American News Women's Club introduces Meet the Ambassadors program which will provide global forums

WASHINGTON, April 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The American News Women's Club announced a new program series—Meet the Ambassadors—at its formal launch featuring the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in Washington,  Ambassador Roble Olhaye from the Republic of Djibouti.

Speaking at the inaugural program at the ANWC's Embassy Row club house, Ambassador Olhaye, whose country is bordered on three sides by Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somalia, told club members and their guests that his country is the United States' best neighbor on the Red Sea.

Eleanor Clift, club member and recipient of ANWC's Excellence in Journalism Award in 2009, added, "He described Djibouti as the center of anti-piracy and anti-terrorism operations in that part of the world and welcomed the U.S. presence there. Japan is the most recent arrival to Djiboutil with France and Spain on the way. He also noted that the incidents of piracy are down over the last few years."

Ambassador Olhaye commented that when his country was first established there was a debate about whether an embassy in Washington was needed.  He argued for it, the office was established and he has held the position of ambassador for 27 years. He is also ambassador to the United Nations and Canada. He has been awarded Djibouti's highest Medal of Honor for improving how the nation is viewed by the international community. 

ANWC's Vice President for Programs and Chair of Meet the Ambassadors Marion Mattingly said, "We are currently developing this coming year's program agenda which will include key ambassadors speaking at the club and hosting club members at their respective embassies.   In fact, we have already enjoyed a luncheon hosted at the Japanese Embassy by Ambassador Kenichiro Sasae."

"Meet the Ambassadors is underwritten by a grant from the MARPAT Foundation and will enable the ANWC to provide global forums for ambassadors and their delegates to share their untold stories with club members, both veteran and young journalists," said ANWC President Claire Swift who secured the grant.   She added, "The programs will feature exchanges of views on important issues, thus, promoting international understanding and cultural awareness in a globalized world."

The American News Women's Club at 1607 22nd Street, NW, has the distinction of being one of the first women's press clubs.  ANWC is a non-profit organization that offers educational and professional development programs in support of women and excellence in journalism.  The club's membership, which includes males, is composed of professionals in journalism, public relations, news media and publishing. Eleanor Roosevelt was one of ANWC's founders and every First Lady has been a member since its inception in 1932.

www.anwc.org   

SOURCE American News Women's Club (ANWC)