Globalization is disrupting alliances, markets and institutions. Complex business challenges and opportunities have emerged as a result, and corporate leaders are now expected to have a global outlook and insight on the forces shaping the geopolitical landscape to navigate international markets. The Meridian Corporate Diplomacy Professional Development Program is designed to equip corporate executives and employees with the diplomatic tactics, strategy and insights essential for succeeding in a competitive global business environment. Delivered by experienced diplomatic practitioners including former Ambassadors and State Department officials, the program is geared toward every level of employee from a range of industries. Topics cover areas from cross-cultural communication and negotiations to public-private partnerships and risk analysis. Upon successful completion of the program, participants receive a Professional Certificate in Corporate Diplomacy. Applications are now being accepted for the inaugural three-day course taking place April 29 to May 1, 2019. Learn more and apply

The Meridian Center for Diplomatic Engagement recently launched its Diplocraft series to help senior diplomats navigate DC’s political and legislative environment. The series’ inaugural event, Influencing Washington: Issue Advocacy in the Nation’s Capital, brought more than 50 leaders in lobbying, the foreign diplomatic corps and U.S. government for a dialogue on advocacy in Washington. The program included presentations from William Minor, Partner at DLA Piper, and Nancy LeaMond, Executive Vice President & Chief Advocacy and Engagement Officer at AARP, followed by small group discussions in which attendees shared their advocacy experiences. Participants noted that the role of advocacy within the U.S. system for policy making can be very different from that of other countries, but came away from the program with key tips for effectively advocating for the issues important to their countries. Learn More

While the partnership between the U.S. and Asia-Pacific region has grown more complicated in recent years, it maintains a rich history spanning nearly two and a half centuries of economic opportunity and meaningful human connections. The Common Tides: Linking People of the Asia-Pacific and the United States exhibition, organized by Meridian with support of the U.S. Department of State, explores this history, highlighting exchanges between political and military leaders, athletes and educators, medical researchers, creative pioneers, and philanthropic organizations. Through a five-part collection of artwork, artifacts, and photography, Common Tides shows the history and importance of U.S. ties to this region – which are much broader than the traditional story of trade, missionaries, and war – and reveals that mutual interest and shared values underscore our common humanity despite differing languages and cultures. Learn More

Global entrepreneurship is shaping economies and societies around the world, and women are increasingly leading the charge through innovative business ideas and social enterprises. In December, Meridian welcomed 53 women entrepreneurs from 53 different countries to participate in a three-week International Visitor Leadership Program that took them to cities across the U.S. to connect with other women changing their communities with entrepreneurial ventures. Starting in Washington, DC, the program explored topics such as U.S. Federalism and national support for woman-owned business, as well as advocacy and goal setting for women leaders. The participants then split off into groups based on their entrepreneurial fields and traveled to multiple American cities, including Orlando, Dallas, Philadelphia and more. They reconvened in DC to focus on action planning by leveraging lessons learned and global connections made during the program to strengthen their important work back home. Learn More