Global Scholars Explore Local Diplomacy
On Thursday, September 18, members of the Global Scholars Program traveled to the Cleveland Public Library for the panel "From Neighborhoods to Nations: The Power of Sub-National Diplomacy", hosted by Global Cleveland. Participants heard from panelists about how local diplomacy can help further the goals of global diplomacy.
Moderated by former Ambassador to Ecuador and Moldova, and President and Ambassador in Residence at the Cleveland Council on World Affairs, speakers were:
- Andrew Kovach, Program Officer at the Cleveland Council on World Affairs,
- Sandra Morgan, United Kingdom Honorary Consul in the State of Ohio,
- Suzana Cesarek, Consul General of the Republic of Slovenia in Cleveland,
- Cedric LeRouge, Honorary Consul of France
Their advice? Make local diplomacy personal. Host a foreign student travelling abroad, or perhaps study internationally yourself. Even brief interactions between people from different countries can build relationships and trust between countries.
Mr. Kovach (CCWA) shared a story about two people from conflicting nations who participated in the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) with the Department of State and who ended up getting along great and realized that they were just other people, not the enemy, despite their countries' political situations.
Article written by Maria Zajac '26, External Communications Coordinator for the Global Scholars Leadership team
