Council Dinner with Ambassador Dr. Tebelelo Mazile Seretse Ambassador of Botswana to the United States

On Saturday, June 21, 2014, The Council on Women’s Leadership (CWL) at Meridian International Center organized a dinner program hosted by Her Excellency Dr. Tebelelo Mazile Seretse, Ambassador of Botswana to the United States at her residence. Council members, representatives from the Embassy of Botswana, and other guests participated in this special gathering. Council Chair and Meridian Trustee Michele A. Manatt facilitated the event, which featured a discussion on Botswana’s economic and investment climate, as well as current needs and opportunities for women and girls.

Dr. Seretse opened the evening by offering welcome remarks and providing a brief overview of Botswana and her ongoing role as Botswana’s first female Ambassador to the United States. Now in the fourth year of her posting to Washington, D.C., Dr. Seretse continues to play an important role in advocating for greater awareness of and investment in Botswana by Americans, and collaborating across sectors and governments to build mutually-beneficial relationships. Click here to learn more about Dr. Seretse’s multi-faceted career, which has encompassed law, business and accounting, and politics.

Following dinner, Ms. Manatt moderated introductions between Council members and Ambassador Seretse’s Embassy colleagues and guests, some of whom were visiting from Botswana. Participants then engaged in a discussion about Botswana’s social, political and economic policies and programs impacting women and girls today. Dr. Seretse expressed a strong desire to continue to improve and update American and global perceptions of Botswana as a leading African nation, while also encouraging support for women’s unique missions and roles in Botswana society, politics and business at large. In particular, Dr. Seretse noted the critical need to empower women living in Botswana’s rural communities, and the positive impact this could have on their economy at large.

Dr. Seretse concluded her comments by sharing that she will lead a cultural and diplomatic tour to Botswana in January 2015, and welcomes anyone from the Council to participate.