BELARUS’ AMBASSADOR TO THE U.N. TO LECTURE AT UVU

University Marketing & Communications: Mike Rigert (801) 863-6807

Written by: Heather Wrigley, 801-863-8504

At 3 p.m., on March 28, 2013, Andrei Dapkiunas, Belarus’ ambassador to the United Nations, will lecture on “Dynamic Belarus and Its Challenges in Europe” at UVU. The event is sponsored by the Office of International Affairs & Diplomacy and The Center for Global & Intercultural Engagement and will take place on the fourth floor of the UVU Library, in the Timpanogos Room. It is free and open to the public.

“Belarus is a very distinctive European nation,” Rusty Butler, associate vice president for the Office of International Affairs & Diplomacy, said. “There is no Belarus Ambassador in the U.S. and visa versa, although each has a mission with a chargé d’affaires in their respective national capitals. Ambassador Dapkiunas is the highest ranking official of the country in the U.S. and his presentation on Belarus in Europe will be a historic and extremely informative event for the UVU community.”

Dapkiunas has been a member of Belarus’ Board of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 2002. He previously served in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as director of the Americas Department, head of the Office for the United States and Canada and assistant to the minister. Dapkiunas holds a doctorate in political science from Belarusian State University and a higher education diploma in languages from the Minsk State Institute for Foreign Languages. His knowledge of languages includes Belarusian, English, French, Polish and Russian.

He and his wife, Olga, have a daughter, Alena, and a son, Hleb.



Click here for more information on Mr. Dapkiunas and his country of Belarus.

Ambassador receiving honorary award and meeting UVU trustees

The Ambassador and His Son with Lt. Governor Bell

A Visit to Arches National Park

SWITZERLAND'S AMBASSADOR TO THE U.N. TO LECTURE AT UVU



University Marketing & Communications: Mike Rigert, (801) 863-6807

Written by: Mike Rigert, (801) 863-6807


Paul R. Seger, Switzerland's ambassador to the United Nations, will lecture at Utah Valley University March 25 at 10 a.m. in the Sorensen Student Center, room 213b. The event is free and open to the public.

A guest of the Office of International Affairs & Diplomacy and the Center for Global & Intercultural Engagement, Seger's talk is entitled "Targeted Sanctions of the Security Council against Terrorists and the Rule of Law: The Swiss Perspective."

"Switzerland has always played a significant role in world affairs," said Rusty Butler, associate vice president of the Office of International Affairs & Diplomacy. "To have Swiss U.N. Ambassador Paul Seger talk to our students and faculty about the Swiss perspective on sanctions against terrorists and the rule of law is a particular treat and honor. His visit promises to be one of the most instructive and beneficial for our community."

Seger, the permanent representative of Switzerland to the U.N., has served his country as the head of the Directorate of International Law and legal adviser of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs in Bern. He has also been the Swiss ambassador to the Principality of Liechtenstein, the head of the Swiss delegation to the Central Commission for Navigation on the Rhine as well as the organization's president.

Born in 1958 and raised in Basel, Switzerland, Seger earned a law degree from the University of Basel and was a lecturer among its legal faculty. His mother tongue is German, and he also speaks English, French and Spanish. He and his wife, Collette Seger-Schneiter, have two sons.

Click here to learn more about Ambassador Seger and his country of Switzerland.

The Ambassador meeting with UVU administrators & receiving recognition for Swiss’ participation in the Mountain Sustainability Initiative

The Ambassador with Native American Dancers on the Steps of the Capital

The Ambassador Lecturing at UVU

BIOGRAPHY

Talaibek Kydyrov was appointed Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic to the United Nations on November 19, 2010.

From 1992 until the present, Kydyrov served in various positions for Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including Ambassador at Large, Permanent Secretary/First Deputy Minister, and Deputy Minister and Head of Consular Division. He also served as Director of Kyrgyzstan’s Regional Centre on Migration and Refugee Issues (2002-2005) as well as Director of the Bishkek Migration Management Centre (1999-2002)

He was a part-time lecturer in international law at Kyrgyzstan’s Juridical Academy from 2005 to 2008, and received degrees in law and foreign languages at Kyrgyz State University, where he also studied political science. He speaks Russian and English.

He was born in Kyrgyzstan on March 29, 1954, and is married.

Receiving Honorary UVU Professor Award & Bestowal of Gifts by the Ambassador

Photo with UVU Faculty & Staff

BIOGRAPHY

Mr. Ricardo Romero Talledo is currently Peru’s Trade Representative on the West Coast of the United States. Mr. Romero has the responsibility to lead Peru’s strategy and efforts in the western states to maximize the benefits of the recently enacted Trade Promotion Agreement signed between Peru and the United States. He is also a columnist of Expreso, a prominent Peruvian newspaper, where he has a weekly column, “Brújula Comercial”, since 2003.

