Formation 1960 Website meridian.org Founded 1960 | Location Washington, D.C. President Stuart Holliday | |
 | ||
Headquarters Washington, D.C., United States Similar Global Ties US, Atlas Service Corps, US Global Leadership Coalition, Center for the Study of the Pre, Willow Creek Association | ||
Meridian international center the power of exchange
The Meridian International Center is a non-partisan, not-for-profit, public diplomacy organization founded in 1960 and located in Washington, D.C The organization's mission is to promote "global leadership through the exchange of ideas, people, and culture." It works closely with the U.S. Department of State and other U.S. government agencies, NGOs, international governments, and the private sector to create programs and partnership.
Contents
The organization is headquartered in the historic Meridian House and White-Meyer House both designed by John Russell Pope Meridian is a member of the Dupont-Kalorama Museums Consortium.
History
In 1960, Dr. Arthur A. Hauck, a member of the American Council on Education and former president of the University of Maine, worked with the Ford Foundation to purchase the Meridian House from Gertrude Laughlin Chanler to serve as headquarters of a non-profit organization called the Washington International Center.
Four additional organizations joined the Center in 1961: the Foreign Student Service Council, the Governmental Affairs Institute, the Institute of Contemporary Arts, and the Institute of International Education. The center was renamed the Meridian House Foundation, which later evolved into Meridian International Center.
Events
The Center organizes several large events each year. The most prominent one is the Meridian Ball, which usually takes place in October.
Meridian Ball
In 1969, Meridian launched an annual benefit to finance its growing portfolio of projects and programming. Now in its 46th year, the Meridian Ball – with associated dinners at the embassies and residences of foreign ambassadors, and Meridian’s own White-Meyer House – is considered one of the most prestigious social events in Washington, D.C.