Nunn School Launches Diplomats-in-Residence Program

Posted November 7, 2023

The Sam Nunn School of International Affairs has launched a diplomat-in-residence program designed to give students powerful insights into the political, economic, cultural, and strategic issues that shape our world. 

The program, supported by a generous gift from the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, launched Nov. 8 with a symposium on economic and commercial diplomacy. 

Lawrence Silverman, former U.S. Ambassador to Kuwait, was among the first to join the program. He was joined by Louise Blais, former Canadian Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Consul General in Atlanta, and Robert G. Bell, a Nunn School professor of the practice and former senior civilian representative of the U.S. Secretary of Defense in Europe and former defense advisor to the U.S. ambassador to NATO. 

“Students in the Nunn School have long benefitted from the expertise of national security experts such as Gen. Philip Breedlove, Adm. Sandy Winnefeld, and Michele Flournoy with vast experience in defense and national security decision-making,” said Adam N. Stulberg, Sam Nunn Chair and professor in the School. “With the addition of this program, we can now offer our students even more opportunities to gain practical insight into the complex interplay of diplomacy, commerce, and culture around the world." 

The diplomats will teach courses, including one on case studies in diplomacy and a mini-mester course on soft power and diplomacy. They also will hold informal mentoring sessions for students to discuss careers in foreign service. 

They also hope to engage with student groups with an interest in diplomacy and international affairs, such as the Model UN, Alexander Hamilton Society, and related affinity groups on campus, Stulberg said. 

The Nov. 8 event, “Enhancing Economic and Commercial Diplomacy for Today’s Global Challenges,” featured a discussion about improving the effectiveness of U.S. economic diplomacy, including implications of U.S. economic and commercial diplomacy for American companies, advancing U.S. business interests abroad, and leveraging economic tools to advance U.S. foreign policy objectives. 

Speakers included senior executives from Delta Air Lines and Coca-Cola, former U.S. diplomats, and others. 

The event was organized by the Nunn School, co-sponsored by Georgia Tech Georgia Tech Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER), and generously supported by the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation and Bank of America.