Washington, D.C. - Ambassador Richard C. Holbrooke, U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, will give the keynote address at the International Center for Journalists' 25th Anniversary Awards Dinner on November 12, 2009, at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C.
At the dinner, Holbrooke will also be honored for his distinguished career in public service. Holbrooke was a member of President Bill Clinton's cabinet, serving as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations from 1999 to 2001. Prior to that, he was Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and chief architect of the 1995 Dayton Peace Agreement that ended the war in Bosnia. As a private citizen, he later became President Clinton's Special Envoy to Bosnia and Kosovo and Special Envoy to Cyprus. In 1993-94, he was the U.S. Ambassador to Germany. He also served as Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs during the Carter Administration.
When Holbrooke was appointed special representative last January, President Barack Obama called him "one of the most talented diplomats of his generation." The president also said Afghanistan and Pakistan represent "the central front in our enduring struggle against terrorism and extremism." At the time, Holbrooke pledged to channel resources more effectively to both countries, and thereby "quadruple, quintuple, multiply by tenfold the effectiveness of our efforts there."
"Whether brokering peace agreements or shaping U.S. foreign policy, Richard Holbrooke has resolved some of the most challenging issues of the day," said ICFJ Chairman James F. Hoge, Jr. "We are delighted that he will share his insights at ICFJ's 25th anniversary celebration."
Along with Holbrooke, three distinguished journalists will be honored at the November 12 awards dinner. Veteran investigative reporter Seymour Hersh of The New Yorker will receive the ICFJ Founders Award for Excellence in Journalism. Cao Junwu of China and Chouchou Namegabe Nabintu of the Democratic Republic of the Congo will receive the Knight International Journalism Award for their outstanding coverage. ABC's Washington Bureau Chief George Stephanopoulos will serve as the master of ceremonies.
For more information on dinner sponsorship and tickets, please contact Vjollca Shtylla, Vice President for Development, at vshtylla@icfj.org or visit www.icfj.org/dinner. Press registration is required. Please sign up at www.icfj.org/dinner/press.
The International Center for Journalists, a non-profit, professional organization, promotes quality journalism worldwide in the belief that independent, vigorous media are crucial in improving the human condition. Now celebrating its 25th anniversary, ICFJ has worked directly with more than 55,000 journalists from 176 countries. Aiming to raise the standards of journalism, ICFJ offers hands-on training, workshops, online training, seminars, fellowships and international exchanges to reporters and media managers around the globe. For more, visit www.icfj.org.