The World Affairs Discussion luncheons and dinners provide you with the opportunity to express your views following a talk by a speaker about a topic of current global importance.  A moderator seated at each dining table leads the discussion, ensuring that everyone who wishes to may speak.  A question and answer period typically follows the meal and table discussions.

Talk: A Cuba Policy for a New American President
Presenter: Ambassador Vicki Huddleston

Former Chief of Mission at the United States Interests
Section in Havana and Director and Deputy Director of
Cuban Affairs at the Department of State

Cash Bar opens at 5:45 p.m.
Dinner served at 6:30 p.m.
Cost: $ 28 for CIR Members
$ 35 for Non-Members*

A Brief Summary from Ambassador Huddleston about Her Talk: I am convinced that if the United States is to have any influence in Cuba’s future, we must change our isolationist policy to one that engages the Cuban Government and empowers the Cuban people. I will share my memories of Fidel Castro, predictions for Cuba’s future, and why U.S. government policy has failed. As head of our diplomatic mission in Havana for both Presidents Clinton and Bush (1999-2002), I know from firsthand experience that the right policies can make a difference. With a new Cuban government now in place and soon a new United States President in office, we must seize this opportunity to end 50 years of hostility that brought us to the brink of nuclear war.

Information about the Presenter: Ambassador Vicki Huddleston is currently a Visiting Fellow at the Brookings Institution where she is leading the U.S. Policy toward a Cuba in Transition project with Brookings Vice President Carlos Pascual. In addition to being our chief diplomat in Havana, she was also Director of the Office of Cuban Affairs at the Department of State and a Former Ambassador to Mali and Madagascar. Ambassador Huddleston was a Fellow at the Institute of Politics of the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, where she organized a seminar on Perceptions of U.S. Policy in Developing Countries. She has been a featured speaker at Harvard’s Rockefeller and Kennedy Centers, the Commonwealth Club and various International Affairs Councils throughout the United States. She has published opinion pieces in major newspapers on Ethiopia, Somalia and Cuba. She is a commentator for major news networks. Ambassador Huddleston has a M.A. degree from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and a B.A. from the University of Colorado. She has received the Department of State’s Distinguished Honor Award, the President’s Meritorious Service Award and the Secretary’s Career Achievement Award.

Some reading material recommended by Ambassador Huddleston:
Books:
* Cuba or The Pursuit of Freedom, Hugh Thomas
* Waiting For Snow in Havana: Confessions of a Cuban Boy, Carlos Eire

Articles:
* Cuba Embargo’s Usefulness Has Run Its Course, March 10, 2008, Miami Herald
http://www.brookings.edu/opinions/2008/0310_cuba_huddleston.aspx
* Play a Part in Cuba’s Future, April 20, 2007, Miami Herald
http://www.brookings.edu/opinions/2007/0420latinamerica_pascual.asp

Through CIR’s Student Outreach Program, interested students and teachers will attend our events for free. You can help this program by including a donation with your registration fee. Thanks for your support.

* If you sign up as a non-member, then promptly join CIR, $7.00 will be subtracted from your membership dues.

We have a World Affairs Discussions Dinner planned for Tuesday, October 7th. The topic to be announced.

We have a World Affairs Discussions Dinner planned for Tuesday, October 14th. The topic to be announced.

On November 11th, Benedicte Valentineer will be our speaker at the World Affairs Discussions Luncheon.  He will present “A Walk through Blair House.”  Details will be announced.