The last three feet

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U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams speaks about the American healthcare system at Meridian.

“The real crucial link in international exchange is the last three feet, which is bridged by personal contact, one person talking to another.” -Edward R. Murrow While renowned American broadcaster Edward R. Murrow reminds us the most important work of diplomacy occurs across “the last three feet” between individuals, the threat of COVID-19 puts this fundamental principle into question at the time when we need international cooperation the most. As Meridian celebrates its 60th anniversary year, we do so immersed in one of the worst medical crises to ever affect the world. The transnational nature of COVID-19 underscores the...

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Meridian Reads: India, coronavirus updates and Katherine Johnson

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#MeridianReads

Hey there, Meridian Readers. You did it- you made it to another weekend and the beginning of a new month. Let’s celebrate by catching up on the news. Trump’s visit highlights importance of US-India relationship Publication: CNBC | By Saheli Roy Choudhury Last week marked President Trump’s first official state visit to India, signifying the the growing strength of a bilateral relationship between Washington and New Delhi. The biggest area of collaboration between the U.S. and India? Defense procurement. India approved plans to purchase 24 military helicopters worth $2.6 billion from American defense firm Lockheed Martin for the Indian...

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Women’s empowerment at Meridian International Center

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The inaugural W-GDP IVLP participants at Meridian in 2019.

As catalysts, trailblazers and change-makers, women have unquestionably shaped the world we live in today. Next month marks Women’s History Month in the U.S. and Meridian is proud to honor the accomplishments of women in diplomacy around the world through a series of programs, as well as flashbacks to our flagship initiatives that demonstrate Meridian’s commitment to championing the empowerment of women and girls.  WOMEN IN DIPLOMACY  On February 24, in partnership with Women Ambassadors Serving America, Meridian hosted over 50 former and current women ambassadors from foreign embassies and the U.S. for “Diplomatic Readiness: What skills will diplomats need in 2030 and beyond?” This program opened with the Director of National Intelligence’s Global Trends report, followed by a panel conversation, moderated...

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Building Bridges from America to Zimbabwe

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IVLP Alum Herod Sibanda (left) chats with Henry Collins (right) about his IVLP experience

The following was written by Mr. James Horsman, IVLP Program Officer at World Learning What if you found out that something you do every day had a tremendous impact on someone’s life years earlier? What if that impact was felt across the world and you found out that person is someone in your family? All of this came true when I learned that my father-in-law, Herod Benjamin Sibanda from Zimbabwe, was a past participant in the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). His IVLP project was administered by Meridian International Center, which along with World Learning and six other National...

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