
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 17, 2025
San Diego, CA. — The San Diego Diplomacy Council (SDDC) is elated to welcome “The World” radio show co-host Marco Werman and U.S. Special Representative for City and State Diplomacy, Ambassador (retired) Nina Hachigian as keynote speakers for the SDDC’s annual fundraiser, “The Next 45: Building a Sustainable Legacy”, scheduled for January 30 at UC San Diego’s Great Hall.
Werman and Amb. Hachigian will present during this milestone event, which celebrates the SDDC’s 45 years of fostering global connections and propels it toward another 45 years of sustainability and citizen diplomacy to nations worldwide. Ben Moore, a foreign affairs advisor at the San Diego Office of the Mayor, will moderate the discussion.
“The Next 45: Building a Sustainable Legacy” will be host to a cocktail reception, featuring an assortment of food and drinks, live entertainment, and interactive art experiences as a backdrop to a vital conversation surrounding sustainability as it relates to global peace and SDDC’s long-term mission to create inclusive professional, cultural, and educational experiences that connect local and global changemakers, fostering convergence in a divergent world.
Ambassador Hachigian (ret.) is the first U.S. Special Representative for City and State Diplomacy. In this role she seeks to bring benefits to, and learn from, local leaders in the United States, and connect them to counterparts around the world. Before rejoining the Department, Ambassador Hachigian served as the first Deputy Mayor for International Affairs for the City of Los Angeles. In that role, she oversaw efforts that sent underserved community college students on free, educational international trips; created a new public-private partnership to attract international business and non-profits, especially to underserved communities; prepared the City for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games and their legacy; hosted the Summit of the Americas; founded the first global gender equity city network; planned trade missions, and worked with international city networks to advance cutting-edge climate change programs, migrant integration, healthy cities and more.
Marco Werman is co-host and executive editor of the WGBH-PRX program The World which he helped create in 1995. Previously he covered West Africa as a foreign correspondent for the BBC and other outlets. He is currently UC San Diego first Journalist in Residence. Werman is a two-time Emmy nominee and a winner for his 2006 Frontline documentary about Libya opening up to the world during a total solar eclipse.
Moore is detailed from the U.S. Department of State to support San Diego’s international engagement, serving San Diego mayor Todd Gloria. Moore, with more than 15 years of experience in foreign service affairs, will lead the discussion on building a sustainable legacy.
The upcoming fundraiser celebrates 45 years of citizen diplomacy in San Diego and examines the critical importance of sustainability for the future, both globally and within the organization.
In anticipation of the community’s support, SDDC has secured a $45,000 matching gift. Ticket sales, sponsorships and contributions received during the Jan. 30 event will be matched dollar-for-dollar.
Tickets, sponsorships, and donation opportunities are now available for the event. Proceeds will support the San Diego Diplomacy Council’s mission to promote global understanding through citizen diplomacy, ensuring the organization’s continued impact.
- “The World” from PRX co-host Marco Werman and U.S. Special Representative for City and State Diplomacy Nina Hachigian will serve as keynote speakers for the SDDC’s annual fundraiser on Jan. 30.
- $45,000 matching gift: Thanks to the generosity of SDDC supporters, every dollar donated will have double the impact.
- Performances and interactive art: Attendees can enjoy live entertainment and engaging art installations with hands-on involvement throughout the evening.
- Global voices: SDDC’s delegation of students from Kiribati will share unique perspectives from their island nation
- Networking with community leaders: Meet likeminded individuals passionate about citizen diplomacy and sustainability
- Silent Auction: Bid on exclusive experiences and one-of-a-kind packages during our silent auction including interactions with SDDC’s global alumni, dinner hospitality opportunities, cultural events, vacation packages, and more.
To join “The Next 45: Building a Sustainable Legacy”, purchase tickets or contribute: https://sandiegodiplomacy.org/thenext45
For media inquiries or additional information, please contact:
Lulu Bonning
Senior Manager, Community Engagement
San Diego Diplomacy Council
lulu@sandiegodiplomacy.org
Drake Hills
Sports Diplomacy Fellow
San Diego Diplomacy Council
drake@sandiegodiplomacy.org
About the San Diego Diplomacy Council
The San Diego Diplomacy Council creates inclusive professional, cultural, and educational experiences that connect local and global changemakers, fostering convergence in a divergent world. For over 45 years, SDDC has worked to foster global understanding and build relationships that promote peace, collaboration, and cultural exchange.
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