Back to the Table of Contents

Dining with Diplomats from Around the World

Ambassadors Abound, Congressman Roy Blunt Speaks about Public Diplomacy

by Ambassador Sharon Wilkinson

Sponsored by LarsonAllen LLP, Saul Ewing LLP, and Meridian International Center, the NCIV Luncheon with the Ambassadors was one of the best attended to date. Dedicated NCIV volunteers helped to welcome and host more than 35 Ambassadors and diplomats to share a meal and some delightful table conversation. Brad Minnick, Director, Office of International Visitors, did his usual masterful job in presiding over the event. In his opening remarks, he noted that, “public diplomacy, I would suggest to you, has a central role to play in helping individuals around the world better understand America, and better understand Americans.” Stressing the importance of having strong advocates for public diplomacy in Congress, Mr. Minnick introduced the event’s plenary speaker, The Honorable Roy Blunt of Missouri (R-7th).

One of the most powerful Republicans in the House of Representatives, Congressman Blunt, or “Mr. Whip,” as he is called by many of his colleagues, paid tribute to the work that our CIVs do, noting how important it is that our foreign visitors come to the United States to “see us as we really are.” Alluding to the idea that exchanges can increase understanding, Congressman Blunt stated that in his experience it is “almost never the case that someone visits our country and doesn’t feel better about America and Americans when they leave than if they didn’t come.” A staunch proponent of public diplomacy as an avenue to increase global transparency in trade and foreign policy, Congressman Blunt commended the NCIV network. He remarked, “Becoming economically part of the world, culturally part of the world, socially part of the world…that happens in no better way than with the activities that you encourage and participate in.”

Akram Elias, member, NCIV Board of Directors, urged the Ambassadors and their representatives to reach out to the NCIV network as they travel around the United States for support in setting up meetings and for home hospitality opportunities. Jerry Jordan, Executive Director, North Texas Council for International Visitors, who echoed Mr. Elias’ call for our guests to explore the US “…beyond the beltway," received special recognition for his lifetime dedication to the NCIV network. He explained that gold stars have been special to him since his Sunday School days, and he was proud to take the “gold star back to the lone star state.”

PHOTOS:  (Top to Bottom) House Minority Whip Roy Blunt of Missouri (R-7th) was the event's plenary speaker; Akram Elias, NCIV Board Member Presents Jerry Jordan, North Texas Council for International Visitors, with NCIV 18-Karat Gold Star for exemplary service as a volunteer; National Meeting participants sharing a meal with Ambassador Nabil Fahmy of the Arab Republic of Egypt (seated, second from the left), one of the nearly 40 diplomats who attended the luncheon


Ambassador Sharon Wilkinson retired as a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister Counselor. Her last overseas assignment was as US Ambassador to Mozambique. She recently completed her appointment as Assistant Dean for Global Engagement at Arizona State University. She is currently the Board President of the World Affairs Council of Arizona and served on the 2008 NCIV National Planning Committee.

Back to the Table of Contents