2010 Chronology of Programs and Activities 

January 13: The Year Ahead
The Executive Council began 2010 with its traditional lecture discussion program featuring keynote speaker Dr. Norman Ornstein of the American Enterprise Institute.  Dr. Ornstein focused on the political environment in the U.S. and in Washington, and how this environment might affect the national policy agenda.

February 18: The U.S. Economy and the Federal Budget: Outlook for 2010
Matthew Salomon, Chief Economist (Majority) for the U.S. Senate Budget Committee briefed foreign diplomats on the outlook for U.S. economic growth and the fiscal deficit in 2010. Subjects covered included key U.S. economic indicators, key credit market indicators, crisis-related fiscal measures in G-20 countries and resulting stimulus effects, and the outlook for long-term public debt.

March 19: The Obama Administration and International Trade Policy: The Agenda Ahead
The Honorable William Reinsch, President of the National Foreign Trade Council and former Under Secretary of Commerce, addressed the Council on international trade, the Obama Administration’s trade policy and actions to date, and the outlook for future directions. Subjects covered included Free Trade Agreements, trade law enforcement, the National Export Initiative, and the WTO Doha Round of multilateral trade negotiations.

March 24: How Washington Works

The Council’s annual seminar in cooperation with the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars provided foreign diplomats with an analytical overview of how international and economic policies are made in Washington. Experts briefed representatives of the diplomatic community on Congressional politics, processes and procedures, Executive-Legislative relations, the workings of the Executive Branch, and the role of the private sector.

April 14: The United States Supreme Court
The Council invited foreign diplomats for a special program at the U.S. Supreme Court and a discussion on the history and role of the Court in the American governmental system. The group visited the Supreme Court Chamber and met in the Court’s historic West Conference Room for a luncheon with Major General William Suter, Clerk of the Supreme Court of the United States. 

May 10: Travel Program for Foreign Diplomats: Maryland’s Eastern Shore
The Council organized a visit for diplomats to Maryland’s Eastern Shore to learn about the culture and environment of this historic and picturesque region. The visit included programs at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, the Academy Art Museum, and a waterside “Crabfest” luncheon.

June 3: The Federal Reserve and Current Issues for the U.S. and World Economies
For the third consecutive year, the Honorable Ben Bernanke, Chairman of the Board of Governors of the U.S. Federal Reserve System, welcomed the Council to the Federal Reserve headquarters and briefed the group on the Federal Reserve’s role and responsibilities in the U.S. economic system.  The briefing was followed by a discussion with diplomats on a variety of issues relating to the world economy.

June 9: A Diplomat’s Diary: Life at Ground Level in Afghanistan and Iraq
Together with the Washington International Business Council, the Executive Council heard comments from Mr. Mark Biedlingmaier, Deputy U.S. Senior Civilian Representative with the Regional Command, North Afghanistan.  Mr. Biedlingmaier is a career U.S. Foreign Service Officer who participated in ECD’s Corporate Fellowship Training Assignment Program, 2007-2008, and was assigned to the DuPont Government Affairs Office in Washington, D.C. and Wilmington, Delaware.  Shortly thereafter, he was Chief of Staff at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq.

June 17: Facing the Challenges of Sovereign Debt
The Council hosted a panel discussion with participants from the U.S. Government, foreign embassy, private sector and international organization communities. Speakers were U.S. Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund Meg Lundsager, Minister and Head of Economic Affairs of the German Embassy Matthias Sonn, and Dr. Angel Uribe of Tudor Investment Corporation.  The Discussion Chair was Daniel Price of Sidley Austin LLP, formerly Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor for International Economic Affairs at the White House.  The program was sponsored with special support from Deloitte LLP. 

July 20: New Iran Sanctions Legislation
Through the courtesy of program sponsors Dewey & LeBoeuf and the National Foreign Trade Council, the Council invited foreign diplomats to a briefing on recently enacted Iran Sanctions Legislation.  The program addressed the scope of sanctionable activity, types of sanctions to be imposed against non-U.S. companies, implications for financial institutions, and enforcement. Speakers included legal experts, business leaders, a State Department representative and a Senate staff member.

Summer: Corporate Training Assignment Program for American Foreign Service Officers
The Council placed Foreign Service Officer Patricia Aguilera in an educational training assignment with the Boeing Company in Seattle, Washington.  Established in 1986 on the recommendation of Secretary of State George Shultz, the Corporate Training Assignment Program gives American Foreign Service Officers (FSOs) first-hand experience in a global business environment.  Since 1986, the Executive Council has placed more than 50 FSOs in one-year assignments with major U.S. corporations. 

September 10: The End of the Free Market: Who Wins the War Between States and
Corporations?
Ian Bremmer, author and Eurasia Group President, spoke about the themes of his book The End of the Free Market: Who Wins the War Between States and Corporations? The book examines the phenomenon of “state capitalism,” its implications for economics and politics, and the relationship between politics and global markets. 

September 16: Travel Program for Foreign Diplomats: America’s Civil War
On the occasion of the anniversary of the 1862 Civil War battle at Antietam, the Council took a group of embassy representatives to visit the Maryland battlefield and Shepherd University’s Center for the Study of the Civil War and learn in more detail how the Civil War has shaped American history and society.

October 7: Accelerating the Transatlantic Innovation Economy
Through the courtesy of the TransAtlantic Business Dialogue, the Council invited embassy representatives to a special conference on Innovation. The program featured leading representatives of the European Union, the U.S. Government, and leading business executives.  Speakers included U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke and U.S. Senator Mark Warner.

