CFFS Luncheon on 18 October 2016

Members of the Carolina Friends of the Foreign Service and their guests attended a luncheon on Tuesday, 18 October 2016 at the Chapel Hill Country Club. The speaker, Ambassador (Ret.) W. Robert Pearson served as ambassador to Turkey from 2000 to 2003 and spoke about the current situation in that country.

Gwen Clare, Chair, CFFS Steering Committee, introduces the speaker.

Ambassador Pearson addresses the members of CFFS.

Members enjoyed a social period before the luncheon and then an excellent meal prepared and served by CHCC.

 

Article of Interest to CFFS Members

Members may find this article of interest:

http://nationalinterest.org/feature/obamas-mixed-foreign-policy-balance-sheet-18089?page=show

Klaus Larres is the Richard M. Krasno Distinguished Professor of History and International Affairs at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. He also is a Senior Fellow, Center for Transatlantic Relations, Johns Hopkins University/SAIS, Washington DC and at present Fellow and Member at the Institute for Advanced Study (IAS) in Princeton, New Jersey.

Upcoming Event of Interest to CFFS Members

The Duke University Center for International & Global 

Studies presents

THE WORLD TODAY

Is Diplomacy Enough?

In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the on-line journal American Diplomacy, there will be a screening of the film “America’s Diplomats” narrated by actress Kathleen Turner and a panel talk with three former US ambassadors and career foreign service officers, retired. They will address the critical interaction between the State Department and other US governmental foreign affairs agencies, including how the new President will depend heavily on our US Foreign Service to foster a seamless transition in international affairs from one administration to the next. This will be followed by a reception honoring Duke University’s former and next State Department Diplomats-in-Residence.

Panelists:
Ambassador Gwen C. Clare
(former US Ambassador to Ecuador)
Ambassador Michael W. Cotter
(former US Ambassador to Turkmenistan,
Publisher: American Diplomacy)
Ambassador Brenda B. Schoonover
(former US Ambassador to Togo)


Moderator: Dr. Giovanni Zanalda, Director – DUCIGS

Film: “America’s Diplomats” narrated by Kathleen Turner

WED OCT 19 5 PM

The Ahmadieh Family Conference Hall

John Hope Franklin Center Room 240

This is event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.

Parking available across Trent Drive in the Pickens Family Medicine lot.

For information: Nancy Hare Robbins

nancy.robbins@duke.edu

CFFS Luncheon on 18 October 2016

Members of the Carolina Friends of the Foreign Service and their guests are invited to our next luncheon on Tuesday, October 18 at the Chapel Hill Country Club.  As usual, we will gather for the social period at 11:30 a.m. prior to moving to our tables in the adjoining room at noon.  

Speaker and Topic:  Our speaker will be our colleague, Ambassador (Ret.) W. Robert Pearson. Amb. Pearson served as ambassador to Turkey from 2000 to 2003 and will speak about the current situation in that country. 

Speaker’s Bio: Amb. Pearson served in the U.S. Navy JAG Corps prior to entering the Foreign Service in 1973. His first posting was Auckland, followed by Beijing and NATO twice, interspersed with several Department assignments. He was DCM in Paris prior to the Ankara assignment, and was Director General of the Foreign Service from 2003 to 2006. After retiring, Bob served as president of IREX, an international development NGO based in Washington from 2008 to 2014. He has published numerous articles, blogs and opinion pieces on diplomacy, foreign policy, Turkey, NGOs, and development.  He is a frequent speaker on issues concerning Turkey, international development and the role of diplomacy in American engagement abroad. Bob is married to Maggie Pearson, also a retired FSO. They live in Fearrington Village.

Reservations: The cost of luncheon is $27.00 which includes coffee or tea, entrée, and a dessert.  A cash bar will be available.  The entrée choices are: steak salad, salmon, or vegetarian (appropriate for vegans as well). Please indicate your entrée choice(s) when you make your reservation. 

Please make checks payable to Treasurer, CFFS and mail to Greg Flood, 1015 Fearrington Post, Pittsboro, N.C. 27312.  Deadline for receipt of the checks with menu selection is October 10. Greg’s email is: gregoryflood@mac.com.

We look forward to seeing you October 18. 

Gwen Clare 

Chair, CFFS Steering Committee