2008 Chronology of Activities
January 22: The Year Ahead
The Executive Council began 2008 with its traditional lecture discussion program, featuring keynote speaker Dr. Norman Ornstein of the American Enterprise Institute. Dr. Ornstein focused on the upcoming Presidential elections, leading candidates, and key issues in the election.
January 30: The 2008 Presidential Elections
At the suggestion of its Ambassadors Advisory Board, the Council organized a series of discussions with foreign policy advisors to candidates for President of the United States. Former United States Senator Robert Kasten shared a Republican perspective the day after the January 29 Florida Primary.
February 11: The 2008 Presidential Elections
As part of its educational program series on the Presidential elections and American foreign policy, the Council presented a briefing by George Ingram and Liz Schrayer from Impact ’08. Impact ’08 is a non-partisan initiative calling on the Presidential candidates to articulate their views on the role of development assistance and diplomacy—the non-military tools of America’s global engagement.
February 14: Africa: Opportunities for Investment and Its Importance to the United States
In cooperation with the Washington International Business Council, the Council hosted a luncheon discussion for a distinguished visitor, Anicet Georges Dologuele, President of the Central African States Development Bank and the former Prime Minister and Finance Minister of the Central African Republic, who talked about developments and opportunities in Africa. The meeting was arranged and chaired by Mr. Mark Biedlingmaier, who spent this year as an Executive Council on Diplomacy Foreign Service Fellow on assignment to DuPont.
March 10: The U.S., the UN and the Future of Multilateralism: Challenges Ahead
The Council held an Executive Seminar program to discuss the challenges facing the United Nations and multilateralism. The program was held at the Permanent Mission of Germany to the UN in New York. Diplomats from over 50 countries participated. The program featured speakers from the Washington policy community and the United Nations: former Congressman Toby Roth, Malaysia’s Ambassador Rajmah Hussain, Alicia Barcena, UN Under-Secretary-General for Management, and Dr. Robert Orr, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Policy.
April 10: A Visit to the Supreme Court
As part of the Council’s mission to help foreign diplomats understand America’s history and institutions, the Council arranged a special luncheon and briefing at the United States Supreme Court with Major General William Suter, Clerk of the Supreme Court. Embassy representatives visited the Supreme Court Chamber, where they learned about the Court’s history, procedures, and traditions, and they met with General Suter for a luncheon discussion in the Court’s historic West Conference Room.
April 22: Ambassadors Advisory Board Meeting
Representatives from the Council’s Ambassadors Advisory Board and Board of Directors came together for a luncheon and program planning meeting at the residence of the Ambassadors Advisory Board Chairman H.E. Nabil Fahmy of Egypt.
May 28: The U.S. Economy and the Credit Crisis
The Honorable Lyle Gramley, Senior Economic Adviser, Stanford Group Company and a former Governor of the Federal Reserve briefed a group of foreign diplomats and business executives on the domestic and international repercussions of the turmoil in the U.S. financial sector.
June 17:The Federal Reserve: Its Role in the U.S. Governmental and Economic System
Chairman of the Board of Governors Ben Bernanke welcomed the Council to the Federal Reserve, where he gave a special briefing on the role of the Federal Reserve and issues regarding the U.S. and international economies.
June 18: The World Food Situation and the Outlook Ahead
Mr. Joachim von Braun, Director General, International Food Policy Research Institute, discussed global food production, food shortages, and the outlook for policies to deal with the current problems.
July: Corporate Training Assignment Program for American Foreign Service Officers
Foreign Service Officer David Whiting was selected for an educational training assignment with Lockheed Martin Corporation. Established in 1986 on the recommendation of Secretary of State George P. 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.
Late Summer/Early Fall: Ambassadors Advisory Board
The Council established its new leadership team for the Ambassadors Advisory Board and announced Her Excellency Heng-Chee Chan of Singapore as Chair and His Excellency Antonio de Aguiar Patriota of Brazil as Vice Chair. Working together, they will advance the Council’s outreach to the international diplomatic community and assist with program ideas and suggestions.
September 19: The Global Economy: A Perspective from Wall Street
Vice Chairman of Merrill Lynch Richard McCormack discussed the global economy and the world financial situation from the perspective of a New York investment institution.
September 26: “How Washington Works”
The Council’s annual seminar in cooperation with the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars focused on the 2008 Presidential Elections and the Implications for American Foreign Policy. Program topics included international security, anti-terrorism, non-proliferation, economic policy, international trade, climate policy, and development policy.
October 27: A Trip to Historic Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
The Council took a group of foreign diplomats representing 20 countries to visit the historic Gettysburg Battlefield where President Lincoln delivered his famous Gettysburg Address. The group also visited the Eisenhower National Historic Site.
