Yeosu and Women

[성김 대사]

The last days of 2011 have been quite hectic, so I have not had a chance to keep up with all of you.  Even so, I wanted to share with you something that happened at the Habib House before it gets too late.  Last month, I hosted a signing ceremony for our participation in World Expo 2012 Yeosu, and it was my first public event at the residence.  I did so not only as the U.S. Ambassador but as the Commissioner for the USA Pavilion at the Expo.  I am thrilled that we are taking part in this important event and very excited about my duties as the Commissioner.  I am looking forward especially to visiting Yeosu and the Expo site to familiarize myself with the spectacular facilities – starting, of course, with the American pavilion. The USA Pavilion is sure to be one of the highlights of a magnificent event. 

Visitors to the USA Pavilion will experience up close our relationship to the living ocean and coasts through the voices of Americans who live and work there.  The creative application of cutting-edge technology will make this an experience they will not forget.  One of our goals is to make the pavilion encounter go beyond entertainment and education, to motivate millions of visitors to help sustain and protect these resources. 

(From left) Introducing USA Pavilion Chief Spokesperson Philippe Cousteau Jr. and Chief Executive Officer Andrew Snowhite

The USA Pavilion is an expression‎ of the strong and multi-faceted relationship between the United States and the Republic of Korea.  Korean-speaking American Student Ambassadors will be on hand to facilitate personal interaction at the pavilion.  These Student Ambassadors are now being recruited from all over America to reflect the diversity of our people along with the diversity of our ocean and coastal environments. (For more information: http://www.pavilion2012.org/student-ambassadors)   

Even though the Yeosu Expo will be huge, it is not the only great event that the Embassy is sponsoring this year.  The Embassy just completed a wonderful discussion group in which I also had the honor to take part: the 6^th annual Women’s Leadership Seminar.  The theme was “Empowering Women at Home and Abroad: Shared Values, Shared Future.”  Among the many distinguished attendees was our keynote speaker at the closing luncheon, Minister of Gender Equality and Family Ms. Kim Kum-lae.  Attendees came from 25 cities throughout Korea, an indication of how women are becoming more active and more prominent in Korean society.   

I was happy to meet so many of Korea’s female leaders!

I was honored to meet with this impressive group because I know and appreciate what empowering women can do for all of us.  I know this because all my life I have been surrounded by, and benefited from, strong and capable women: my mother, my wife, my two daughters, my three sisters, not to mention my boss, Secretary of State Clinton and her predecessor Secretary Rice.  I’m used to taking orders from impressive women.    

We had a great series of events at the Embassy last year.  I hope all of you can take part in some of our wonderful programs in the New Year.