Washington, DC – On Monday, June 27, 2011, the U.S. Department of State hosted its third Diplomacy Briefing Series Conference, with this particular Conference focused on U.S. foreign policy in the Caribbean.
Under Secretary for Democracy and Global Affairs Maria Otero and Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs Arturo Valenzuela headlined the agenda, delivering remarks on cross cutting global issues and priorities in U.S.-Caribbean foreign policy.
Additionally, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton delivered a recorded video message praising Caribbean-Americans for their contributions to American culture, as well as encouraging Caribbean diaspora to play a role in developing their native countries. “Throughout the Caribbean, the United States is enhancing regional security, improving health, encouraging clean energy, helping promote economic development and strengthening democratic institutions,” Secretary Clinton said in her remarks. “There is a vital role for all of you to play as members of the Caribbean diaspora and we hope you will join us in these efforts.”
The rest of the Conference’s agenda covered topics ranging from rebuilding Haiti and trade in the region, to fostering diaspora partnerships and improving development, governance and security.
The latter topics were delivered by a panel of non-Department experts, organized by the Caribbean Research & Policy Center, which included Dr. Deryck Brown, Mr. Anton Edmunds and Ambassador Curtis Ward.
