Meridian International Center Launches Training and Resource Hub for Diplomats, Government and Corporate Leaders

NEWS RELEASE

“Now is the time for a neutral platform and mechanism for non-partisan communication.”

- Ambassador Stuart Holliday, CEO & President, Meridian International Center

Washington, D.C. – As global polarization increases, Meridian International Center is formalizing its commitment to advancing nonpartisan dialogue and multilateral cooperation on complex global economic and national security issues by launching the Meridian Center for Diplomatic Engagement at the seventh annual Meridian Global Leadership Summit this Friday, October 12.

“There is a growing need among international diplomats to strengthen nonpartisan channels to address the complex and growing economic and national security issues of our time,” said Meridian International President and CEO Ambassador Stuart Holliday. “The business community and public sector share this interest. The Meridian Center for Diplomatic Engagement combines Meridian’s convening power with our expertise in professional exchange and cultural diplomacy to bridge the gap among these sectors.”

The new Center for Diplomatic Engagement accelerates collaboration to address global challenges and opportunities facing the United States and the world today. Through policy symposia, panel discussions, workshops, trainings and receptions, the Meridian Center for Diplomatic Engagement advances consensus and agreement on complex global issues among program participants.

The Center’s multidimensional approach will:

• Enhance diplomatic leaders’ abilities to operate within the political, social and economic contexts currently driving U.S. policies;
• Accelerate bilateral cooperation on key economic, security and political issues;
• Showcase expanded insights from top policy officials through monthly briefings;
• Build capacity among the diplomatic corps by serving as a training and resource hub that fosters knowledge and skills development;
• Strengthen relationships among diplomatic, government and corporate leaders; and
• Navigate the prospects and challenges of the political, commercial and cultural currents of the U.S.

The Meridian Center for Diplomatic Engagement Advisory Committee members are:

• Her Excellency Carolina Barco, Ambassador of Colombia to the United States (2006-2010)
• The Honorable James Blanchard, Governor of Michigan (1983–1991), Chair Emeritus, Government Global Practices Group, DLA Piper
• The Honorable Mark Brzezinski, United States Ambassador to Sweden (2011–2015), Managing Director, Makena Capital Management, LLC
• The Honorable Dwight L. Bush Sr., United States Ambassador to Morocco (2014-2017)
• The Honorable Paula Dobriansky, Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs (2001-2009), Senior Fellow, JFK Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard University
• The Honorable Mark Gilbert, United States Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa (2015-2017), Vice Chairman, Private Wealth Management, UBS
• The Honorable Bart Gordon, U.S. Representative for Tennessee (1985-2011), Partner, Washington, DC Office, K&L Gates LLP
• The Honorable Fay Hartog-Levin, United States Ambassador to the Netherlands (2009-2011), Distinguished Fellow, The Chicago Council on Global Affairs
• The Honorable Israel Hernandez, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade (2016-2017), Executive Vice President, Head of International Corporate Affairs, HNA Group Co., Ltd.
• Her Excellency Kirsti Kauppi, Ambassador of Finland to the United States (2015-current)
• The Honorable Charlie Rivkin, Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs (2014-2017), Chairman & CEO, Motion Picture Association of America
• His Excellency Arturo Sarukhán, Ambassador of Mexico to the United States (2007-2013), Nonresident Senior Fellow, The Brookings Institution
• The Honorable Tom Shannon, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (2016-2018)
• The Honorable Alan D. Solomont, Ambassador to Spain and Andorra (2009-2013), Dean, Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life, Tufts University

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Meridian International Center is a public diplomacy and global leadership institution that strengthens U.S. engagement with the world through the exchange of people, culture and ideas. Founded over 55 years ago as a non-partisan, non-profit organization, Meridian works with governments, the private sector and the diplomatic community to develop exchange, training, culture and convening programs to help leaders better address the challenges and opportunities of an increasingly globalized society.

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