Students Ponder Future of EU To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome, which sowed the seeds for the current 27-member European Union, German Ambassador Klaus Scharioth invited Washington-area college students to present their vision of the EU for the next 50 years before an audience of EU ambassadors at the German Residence on March 25. “The perspective of these students from this side of the Atlantic is a critical one,” said Scharioth. “Support from the United States has been essential to the project of European integration from the beginning. “Fifty years ago, particularly wise leaders on both sides of the Atlantic had a farsighted vision for the future,” he told his audience of EU diplomatic colleagues and U.S. students. “American leaders like [Harry] Truman, [George] Marshall, [John] McCloy and [George] Kennan helped Europe get back on its feet, not only through massive material support but also through a political commitment to support the European will to integrate.” John Bruton, the EU ambassador and former prime minister of Ireland, opened the discussion by saying that EU enlargement is a “great success story of peaceful change” but “is still a work in progress.” He called the EU a “political project” that evens the playing field among smaller countries and their bigger, more powerful neighbors. “Joining the EU transformed [Ireland’s] relationship and Britain … and that is happening all over Europe.” When questioned about the chances of Turkey eventually becoming a member, Bruton said he feels the EU needs time to “digest” its current new, larger membership. “We have grown very fast,” he said. “We are like a family and [with each new country], our enlargement is like a marriage and [that means] taking in more in-laws.” Both ambassadors noted future EU challenges to be terrorism, violent fanaticism, poverty, disease, energy and climate change. Students’ presentations ranged from environmental concerns to comments about the merger between Euronext and the New York Stock Exchange. American University law student Tony Sciascia called for “mutual recognition of product standards” and said that European concerns over America’s “genetically modified food” can be solved by better labeling. Molly France, a first-year Catholic University student, suggested an independent public affairs television station modeled after C-SPAN. U.S. Naval Academy senior Arthur Zepf, meanwhile, talked about the need for an EU cooperative military force, which he said is necessary for the 27-member body to “acquire a leading role in the world.” The 44 students came from six area universities and worked in teams. All were delighted when they discovered, along with German-EU souvenirs in their goody bags, a $100 check from the German Embassy for their participation. Front page, German Ambassador Klaus Schiaroth, left, and Ambassador of the European Union John Bruton gathered together the ambassadors and deputy chiefs of mission of all 27 EU member countries at the German Residence to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Rome Treaty. Photos: Christophe Avril / German Embassy Latino Student Fund Continues to Change Lives Celebrating 13 years of continued success, the Latino Student Fund (LSF) held its seventh annual gala honoring President of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and former Colombian Ambassador Luis Alberto Moreno, who serves as an “inspiring role model,” according to Latino Student Fund founder Rosalia Gutiérrez-Huérte Miller. “For seven years, I have had the pleasure of watching your organization grow and carry out such excellent work,” said the IDB president, whose former embassy sponsored the first LSF gala while he was Colombian ambassador. “A mentor or tutor can have a huge impact on the life of a child or a teen … which is precisely why the mission and work of this organization is so important.” Moreno stressed that young Latinos in the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean all need quality education, but that the American culture of volunteerism is what makes a difference to young Latinos here. In thanking all the LSF donors and volunteers, Moreno also emphasized the role that many IDB staffers have played in helping to mentor and support LSF students. Since its launch in 1998, the IDB-DC Solidarity Program has been channeling the bank’s civic activities to Washington-area Latinos. More than $150,000 was raised during the festive evening at American University’s Katzen Arts Center. More than 100 gifted Washington-area Latino students have won LSF scholarships and gone on to major American colleges and universities. This year’s diplomatic honorary chairs were Ambassador of the Dominican Republic Flavio Espinal and his wife Minerva, both of whom are known for creatively and tirelessly helping local organizations. “Definitely, education is the key,” said Ambassador Espinal to the crowd of 200. “We as ambassadors are always trying to help our people to move up and up into the private and public sector. The economics of the 21st century are based on knowledge, creativity and the entrepreneurial spirit. All of my Latino colleagues and I are really grateful for the help of the Latino Student Fund.” LSF founder and former LSF President Rosalia Miller expects LSF’s new president, Edward K.M. Bilich, to take this very successful group to new heights. “With Ted’s vision and determination, my dream of helping Latino students in other parts of the country and one day having our own center will not only come true but sooner than ever,” she said. The ebullient Miller, a native of Nicaragua and a popular National Cathedral School faculty member herself, is still