Four diplomats will discuss a range of topics centered on the ‘global citizen.’
Texas Tech University's International Affairs Office and The American Academy of Diplomacy (AAD) will host “The Global Citizen and Diplomacy,” for the 8th Annual Ambassador's Forum at 5 p.m. on Thursday (March 2) in the International Cultural Center's auditorium.
The focus for the forum will be on the concept of a “global citizen” and exactly what it means when applied to action on significant transnational issues. Panelists will compare nationalism versus globalism as well as give their thoughts on climate change and the changing face of media and the ramifications of misinformation.
“In an ever-changing world, ‘developing global citizens' represent more than just buzzwords at Texas Tech as we strive to support the development of well-rounded professionals,” said Vice Provost for International Affairs Elizabeth Trejos-Castillo. “We look forward to a dynamic dialogue between the ambassadors and the audience to reflect on the role of global citizens on transnational issues.”
Panelists are:
- Tibor P. Nagy is the former Vice Provost for International Affairs at Texas Tech University from 2003-2018, who served as Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs from 2018-2021. In addition to leading the U.S. government's efforts to deal with Africa's myriad systemic challenges, Ambassador Nagy prioritized dramatically increasing trade and investment between the U.S. and Africa and implemented “deal teams” in every U.S. embassy to support this effort.
- Robert O. Blake, Jr. is a Senior Director for McClarty Associates in Washington D.C. He served for 31 years in the State Department in a wide range of positions. He most recently served as a senior advisor to former Secretary of State John Kerry in his role of Special Envoy for Climate.
- Pamela Spratlen is a mentor, board member and public speaker who served 30 years in the U.S. Department of State. She retired as a Senior Foreign Service Officer in 2019. She briefly returned in 2021 to oversee efforts to address the “Havana Syndrome,” a medical condition that emerged among diplomats and government officials first reported in 2016. Spratlen's leadership experience includes 10 years in Central Asia, serving eight as U.S. ambassador.
- Ronald Neumann, formerly a Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, served three times as ambassador; to Algeria, Bahrain and finally to Afghanistan from July 2005 to April 2007. Before Afghanistan, Neumann, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, served in Baghdad from February with the Coalition Provisional Authority and then as Embassy Baghdad's liaison with the Multinational Command, where he was deeply involved in coordinating the political part of military actions.
The event is free and open to the public.
