Ambassador
Ambassador Speech
Center of American Studies Annual Dinner
Ambassador Wayne
Good night. I would like to thank President Luis María Savino and the members of the Center of American Studies for your kind invitation to present the certificates to the students of the U.S Studies Program that took place in Washington DC and to speak with you today.
I want to give President Savino and CEA my congratulations at this start of CEA´s 19th year of activities, and thank you for your valuable accomplishments in the building of knowledge about the U.S.
CEA is an outstanding institution devoted to the research and development of studies about the United States, its society, its politics and its fascinating evolution. CEA’s work under Luis Savino contributes a great deal to mutual understanding, which in turn, contributes to the steady improvement of bilateral relations between Argentina and the United States.
During 2008, CEA met the challenge of the demands of a U.S. presidential election year, with a worthy slate of activities. The two trips organized by CEA were perfectly timed and thus provided a select group of Argentine leaders an excellent opportunity to gain a truer understanding of our political system.
CEA’s publication of a book on the US Elections last October 20 was another remarkable accomplishment that shows CEA´s sustained commitment to widening education and research in Argentina of U.S. Democracy at the highest academic levels.
The creation and establishment of serious and high level study groups that include officials, legislators, politicians, judges, army officers, trade union representatives and academics to promote discussion of U.S. society and culture has been effective in breaking down myths about our country. It is another excellent example of what CEA does to achieve its goals and support an open and pluralistic exchange of ideas.
It is my custom to remind my colleagues that democracy is a work in progress, and so it will continue to be with the new administration of President Obama. CEA will have very interesting material in the years ahead.
In conclusion, our efforts to cooperate with Argentina are more successful, thanks in part, to CEA´s activities, and I´d like to encourage you to keep on doing what you do so well since 1990.
Thank you again for giving me the opportunity to talk with you today, and to emphasize my sincere congratulations for the ongoing academic and institutional accomplishments of the Center of American Studies. Thank you very much.