Academy Welcomes Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates at 2008 Annual Meeting

The American Academy of Diplomacy hosted its 2008 annual meeting at The Cohen Group on May 14, 2008, and had the pleasure of welcoming Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates as the keynote speaker. Academy members, as well as leaders in business, nongovernmental organizations and the media dicussed the importance of strengthening the institution of American diplomacy, America's foreign policy vis-à-vis Iran, and the implications of the militarization of foreign assistance efforts.
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Stability or Democratic Reform?
The Real World of NGOs and Diplomats in Democracy Promotion

Amidst the ongoing foreign policy challenges of extremism and regional instability, US efforts to encourage democratic reform abroad remain controversial, but little understood. Is it possible to balance both our strategic interests in stability with our national values? If we can, what are the diplomatic tools we have at our disposal to do so? The American Academy of Diplomacy, in partnership with the National Democratic Institute, the International Republican Institute, and the Minnesota International Center will feature a panel discussion on April 28 at the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs to discuss the valuable tool of diplomatic engagement with civil society in promoting the institutions that support effective democratic governance.

This is the first in a series of Academy outreach events focused on encouraging a dialogue about the challenges and opportunities of promoting and sustaining democratic development abroad.
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Afghanistan: Challenges and a Way Forward

After decades of conflict, Afghanistan is making progress in developing its institutions, but is facing a spreading challenge of insurgency. The US and the international community are committed to helping Afghanistan rebuild, however many challenges remain. Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, a long-serving Foreign Minister of Afghanistan, will speak on these many challenges, including poverty and civil violence, job creation, establishing rule of law, an expanding poppy cultivation and a growing opium trade. How will Afghanistan meet these challenges and what are the implications of Afghanistan’s stability for the international community? The American Academy of Diplomacy and the World Affairs Council of DC hosted a timely Distinguished Speaker Series on January 18 that shed light on the way forward for Afghanistan.
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Hear Ambassador Neumann's thoughts on Afghanistan on The Current

About the Academy

The Academy was founded in 1983 by Ambassadors Ellsworth Bunker, U. Alexis Johnson, and John J. McCloy to explore ways in which persons who had served in positions of major responsibility could cooperate to promote the highest standards in the practice of American diplomacy. Today, the Academy is dedicated to strengthening the resources and tools America brings to managing its diplomatic challenges, and accomplishes this through outreach programs, lectures, awards, and writing competitions. In doing so, the Academy promotes an understanding of the importance of diplomacy to serving our nation and enhancing America’s standing in the world.

List of Academy Programs

2008 Leonard Marks Essay Contest: First Prize $8,000!

The Academy has announced its call for submissions and topics for the 2008 Leonard Marks Foundation Essay Contest Award. This contest promotes creative thinking about the role and uses of public diplomacy in implementing a realistic and practical foreign policy, and is open to undergraduate and graduate students of international affairs. Winners receive cash prizes and a chance to discuss their essays with senior State Department officials in Washington, DC.
Read the submission guidelines

2008 Douglas Dillon Book Award

The Academy is proud to announce its call for entries for the 2008 Douglas Dillon Book Award. This award recognizes distinguished writing on the practice of American diplomacy, with emphasis on how foreign policy is developed and carried out.
Access the 2008 call for entries

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