The “Spark” of Euromaidan and Meridian

Posted under: Center for Global Leadership By /

Mr. Mustafa Nayyem receiving the 2014 Ion Rațiu Democracy Award at the Woodrow Wilson Center for International Studies.

When I meet international visitors, most of which are participating in one of Meridian’s exchange programs, I often talk about the impact of these exchanges on the lives and careers of previous participants. I often mention Meridian alumni who went on to shine in the global spotlight. Some are very well-known: Nicolas Sarkozy, Mikhail Saakashvili, Romano Prodi, Hamid Karzai, Margaret Thatcher. A few are better known locally: Alvaro Arzu Irigoyen, President of Guatemala, Norovyn Altankhuyag, Prime Minister of Mongolia, Egypt’s former President Anwar Sadat, Finland’s current President, Sauli Niinisto, or Ehud Olmert, former Prime Minister of Israel. In total, some 168 current or former heads of state have stepped through Meridian’s doors mostly as participants in the U.S. Department of State International Visitor Leadership Program.

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Chinese netizens discover the United States

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Chinese internet opinion leaders meet Governor McAuliffe and major press organizations through program with the U.S. Department of State's Foreign Press Center.

In late November, Meridian International Center and the U.S. Department of State’s Foreign Press Center warmly received a cohort of ten Chinese “netizens” (a portmanteau of “internet” and “citizens”) who displayed a deft awareness for the power of the blogosphere.

The netizens expressed their appreciation and satisfaction with what they all agreed was a very well designed and relevant program.  They were particularly pleased that they were able to participate in such a wide range of activities; saying that the visit did much to increase their understanding of the United States and both the differences and similarities between the two countries. Continue