In recent years, the debate has intensified over the manner in which the United States should be involved internationally, and in which multilateral fora it should engage. For many Americans, the benefits of supporting international organizations, such as the United Nations (UN), are unclear. At times, membership in some institutions, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) or the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), has even been opposed. And yet, multilateral diplomacy has long been – and remains today – a critical tool for advancing U.S. interests.

CCWA is honored to host Allison Lombardo, Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Organization Affairs, to discuss how U.S. leadership at the UN and in other multilateral venues helps advance America’s national interests and helps protect American security and prosperity. Ms. Lombardo will draw upon her personal experiences – having worked not just at the State Department, but also at the National Security Council, USAID, and Human Rights Watch – to analyze the role that an internationally engaged United States can play, specifically in promoting human rights and economic development. She will also share her broader insights into how the United States is currently working to strengthen its alliances and discuss why it is in the United States’ long-term interest to uphold its multilateral commitments.

Ms. Lombardo’s prior public service began at the U.S. Department of State in 2009 as a Presidential Management Fellow in the Office of the Special Envoy for Sudan. From 2009 through 2012, she represented the United States at peace talks between Sudan and South Sudan, and from 2013- 2014 served as a Director for African Affairs at the National Security Council. In 2016, Ms. Lombardo served as Senior Advisor to the USAID Administrator, where she guided action on humanitarian issues and international development policy in Africa and Latin America. Prior to her time in public service, Allison worked for UN Special Representative on Business and Human Rights and Human Rights Watch. Ms. Lombardo graduated from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and from Brown University.

Please note the change of venue: This program will be held in the East Ninth Room of the Cleveland Metropolitan Conference Center (the second floor of the One Cleveland Center building).