devoted to helping each and every LSF student, whether they started receiving help in kindergarten or junior high. “Every one of our LSF student scholars has finished college and has gone on to great careers. They and their families appreciate our help, and these wonderful students make us all so proud.” From left, Latino Student Fund (LSF) founder Rosalia Gutiérrez-Huérte Miller, President of Inter-American Development Bank and LSF honoree Luis Alberto Moreno, LSF Board Member Lizette Corro and LSF President Edward Bilich attend “Son Caribeño,” the seventh annual Latino Student Fund Gala celebrating gifted Washington-area Latino students who have won LSF scholarships to attend U.S. colleges and universities. Photo: Beverly Brezneck Front page: From left, Ambassador of the Dominican Republic Flavio Espinal, founder of the Latino Student Fund (LSF) Rosalia Gutiérrez-Huérte Miller, and Minerva Espinal attend the LSF seventh annual gala. Photo: Gail Scott Political Empowerment of Women in India Secretary-General of the Indian National Congress Margaret Alva, a former 30-year member of the Indian Parliament and one of five international recipients of Vital Voices 2007 Global Leadership Awards, was honored by Indian Ambassador Ronen Sen and wife Kalpana at their residence for spearheading India’s “Silent Revolution,” which has resulted in the election of 1.3 million women across India to governing bodies. Ambassador Sen, a longtime friend of Alva, noted how important she has been as a role model to other Indian women for more than three decades. “The emancipation and empowerment of women [in India],” he said, “are something quite remarkable.” Vital Voices cofounder and current chair Melanne Verveer, former chief of staff to Hillary Clinton, praised Alva for her efforts in persuading other women to run for office and then continuing to support them throughout their campaigns and in their new positions. “This [personal political involvement] is not just for the good of the women, but for the good of the whole country,” said Verveer. Alva, accompanied by her supportive husband Niranjan and daughter Manira, received the award for political participation from Vital Voices, reflecting her dedication to women’s rights and their involvement in the political process in India. According to Alva, women in politics bring “the human side of development into focus.” Established in 2000, Vital Voices is a nonprofit nongovernmental organization that invests in emerging women leaders to promote the value of women’s participation in society. Other Vital Voices Global Leadership Awards recipients are Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus of Bangladesh (Global Trailblazer Award); Maria Pacheco of Guatemala (economic development); Awut Deng Acuil of Sudan (human rights and democracy); and the Chinese delegation consisting of Dr. Gao Yaojie, Guo Jianmei, Wang Xingjuan and Xie Lihua (human rights). Indian Ambassador Ronen Sen, left, honors Secretary-General of the Indian National Congress Margaret Alva, a recipient of the Vital Voices 2007 Global Leadership Award for her work in bringing 1.3 million women across India into governing bodies. Photos: U H Win / Embassy of India Ecuador’s Endangered Galápagos After more than three years of exploring and filming throughout the Galápagos archipelago, the National Geographic Channel, in cooperation with the Ecuadorian Embassy, premiered the much-anticipated “Galápagos” documentary at National Geographic’s headquarters on March 13 to nearly 500 guests. Airing the following Sun., March 18, this National Geographic “labor of love” received an encore presentation on March 22 and may be aired soon again. “Galápagos” was the first in-depth, full-access film made in more than 20 years about the islands that changed the world. It was at these islands off the coast of mainland Ecuador where Charles Darwin first began to develop his theory of evolution by observing the various indigenous species. “We are very pleased about how the film turned out,” Ecuadorian Ambassador Luis Gallegos told his multilingual audience. “And we’re glad to participate in this important endeavor.” But the festive evening had a somber overtone in spite of the colorful animal sculptures by Ecuadorian artist Miguel Illescas and the 1,000 long-stem salmon roses that were flown in from Ecuador. Ecuadorian Minister of Environment Anita Albán Mora—the special guest of the evening—explained how the Galápagos Islands are endangered, with more than 500 endemic species of “this jewel of the most bio-diverse country in the world” facing extinction due to the recent introduction of invasive non-native species and human settlement. Although many sustainable development programs are already in place, Mora said “support from the international community is necessary. The Galapagos are very important to the world.” Ever since 1978, the Galapagos have been designated a World Heritage site by UNESCO. It is Mora’s hope that this documentary will help raise not only awareness, but better protection in and around this famous archipelago for future generations. The production of “Galápagos” was a joint effort of the National Geographic Channel, the Lindblad Expeditions, the Galápagos Conservancy and the Ecuadorian government. From left, Ecuadorian Minister of Environment Anita Albán Mora, Ecuadorian Ambassador Luis Gallegos, and President of the Galápagos Conservancy Johannah Barry attend the premiere of the much-anticipated “Galápagos” documentary at National Geographic’s headquarters. Photo: Karen Boutros Front page photo: National Geographic Channel SPONSOR THE WASHINGTON DIPLOMAT P.O. 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