Meridian Exchange: May 2022
CULTURAL DIPLOMACY CELEBRATED ON THE MAIN STAGE AT MERIDIAN
On June 7, we hosted our second annual cultural diplomacy celebration, Culturefix, which brought together arts leaders like Ngaire Blankenberg of Smithsonian's National Museum of African Art and David Breslin of the Whitney Museum of American Art for conversations ranging from repatriation and transparency in museums to the role of NFTs and indigenous voices. We were thrilled to host performers from the American Pops Orchestra for the evening awards ceremony, honoring architect Shigeru Ban, Michelin-star chef Juanma Barrientos, visual artist Jenny Holzer and global arts nonprofit Artolution for their ongoing commitment to using the arts and culture as tools for diplomacy.
THE RETURN OF MERIDIAN'S SALON SERIES AND GLOBAL DIALOGUE DINNERS
May broke the pandemic-induced hiatus of our Entrée to Dialogue series -- intimate, curated salon dinners designed to spark dialogue among different perspectives and promote exchanging ideas over a shared meal. We were honored to partner with the Embassy of Argentina, the Embassy of Japan, and the Embassy of Germany and look forward to upcoming dinners.
EXCHANGES FROM HIP HOP TO FREE PRESS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Through Meridian’s innovative exchange, education, and cultural programs, these leaders have a chance to learn from each other, build networks, and gain access to critical information and resources. This month, we hosted several exchanges from sustainable entrepreneurship IVLP visitors from Togo; global procurement training by USTDA for Jamaican government officials; the Central Asian Journalists-in-Residence program in Austin, Texas; Next Level Hip Hop exchanges in Ecuador, Ghana, and Poland; meetings with U.S. officials Melanie Nakagawa and Ambassador Jack Markell. Check out our website for more.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
REFLECTIONS ON AAPI HERITAGE MONTH
from the Meridian AAPI Affinity Group
HIGHLIGHTS FROM DIPLOMACY FORUM
Statecraft in the Evolving Frontiers: Ocean, Arctic and Space
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN OF COURAGE AWARDS
2022 State Department IVLP Program
NETWORK SPOTLIGHT
