Meridian International Center and the District of Columbia: A History of Engagement
For more than 50 years, Meridian International Center has offered unique education, collaboration, cultural, and exchange programs to the Washington, DC community.
As the largest partner of the Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), Meridian opens its doors to more than 1800 emerging leaders annually, from countries around the world. These leaders visit Washington to promote mutual understanding and share experiences with U.S. professionals in their field. In addition to the IVLP, Meridian plays the critical role of connecting the international community, including Ambassadors and senior diplomats with senior U.S. government officials and leaders of major corporations and businesses in the DC area.
Through its Global Leadership Institute, Meridian brings together Washington’s top business leaders, diplomats, and government officials for idea exchanges, experiential learning, and cultural education so that these leaders and organizations can better succeed in solving the complex challenges which face their organizations, communities and countries. In fact, Meridian’s solid track record in the realm of culture and education extends to innovative public programs for elementary, middle and high school students in the nation’s capital, as well as major exhibits, film screenings and cultural exchanges – all of which are free and open to the public.
Meridian staff (far right), provides a gallery tour of the “Style in Silk” exhibition with in-gallery activities for students, 2013.
The District of Columbia Youth Advisory Council (YAC) participates in a videoconference with Sunderland Youth Participants (SYP) in the U.K., (February 2012).
Meridian staff conducts a virtual exchange program, “Wired World”, which paired classes in Sunderland, U.K. with classes in DC public schools, February 2011. “Wired World” programs offered innovative technology-based exchanges between public and charter schools in Washington, DC and schools around the world.
Community Engagement through Education|Over the years, Meridian’s educational programs have enlightened thousands of DC residents, as well as communities nationwide and abroad, about other cultures, traditions and history. Meridian’s Youth Leadership Development and Academic Program team designs campus-based academic exchange programs with educational institutions around the country to provide learning opportunities for international participants and American students. Meridian has collaborated with over 19 DC-based institutions. These programs increase understanding of learning methods and educational systems in the U.S., establish collaborative relationships between institutions, and provide service-learning experiences.
Children watch as performers showcase the traditional music and dance of their countries.
Children watch as performers showcase the traditional music and dance of their countries.
Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton at the 2012 “International Children’s Festival”. She described the festival as a “vehicle for children to learn about other countries.”
Participants at Meridian’s 5th annual “International Children’s Festival”, an educational fun fair which brought over 6000 visitors – families and children – together at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center.
Ambassador Stuart Holliday (left) listens as Mayor Adrian Fenty speaks at a reception for Chiefs of Diplomatic Missions (Spring 2007).
Ambassador Sharon Wilkinson (center left), former Senior Vice President of Meridian, with Judith Terra, Chair, DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, and the members of the Humanities Council of DC at a citywide reading initiative program “Live to Read”, organized by Meridian.
Community Engagement through Public Programs|Mayor Vincent Gray speaks at an “Insights at Meridian” series – a forum in which foreign diplomats and dignitaries discuss pertinent issues with local residents and and domestic cross-sector leaders.
“Washington Where” magazine featured Meridian’s “Metropolis Now!” exhibition on the cover of its July 2009 issue.
Members of the DC community attend the launch of Meridian’s exhibition, “Metropolis Now! A Selection of Chinese Contemporary Art”, at Meridian’s Cafritz Galleries, September 2009.
Cynthia Brock-Smith, Secretary of the District of Columbia, and Lionell Thomas, Director of the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, meet with Turkish jazz musicians in the Mayor’s Ceremonial Room. Meridian hosted the musicians as part of the U.S.-Turkish Jazz Exchange through DC’s Sister Cities partnership with Ankara, Turkey in September 2013.The exchange was funded in part through a DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities grant.
Turkish jazz musicians perform with the Blues Alley Youth Orchestra as part of Meridian’s Turkish Jazz Exchange in downtown Washington, DC during the 2nd Annual Turkish Cultural Heritage Month.
Community Engagement through the Arts|Meridian’s President, Ambassador Stuart Holliday, along with Mayor Vincent Gray and His Excellency Namik Tan, Ambassador ofTurkey, at the launch of the 2nd Annual Turkish Cultural Heritage Month in Washington, DC, September 2013.
Built in 1920, the historic Meridian House is considered by many to be the finest example of 18th century French urban architecture in the United States.
A History Of Engagement|In 1917, the historic White-Meyer House was lent to the French mission of Marshall Joffre for its headquarters at the request of the U.S. State Department. Joffre later wrote that in this house “were sown the seeds of military and naval cooperation which bore fruit several months later on the battlefront.”
A student from DC’s School Without Walls currently serves as an intern in Meridian’s Professional Exchanges Division.
Meridian co-hosted the 2013 Day of Service “DC Knit-In” with DC’s School Without Walls and a number of local craft stores, knitting clubs and art collectives.
Members of the community make sandwiches for Martha’s Table, a DC nonprofit.
Patty Stonesifer, CEO of Martha’s Table, and Ambassador Stuart Holliday, President and CEO of Meridian, at the opening of Meridian’s 2014 Global Service Day.
In January 2014, through its “Warm-Up, DC” service project, GSL brought together 23 community partners along the U Street Corridor in an effort to share resources with those hardest hit by the winter weather. Locally – and in partnership with Serve DC, the Mayor’s office on Service and Volunteerism, numerous businesses, schools, and non-profits – the city came together to warm-up DC.
Past GSL service projects included “Knit Ins” to knit warm clothing for those in need in DC, sandwich-making to benefit Martha’s Table, community beautification with DC Green Corps, and letter-writing for U.S. soldiers serving overseas.
Community Engagement through Service|Meridian’s Global Service Leaders (GSL) initiative conducts service projects in DC and around the world. Each year on Martin Luther King Day, Meridian honors the legacy and inspiring spirit of volunteerism of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a day of service to help DC’s underserved populations.
Turkish musicians perform for students at DC’s Oyster Adams Bilingual Middle School before answering questions on Turkish culture. (2013)
Meridian hosts an education program for local students followed by a gallery tour and supplemental cultural activities.
International Children’s Festival highlighted the richness of international cultures through dance, music, and interactive activities, offers youth in DC a unique approach to learning about the world by awakening their five senses through the arts, and provides a deeper understanding of geography and culture. The festival was a featured event of Cultural Tourism DC’s Passport DC program.
Historic Preservation|Meridian received the District of Columbia’s Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation in May 2013. Mayor Vincent Gray (far left) is pictured with the awardees of the DC Preservation Awards. Meridian was represented by Board member Joe Moravec (second from left).
22.jpg||Meridian upholds the District’s unique architectural heritage through preservation of two historic properties, designed by renowearchitect John Russell Pope. Meridian’s White-Meyer and Meridian House are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These buildings are central to Meridian’s programs and activities, providing meeting and training space for visitors, conference and lecture rooms, gallery space, and outdoor areas for informal gathering.
Meridian upholds the District’s unique architectural heritage through preservation of two historic properties, designed by renowearchitect John Russell Pope. Meridian’s White-Meyer and Meridian House are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These buildings are central to Meridian’s programs and activities, providing meeting and training space for visitors, conference and lecture rooms, gallery space, and outdoor areas for informal gathering.
Meridian House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
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