The Nebraska Ambassadors Forum returns to campus Oct. 25 with a focus on U.S. foreign policy and relations in Latin America.

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln is partnering with the University of Nebraska Omaha, Burlington Capital and the American Academy of Diplomacy in Washington, D.C., on this event. Building on success of the 2021 forum, the 2022 schedule includes a public forum as well as a new Global Café event for students to meet with the distinguished ambassadors.

“The University of Nebraska-Lincoln cares deeply about global engagement, and we are proud of the partnerships we have developed in Latin America,” said Josh Davis, associate vice chancellor for global affairs. “This event is a great opportunity for our community to learn more about this dynamic part of the world from four very distinguished former ambassadors.”

This year’s theme is “Latin America: The Neighbor we Ignore at our Peril.” The public forum, open to members of the university and Lincoln community, is 9:30 to 11 a.m. Oct. 25 in the Red Cloud Suite of the Willa Cather Dining Center. Registration is required.

During the forum, three senior diplomats will discuss the U.S.’s history of asserting primacy in Latin America as well as the barriers that might distract foreign policy in this region despite its importance to trade and security. The distinguished guests include: • P. Michael McKinley, former U.S. Ambassador to Peru, Colombia, Afghanistan and Brazil, speaking on the region’s trade importance and the extreme economic challenges it faces as a result of global inflation and the COVID-19 pandemic; • Liliana Ayalde, former U.S. Ambassador to Brazil and Paraguay, speaking on the political and economic instability challenges in the region that have exacerbated long-standing security issues; and • Lino Gutierrez, former U.S. Ambassador to Argentina and Nicaragua, speaking on the tide of democracy in South America and Central America, and how the increasing engagement of authoritarian regimes such as Russia and China have affected it.

Ronald E. Neumann, president of the American Academy of Diplomacy and former U.S. Ambassador to Algeria, Bahrain and Afghanistan, will moderate the forum.

New this year, UNL students will have an opportunity to discuss issues in the region and career opportunities in international relations with the four ambassadors at the Global Café: Ambassadors Meet and Greet. The event, hosted in partnership with the School of Global Integrative Studies, is 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Oct. 25 in Hawks Hall, Room 111. Students are encouraged to register in advance.

More information about the events, ambassadors and this year’s theme can be found on the Nebraska Ambassadors Forum website. For inquiries, contact the Office of Global Partnerships and Initiatives at globalaffairs@unl.edu.