HDI Brings U.N. Ambassadors to New Orleans
April 2005Executive Summary
As part of its ongoing mission to bring the United States and the United Nations closer together, the Humpty Dumpty Institute (HDI) sponsored a two-day U.N. ambassadorial delegation visit to New Orleans on April 19-20, 2005.
The delegation featured nine U.N. ambassadors - all women - with the primary focus of their visit centering on women's issues. The ambassadors represent the Bahamas, Cape Verde, Denmark, Finland, Grenada, Kuwait, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Turkmenistan and the United States. West Virginia Secretary of State Betty Ireland, members of Congress, the Louisiana Statehouse, prominent business leaders, and staff from HDI and the U.S. Mission to the U.N. also participated in the two-day program.
The delegation began the formal program with a luncheon hosted by Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco on the political empowerment of women. The luncheon also included members of the Louisiana Women's Legislative Caucus, women Associate Supreme Court justices, and Louisiana Cabinet secretaries. Gov. Blanco led an open discussion and the legislators shared their experiences with the ambassadors. After the lunch, the ambassadors toured the State Capital with the Louisiana Women's Caucus.
The delegation subsequently visited New Orleans where they dined with the New Orleans World Affairs Council and discussed how they could play a role in improving the lives of women worldwide. The following morning, the New Orleans World Trade Center hosted a champagne jazz breakfast in honor of the Ambassadors. At the breakfast, Ambassadors received a presentation on the history of jazz by Ellis Marsalis. This presentation was followed by a general discussion on "Women In Diplomacy." After the breakfast, former ambassador to the Vatican and former U.S. Congresswoman Lindy Boggs hosted a tea at her French Quarter residence. The delegation coincided with the world-famous New Orleans Jazz Festival, and a number of Ambassadors used the opportunity to discover New Orleans' renowned history, food, and culture. The trip concluded with a dinner hosted by HDI, which included three U.S. Congresswomen.
Consistent with HDI's mission, this Ambassadorial Delegation gave participants the opportunity to experience the views of Americans outside New York City and to have serious discussions on topics of significance to the U.S. agenda at the United Nations. This delegation was conducted in partnership with the U.S. Mission to the United Nations, and was made possible through the generous financial support of Mr. Jay Snyder.
