On Friday, April 24th, the Center for Politics hosted Her Excellency Dina Kawar, Ambassador of Jordan to the United States. Bilal Humeidan, professor and Director of Undergraduate Programs for the Department of Middle Eastern and South Asian Languages and Cultures, joined Kawar in conversation.
Daman Irby, Director of Global Initiatives at the Center for Politics, introduced the Ambassador Series discussion. He reminded audience members of Jordan’s strong relationship with the United States and its critical role as a partner in the Middle East. Irby also discussed the partnership between Jordan and the University, including the annual J-Term “UVA in Jordan” course taught by Humeidan.
Irby then outlined Kawar’s distinguished career, which includes spending twelve years as Ambassador of Jordan to France, being appointed the Permanent Representative of Jordan to the United Nations, and serving as the first Arab woman to preside over the UN Security Council. She has held the role of Ambassador of Jordan to the United States since July 2016.
Humeidan, who is originally from Jordan, began the conversation by describing the “openness and warmth” that define Jordanian society and contribute to UVA students’ enjoyment of the J-Term program. His first question asked Kawar about her experience as an Arab woman in diplomacy.
Kawar praised Jordan for its desire to have women in the Foreign Service, but explained that in diplomacy, women are often held to a different standard. She said her responsibilities went “beyond just being an ambassador”; performing well opens the door for other women, but “every failure is taken against womankind.” Humeidan followed up by discussing the changes he’s seen in the opportunities for Jordanian women since he moved to the United States nearly two decades ago. Kawar echoed his sentiments, describing the rise of women in the information technology sector and increasing educational attainment.
Humeidan’s next question was about how diplomacy has changed since Kawar entered the Foreign Service. She stated that ambassadors today are expected to cover a lot more ground, representing not just a nation’s politics but also its economic, sport, and technological developments. She added that media changes have made diplomacy more difficult. Jordanians have access to around-the-clock news, and due to the time zone difference, they often know the biggest stories of the day before Kawar wakes up in Washington and has a chance to analyze them.
When asked about the durability of the US-Jordanian relationship, Kawar explained that Jordan has been a good and reliable ally that “doesn’t make trouble.” She added that Jordanians love their country and want to ensure its safety, which has allowed it to maintain its peace despite the “fires all around” in Syria, Lebanon, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip. In the next decade, Kawar believes diplomatic relations will be strengthened by Jordan’s expanding energy sector and large-scale projects to combat water scarcity.
Finally, the conversation turned toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Jordan has staunchly supported a two-state solution. Kawar said that while people in Jordan may equate the Trump administration with support for Israel, the president has actually been “hard on the right wing in Israel” and understands the importance of Palestine.
Then, Kawar fielded numerous questions from the audience. They centered around the status of Jordan’s diplomatic relations, tourism, sustainability, and plans for the future. One student asked how Kawar separates her own beliefs and opinions from her work as a diplomat. Kawar explained that she differentiates between principles and emotions; her principles are welcome at work and include defending a two-state solution, that a safe Israel requires a Palestinian state, and that “those against peace are against us.” Emotions, on the other hand, “must stay home.”
Friday’s conversation offered students and Charlottesville community members a unique opportunity to directly engage with a trailblazing diplomat. The discussion was particularly timely given the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the role Jordan plays—both geographically and diplomatically—in it.
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