Mr. Romero was Chairman and CEO of Tradingconsult, a consulting firm that he founded in 2003, that provides advisory services to businesses and public institutions on issues related to strategic planning, project formulation and foreign trade issues on a global basis. From 2007-2008 he was Strategic Advisor for Business Development of PricewaterhouseCoopers, and from 2002-2003 served as Executive Director of Promperú, Peru’s export promotion agency. He also served as Chief Executive Officer of Comexperu, Peru’s leading trade business organization, from 2001-2002.

As appointee by three Presidents, Mr. Romero formerly served as Alternate Representative of the APEC Business Advisory Council from 1999-2004. As Peruvian representative to ABAC, interacted with the Heads of State of the 21 member economies, as well as with ministers of trade and Fortune Global 500 corporate leaders to discuss and propose policy changes to facilitate trade and investment liberalization in the Asia Pacific region according to WTO trade regulations. Had the responsibility to represent and defend Peru’s national priorities and interests, through permanent lobbying and public relations work.

Mr. Romero has studies of law from the Universidad Complutense of Madrid, Spain. He was also educated at Chapman University, Houghton College, American University and the London School of Economics and Political Science. He has a B.A. in Political Science and International Economics, and a MSc in Management. And recently Mr. Romero has completed a program on trade policy at the Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government.



Peru's Brand Dossier - visit peru.info for more information.

AMBASSADOR OF MACEDONIA TO THE U.N. TO LECTURE AT UVU



University Marketing & Communications: Mike Rigert, (801) 863-6807

Written by: Mike Rigert, (801) 863-6807


The Ambassador of Macedonia to the United Nations, H. E. Pajo Avirovikj, will lecture at Utah Valley University on Monday, March 18, at 10 a.m. in the Sorensen Student Center, room 213b.

Avirovikj, whose remarks are entitled “Preventative Diplomacy as an Instrument for Peace: From Concept to Action,” is a guest of the university’s Office of International Affairs & Diplomacy, the Center for Global & Intercultural Engagement, and Peace & Justice Studies. “Peace is most definitely a process,” said Rusty Butler, associate vice president of international affairs and diplomacy. “It is our privilege to be addressed by Ambassador Avirovikj and his remarks should provide unique insight and perspective to one possible avenue for implementing this process.”

The new permanent representative of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to the U.N., Avirovikj recently presented his credentials to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Until his appointment, Avirovikj was his country’s Ambassador to Israel prior to which he served as chargé d’affaires at the embassy. He also has served in Macedonia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and as a minister counselor in his country’s embassy in Paris.

An award-winning author and journalist, Avirovikj studied at the Ecole Nationale d’Administration in Paris and holds a master’s degree in Oriental philology from the University of Belgrade in Serbia and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Click here to learn more about Ambassador Avirovikj and his country of Macedonia.

Receiving Honorary UVU Professor Award & with his Wife in the Hall of Flags

The Ambassador and His Wife with IA Staff

Photo with Lt. Governor Bell and Regional Director Kolb of Economic Development

AMBASSADOR OF INDIA TO THE UN TO SPEAK AT UVU



University Marketing & Communications: Mike Rigert, (801) 863-6807

Written by: Kaitlyn Tolman (801) 863-8208


The Ambassador of India to the United Nations, Hardeep Singh Puri, will lecture at Utah Valley University on Feb. 15 at 2 p.m. in the UVU Library auditorium, room 120. Puri will discuss the U.N. Security Council and the need for reform. The lecture is free and open to the public.

The title of Puri’s lecture is “The U.N. Security Council Stalemate: Decision Paralysis, an Outdated Structure, and the Need for Reform.” A career diplomat, Puri has extensive experience with multilateral diplomacy and specializes in trade relations

“As a former president of the U.N. Security Council and the current chairman of the UN Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee, Ambassador Puri is at the forefront of international discourse on world conflict. He has been heavily involved in discussions on Libya and Syria, and is a very experienced and well-respected figure at the U.N. for his efforts to promote peace in such conflicts,” said Rusty Butler, associate vice president for UVU’s International Affairs & Diplomacy. “After months of working to secure his visit to UVU, we are extremely pleased to host such a distinguished dignitary, and look forward to the opportunity for our students and faculty to engage with this world leader.”

Puri has served as the ambassador to the U.N. for India since May 2009 and has served as chair of the U.N. Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee since January 2011. Puri has also served two terms as president of the U.N. Security Council.

Prior to his current appointment, Puri served as permanent secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi. He previously served as ambassador to Brazil and permanent representative to the United Nations in Geneva.

