premier award, was founded by Napoleon Bonaparte to recognize eminent accomplishments of service to France. A Presidential award, the Legion of Honor, may be given to foreign (non-French) citizens in recognition of actions benefitting the country of France or, more broadly, achievements that uphold its ideals. American honorees include Miles Davis, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Julia Child, Elie Wiesel, and hundreds of World War II veterans.
“I am honored to receive this distinction,” said Ambassador Holliday, “In today’s challenging global environment, the U.S. and France relationship, built on shared democratic ideals, is more important than ever.”
Throughout his career, Ambassador Holliday has recognized the need for collaboration, diplomacy, and engagement. While representing the U.S. at the United Nations Security Council, Holliday worked with France to respond to various critical issues worldwide, including in Lebanon, Haiti, and Sudan.
During his time at Meridian, Ambassador Holliday upheld his commitment to the U.S.-France relationship, which has historically deep roots at Meridian. Ambassador Holliday worked with the U.S. and French Ambassadors to establish Meridian’s U.S.-France Leadership Dialogue, convening leaders from the public, private, and diplomatic sectors in both countries around critical areas for collaboration on current economic, strategic, and social issues in order to lay the groundwork for concrete initiatives to address such challenges. The U.S. – France Leadership Dialogue creates a sustained conversation among decision-makers and thought-leaders invested in Franco-American cooperation, comprised of salon dinners, roundtables, and international exchanges. This ongoing exchange of ideas and information between established and emerging voices in both countries has continued to strengthen U.S. – France relations and forge vital connections among established and emerging leaders across sectors.
For Ambassador Holliday’s full biography, please click here.
ABOUT MERIDIAN
Meridian International Center is a non-partisan nonprofit that strengthens engagement between the United States and the world through diplomacy, leadership, and culture. Through more than 500 projects each year, Meridian brings together a cross-section of established and emerging leaders from countries worldwide and in the U.S. to meet the challenges of a complex global future effectively. For 60 years, Meridian has equipped thousands of leaders with the networks, insights, and cultural context essential for non-partisan collaboration on shared issues.
For questions and more information, please contact Meridian, Director of Communications and Marketing of Danielle Najjar, at dnajjar@meridian.org.