November 10, 2010: The International Monetary Fund and the World Economic Outlook
The Council organized its annual briefing at IMF headquarters in Washington.  The briefing was given by Caroline Atkinson, Director of the External Relations Department at the International Monetary Fund.  She spoke about the world economic outlook, the IMF’s role and responsibilities, and IMF organization and governance. 

December 16, 2010: Ambassadors Advisory Board Meeting
His Excellency Arturo Sarukhan hosted a meeting of the Ambassadors Advisory Board at the Mexican Cultural Institute in Washington, D.C. Ambassadors and members of the Council’s Board of Directors reviewed the Council’s plans for the year ahead and suggested new program ideas.

2009 Chronology of Programs and Activities 

January 27: The Year Ahead
The Executive Council began 2009 with its traditional lecture discussion program, featuring keynote speaker Dr. Norman Ornstein of the American Enterprise Institute.  Dr. Ornstein focused on the opportunities and challenges facing the new Obama Administration in the fields of domestic policy, foreign policy, and the global financial and economic situation.

February 18: The Obama Administration and the Foreign Policy Agenda Ahead
Dr. Robert Hunter, former U.S. Ambassador to NATO, shared his perspectives on the foreign policy challenges and priorities of the Obama Administration, including the international financial situation, strengthening alliances, development, and democracy.  He also discussed regional and country issues, with attention to Europe, Africa, Southeast Asia, China, India and Latin America.  His message to the group was that all countries have to work together to solve the problems facing the world.

March 5: The Group of Thirty Report: “Financial Reform: A Framework for Financial Stability”
G-30 Executive Director Mr. Stuart Mackintosh briefed a group of foreign diplomats, private sector and NGO representatives on the G-30’s project on financial reform and its specific recommendations on how private financial markets should be regulated once the financial crisis has passed. The recommendations are in four areas: eliminating gaps and weaknesses in the regulatory system; improving the quality and effectiveness of regulation; strengthening institutional policies and standards; and improving the transparency of financial products.

March 26: The Obama Administration and the International Trade Policy Agenda Ahead

The Honorable William Reinsch, President of the National Foreign Trade Council and former Under Secretary of Commerce, addressed the Council on international trade and how the Obama Administration might meet the challenges ahead.  Subjects covered included the WTO Doha Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations, Free Trade Agreements, trade law enforcement, trade and development, and implications of the global financial crisis for trade policy.

April 30: The Obama Administration and the Energy and Environmental Policy Agenda Ahead
As part of the Council’s program series on the Obama Administration and issues ahead, Mr. Frank Verrastro, Director of the Energy and National Security Program at CSIS, gave a presentation covering energy and climate change issues.  Subjects covered included energy consumption patterns, resource distribution, geopolitical risks, and future investment strategies. 

June 5: The Federal Reserve and Current Issues for the U.S. and World Economies
Embassy representatives met with Ben Bernanke, Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System at the Federal Reserve in Washington. Chairman Bernanke explained how the Federal Reserve works and its role in the economy, and he discussed current world economic issues.

July: Corporate Training Assignment Program for American Foreign Service Officers
The Council placed Foreign Service Officer Heidi McMichael in an educational training assignment with U.S. Steel Corporation. Established in 1986 on the recommendation of Secretary of State George Shultz, the Corporate Training Assignment Program gives American Foreign Service Officers (FSOs) first-hand experience in a global business environment. Since 1986, the Executive Council has placed more than 50 FSOs in one–year assignments with major U.S. corporations.

July 2: Ambassadors Advisory Board Meeting
Her Excellency Heng-Chee Chan hosted a meeting of the Ambassadors Advisory Board at the Embassy of Singapore. Ambassadors and members of the Council’s Board of Directors reviewed the Council’s plans for the year ahead and suggested new program ideas.

July 20: Climate Change: Implications for Economics and Finance
The Honorable Christopher B. Burnham, Vice Chairman of Deutsche Bank Asset Management spoke about climate change, the need for new investment to reduce emissions, regulatory and innovation policies, and increasing momentum toward clean energy investments.

July 28: The International Monetary Fund: The World Economic Outlook and the IMF’s New Responsibilities – IMF Director of External Relations Caroline Atkinson briefed diplomats and private sector representatives at IMF Headquarters. She reviewed issues affecting the global economy and the IMF’s role in responding to the financial crisis.

September 4: The Global Crisis and Financial Regulation
The Council continued its series on the international financial crisis with a talk by Mr. Charles Dallara, Managing Director, Institute of International Finance (IIF).  Mr. Dallara discussed the problems facing global financial regulatory reform, including developing standards for risk management, liquidity, and compensation.

October 6: American Popular Music
The Council hosted a special cultural program with Mr. Dwight Blockers Bowers, Curator of the Division of Music, Sports and Entertainment at the Smithsonian Institution. Mr. Bowers gave a lecture and visual presentation on the history of American popular songs and musical theatre and how this music has reflected developments in American society.

November 19: U.S. Foreign Aid: Modernizing Foreign Assistance Programs
Panelists George Ingram of the Academy for Educational Development, Sheila Heerling of the Center for Global Development, and Dr. Reuben Brigety of the Center for American Progress briefed diplomats on efforts underway to reform U.S. foreign aid programs.  Speakers explained proposals to reform USAID and the state of legislation currently before Congress.