Off to Italy and Slovenia

This week, I thought I would preview some things happening in my life next week.  For the first time, through the US Speakers Bureau, I'll have the opportunity to participate in several academic events in Europe.  

First, what is the Speaker's Bureau?   To quote the source: Office of the U.S. Speaker Program | Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (state.gov)

"The U.S. Speaker Program collaborates with U.S. embassies and consulates around the world to engage professional foreign audiences with American citizen experts on topics of strategic importance to the United States.

Programs are conducted in person and through virtual engagement platforms and focus on key foreign policy topics including tackling climate change, promoting media literacy, providing alternatives to violent extremism, advancing economic prosperity, expanding educational diplomacy, and fostering open government and civil society.

U.S. Speakers represent a broad range of fields and expertise and are leaders in their sectors and communities. The U.S. Speaker Program offers experts an opportunity to engage with new audiences, expand their networks, and exchange ideas with professionals across the globe."

First, next week I will be the U.S. representative at an academic conference in Milan.  I will speak with Italian academics and policy makers on a variety of topics, including U.S. Foreign Policy, NATO, and the potential impact of the upcoming U.S. elections on Europe.

From there I will move over to Slovenia, to its capitol in Ljubljana and the city of Maribor.  The overarching theme of that visit will be a series of discussions celebrating the 20th anniversary of Slovenia's accession to NATO.  So a key point there will be the value of NATO membership, both from the perspective of Slovenia but also the benefits to the NATO of having Slovenia as a member.

Slovenia will be a new experience for me, I have actually never been there, and it will also mark my first visit to any part of the former Yugoslavia.  I am told that the Slovenes are a proud, peaceful people who share a lot in common in outlook with the other mountain peoples of the region, the Tyroleans and Swiss.

With all of this travel in mind, I still hope to get this blog out for the next two Thursdays.  I will try!  But if I fail you all will know why and where I am.

Being able to be a part of this program is a great honor for me, and I am proud to be a part of it!