diplomatique ™ peer-group roundtable series
Finding it more difficult to answer the questions people are asking? Then you are going to be interested in diplomatique™ peer-group gatherings.
In a world increasingly marked by confusion and conflict, diplomatique™ affords opportunity to gather safely and discreetly, to share challenges and concerns, wisdom and relationships, geopolitical intelligence and actionable insights.
Some, like technology entrepreneur Peter Diamandis, predict, "within the next few decades, advancements in renewable energy, robotics, and artificial intelligence will lead to a world of abundance where poverty and scarcity are eliminated," yet others, like Apple's Tim Cook recognise the need for, "inherent responsibility in the manufacture of technology, to ensure that it doesn't end up doing more harm than good."
Technology is just a single thread in a complex tapestry of issues. You know the analogy, when you look at one side of the canvas we see chaos, yet when we turn it a beautiful picture is revealed.
Distinguished diplomatique™ moderators will help leaders understand and appropriately respond to "the times" and consider leadership into a future, full of opportunities and challenges, that their colleagues and families will face.
Vienna, Austria
Vienna, Austrian is a truly beautiful European capital city, and one that, despite its relatively modest size, has always wielded strategic importance - not least in the 'Post War' era.
As well as being home to the Austrian Parliament, since 1975, Vienna has played host to the Organisation for Security and Cooperation with Europe (OSCE) that was created when the countries in the two opposing blocs in the Cold War signed the Helsinki Final Act, enshrining principles such as territorial integrity and respect for human rights.
In these times of renewed conflict in Europe and the middle-east, and of realigning relationships and new trade agreements, there is no better city to visit to discuss the challenges our businesses and societies are facing.
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
While many view the tall buildings and ambition of Dubai and believe it to be the capital city, we understand Abu Dhabi to be the centre of power in the United Arab Emirates - an elective monarchy formed from a federation of seven emirates.
Abu Dhabi's Sea Palace is home to the UAE's President, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a great man, a man of peace, and one of the most influential leaders in the world at this time.
The United Arab Emirates has a population of almost 10 million people, yet slightly less that 12% of that population are Emirati citizens.
As such, the Emirates are truly a centre of international trade, cultural exchange and increasing influence, particularly at a time of instability in the wider Middle East. Abu Dhabi often provides the meeting place for leaders from Europe, the Americas, Africa, and SE Asia.
Baltusrol Golf Club, NJ
Baltusrol Golf Club, one of America's most exclusive private clubs, synonymous with championship golf, sits at the base of Baltusrol Mountain in northern New Jersey, only a stone’s throw from New York City. With a rich heritage that dates back to 1895, Baltusrol remains true to the club's founder, Louis Keller’s vision to create a world class golf club befitting America’s leading city.
The diplomatique ™ roundtable series comes to Baltusrol courtesy of one of our Advisory Board members who is also a member.
We do not plan to play golf - albeit that creates walking and talking time too! - but golf can be arrange on the preceding weekend for any of our diplomatique™ fellows if you would like.
The Porsche Experience, Atanta, GA
Our friends at Porsche told us, "to fully appreciate what a Porsche is engineered to do, you must visit our Atlanta test tracks and get behind the wheel of these stunning high-performance vehicles."
'The Porsche Experience Center' will offer different challenges as we break from roundtable discussions, and the cutting-edge nature of this venue will stimulate our thinking as we consider the opportunities and risks technology present our businesses and society.
The Palace of Westminster
The Palace of Westminster, is often described as the Mother of Parliaments. While the United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy, under King Charles III as Monarch, Westminster remains the home of a unitary parliamentary democracy, with its powers delegated by legislation and social conventions.
In more recent years some of these powers have been devolved to regional parliaments and assemblies in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
The Principality of Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein, is bordered by Switzerland and Austria and is Europe's fourth-smallest country with a population of 39,790 and has the highest GDP per person in the world.
The Principality is headed by the Prince of Liechtenstein, Hans-Adam II, and is a member of the United Nations, the European Free Trade zone, and the Council of Europe, but not of the European Union, and it uses the Swiss Franc as its trading currency.
We are indebted to our dear friends Prince Nikolaus, younger brother of Prince Hans-Adam II, and Princess Margaretha of Liechtensien, born Princess Margaretha of Luxembourg - the fourth child of Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg and Princess Joséphine-Charlotte of Belgium, who have facilitated our gathering in one of the most stunning venues in God's creation.
Malibu, CA and Pepperdine
Malibu, California is a city west of Los Angeles, known for its sandy beaches stretching 21 miles (34 km) along the Pacific coast and for being the home of numerous Hollywood celebrities and executives. Malibu is also home to Pepperdine University with over 10,000 students occupying its stunning 830 acres (340 ha) campus overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
While it is the diplomatique™ attendees and fellows who recommend the agenda for discussion, we are blessed to have our diplomatique ™ advisory board member Helen Williams, former Dean of Pepperdine's Graduate Education School guide our discussions that will inevitably consider the world of education and the needs of our students and society as a whole.
Leinster House, Dublin
The island of Ireland is made up of The Republic of Ireland, with Dublin its Capital, and Northern Ireland, part of the United Kingdom, with Belfast its Capital. The 1998 Good Friday Agreement (GFA) brought peace to the island, allowing people to celebrate diversity of identity, cultural tradition, political ideology and ambition.
Secretary Hillary Clinton referred to the GFA as "the world's most successful peace process," yet we know the work reconciliation is never done and is best achieved by bringing people together, and facilitating critical conversations.
Parliament Buildings, Belfast
In 2023 diplomatique™ hosted an "Ireland consultation" bringing 16 men and women to visit the island's two capitals and meet leaders to develop an understanding of the journey of peace, post conflict transformation, and Ireland's remarkable experience of economic development.
Following the success of that consultation, by special request, diplomatique™ Ireland will come together around two tables on consecutive days, in Dublin and Belfast.
The advisory board thought it appropriate that the Emerald Isle be destination for the culmination of the diplomatique™ 2024/25 series.