HDI Brings Delegation of Asian U.N. Ambassadors to Portland, Oregon
April 2006Executive Summary
A delegation of eight Asian Ambassadors to the United Nations traveled to Portland, Oregon, on April 23, 2006, to take part in a two-day public diplomacy program co-sponsored by the Humpty Dumpty Institute, the Oregon World Affairs Council, and the U.S. Mission to the United Nations. Countries represented included China, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Laos, the Philippines, Thailand, and Viet Nam.
The visit was intended to promote fresh dialogue between high-level U.N. diplomatic representatives and Oregon's government, civic, and business leaders. It also gave the U.N. Ambassadors a chance to see one of American's prettiest cities and allowed them to interact with Oregonians about the challenges and opportunities facing their respective countries at the United Nations.
Over the course of two days, the group met with Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski, Portland Mayor Tom Potter, U.S. Representative Dave Walden, other business and government leaders, and local media in order to discuss topics ranging from global trade, public diplomacy, United Nations Reform, Human Rights, and regional cooperation and economic development.
The formal program began with a welcome breakfast at the University Club of Portland hosted by Governor Ted Kulongoski, U.S. Congressmen Greg Walden, and Goli Ameri, the U.S. Public Delegate to the 60th United Nations General Assembly. The event focused on "Sustainability and Business: The Oregon Model." The discussion centered on what the State of Oregon was doing to build ties with the Pacific Rim region. U.N. diplomats learned first hand about Oregon's vital international trade community and its focus on environmental sustainability from local business leaders who shared their experiences.
The delegation then headed to Nike Headquarters, where they met with Nike CEO Mark Parker and Dr. Joseph Ha, Senior Vice President of International Business. The group was shown a short film on the company's history and discussed issues such as Corporate Social Responsibility, Economic Development, Child Labor Practices and the Importance of Trade Relations between the United States and Asia. As a special treat, Mr. Parker also gave a pair of new Nike sneakers to each diplomat.
Following their visit to Nike, the delegation attended a luncheon with more than 250 business and civic leaders at the Governor Hotel hosted by the World Affairs Council of Oregon and Portland Mayor Tom Potter. The event began with a keynote speech by Christopher Burnham, U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Management (and senior ranking American at the UN) on "UN Management Reform." The U.N. diplomats then took part in a question and answer session with the audience. This event highlighted America's full engagement and critical role in the U.N.'s management reform process.
In honor of the delegation, the World Affairs Council of Oregon also hosted a cultural reception featuring Oregon wines at the Portland Art Museum. Civic leaders, Consul Generals, and the greater Portland Community were treated to a song and dance presentation by students of the International School of Portland. The delegation also closed the evening with a dinner and tour of a local micro-brewery.
The following day, Portland State University (PSU) hosted a Town Hall Meeting to provide the PSU community the opportunity to engage in a multilateral, interactive dialogue with the U.N. ambassadors. More than 350 students and faculty, including PSU President Dan Bernstine, attended the event, which focused on "Why Diplomacy Matters." As always, 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.
Following the Town Hall Meeting, the delegation was given a private tour of Portland's Japanese Garden, which opened in 1967 as a symbol of the friendship between Portland and its first sister city, Sapporo, Japan. The Garden is said to be the most authentic Japanese Garden outside of Japan. The delegation then attended a lunch hosted by the Portland International Trade Commission.
Other highlights of the two-day program included a visit to Columbia Gorge and Multnomah Falls and a private dinner at the home of Mr. Junki Yoshida, Founder and Chairman / CEO of the Yoshida Group.
