GEOPOLITICS, LANGUAGE(S) AND DIPLOMACY
The Annual Women Ambassadors Conference
The Women Ambassadors Conference is an annual conference organized by faculty and students of Howard University in conjunction with the Women Ambassadors Foundation, a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. The 29th Annual Women Ambassadors Conference is held under the stewardship of the College of Arts and Science of Howard University.
The goal of the Annual Women Ambassadors Conference is three-fold: to celebrate the work of women in diplomacy and related fields; to provide role models to students, particularly students from constituencies that are less represented in the diplomatic field; to inform students from various universities around the globe and the general public about major issues in international affairs.
The Annual Women Ambassadors Conference has become, over the years, a true institution in the Washington DC diplomatic landscape. In 2025, the 29th Annual Women Ambassadors Conference will take place on Thursday, March 27 and on Friday, March 28, 2025.
Stay tuned on this website for any updates on the panels.
Join the Ambassadors, Faculty and Students in person on Thursday, March 27 and Friday, March 28!
Agenda
DAY 1
Discussion about the Impact of language, particularly of interpretation, on Diplomacy and demonstration of students' skills in Simultaneous Interpretation. This panel will be led by Profs. Marilyn Sephocle and Krystal Jenkins.
A discussion about the impact of AI on diplomacy.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81204664032?pwd=tgOb464ry0RAubX6Gbkib02T12wGSn.1
ID: 812 0466 4032 | Passcode: 298030
In this discussion/fireside chat, the focus will be on scientific cooperation among countries as a tool of Soft power in geopolitics. H.E. Stig Piras, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Royal Embassy of Denmark, will lead the discussion. Students Arthur James, Shanora Charles, Nevaiah Richmond and Dr. Maya Johnson will focus on the historical and contemporary impact of science and technology on Africa and the Globalized world.
While the first discussion, led by Professor Paul Zeleza, will focus on the evolution of education in Africa, analyzing the challenges it currently faces, the great potential and successes harnessed, the second discussion will focus on centering voices from the margins. and will be led by Dr. Sipho Sithole.
In this discussion, Dr. Raslan Moutraji, Dr. Eman Hussein and Dr. Anaheed Alhardan will highlight crucial aspects of the Palestinian question.
DAY 2
Russia's War in Ukraine | This discussion on the war in Ukraine will be led by Dr. Isabelle Kaplan and Dr. Henry Hale. Panelist Nadia Bureiko will focus on Ukrainian Public Diplomacy. Mykola Riabchuk and Julian Waller will highlight Ukrainian society and its mobilization effort.
In this discussion, panelists focus on the extent to which the far-right in several countries is dramatically shifting the world order of the past eighty years and creating a new narrative that could potentially challenge the lasting peace established after WWII.
The Democratic Republic of Congo, Geopolitics and International Silence. In this panel we are joined by Dr. Clarisse NDjungu, activist and author Justine Masika Bihamba, Jessica Kanya-Ngambi, Founder of African Diaspora Connection and Sylvia Rubuye, youth ambassador of Friends of Congo and health advocate.
In this discussion panelists focus on the wealth gap within nations and between nations as well as the erosion of the middle class in many parts of the world. Panelists highlight the impact of the wealth gap on geopolitics, on the environment and on the prospect for peace. The discussion will be led by Professor Alem Hailu. His presentation titled "A House Divided" focuses on "The Interwoven Impacts of Geopolitics, Conflict and Climate Change in Africa and the Globalized World."
A light lunch will be provided.
African American Diplomats discuss the challenges diplomats and particularly African American diplomats face in unusual times when dramatic shifts are taking place in geopolitics.
In this plenary several ambassadors from various regions of the globe highlight the advancement of women in their respective countries/regions as well as the relationship between their country and the United States. They also focus on their specific priorities as envoys of their countries to Washington.
Announcement of diplomatic awards.
Conference Closing Remarks
T I C K E T S
- Date: 3/27/2025 10:30 AM - 3/28/2025 05:00 PM
- Location: 2400 6th Street Northwest, Washington, DC, USA (Map)