November 12: Global Economic Governance
The Council invited foreign diplomats, U.S. private sector, and NGO representatives to participate in a special discussion sponsored by the Bretton Woods Committee on New Global Financial Architecture.
November 26: Foreign Investment in the United States
U.S. Treasury Department Deputy Assistant Secretary Nova Daly briefed a Council gathering on the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States and regulations affecting foreign investment.
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ON DIPLOMACY
January 12: The Year Ahead
The Executive Council began 2007 with its traditional lecture discussion program, featuring Dr. Norman Ornstein of the American Enterprise Institute. As he has for the past several years, Dr. Ornstein spoke with a group of diplomats on the issues facing the Administration and Congress in the year ahead.
February 8: The Millennium Challenge Corporation
The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) was established in 2004 to implement a new model for providing foreign aid to the world’s developing nations. Ambassador John J. Danilovich, MCC’s CEO, spoke on how aid is provided to countries that “rule justly, invest in their people, and encourage economic freedom.”
March 7: International Finance Corporation
Lars H. Thunell, Executive Vice President of the IFC, leads the Corporation in its mission to promote sustainable private sector development. He spoke to a meeting of diplomats and private sector representatives about creating opportunities in emerging markets, explaining how IFC helps with financing and technical assistance.
March 22: The Export-Import Bank of the United States
Export-Import Bank Chairman and President James Lambright spoke about the Bank’s programs and how they benefit global development and recipient countries.
April 25: Special Tour of the National Archives
The National Archives Building houses the most important historical documents of the United States: the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, as well as many historic diplomatic treaties. The Council arranged a private tour of the Archives, giving foreign diplomats the opportunity to see the original documents and learn more about American history. The group was given a special briefing by Dr. Allen Weinstein, Archivist of the United States.
May 8-9: A Visit to New York’s Financial Markets
Representatives of over 20 embassies visited New York City’s Financial District. The program included a visit to the New York Stock Exchange and its trading floor. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York briefed the embassy representatives and gave them a tour of the Bank’s underground gold vault. Council sponsor companies AIG and Deloitte both hosted special briefings for the group.
May 30: Ambassadors Advisory Board Meeting
Representatives of the Council’s Ambassadors Advisory Board and Board of Directors came together for a luncheon and program planning meeting at the residence of the Ambassadors Advisory Board Chairman, His Excellency Nabil Fahmy of Egypt.
August 28-29: A Visit to Historic Philadelphia
The Council invited foreign diplomats to learn more about American history through special visits to major sites in Philadelphia: the National Constitution Center, Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and Congress Hall. Mayor John F. Street hosted the group at City Hall, and the diplomats met with Ms. Joanna Savvides, President of the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia. The schedule included the Campbell Soup Company, one of America’s leading corporations, and the Franklin Institute of Science Museum to see the exhibition, King Tut and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs.
September: Corporate Training Assignment Program for American Foreign Service Officers
Foreign Service Officer Mr. Mark Biedlingmaier was assigned to the Washington D.C. office of E.I. Du Pont de Nemours & Company. Established in 1986 on the recommendation of Secretary of State George P. 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 11 and October 19: The 2008 Presidential Elections
At the suggestion of its Ambassadors Advisory Board, the Council initiated a series of discussions with foreign policy advisors to candidates for President of the United States. The first was with Mr. Mark Brzezinski, a member of Senator Barack Obama’s foreign policy team and a partner with McGuire Woods LLP, and the second with Mr. Andrew Shapiro, Senior Defense and Foreign Policy Advisor for Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton.
October 24: “How Washington Works”
The Council’s annual educational seminar program with the Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars outlined how foreign and economic policies are developed in Washington. Leading scholars from the Wilson Center and representatives of the American private sector spoke on the policy making process. This program was tailored for foreign diplomats who are new to Washington and for diplomats who work with Congress on international issues.
November 6: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Economy
The IMF presented a briefing on the World Economic Outlook and Challenges Facing the Global Economy. Mr. Tim Callen, Chief of the IMF’s World Economic Studies Division, shared information and insights on global growth and expansion, recent developments, current risks, and long-term challenges.
December 6: Special Tour of the National Portrait Gallery
Museum Director Mr. Mark Pachter gave foreign diplomats a special tour of the newly renovated Smithsonian American Art Museum, which includes the National Portrait Gallery. The National Portrait Gallery’s extensive collection of American presidential portraits is balanced with leaders in other aspects of American life, letters and commerce, as well as portraits of ordinary citizens.
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The Council organizes an annual program in New York’s financial district to help foreign diplomats understand Wall Street and the financial system. |
Caravan for Diplomats program visits the historic Gettysburg Battlefield and site of Abraham Lincoln’s famous Gettysburg Address. |
Foreign diplomats and Americans build teamwork and friendship while river rafting in West Virginia. |
