Summary Report of the Meridian Global Leadership Summit 2013
Meridian’s Summit Success: Who Leads the World? Rethinking Leadership Around the Globe
On Friday, October 18, Meridian International Center hosted the second annual Global Leadership Summit in partnership with Gallup and the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. The event, which brought policy makers, subject matter experts, diplomats, business leaders and members of the media, was a high level forum to discuss the current—and future--state of global leadership.
The Chairman of Meridian’s Board of Trustees, Governor James J. Blanchard opened the Summit with welcome remarks followed by brief remarks from Ball and Summit Chair, Dalia Mroue-Fateh, Founder of Salt Productions, LLC.
The Summit featured the release of “Global States of Mind: New Metrics for World Leaders,” presented by Jim Clifton, Chairman and CEO of Gallup. The report captured key findings from over 160 countries on what citizens think of their leadership and set the stage for ensuing discussion through two dynamic sessions. The poll, the only global study of its kind, measures the views of citizens on key quality of life issues, including law and order, food and shelter, institutions and infrastructure, good jobs, and well-being. The report shows that factors beyond classical economic measures affect people’s attitudes and behaviors, and provides leaders with better tools to examine the future of economics, government performance, and the overall momentum of the world’s population. According to Clifton, “Through classical economy data we know what people worldwide are spending and transacting, but we do not know what people are thinking or how they are feeling. Classical economic data do not necessarily reveal conditions for instability or revolution. We are more likely to predict stability or revolution when we review metrics of hope, suffering, perceptions of government corruption, number of good jobs, and perceptions of safety and food security.”
In two dynamic panel discussions to follow, speakers from diverse backgrounds and sectors used the findings of this report as a foundation in discussing the demands for global leadership today and to reflect upon opportunities for accelerating cooperation through culture, commerce and education. Mark Penn, Executive Vice President, Advertising and Strategy, Microsoft Corporation, and a Meridian Trustee, introduced the interactive Bing Pulse technology, by which Summit participants were able to join the conversation by sharing their opinion and reactions in real time using their mobile devices and tablets.
The first panel “Reimagining Power: The Demands for Global Leadership Today” was moderated by Ambassador Stuart Holliday, President and CEO of Meridian International Center, and featured speakers Dr. Vali Nasr, Dean, Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, Dr. Tomicah Tillemann, Senior Advisor for Civil Society and Emerging Democracies, U.S. Department of State, H.E. Eduardo Medina-Mora, Ambassador of Mexico, H.E. Ashok Mirpuri, Ambassador of the Republic of Singapore, and H.E. Tebelelo Seretse, Ambassador of the Republic of Botswana. With the provocative question, “is the U.S. still a superpower?” the group kicked off a wide-ranging conversation about America’s positioning in the world, the emerging role of civil society, and the relevance of the United Nations and other international institutions.
The second panel “Accelerating Cooperation through Culture, Commerce and Education” was moderated by Christopher Schroeder, Entrepreneur and the Author of Startup Rising: The Entrepreneurial Revolution Remaking the Middle East. The panel featured speakers Mohamed Shafik Gabr, Chairman and Managing Director, ARTOC Group for Investment and Development, Dr. Shaygan Kheradpir, Chief Operations and Technology Officer, Barclays, The Lord Palumbo of Walbrook, Chairman of the Jury, Pritzker Architecture Prize, and Tom Monahan, Chairman and CEO, CEB. The panelists focused on the dramatic shifts in the world as a result of technological advances and how these innovations impact sectors ranging from art and education to banking and business.
The Meridian Corporate Leader Award was presented remotely to Christophe Navarre, Chairman and CEO of Moët Hennessy by the Chairman of Meridian’s Board of Trustees, Governor James J. Blanchard. This distinguished award recognizes exceptional business leaders whose vision and management acumen have helped their companies succeed in a global marketplace, increased international collaboration, and made societal impact a corporate priority. Mr. Navarre was honored for his outstanding vision, which has impacted the growth of Moët Hennessy and taken the company and its brands to every corner of the world; as well as his promotion of France-U.S. relations and establishing stronger cultural, economic, and political ties between the two nations.
The Summit was chaired by Dalia Mroue-Fateh and generously supported by Presenting Sponsor Moët Hennessy, enjoyed an audience of more than 200 leaders from the public and private sectors, and representatives from the diplomatic community.
Friday’s outstanding leadership dialogue was followed by Meridian’s Annual Ball and accompanying Ambassador-hosted dinners. Celebrating its 45th year, the Ball was presided over by Honorary Chair First Lady Michelle Obama, Congressional Co-Chairs Senator Roy Blunt and Mrs. Abigail Blunt, and Congressman John Delaney and Mrs. April McClain Delaney, Honorary Sponsor Ambassador Capricia Penavic Marshall, Ball Chair Dalia Mroue-Fateh, Corporate Chair Christophe Navarre, White-Meyer Chair Britlan Malek, and Young Professional Co-Chairs Frances Holuba and Jaclyn Mason. In addition to Presenting Sponsor Moët Hennessey, the Ball and Summit were also made possible by Chairman’s Circle Sponsors Microsoft and Turkish Airlines; Ambassador’s Circle Sponsors Chevron, Gallup and Genentech; Diplomat’s Circle Sponsors Barclays, The Coca-Cola Company, DLA Piper, and FedEx Express among others.
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