HDI Brings Delegation of Latin American U.N. Ambassadors to Phoenix, Arizona
November 2005Executive Summary
A delegation of Latin American Ambassadors to the U.N. traveled to Phoenix, Arizona on November 16, 2005 to take part in a two-day public diplomacy program organized by the Humpty Dumpty Institute and co-sponsored by the U.S. Mission to the United Nations. Countries represented included Bolivia, Chile, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Suriname.
The program served as an opportunity to increase diplomats' exposure to the culture and issues of different U.S. cities. Over the course of two days, the group met with the Governor of Arizona and the Mayor of Phoenix, the local business community, university officials and newspaper editors to discuss topics ranging from United Nations Reform, Human Rights, Border Security, Regional Cooperation and Economic Development.
With November being Native American History Month, the two-day event began with a meeting with the tribal leaders of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, where the U.N. diplomats were exposed to local American Indian history and culture, as well as learning about tribal-federal relations and the importance of indigenous economic development.
The delegation attended a luncheon hosted by the Arizona-Mexico Commission, a public/private, results-oriented, non-profit organization chaired by the Governor of Arizona that formulates programs and action items that impact the Arizona-Mexico relationship. The topic for discussion was "Border Security, Economic Development, and Regional Cooperation."
Later that afternoon, the delegation met with Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano, who welcomed the delegation to Arizona. The meeting served to highlight the importance of engaging neighbors and achieving regional cooperation.
In honor of the delegation, Jane Dee Hull, former Arizona Governor and Public Delegate to the 59th U.N. General Assembly hosted a dinner at the historic Biltmore hotel. Discussion at the dinner, co-sponsored by members of Arizona's business community, centered on U.N. reform and the U.N.'s PR image throughout the United States. Arizonan leaders explained that there is a lack of information about what the work of the U.N. and noted that trips such as these help to give exposure and perspective on U.N. issues to places where that dialogue is lacking.
The Office of Pan American Initiatives at Arizona State University (ASU), the nation's fourth largest university, hosted a Town Hall Meeting to provide the ASU community the opportunity to engage in a multilateral, interactive dialogue with the United Nations ambassadors representing countries throughout Latin America. The Town Hall Meeting, which focused on "Latin American Perspectives on the United Nations" was open to the public and included in depth discussion of these countries' views on U.N. reform. The delegation was also given an overview of the University's new Global Engagement Initiative and given a tour of ASU's Tempe campus. Among the sites visited was the Decision Theater.
Mayor Phil Gordon greeted the delegation at Phoenix City Hall. The Phoenix Community and Economic Development Department gave the delegation an overview of economic development and international priorities for the City of Phoenix. The Mayor's staff discussed the factors that have transformed Arizona into the second fastest growing state in the United States and what the city is doing to reach out and build ties with Central and South America.
Other highlights of the two-day program included participating in a true American pastime -- watching a live NBA game between the Phoenix Suns and the Utah Jazz at the America West Arena in downtown Phoenix.
