Press Release: Meridian Diplomacy Forum, “All Diplomacy is Local” on City and State Statecraft

WHEN: Tuesday, April 12, 2023 | Sessions from 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM ET; Career Networking Reception from 5:30 – 7:30 PM ET

WHERE: Meridian International Center with a virtual livestream (details and registration here)

LEADING GLOBAL LEADERS AND MAYORS JOIN MERIDIAN TO EXPLORE THE EMERGENCE OF CITIES AND STATES AS GLOBAL DIPLOMATIC ACTORS

April 5, 2022 – Meridian International Center’s flagship diplomacy convening event of the spring, the Meridian Diplomacy Forum - will explore:

  • Why contemporary American politics are forcing cities and states to serve as global actors in diplomacy
  • City and states’ evolving impact on everything from international trade and business development to climate change mitigation and digital rights.
  • The relationship between America’s labs of democracy and the preservation of democratic values globally
  • Latest from Mariupol and Irpin, Ukraine

Multiple foreign ambassadors and senior U.S. government officials convene each year for deep-dive discussions on pressing global issues. This year includes White House Senior Advisor Mitch Landrieu and the new State Department Special Representative for City & State Diplomacy, Nina Hachigian. As part of our city and state theme, we’ll also be joined by mayors and local officials from Canada, Colombia, Spain, Ukraine, Uganda and the United States.

The event will be held on April 12, 2023, from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM at the Meridian International Center’s historic campus, with a networking reception for those interested in careers in international affairs following from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM. The event will also be accessible virtually to a global audience.

A few other notable speakers include:

  • Governor Jon Huntsman, Jr.
  • The Honorable Claudia Lopez, Mayor of Bogota
  • The Honorable Vadym Boichenko, Mayor of Mariupol
  • Dorothy Kisaka, City Administrator, Kampala, Uganda
  • The Honorable Levar Stoney, Mayor of Richmond
  • Mauricio Ramos, CEO of Millicom
  • Diane Hoskins, Co-CEO, Gensler

Building on these critical discussions, private and public sector professionals will connect with students of diplomacy and the next generation of international affairs practitioners through an in-person networking fair, to take place immediately following the Forum, which aims to advance Meridian's efforts to cultivate the next generation of diplomats who reflect America's diversity as part of the DiplomacyRISE initiative.

For more information and to register for the Diplomacy Forum, please visit https://diplomacyforum.meridian.org/.

As diplomacy evolves, Meridian is helping shape its future. Learn more about Meridian’s diplomacy work here.

Media Contact:

Danielle Najjar

Director, Communications and Marketing

Email: dnajjar@meridian.org

# # # #

Meridian International Center is a nonpartisan, nonprofit diplomacy center that connects leaders through culture and collaboration to drive solutions for global challenges. Founded 60 years ago, Meridian has equipped thousands of leaders with the networks, insights and cultural context essential for non-partisan work on shared issues. Meridian strengthens engagement between the United States and the world through diplomacy, global leadership and culture because we believe we are stronger together when globally engaged.

Related News