Improving International Relations - One Person at a Time
Being a resident of Federal Hill neighborhood comes with a number of privileges rarely advertised by real estate agencies. Federal Hillers get the advantage of living in the heart of the city, of having a breathtaking view of the Inner Harbor, and being close to many major attractions. Along with that the neighborhood gets the rare opportunity to represent the city (and even the nation) to the many foreign visitors who choose Baltimore as their destination for business or leisure.
Sadly enough, recent polls in foreign countries indicate an increasing dissatisfaction with American foreign policy. This then often spills over to everything American: people, culture, national brands, and the USA as a travel destination. To help counter this, citizen diplomacy is needed now more than ever.
The concept of citizen diplomacy is rooted in the idea that individual citizens have the right—even the responsibility—to help shape US foreign relations. Right after the war in Kosovo, then Secretary of State Madeleine Albright noted: “In an era of blusters and bombs, citizen diplomacy is a builder of bridges.” Indeed, through citizen diplomacy efforts, bridges are built and although the process is slow, the foundation is firm. When each one of us lays only one brick, we become participants in a global process rooted in human nature and marked by good intentions. This is an endeavor that transfers from generation to generation and transforms the ‘here and now’ into the future through long lasting memories, unforgettable experiences and warm feelings.
The U.S. State Department (DoS) and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) have created professional programs that involve foreign professionals visiting our country to meet with their professional counterparts and spend time with American citizens. Through firsthand professional and personal experiences, visiting foreign professionals acquire a better understanding of American history and practices. Some of the alumni of these professional exchange programs include the presidents of Afghanistan, Chile, Egypt, France, Georgia, South Africa and South Korea as well as the Prime Ministers of India and Jordan. The international visitors exchange program “offers priceless opportunities to understand the U.S. and the American people through direct experience and to make valuable contacts” said Tony Blair, yet another alumnus of the program. He added: “I am immensely grateful for the insights into the U.S. which this exchange scheme provided. I have drawn on them regularly ever since then.”
For the state of Maryland, the World Trade Center Institute (WTCI) is an accredited hosting organization for international professionals invited to the U.S. by DoS and USAID. WTCI is non-profit organization that connects Maryland based business to the globe. Headed by a proud Federal Hiller, Ms. Deb Kielty, President & Executive Director, WTCI’s team strives to make a difference in everything it does. Since 1989 local volunteers have opened up their homes, offices, and schools to these distinguished foreign leaders who daily make decisions that affect US political and economic interests in their countries. In 2006 WTCI hosted a delegation comprising maternal and child healthcare professionals from Uzbekistan. Last summer WTCI hosted the three week visit of 10 business education and training specialists from Belarus.
In each of these international visitor exchange programs, Federal Hill played a key role. Montgomery Street, Charles Street and Hamburg Street. marked the world map with their home stay hostings. The Eccles Family, Kevin Spence, Caplan-Stern Family, Bridges/VanDyke Family, Susan Garabedian and of course Deb Kielty all opened their homes to the visiting professionals. At the same time the visitors were engaged with their program requirements and cultural activities organized by WTCI often enough to allow for the personal space of their hosts. Lifelong experiences and friendships were created. When asked what the most memorable part of hosting was, Kevin Spence said: “I took three of the visitors to the beach. They had never seen the ocean. I don’t think I’ve ever seen people so thankful for something I’ve done my entire life. This moment alone was worth the hosting experience.”
This June, Federal Hillers will get another opportunity to make a difference in a foreign visitor’s life as well as in their own. WTCI will welcome ten purchasing professionals from Moldova who will spend three weeks in our community, attending full days of professional programs, and evenings/weekends of cultural exchanges. We encourage the Federal Hill community to get engaged and once again leverage the power of what Ms. Karen Hughes, former undersecretary of public affairs and public diplomacy, called the country’s “most important international asset: [the] individual American citizens.”
Become a citizen diplomat, host a visitor and use the spare room in your home in the most rewarding way: to strengthen our community, our nation and our international relations!
You will not be alone in your effort to make a difference.
Contact Nina Bankova at (410) 576 0022 x 103 or nina@wtci.org
(Federal Hillsider Newsletter May 2008 Edition)