Meridian Exchange: November 2022
HIP HOP DIPLOMACY TAKES THE GLOBAL STAGE
Our Next Level hip hop diplomacy program in partnership with the U.S. Department of State utilizes hip hop music, dance, and art to foster cross-cultural creative exchange in global communities.
- Meridian's Next Level Portugal cohort was featured by CNN Portugal during their recent exchange with past Meridian Trustee, Ambassador Randi Charno Levine stating, “A program like Next Level can take people from all over the world, connect them through art, help solve problems and show them that they are part of a bigger community.” Watch the full feature here.
- Our Next Level Romania cohort’s hip-hop art educators reflected on their experience with Tele Europa Nova Timisoara. "I wanted to find my part in bringing peace to a conflicted world…hip hop, culture and art is my vehicle to do that,” shared art educator, Genesis Be. Hear more reflections from the team here.
- Next Level Aerosol Edition kicks off their residency this winter with tri-national arts exchange in Bahrain, the UAE and Israel. Gulf Weekly interviewed the program's aerosol educators - read the full interview here.
GEOECONOMIC POLICY PRIORITIES
Energy, supply chains and multilateral engagement were at the top of The Honorable Jose W. Fernandez, Under Secretary of State's agenda when he met with the Meridian Corporate Council to share insights into key geoeconomic policies and issues being tackled by his team at the Meridian Corporate Council Annual Meeting.
Read the top takeaways here.
Read the Under Secretary's keynote remarks here.
CELEBRATING SPORTS DIPLOMACY
As all eyes are on the World Cup, sports diplomacy is front and center at Meridian. The NFL games in Germany and Mexico last month highlighted the power of sports to transcend cultures and bring nations together. The Meridian Corporate Council partnered with the National Football League (NFL) for a sports diplomacy reception to celebrate the NFL’s historic first American football game in Germany and the 5th NFL hosted regular season game in Mexico City. "Sports represent one of the most significant global activities that bring us together in a world where too many things can divide us," writes Ambassador Stuart Holliday in his recent piece on reviving authentic sports diplomacy. Read the full article here.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Diplocraft: Engaging with U.S. Governors and Their Senior Staff with the National Governors Association
December 14, 2022 | Hybrid
Following the November 8 midterm elections, Meridian will bring together leaders from four gubernatorial offices to discuss best practices in state-level engagement. For more information, please contact forums@meridian.org. This program is off the record and closed to press and open to members of the diplomatic corps in Washington.
Meridian Council Foreign Policy Salon | David Marchick on The Peaceful Transfer of Power: An Oral History of Presidential Transitions
January 11, 2023 | In-Person
The Meridian Council brings David Marchick in conversation with Stephen Hadley, Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs (2005 - 2009) to discuss Marchick's latest book. For more information, please contact Halle Murdock at hmurdock@meridian.org. This program is off the record and closed to the press.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
IVLP from Africa learn |
Midterm Elections Debrief: |
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NETWORK SPOTLIGHT
NARGIZ YAGUBLU
Study of the U.S. Institutes Global Student Leaders participant at Meridian
"After completing the virtual component of the SUSI program in 2021, I was granted the incredible opportunity of participating in the following Capstone Project, which was hosted by Bard College’s Center for Civic Engagement in New York City...we had discussions and lectures on many challenging topics ranging from climate change policy and women in leadership to immigration, access to voting rights and more."
Read about Nargiz's SUSI experience here.