Diplomacy Beyond the Beltway, by Dr. Sherry Mueller

This is undoubtedly a time when we need the American public to better understand and appreciate diplomacy. So, it is reassuring to be reminded that diplomacy is a subject that is sometimes thoughtfully scrutinized beyond the beltway.
 
A recent example is the Global Perspectives Institute hosted by Global Ties Alabama, a Huntsville community-based member of PDCA Partner Global Ties U.S. The CEO and longtime colleague, Jacqui Shipe, invited me to serve as a panelist for an online program February 25 entitled The Invisible Hand of Diplomacy: Shaping Our World.
 
I was certainly in good company with representatives of several PDCA partner organizations. Former AFSA President Ambassador Barbara Stephenson and Ambassador Richard LeBaron (members of the Global Ties U.S. Advisory Council) shared lessons learned from their distinguished careers in the Foreign Service.
 
Tom Selinger, Executive Director of PDCA PartnerAssociation for Diplomatic Studies and Training (ADST), described the work of ADST and previewed the Diplomatic History Exhibit. Hats off to ADST for conceiving of and producing this impressive exhibit that visually tells the story of U.S. diplomatic history. To give you an idea of how the exhibit can be used, Tom shared his plan for Alabama.
 
The exhibit is on display at the South Huntsville Public Library from March 6 until March 15. It will be relocated to Morton Hall at the University of Alabama in Huntsville from March 16 to 26. Tom will be delivering his Century of Service presentation at the South Huntsville Public Library on March 11. His presentation will explain some historical facts about the creation of the U.S. Foreign Service in 1924. He will also share some stories about diplomats who have made America “safer, stronger, and more prosperous” during the past 100 years. 
 
Tom will also address the Greater Huntsville Rotary Club on March 12 and speak with two classes at Oakwood University, an HBCU in Huntsville. He plans to return to Alabama March 25-26 to speak with four different classes at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, ranging from international business to world history.
 
Tom’s itinerary reminded me of one of my visits to the Global Ties community-based member in Huntsville, Alabama. It was in 1985 when I served as the Director of the IIE Professional Exchanges Staff. I still have the Jefferson Cup that volunteer Walt Weisman presented to me after my speech at the Rotary Club. Walt was the youngest of the 118 German scientists who came to Alabama right after WWII with Wernher von Braun. Given its own history and generations of dedicated volunteers, it is no wonder that Global Ties Alabama’s interest in diplomacy persists.
 
Dr. Mueller was the founding co-president of PDCA and previously served as President of the Public Diplomacy Council. She serves on the Global Ties Advisory Council and on the ADST Board of Directors.
 
Contact Tom Selinger about presenting the Diplomatic History Exhibit at a venue near you.