Conflict Resolution and Peace-Building: A Focus on Africa

Join us on May 28th for dinner and an in-depth conversation with Mr. Tom Perriello, former US Special Envoy to Africa, the region of Sudan, and global affairs expert, as he unpacks the complex dynamics shaping Africa today, from shifting political landscapes to economic challenges and opportunities. Perriello will also offer a behind-the-scenes look at the critical work of Special Envoys in conflict resolution, diplomacy, and peace-building efforts around the world. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to gain insight from someone who has been on the front lines of international diplomacy.

The dinner and presentation event will be held once again at The Literary Club, 500 East Fourth Street, Cincinnati, America’s oldest continuously operating literary club. Doors will open at 5:30PM, dinner at 6PM, and event program from 7-8PM.  NOTE: Seats are Limited – Prior Registrations are Required!

OUR EVENT SPEAKER

Tom PerrielloThrough diplomacy, advocacy, politics, and philanthropy, Tom Perriello has devoted three decades to advancing justice, peace and inclusive democracy in the United States and around the world. Most recently, Tom served as the U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan, appointed by President Biden on February 26, 2024, having supported previous peace processes in 2004-2005 and 2011 and co-founded darfurgenocide.org. During previous diplomatic tours, Tom served as President Obama’s Special Envoy for the African Great Lakes Region and the Democratic Republic of the Congo and ran the second Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review for Sec. John Kerry. He has supported transitional justice and peace processes in a dozen countries and served as the Special Advisor to the Prosecutor of the Special Court for Sierra Leone.

In 2008, Tom Perriello was elected to the US Congress, representing the people of Virginia’s Fifth District, serving on the Veterans Affairs Committee, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the National Security Working Group. Tom has co-founded advocacy and faith-based organizations and served as CEO of Center for American Progress Action and Executive Director of the Open Society for the United States. Mr. Perriello is a graduate of Yale College and Law School and has taught at the University of Sierra Leone and University of Virginia School of Law.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR MAY 28 EVENT!

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Disarray & Disaster in the Taliban’s Afghanistan

Please join us for a special, exclusive event featuring Lt. Tom Schram, a former U.S. Navy intelligence officer, who specializes in the study and reporting on national security and political-economic events in China, the Western Pacific, the Middle East, and Afghanistan.

Thursday, November 18 at 6:30PM EST (Zoom)

The disaster and chaos in Afghanistan just keep getting worse. With the government unable to pay its bills, the infrastructure crumbling, the ruthless treatment of remaining Afghans who could not escape during the U.S./NATO airlift, the ruling Taliban are finding it complex and difficult to govern and manage as they change from fighting a war to state building, all in a failing economy with no workable financial system in place.

The Taliban’s approach to government has been and continues to be a strict Sharia law under a vicious theocracy. Their merciless approach to those not conforming exactly to these beliefs knows no mercy for those left behind following the U.S. departure. Women’s rights are almost non-existent.

Our evening presentation will touch on the history of the region, previous conquests, topographic challenges, war after 9/11, the evacuation debacle and the poor planning decisions by National Command Authority. Last but not least, our speaker will discuss the strategic implications for the U.S. and the world going forward.


Tom SchramOur Presenting Guest Speaker

Tom Schram holds a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from the United States Naval Academy, Class of 1969. Tom also has an MBA degree in marketing and finance from the Shidler School of Business, University of Hawaii. He was commissioned in the Navy’s Restricted Line and served 7.5 years as a special intelligence officer in the Naval Security Group. He was stationed in both Japan and Okinawa while serving on multiple deployments. In 1973, he was assigned to NSGA Anchorage, AK as Executive Officer. He resigned his commission in late 1976.

His specialty was electronic intelligence collection while serving in the Naval Security Group. He played a role in the Saigon evacuation in 1975. After leaving the Navy, he had an eclectic career starting with Procter & Gamble where he worked in manufacturing, research & development, advertising brand management, and sales. He was a co-owner of an advertising agency that he helped grow from $2M/year in revenue to $12M over five years. He ran a ballistics research firm for eight years, helped start a microbrewery and led an Internet security firm who had developed an unbreakable firewall.

Tom’s innovative approach in each of his endeavors led to patents and unique business opportunities. However, he never lost his interest in discovering and publishing about world events. For the past twenty years, he has been deeply involved in studying and reporting on geopolitical events around the world with special focus on the Middle East, Afghanistan, and China. His resurgence in learning about all things geopolitical began on 9/11/2001 when he lost his very close friend and USNA classmate in the South Tower of the World Trade Center during the attack on America. Most recently, Tom played a direct role in assisting 757 Afghan refugees flee in the recent aftermath of the Taliban takeover and is now currently assisting another group of refugees who desperately need to evacuate Afghanistan.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE VIDEO OF THE PRESENTATION

Reshaping Trade in the Asia Pacific: What’s Next for the Biden Administration?

Please join us for an FPLC special event with Wendy CutlerVice President of Asia Society and Former Acting Deputy US Trade Representative.

Wednesday, April 28 at 12PM (Noon) EST

Wendy CutlerWendy Cutler is Vice President at the Asia Society Policy Institute (ASPI) and the managing director of the Washington, D.C. office. In these roles, she focuses on building ASPI’s presence in the nation’s capital and on leading initiatives that address challenges related to trade, investment and innovation, as well as women’s empowerment in Asia.

She joined ASPI following an illustrious career of nearly three decades as a diplomat and negotiator in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), where she also served as Acting Deputy United States Trade Representative. During her USTR career, she worked on a range of bilateral, regional and multilateral trade negotiations and initiatives, including the US-Korea Free Trade Agreement, the Trans Pacific Partnership, US-China negotiations and the WTO Financial Services negotiations. She has published a series of ASPI papers on the Asian trade landscape, and serves as a regular media commentator on trade and investment developments in Asia and the world.

Cutler received her master’s degree from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service and her bachelor’s degree from the George Washington University.

The Complicated Case of Iraq – An Inside Look into the Challenges of Democracy Building

What’s it like in Iraq today? How is it to live in the the Republic of Kurdistan and Erbil, thought by some to be the world’s longest continually inhabited city? Is democracy taking hold there as America considers continuing military withdrawal from the country?

Join us for a live discussion from Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq with Steve Driehaus.

Wednesday, April 21 @ 12PM (Noon) EST

Steve DriehausSteve Driehaus is Resident Senior Director in Iraq for the National Democratic Institute (NDI). He manages 16 Iraqi and other nationals who design and implement programs to support Iraqi democracy. NDI focuses on strengthening political parties, professionalizing offices and staff of Parliament Members, empowering women and youth to engage in the political process, and election monitoring.

Before joining NDI, Steve was President of Good Government Group, LLC, a consulting firm in the intersection of public policy, community engagement and economic development.  Steve was Executive Director of Cincinnati Compass, a regional initiative advocating on behalf of immigrants. Previously Steve served as Country Director for the Peace Corps in Morocco, after 4 ½ year service for Peace Corps Swaziland, and 2 years in Senegal after graduation from Miami. Steve is a former U.S. Congressman (2009-11) and an 8-year Ohio Representative.

When not overseas, Steve and his wife, Lucienne, reside in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Register Here