Public diplomacy

American Experts - Speakers, Consultants and Cultural Specialists

Through the Department of State’s U.S. Speaker Program, Embassy Beirut hosts distinguished individuals to share their expertise and experience with Lebanese audiences. Speaker programs usually last two to four days and include individual appointments, small meetings, group discussions and public lectures. Some Americans already traveling in the region generously offer their time and services to Public Diplomacy and receive logistical support and program assistance, as was the case when renowned New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman visited Lebanon in 2000. More recently, in December 2004, Walter Russell Mead, Henry A. Kissinger Senior Fellow in U.S. Foreign Policy at the Council on Foreign Relations, discussed America’s historical approach to the world in a lecture at Lebanese American University and in gatherings with the members of the media, the business community and political analysts. Other recent speakers include information and communications technology lawyer Craig Blakely, Columbia University Department of Religion professor Dr. Randall Balmer, and Arab-American Institute President James Zoghbi.

Institutions desiring American expertise may work with PD to bring academic, professional, language-teaching, and cultural specialists for consultations that typically last from two-to-six weeks. Cost sharing is requested for visiting specialists, usually taking the form of in-country travel, lodging, and meals. Once a host institution and Public Diplomacy reach an agreement to enter into such a partnership, specialists work to advance specific goals such as curriculum development, teacher training, NGO management, as well as special projects and activities that promote mutually shared goals.

Specialists in the performing and visual arts have also visited Lebanon with Department of State programs. Through the Department of State’s Culture Connect program, the Embassy, in collaboration with the American University of Beirut, brought world-renown cellist YoYo Ma to Beirut for master classes and concerts in June 2004. In a similar program, American Pianist Thomas Rosencrantz, gave master classes, lectures and recitals at American University of Beirut; Kaslik University; and the National Conservatory of Music.