Every Citizen A Diplomat

Hello,

Apologies for the lag in updates.  Unfortunately, our week with the Arab fellows is over. Right now they are in Washington, D.C., do doubt having a great time and learning even more. While we are sad that our time with our four new friends has come and gone, I think all of us here in Des Moines are confident that Alaa, Alaa, Mohamed, and Khaled have taken something from their experiences with us and will carry it with them.  ”Oh yeah, you bet!”

Since my last post, I met up with the fellows out in Johnston, Iowa, at the Pioneer Hi-Bred compound.  The people at Pioneer gave an overview of not just their U.S. operations, but also of the work they do around the world.  Pioneer’s seed operations in Africa and the Middle East is truly innovative and their business practices definitely peeked the interest of the fellows.

On Thursday I began my day with our guests by briefly talking politics.  It was excellent getting their perspective on the previous night’s presidential debate.  It’s always incredible to hear how closely people from all around the world follow American politics.  The fellows spent their day with Kemin Industries, where they talked about management styles and how to foster outside-the-box workplace thinking.  That night, all four of them attended the World Food Prize and met other visitors from around the globe.

Their last full day in Des Moines was spent with the good people at Wells Fargo.  The fellows were able to see all the different branches of the financial giant and talk about how the current economic situation is impacting commercial lenders.  Given that everyday is full of more uncertainty in the global markets, the conversations could not have been more timely. Later that afternoon, Iowa State Representative Ako Adbul-Samad met with the fellows and took them for prayers at a local mosque. The visit and subsequent discussion of modernity and religion was stimulating.

Friday night ended with a wonderful dinner and reception for our guests at the Embassy Club in downtown Des Moines.  After the meal, representatives from all the host companies shared their thoughts about the week.  While it was great to hear how much everyone involved with the exchange got out of it, truly the highlight of the evening was hearing from the fellows themselves.  Each one of them spoke from the heart about the relationships they developed in just their short time here and what they had learned from their meetings.  It was impossible not to feel inspired by their words and hopeful about this idea of citizen diplomacy that we are all committed to.

In closing, I have to say one more time what an excellent week it was for me getting to spend time with these individuals and watch them interact with others here in the United States. In is programs like this that truly do change perceptions and have a positive impact on international relations. Alaa, Alaa, Mohamed, and Khaled – - – I am proud to call you friends!

Peace,

Matt

Hello,

After missing Monday’s events with the fellows, I was happy to rejoin the group today.  I met up with our guests at their afternoon session with MidAmerican Energy Co.  Their discussions ranged from the current dependence on oil to the future of green energy technology around the world.  Once they finished their last session, everyone was good enough to endure a 15-minute photo shoot in front of different backdrops on several floors of the Ruan Building downtown.  (See attached photos for proof of what good sports the fellows really are.)

We made the short drive from downtown to the capitol building where the fellows got a little American Government 101.  Iowa Senator Daryl Beall provided an overview of how the state government functions in addition to a tour of the beautifully restored capitol facilities.  I was happy to put my political nerdiness to use while moving from the House and Senate chambers to the governor’s office!

The fellows ended their afternoon by meeting with Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie.  Chatting in the storefront of the mayor’s family business, the fellows heard about the challenges of running a city in addition to the emerging trends of bridging the global divide on a local level.

At the end of another long day, our guests were ready for a nap.  The schedule wouldn’t allow for it, and when I left them they had at least a few more hours of socializing ahead of them at tonight’s dinner.

When I asked them how their first couple of days had gone, the response was unanimous  – “We move nonstop and eat all of the time!”  Well, that’s Iowa!

Peace,

Matt

Hello!

Well, the fellows have arrived!  After getting safely into Des Moines Saturday night, our four honored guests spent Sunday morning seeing the city and having an orientation of Iowa.  It was my pleasure to meet everyone on the way out to Adel for a farm tour.  My first impression of the fellows could not have been more positive – I was thrilled to see how excited they were to be here and what a sense of humor they have.

While going down the line shaking hands, I met Alaa and Alaa first.  When I joked about how easy that would be for me to remember, Khaled and Mohamed both smiled and introduced themselves as “Alaa” as well!  I told them that I would also be “Alaa” for the week, so that there’d be no confusion.I’ve attached some pictures from our trip to rural Iowa.  Part of Khaled’s family business includes a farm, so he had something to compare the operation to.  While everyone asked questions it occurred to me that even though I grew up in the Midwest, this was actually my first visit to a working farm.  I was just as amazed to hear how things worked as everyone else – - – truly an informational visit for everyone.

After the farm, the fellows made a stop at Jordan Creek Mall to do a little shopping.  We all met again that evening to have dinner at Ann Schodde’s (the U.S. Center’s executive director) house.  It was a wonderful meal and the company could not have been better.  It was excellent to chat with the fellows and have a discussion about everything from their impressions of their week in New York to how their home countries are impacted by the current global economic crisis.

In short, the week is off to an excellent start.  Mondays are always full of classes for me, so I was not able to spend anytime at the planned activities today.  Thankfully the rest of the week will be full of opportunities for me to tag along with the four of them as they meet with different companies and officials.  I will continue to post recaps and pictures here on the blog.

For now, PEACE!

Matt

The U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy has launched a new web page highlighting public remarks of Barack Obama, John McCain, Joe Biden, and Sarah Palin in addition to reviewing the party platforms set forth by the Democrats and Republicans. By reading the words of the candidates and their parties – paying particular attention to the time they dedicate to foreign policy -  a better understanding can be pieced together as to how these individuals view the world and America’s role in it. Click here to read the words and videos!!!

To dramatically improve international relations throughout the world, the U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy (U.S. Center) announced today a National Presidents’ Initiative for Citizen Diplomacy. The National Presidents’ Initiative was launched as a result of discussions by 40 U.S. leaders, associated with more than 90 organizations in international affairs, who attended a Leadership Forum on Citizen Diplomacy. A National Presidents’ Initiative Steering Committee plans to meet with members of the U.S. Center’s Board, forum participants, nationally recognized leaders in foreign affairs, members of Congress, members of the new administration’s transition team on foreign policy, and with the president-elect in early December to discuss this strategic plan and its implementation. The Leadership Forum, co-sponsored by the Johnson Foundation, convened October 1-3, 2008, at the Wingspread Conference Center in Racine, Wisconsin. Read full version of this press release here.