Puri joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1974, and in the past 39 years has served at the Indian missions in Japan, Geneva, Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom and Brazil. He holds a post-graduate degree in history from the University of Delhi.

Click here to learn more about Ambassador Singh Puri and his country of India.

Receiving Honorary UVU Professor Award & in the Hall of Flags

The Ambassador Lecturing at UVU

Photo with Lt. Governor Bell and Regional Director Kolb of Economic Development

UVU HOSTS OPEN WORLD PROGRAM DISCUSSION WITH UKRAINIAN LEADERS, UTAH LEGISLATORS



University Marketing & Communications: Mike Rigert, (801) 863-6807

Written by: Layton Shumway (801) 863-6863

Utah Valley University is hosting a delegation of five Ukrainian leaders as they discuss the role of legislatures with Utah lawmakers and officials as part of the Open World Program. The discussions began on Feb. 1 and will continue through Feb. 9.

“Ukraine is a country vital to the United States’ interests in Eastern Europe,” said Rusty Butler, associate vice president of International Affairs & Diplomacy. “Its pro-Western leanings make it an anomaly among its neighbors, something we wish to have our students learn firsthand. This delegation of key decision makers will have great influence among their peers while allowing our students and faculty to engage with them.”

Managed by the independent Open World Leadership Center at the Library of Congress, Open World enables emerging Eurasian political and civic leaders to work with their U.S. counterparts and experience American-style democracy at the local level.

Staff members for Rep. Jason Chaffetz and Sen. Orrin Hatch, members of the Utah Legislature, the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce, Orem and Lehi city officials, Utah County commissioners, the World Trade Center of Utah, the Utah League of Cities and Towns, KSL Newsradio, and the Utah State Tourism Office are also meeting with the delegation.

The delegates are staying with local families to experience American family life. They will also take part in several cultural and community activities, including a tour of the Utah Olympic Park and Utah historical sights, a potluck dinner with members of the Ukrainian Utah community, and participation in the Utah County Commissioners public meeting.

The Open World Leadership Center has awarded a grant to FHI 360 to administer this and similar exchanges in 2013.

The Open World Program is a unique, nonpartisan initiative of the U.S. Congress designed to build mutual understanding between the United States and Eurasia.  Over 19,000 Open World participants have been hosted in all 50 U.S. states since the program’s inception in 1999. Delegates range from members of parliament to mayors, from innovative nonprofit directors to experienced journalists, and from political party activists to regional administrators.

Visit to the City of Orem Fire Station

Clean Air Rally in Front of the State Capital Building

Participants with their Certificates of Completion, Along with Host Families and IA Staff

PHILLIPINE AMBASSADOR TO THE U.N. TO SPEAK AT UVU

University Marketing & Communications: Mike Rigert (801) 863-6807

Written by: Jim Rayburn (801) 863-8504

Libran Nuevas Cabactulan, ambassador of the Philippines to the United Nations in New York City, will lecture at Utah Valley University on Jan. 17 at 10 a.m. in the UVU Library auditorium, room 120, on the importance of nuclear nonproliferation agreements. The event is free and open to the public.

The title of Cabactulan’s lecture is “Nuclear Disarmament: A Must for Human Survival.” Cabactulan, a career diplomat, is a distinguished negotiator of international economic, trade and tariffs, and nuclear weapon agreements.

“Ambassador Cabactulan has become one of the foremost global leaders on issues of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation,” said Rusty Butler, associate vice president for UVU’s Office of International Affairs & Diplomacy. “He has spoken at more than 19 international conferences and workshops on the subject since 2009, and most importantly, was selected to be the president of the 2010 Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty Review Conference at the United Nations. His extensive background and expertise on such an issue of critical importance will ensure an informative and enlightening lecture for our students.”

Cabactulan has served in his current post as the Philippine ambassador to the U.N. since April 2010, but he also served at the Philippine Mission to the United Nations in New York from 1986-1990 and again from 1995-2000. He also served a stint at the Philippine Mission to the United Nations in Geneva.

Prior to his current appointment, Cabactulan served as assistant secretary for disarmament and non-proliferation in the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila. He was the Philippine ambassador to the United Arab Emirates from December 2003 to July 2009. He has also been assigned to the Philippine Embassy in Brussels and the Philippine Consulate General in Sydney, Australia.

Before joining the Foreign Service, he was with the National Economic and Development Authority for 10 years. Cabactulan has a master degree in political science from the University of the Philippines.



Click here for more information on Mr. Cabactulan and his country of The Phillipines.

Lunch with the Ambassador, His Wife and UVU Administrators and Faculty & Lecturing at UVU

Receiving Honorary UVU Professor Award & Meeting with Governor Herbert and Lt. Governor Bell