HDI Showcases American Manufacturing at the International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan
January 2007Executive Summary
The Humpty Dumpty Institute took eight senior diplomats from the United Nations to Detroit, Michigan on January 10-11, 2007. The U.N. delegation included the Permanent Representatives of Iraq, Bangladesh, Kazakhstan, Kenya, and Ethiopia. Also accompanying the group were the Charge' of Ukraine, the Minister of Japan, and the Counselor of South Korea.
The visit promoted dialogue on global issues between high-level U.N. diplomatic representatives and various segments of Detroit's community, including civic and business leaders, teachers, students, and the media. It also gave the diplomats a chance to see one of America's unique cities and allowed them to interact with the citizens of Detroit.
The formal program began on Wednesday, January 10, with a breakfast meeting hosted by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) where the ambassadors and HDI were introduced. This event provided an opportunity for the Ambassadors to network with senior executives of the U.S. automotive industry. Following the breakfast, the Ambassadors were given a VIP tour of the North American International Auto Show, one of the world's most prestigious and influential automotive events of the year. At the Auto Show, the participants were interviewed by the local CBS and NBC television affiliates. The segments ran on several news programs in the course of the two days in which we were in Detroit.
The U.N delegation was also able to get a taste of U.S. culture with a visit to the Detroit Motown Museum. The museum's exhibits, which include a collection of historical photographs, artwork, music, costumes and other memorabilia from the booming musical era, trace the roots of Motown's remarkable story and chronicle its impact on 20th century popular culture and musical styles. The tour director got the Bangladeshi, Ethiopian and Kenyan ambassadors up to do a little Motown pantomime…everyone had a great time. Later that evening the delegation attended a private dinner hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Yousif Ghafari, President and CEO of Ghafari Associates, L.L.C. Mr. Ghafari was a United States Public Delegate to the 59th United Nations General Assembly. At the dinner were leading business, academic and civic leaders.
On Thursday, January 11, the Detroit World Affairs Council hosted a Town Hall Meeting on the campus of Wayne State University (WSU). More than 100 students and faculty, including WSU President Irvin Reid, attended the event, which focused on "New Beginnings, New Hopes - With the Arrival of Secretary-General, U.N. Ambassadors Discuss What's Next for the U.N." The town hall format provided an opportunity for students and the public to speak directly with the visiting diplomats about the United Nations and issues relevant to the countries represented. Topics discussed included global warming, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), nuclear non-proliferation, U.N. reform, religious tolerance, as well as the current conflicts in Iraq and Somalia. On the margins of the event we were able to discuss the HDI U.N. University network Pilot program. Officials of Wayne state asked that HDI submit a formal proposal.
The delegation then attended a lunch hosted by Detroit World Affairs Council, where the Ambassadors were given an opportunity to interact informally with board members of the Detroit World Affairs Council, WSU's Board of Governors, the local consular corps and members of the media. The program ended with a short visit to the Detroit Historical Museum, where the Ambassadors were given a brief overview of Michigan's history.
During the course of the trip Bangladeshi Permanent Representative Chowdhury was notified that he was being called back to Dhaka to serve as Acting Foreign Minister and Khazaki Permanent Representative Kazykhanov was notified that he had been appointed deputy foreign Minister of Kazakhstan.
