CGA Public Events Series

GLOBAL LEADERS: CONVERSATIONS WITH ALON BEN-MEIR

In this engaging and provocative series, Alon Ben-Meir, professor of international relations, journalist and author, hosts leaders from around the world in conversations that probe critical global issues. Previous guests have included the Ambassadors of Afghanistan, Iraq, Egypt, and Syria to the UN, the Ambassadors of Bahrain, Switzerland, and Jordan to the U.S., among other distinguished dignitaries.

AMBASSADOR MUNIR AKRAM
Wednesday, March 26 6.30–7.45PM

Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN Since joining the Foreign Service of Pakistan in 1967, Ambassador Munir Akram has had a distinguished diplomatic career spanning over 38 years. As Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Akram has represented Pakistan in numerous United Nations bodies and international conferences, including the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Conference on Disarmament, the UN Conference on Trade and Development, and the World Trade Organization. Foremost among the many positions he has held in various intergovernmental organizations are Member of the UN Secretary General’s Advisory Board on Disarmament; Chairman of the WTO Trade Policy Review Body; Chairman of the Group of 77 in Geneva (1997); President of the Conference on Disarmament (June 1996) and twice President of the Security Council (May 2003 and May 2004).

AMBASSADOR RIYAD MANSOUR
Tuesday, April 1, 6.30-7.45pm

Ambassador Mansour currently serves as the Permanent Observer of Palestine to the United Nations. He has an extensive background in the business world; most recently he served as Senior Executive Consultant to Maali Enterprises, based in Orlando in 2005. He has also served as President, Mansour Consulting LLC (2002-present); Litigation Consultant, Leventhal & Slaughter PA (2002-2005); and Vice-President, Intram Investments (1994-2002), all based in Florida. Ambassador Mansour also has an extensive background in academia. Throughout 2002-2005, he was an adjunct professor in the Political Science Department at the University of Central Florida. He also taught graduate courses at the University of Akron in Ohio, where he earned his Ph.D. in Counseling. He also holds a Master of Science degree in Education Counseling, as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy, from Youngstown State University in Ohio.

AMBASSADOR JOHN BRUTON
Wednesday, April 16 6.30–7.45PM

Head of Delegation, European Commission to the United States John Bruton is a former Irish Prime Minister (Taoiseach), who helped transform the Irish economy into the “Celtic Tiger,” one of the fastest growing economies in the world. In the year before he took office (1993) the Irish economy grew by 2.7%. During his time as Taoiseach (1994–1997), the Irish economy grew at an annual average rate of 8.7%, peaking at 11.1% in 1997. John Bruton was also deeply involved in the Northern Irish Peace Process leading to the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.