Meridian International Center

The Meridian International Center is a non-partisan, non-profit, public diplomacy organization founded in 1960 and located in Washington, D.C.[1] It works closely with the U.S. Department of State and other U.S. government agencies, NGOs, international governments, and the private sector to create programs and partnership.

Meridian International Center
Formation1960
Headquarters1630 Crescent Place NW, D.C.
Location
President
Stuart W. Holliday
WebsiteOfficial website

The organization is headquartered in the historic Meridian House and White-Meyer House, both designed by John Russell Pope. Meridian is a member of the Dupont-Kalorama Museums Consortium.

History

In 1960, Dr. Arthur A. Hauck,[2] a member of the American Council on Education and former president of the University of Maine, worked with the Ford Foundation to purchase the Meridian House from Gertrude Laughlin Chanler. The house was to serve as headquarters of a non-profit organization called the Washington International Center.

In 1961, four additional organizations joined the Center: The Foreign Student Service Council, the Governmental Affairs Institute, Institute of Contemporary Arts, and the Institute of International Education. The American Council on Education passed the title of the Meridian House to the Meridian House Foundation.

In 1969, the Board of Trustees authorized an annual benefit event, the first-ever Meridian Ball.

In 1974, the Department of State approved a proposal by Meridian to take over the implementation of the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) from the Governmental Affairs Institute.

In 1977, Meridian expanded its outreach to the Washington community through a series of programs that focused on citizen education in world affairs and international cultural exchange.

In 1987, Meridian acquired the White-Meyer House and grounds from the Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundation.

In 1992, Meridian is renamed as Meridian International Center.

In 2010, Meridian celebrated its 50th anniversary.

Since its founding over 50 years ago, Meridian International Center has overseen thousands of participants in the IVLP program, curated international arts exhibits and held numerous high-level events.

Programs

With over 500 projects per year, Meridian's programs and conferences fall in to four different categories: leadership exchanges, cultural diplomacy, neutral forums and training.

Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI)
YLAI 2016 Cohort

YLAI is a four-week U.S. fellowship which aims to empower 250 Latin American and Caribbean business and social entrepreneurs to transform their societies and contribute more fully to economic development and prosperity, security, human rights and good governance in the hemisphere. YLAI Fellows will build networks, linkages and lasting partnerships to attract investments and support for their entrepreneurial ventures.Twenty-four Fellows participated in the pilot program in 2016, and since then the YLAI Professional Fellows Program has gone on to host over 500 Fellows from 36 different countries across the region.

International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP)

International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) is a United States run professional exchange program the goal of the program is to provide firsthand knowledge about the United States society and culture while also creating professional relationships. Foreign leaders participate in meetings with their counterparts on varying professional interests and supporting the foreign policy goals of the United States. Meridian has been a partner for over 60 years and works with members of Global Ties U.S, administering over 40 percent of all IVLP projects as a result almost 5,000 international visitors have come to the U.S every year.

Pan-Africa Youth Leadership Program (PAYLP)

Pan-Africa Youth Leadership Program (PAYLP) is a developmental exchange program funded by the U. S Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural affairs and implemented by the Meridian International Center. PAYLP brings students from across Africa to the United States and pairs them with an adult mentor. This 3-week U.S based training and cultural exchange provides students with knowledge of civic responsibility and rights, respect of culture and the importance of community engagement. This program also includes a series of workshops, and living with American host family.

Meridian Center for Cultural Diplomacy (MCCD)

The Meridian Center for Cultural Diplomacy (MCCD) was created in 2014 to use visual and performing arts to achieve U.S foreign policy objectives. MCCD’s exhibitions have traveled to over 380 host venues in 44 U.S states and 57 countries. Some of the work done by MCCD includes: working with embassies and ministries of worldwide cultures to tell their stories to Americans; assisting corporations interested in deepening their footprint in other countries; and collaborating with the U.S government to provide content that doubly showcases American heritage and highlights our country’s investments in cultural diplomacy.

U.S Congress- Republic of Korea National Assembly Exchange Program

Meridian International Center has implemented the U.S. Congress - Republic of Korea National Assembly Exchange program since 1997. The program, initially created by U.S. Representative Ben Gilman and his counterpart in the Republic of Korea National Assembly, David Pong, in 1981 is jointly funded by the U.S Department of State and the Republic of Korea National Assembly through its Committee on Foreign Affairs & National Unification. The program brings together university students and young professionals from Korea and the United States for an opportunity to learn about the legislative process in the two countries. It also provides the participants with an opportunity to experience each other’s cultures and make lifelong personal contacts. Since Meridian begun implementing the program, nearly 500 participants have learned about the history of U.S.-Korean relations and key aspects of the bilateral relationship.

Washington DC Premier Wedding Reception Venue

The Meridian House and the White-Meyer House, headquarters of Meridian International Center, are both examples of residential jewels of renowned architect John Russell Pope, who designed the Jefferson Memorial, the National Gallery of Art (West Building) and the National Archives. The houses are adjacent to each other and surrounded by beautiful historic gardens, forming a city block of supreme historic and architectural interest. Each house provides a unique, unmatched venue for your next event, whether it be a corporate conference, a wedding, a special event, or a reception. [3]

Events

The Center organizes several large events each year. The most prominent one is the Meridian Ball, which usually takes place in October.

Meridian Ball
Meridian's 46th Ball

In 1969, Meridian launched an annual benefit. Now in its 50th year (2018), the Meridian Ball– with associated dinners at the embassies and residences of foreign ambassadors, and Meridian’s own White-Meyer House – is considered one of the most prestigious social events in Washington, D.C.[4]

Meridian Global Leadership Summit

The Meridian Global Leadership Summit brings together leaders and decision makers in a neutral forum to discuss global issues. The summit convenes both domestic and foreign leaders, academics, policy makers, and members of the media to explore more effective ways to address global economic and social changes occurring worldwide.

Meridian Global Leadership Awards

The Global leadership awards were created to honor those who, via their actions exemplify the effect that positive leadership can have on their own communities and communities around the world.

gollark: Just put up the posters secretly.
gollark: Are you sure you're not delving into that which man was not meant to know?
gollark: No, hair length is self-regulating or something.
gollark: I simply do not shave, because waving dangerous sharp things around on my face sounds bad.
gollark: Battery farms?

References
  1. "With Flurry of New Programs, Meridian Moves With the Times". The Washington Diplomat. Retrieved 18 October 2012.
  2. "Arthur Andrew Hauck - Office of the President - University of Maine". Retrieved 12 September 2018.
  3. Team, Meridian International Center. "Two Historic Houses for Your Next Event - Meridian International Center". meridian.org. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
  4. "Carlyle, GM, Wal-Mart's $50,000 Fund Autumn Galas: D.C." Bloomberg.com. Retrieved 26 September 2012.
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