|
February put a spotlight on climate challenges and a continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic, but it also ushered in a renewed commitment to diplomacy and democratic values. See below for highlights from the last month ‘at’ Meridian and make sure to check out our upcoming events at the bottom of the newsletter.
The Legacy of African American Diplomats: Past, Present and Future
Photo Credit: ADST and Todman family
February is Black History Month, and we’re celebrating by highlighting Black leaders in diplomacy, while recognizing the ongoing struggle to advance racial equity here in the United States. On February 11, we collaborated with Flowstate Films to host a panel discussion with government and academic leaders and the filmmaker of the forthcoming documentary Changing State. The film focuses on three Black diplomats – Edward R. Dudley, Carl T. Rowan, and Terence Todman – who were active during the Cold War and Civil Rights Movement and paved the way for a more diverse State Department. To see the film’s trailer and watch the full panel discussion, click here.
Strengthening Global Journalism through Fully Virtual Exchange Program
Early this month we partnered with Social Driver, a digital agency that combines strategy and creativity, to host “Social Media Creativity Connecting Communities,” a virtual International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). The program was among the first entirely virtual IVLP exchanges to kick off this year. Leading journalists and media professionals from North Africa and the Middle East examined the First Amendment and discussed social media’s ability to engage, entertain and inform. Anthony Shop, Social Driver co-founder and IVLP alum said, “We were honored to meet with journalists from the Arab world who want to... leverage the power of social media to create a better world.” Read more here.
The Future of U.S.-Iceland Relations
On Friday, February 12, we partnered with Fiserv to host a virtual conversation with H.E. Gudlaugur Thór Thórdarson, Iceland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Development Cooperation. Minister Thordarson expressed that he expects to see improvement in the bilateral relationship and hopes that the Biden Administration will deepen the United States’ strong economic ties through a bilateral free trade agreement. Throughout the webinar, Minister Thordarson emphasized the future of green energy, and Iceland’s role as a leader in the field. Watch the event here.
You're Invited to Join Us
|
Global Business Briefing with the Ambassadors of Guatemala and Panama
March 3 | 2:00 P.M. ET
H.E. Alfonso Quiñónez, Ambassador of Guatemala to the U.S. and H.E. Juan De Dianous, Ambassador of Panama to the U.S. will join the Meridian Corporate Council for a discussion on U.S.-Central America Relations in 2021. The conversation will focus on the specifics of the trade and economic relationship moving forward. For more information, please reach out to Steven Greenwald.
*This program is closed to press and off the record.
Global Business Briefing with the Ambassador of Switzerland
March 9 | 12:30 P.M. ET
H.E. Jacques Pitteloud, Ambassador of Switzerland to the United States will join the Meridian Corporate Council for a discussion on the U.S.-Switzerland bilateral relationship. The conversation will focus on the future of the trade and economic relationship in 2021. For more information, please reach out to Steven Greenwald.
*This program is closed to press and off the record
Diversity and Inclusion in the Multinational Corporate Space
March 10 | 10:00 A.M. ET
John Rice, Founder and CEO of Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT) and former United CEO Oscar Munoz will join us for a virtual discussion on corporate diversity and inclusion perceptions and practices in the U.S. and compare it with diversity management initiatives within international and multinational corporations. For more information, please reach out to Melody Wei.
The Fused World: How Technology Is Reshaping Democracy and Our Lives
March 11 | 5:00 P.M. ET
As part of the new Meridian Global Journalism Initiative this session with Which Side of History?: How Technology is Reshaping Democracy and Our Lives author and CEO of Common Sense, Jim Steyer, book contributor and New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman, Tech Ambassador for Denmark Anne Marie Engtoft Larsen and moderators former Congressman John Delaney and Common Sense Washington Director April McClain-Delaney will discuss the role of the tech industry in assuming more civic leadership for the consequences of their platforms and the role of governments globally in filling this leadership void. For more information, please reach out to Megan Devlin.
*This program is open to press and on the record.
Building Economic Diplomacy: The First 100 Days Featuring Chief Trade Counsel Alexandra Whittaker
March 12 | 10:30 A.M. ET
Chief Trade Counsel Alexandra Whittaker of the Subcommittee on Trade and Committee on Ways and Means will join the Meridian Corporate Council for a discussion on President Biden’s trade priorities in 2021. The conversation will focus on the U.S. engagement with the WTO as well as a status update on the free trade negotiations currently in process. For more information, please reach out to Maggie Henkin.
*This program is closed to press and off the record.
Network Spotlight
|
|
