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Ambassadors Forum Provides Insight into Africa's Role in the Contemporary World

Burlington Capital International, University of Nebraska at Omaha’s International Programs, and University of Nebraska Lincoln welcomed three former U.S. Ambassadors to the UNO campus on October 25th and the UNL campus on October 26th for the 10th annual Nebraska Ambassadors Forum. Together with the American Academy of Diplomacy, the Forum brought career diplomats to Omaha to share their expertise with the local community and area students. The 2021 forum focused on the continent of Africa, a region where all three guest speakers spent extensive time during their careers in public service.

Burlington Capital International, University of Nebraska at Omaha’s International Programs, and University of Nebraska Lincoln welcomed three former U.S. Ambassadors to the UNO campus on October 25th and the UNL campus on October 26th for the 10th annual Nebraska Ambassadors Forum. Together with the American Academy of Diplomacy, the Forum brought career diplomats to Omaha to share their expertise with the local community and area students. The 2021 forum focused on the continent of Africa, a region where all three guest speakers spent extensive time during their careers in public service.

The visiting ambassadors included Wanda L. Nesbitt, who served as the U.S. Ambassador to Madagascar, Cote d’Ivoire, and Namibia, and held other postings in Rwanda, Tanzania, and Zaire. Joining Ambassador Nesbitt on the panel was W. Stuart Symington IV, the former ambassador to Nigeria, Rwanda, and Djibouti, who also worked in Niger and the Central African Republic and was Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Central Africa and African Security Affairs. Rounding out the trio was Tibor P. Nagy Jr., former ambassador to Ethiopia and Guinea who had assignments in Zambia, Seychelles, Togo, Cameroon, and Nigeria and was the former Assistant Secretary on the Bureau of African Affairs for the U.S. State Department. The panel was moderated by Sher Jan Ahmadzai, Director of UNO’s Center for Afghanistan Studies.

The ambassadors spoke about Africa’s population boom, infrastructure projects being led by China along Africa’s northern borders, global warming’s impact on migration, colonialism’s harmful legacy on the continent, the importance of humanitarian aid to quelling extremist violence and the innovative young people who will shape the future of their nations.

Michael Jung, President and CEO of Burlington Capital International, shared his enthusiasm for the event:

"We are excited to be able to continue to have the Ambassador Forum available to the students and community in Nebraska. It is important for us all to have access to these distinguished diplomats to learn and hear first-hand their perspective and insight on a number of global matters that are pertinent to the US and Nebraska."

"We are excited to be able to continue to have the Ambassador Forum available to the students and community in Nebraska. It is important for us all to have access to these distinguished diplomats to learn and hear first-hand their perspective and insight on a number of global matters that are pertinent to the US and Nebraska."

 Michael Jung, President and CEO of Burlington Capital International

The audience was engaged and curious, asking about the impact of China in the region, the role of ambassadors and federal agencies in promoting U.S. business relations in African countries, and opportunities for institutions to support education and international exchange for young African professionals.

Following the public forum, each of the ambassadors spoke personally with a small group of students, including Dr. Beth Chalecki’s political science course. Many attendees commented that the student discussion gave them insight into a diplomat’s daily work and greater understanding of Africa’s role in international relations both now and in the future.

One such student, Kenshiro Tanaka, said:

“I had a very good time in the discussion. I am an international student at UNO studying International Studies and Political Science. The discussion was very interesting because it is very rare to listen to diplomats’ thoughts and experiences… Great opportunities for my future planning!”

The event welcomed approximately 85 people to the Scott Conference Center, including community members, domestic and international students, and UNO faculty and staff. For those who missed this year’s forum, the program returns in 2022 to welcome distinguished guests to speak on topics of global importance to Nebraska.